“Lawmakers and Department of Veterans Affairs officials clashed Thursday over the end to a decades-old practice allowing veterans service representatives to review decisions about benefits for accuracy before they’re finalized.”
“While lawmakers said the practice saved time and aided veterans, VA officials contended it was “legally suspect” and “no longer appropriate.”
“The argument occurred during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs – part of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. VA officials went to Capitol Hill to give their opinions on several measures, including one to reinstate the practice known as the “48-hour review process.”
“As outlined in a VA manual, representatives accredited by the VA had 48 hours to review new rating decisions on behalf of their clients…”
“The department estimated it would need tens of millions of dollars to implement the legislation. The mandate would require additional staff, new information technology and a new program office, the VA argued. The agency wrote that it would need at least $65 million the first year after the bill takes effect…” Read the full article here.
Source: VA opposes efforts to reinstate 48-hour review process for claims – By Nikki Wentling, July 16, 2020. Stars and Stripes.
