Davis Hosts Veterans Resource Fair, Announces Bill to Improve VA Claims Process

Statement

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today hosted a Veterans Resource Fair, with special guest Erica Jeffries, Director of Illinois Veterans Affairs, and announced the introduction of H.R. 3335, the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act, his bipartisan legislation to improve the claims process through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so veterans can get the answers they need more quickly.

"Veterans should not have to go through their member of Congress to get answers from the VA but the fact is we are oftentimes a last resort for many veterans," said Davis. "The Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act will allow my office to better assist veterans by creating more transparency within the claims process and hopefully allow the VA to be more efficient so veterans get the answers they need and deserve in a timely manner.Davis Hosts Veterans Resource Fair, Announces Bill to Improve VA Claims Process"

H.R. 3335, the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act, would provide certain local government employees, and certain employees of Congress access to case tracking information through the VA. Davis' office is currently working with the VA on more than 85 cases on behalf of veterans in his district. This legislation would allow veterans' caseworkers to better track where these cases are in the VA claims process and update the veteran on the status of their case.

Davis introduced H.R. 3335 late last month with his colleague U.S. Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.).

"County Veteran Service Officers play an important role in helping veterans navigate the claims process," said Walz. The Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act will give these local advocates another tool to help veterans quickly receive the benefits they earned. I look forward to working with colleagues to ensure this bill gets passed into law."

Source