Renacci Visits VA Cleveland Regional Office, Discusses Appeals Backlog

Press Release

Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16) today visited the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cleveland Regional Office to meet with Director Anthony Milons Sr. and several Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to discuss the appeals process and the backlog of appeals.

"Several veterans living in Ohio's 16th District have expressed concerns about the appeals backlog that continues to grow in Cleveland," said Renacci. "Today, I spoke with multiple Veterans Service Organizations about the appeals process and learned of one veteran that has been waiting 23 years to have his claim adjudicated. According to the VA Cleveland Regional Office, the average appeals claim has been pending for more than 400 days. This is unacceptable."

Currently, there are five decision review officers at the VA Cleveland Regional Office processing nearly 12,000 appeal claims. Despite the fact that there are more appeals pending in Cleveland than initial claims, the decision was made to transfer 13 decision review officers to initial claims processing, which has only served to increase the appeals backlog.

"I appreciated the opportunity to meet the new regional office director to learn what he is doing to address the appeals backlog," said Renacci. "It is critical that Director Milons takes the appropriate steps to develop and implement an efficient and effective process to eliminate the backlog. Veterans have given up so much to serve our country, it is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the benefits they have earned once they return home."

In July of 2014, the House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act, a bipartisan, bicameral package of bills that will bring more accountability and provide meaningful reforms to the VA. Highlights from this legislation include providing $10 billion for veterans to seek private care at hospitals and clinics outside the VA, and $5 billion to allow the department to hire more doctors, nurses, and medical staff. It provides $1.5 billion to be spent on leases to use other medical facilities at 27 sites around the country. It makes it easier for the VA Secretary to fire staff at a department where officials covered up long wait times and prevents the VA from awarding bonuses to employees for the next two years. Lastly, it requires public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents.

Renacci added, "I was pleased to see President Obama sign the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act into law on August 7, 2014. While I am proud of our work in Congress and efforts by the VA to implement initial steps to improve quality and access to care, there is much more that needs to be done. I remain committed to ensuring that our veterans receive the timely care that they deserve, and I encourage my constituents to use our office as a resource -- we stand ready to assist anyone who may be experiencing issues with our local VA hospitals."

Source