This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned this “invisible” backlog that the Veteran Benefits Administration has created with their most recent policy changes. For some time now, the group has been hounded by policymakers and various activist groups around the country to get through claims faster so that disabled Vets can get the help they need without waiting for months or even years. Despite the best efforts of these groups, the invisible veterans disability backlog simply kept getting longer and longer and frustration with their system continued to grow.
Then, not long ago, the VA announced that they had made a huge dent in their invisible veterans disability backlog, cutting it down by upwards of a third. On top of this, they were continuing to modernize their claims process and improve their IT infrastructure. Initially, this was hailed as an immensely positive thing, but once people started looking at how the VA had made this “dent,” there was a backlash. Rather than truly getting through all of those backlogged cases, the organization simply redefined what constitutes a backlog, “ignoring appeals and dependent claims” entirely and making it harder to file a claim in the first place.
People from everywhere came out of the woodwork to blast the VBA for these harmful practices, but through it all the VFW continued to support them and laud their efforts. But not anymore.
VFW: VA “Intent on Meeting Manufactured Goals”
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In early February of this year, the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing where the Deputy Director of the VFW blasted the VBA for their recent actions. He said their new policies “suborned the legal, regulatory, and policy protection granted veterans over the last 75 years,” and accused them of ignoring and even harming Veterans and their families in order to make their numbers look better.
Strong words from one of the VBA’s staunchest allies, and yet another reason why it’s so important to work with an experienced Veterans Disability attorney to ensure that you’re giving yourself the best chance to get the benefits you deserve. With all of these new changes, it may seem like the VBA has your best interests at heart, but ultimately they’re playing a numbers game and trying to make sure that they look good to the people who matter.
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To the VBA, you don’t even count if you’ve been denied, but that will never be the case with me. I’ll fight for you just like I’ve fought for countless others and helped them to get the benefits they deserve. If you want to learn more about the process, download our free Veterans Disability eBook. And if you need an advocate to fight for your rights, contact me today to set up a free consultation.
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