Action Alert: Appeals Modernization vote this week in House

(September 12, 2016) This week, the House of Representatives will vote on a bill that seeks to improve accountability at the VA and reform the VA’s disability benefits appeals process – a top priority for The American Legion and many veterans service organizations.

H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act, sponsored by House VA Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, is the first one to include crucial appeals reform to come up for a vote in either chamber.

Getting this bill through the House and over to the Senate is the first step in getting a final appeals reform bill done.

Modernizing VA’s archaic appeals process is of the utmost priority. Over the past year, The American Legion has engaged in discussions with VA leadership, VSO’s, and private attorneys to improve the claims and appeals process.  It proved to be a daunting task to restructure a system that’s existed since before World War II; but together, we helped create a structure that will expedite decisions while providing greater ownership and alternatives to veterans electing to appeal their claims while maintaining the original effective date.

Please tell Congress you expect both parties to work together responsibly to pass legislation which includes a simple and fair appeals process that provides veterans and their families their earned benefits in a timely manner.