Rice Urges VA Secretary to Improve Veteran Claims Process

Press Release

Congressman Tom Rice (SC-07), along with 62 members of Congress, sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald urging him to improve the agency's claims process by granting congressional constituent service representatives read-only access of veterans' electronic claim files. Currently, only VA employees and certified Veteran Services Officers can access claim files.

"The VA claims backlog is one of the agency's eyesores," said Congressman Rice. "When our veterans cannot get a claim update or an answer from the VA, they turn to one of our offices for help but our hands are tied. If our district staff could view a veteran's claim and provide them with an update on the claim status, VA employees could dedicate more of their time to reducing the claims backlog. Overall, this improvement to the claims process would be a win for everyone--veterans, VA staff, and taxpayers."

According to the VA ASPIRE Dashboard, it takes an average of 212 days -- or seven and a half months--for the Columbia VA regional office to complete a disability rating claim. In the letter to Sec. McDonald, Congressman Rice and his colleagues request read-only access for congressional constituent services representatives who are acting as a "middle man" between the VA and veterans. Granting congressional staff this access will get veterans faster responses and reduce the number of congressional inquiries to the VA.

"The VFW believes that allowing congressional caseworkers to view the electronic claim files of veterans who have requested their assistance will provide swifter service for veterans and allow VA regional office employees more time to do their jobs," said Ray Kelley, VFW National Legislative Director.

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