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New Technology in Place for Electronic
Submission of Veterans’ Disability Claims Capability Marks Major Milestone in VA Transformation to Digital Claims Process
WASHINGTON – A new online application
from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enables disability compensation claims to be processed faster in a more end-to-end
electronic environment, and VA is urging Veterans and their Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives to make full use of its capabilities to receive speedier decisions and reduce the backlog of claims.
The
availability of the joint VA-Department of Defense Web portal eBenefits, which now integrates with the new internal
Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) electronic claims processing system, marks a major milestone in VA’s transformation
from paper claims records to a fully digital operating environment, one of the keys to VA’s goal to eliminate the disability
claims backlog by the end of 2015. VBMS has now been fielded at all 56 Regional Offices across the country, ahead of schedule.
VA will continue to upgrade and improve VBMS based on user feedback, and add features and tools that make it faster and easier
to process claims. Instead of filling out and mailing paper forms to VA, Veterans can now use eBenefits to enter
claim information online using a step-by-step, interview-style application, with pre-populated data fields and drop-down menus
similar to popular tax preparation software.
“There are so many advantages to making
this move from paper to digital – for both Veterans and VA” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.
“Veterans can now file their claims online through eBenefits like they might do their taxes online.” By filing electronically, any compensation benefits that are awarded will be effective back to the date the Veteran started entering their claim information in eBenefits. From that initial claim establishment date, each Veteran has up to a year to gather all necessary records and hit “submit” to preserve their original date of claim. eBenefits allows Veterans to upload digital images of records and evidence to support their claims, bypassing the need to physically mail in personal records and wait for confirmation of receipt. VA is advising Veterans to gather and submit all relevant medical records and file a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) in eBenefits, which entails entering all available evidence at the time the claim is submitted and verifying to VA that they have no more evidence to submit. Veterans filing an FDC will receive priority processing over the traditional claims process. VA can typically process FDCs in half the time it takes for a traditionally filed claim, and there is no risk to Veterans in filing an FDC. If VA finds that there is a piece of relevant evidence that was not submitted by the Veteran, but is needed for a rating decision (like private medical records), claims processors will work to obtain that evidence on the Veteran’s behalf and process the claim in the traditional way.
Once logged into eBenefits, Veterans can also choose to have an accredited VSO representative assist with their claim submission by filing an electronic power of attorney form. Using a companion portal,
the chosen VSO representative, with proper authorization, will be able to see the contents of a Veteran’s claim, track its status,
and add additional information when needed. A Veteran and his representative can even work a claim simultaneously while both
are logged into the system, enabling VSOs to assist more Veterans in their homes or even remotely.
See your VSO for details or call 800-827-1000 today. |
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