Congressman McNerney Continues To Hold VA Accountable For Claims Backlog

Press Release

This week, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) announced he will ask for more oversight of the Veterans Administration (VA) and its disability claims process, as it works to continue to eliminate the backlog.

"The Veterans Administration has made good progress in addressing the claims backlog, and I applaud that effort," said Congressman McNerney. "But the backlog is still unacceptable and we need to make sure that the VA is held accountable. I have been meeting with our veterans and those that care for them, and they deserve our best efforts to get them the benefits that they've earned."

In a letter to the House Appropriations Military Construction and VA Subcommittee, Rep. McNerney asked that this year's VA funding bill include language that directs the VA to use its resources equitably for all disability claims. The letter also includes a requirement that the VA address the growing backlog in appeals claims, and issue an annual report about its efforts to reduce that backlog.

Last year's VA funding law contained language championed by Rep. McNerney . It required quarterly reports from the VA on claims processing times and the efforts being taken to reduce the claims backlog. Because of the Congressman's efforts, the VA must now report on the average time to complete a disability compensation claim and the number of claims pending more than 125 days.

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