Meehan Works to Ensure Honest VA Claims Accounting

SPRINGFIELD, PA –  Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today wrote Allison Hickey, the Undersecretary for Benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeking clarification on recently-announced changes to the VA’s appeals and claims filing system.

The VA announced this week that all claims must now utilize a new, standardized form or the claim will instead be classified as an “intent to file.” Meehan expressed concern over how claims backlog information would be accounted for under the new system, and that reported backlog information be accurate.

“This information is essential so that I may provide accurate information to constituent veterans seeking my office’s assistance. It is also critical to on-going congressional oversight into the claims backlog and reports of mismanagement, particularly at the VA Philadelphia Area Regional Office,” he wrote.

The full text of Meehan’s letter is below, and a PDF version is available here.

The Honorable Allison Hickey

Under Secretary for Benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington DC 20420

Dear Under Secretary Hickey,

Thank you for your service to our nation’s veterans. Our veterans deserve the very best care after serving to protect us here at home. I write to you today to seek clarification on the Department’s changes to its claims and appeals filing system.

On March 25, 2015, the VA announced a new policy of using standardized claim and appeal forms, part of an effort to streamline claims processing, reduce wait-times and better serve America’s veterans. Existing claims, or “informal claims,” will be transferred to a new “intent to file” process. I appreciate how using standardized claims forms can improve future claims processing. But I am concerned with how this transition will affect congressional oversight and transparency. Please confirm how claims filed under both the standardized process and the “intent to file” system will be accounted for and reported to Congress. Will claims now classified as “intent to file” be included in claims backlog statistics?

This information is essential so that I may provide accurate information to constituent veterans seeking my office’s assistance. It is also critical to on-going congressional oversight into the claims backlog and reports of mismanagement, particularly at the VA Philadelphia Area Regional Office.

Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this matter. Please contact my office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Patrick Meehan

Member of Congress