Bill to speed VA disability claims reintroduced

A House lawmaker last week reintroduced a bill aimed at speeding up the disability claims process at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) last week reintroduced a bill aimed at speeding up the disability claims process at the Veterans Affairs Department.

The House passed the Rating and Processing Individuals’ Disability Claims Act last year as part of the Veterans Benefits and Economic Welfare Improvement Act of 2010, but the Senate failed to vote on the measure before the last Congress adjourned.

Among other things, the bill would codify the Fully Developed Claim program, which has been operating as a pilot program since 2008. The program permits a claimant who has filed all key information to bypass the usual lengthy claim process. It also helps deliver quicker decisions on disability compensation claims.

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.).