McNerney Calls On The Department Of Veterans Affairs To Address Claims Backlogs At Its Regional Offices

Press Release

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) wrote to the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take measures to address the severe backlog of claims at each of its regional offices. Thirty-four of Congressman McNerney's colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives joined him in signing the bipartisan letter requesting action.

"We have a sacred responsibility to provide the benefits that our men and women who have served our country have earned. It is unacceptable that with the resources given to the VA, they have yet to make inroads into the severe backlog of veterans' claims languishing at the regional offices. The people who have sacrificed to protect our way of life deserve much better," said Congressman McNerney.
The letter to the subcommittee seeks to include a provision in this year's appropriations bill that would direct the VA:

- to identify all of the regional offices with average days pending for disability claims in excess of 200 days and report to Congress quarterly on what actions it is taking to reduce these backlogs;
- to use all resources at its disposal to reduce these backlogs;
- to report to Congress within 30 days of the close of each fiscal quarter what has caused any backlogs, and what actions are being taken to reduce them;
- to produce a one-page handout each year for every congressional district proximate to a regional office explaining any backlog over 200 days and what actions are being taken, and distribute this one-pager to the veterans in the area;
- to send the Undersecretary for Benefits to each regional office with any such backlog

"It is imperative that we do everything we can to reduce the backlogs at the regional offices around our country. Our veterans deserve to have their claims processed in a timely fashion and receive the benefits that they deserve. Standing up for our nation's veterans is a responsibility I take very seriously and the VA must fulfill its promise to the men and women who have given so much for our country," said Congressman McNerney.

"The American Legion applauds Rep. McNerney for calling for this important action. We need to honor the service of all veterans by giving them all fair and timely access to the benefits they are due under the law." - James Koutz, National Commander, American Legion

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