The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Sept. 24 that it is introducing a uniformed disability claims forms to better serve veterans, families and survivors. Standardizing the process by which veterans file claims and initiate appeals will make it easier for veterans and their survivors to clearly state what benefits they are seeking from the VA and provide information that is necessary to process their claims and appeals. The new forms eliminate applicant guesswork, which often leads to delays in decisions and ultimately delays in receiving benefits.
In the past, a veteran or survivor did not have to use a certain form to seek compensation or other benefits from VA. Claims or appeals (Notice of Disagreement) could be submitted on any piece of paper, which caused delays due to missing information.
By using standard forms for all disability claims, the VA can more quickly and accurately identify what the veteran is claiming or appealing. This will allow the VA to immediately move on to the next steps in the evidence gathering and decision making process, which saves administrative processing time and speeds the delivery of earned benefits. The existing process is also inconsistent with most, if not all, other government and non-government application processes, such as applying for social security, a driverss license, a job or filing for an income tax refund.
The updated process also includes standardizing the traditional informed claims process by employing a new Intent to File a Claim process, which affords the veterans or survivors one year to compile the necessary documentation or evidence to support the claim while preserving an effective date of claim. The new regulations go into effect in late March 2015.
More information about VA forms 21-526EZ, 21-527EZ, 21-534EZ, 21-0958 or Notice of Disagreement may be found at www.ebenefits.va.gov or www.va.gov/vaforms/. Speak to you again next week.
