Electronic submission available for faster disability claims

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WASHINGTON --  A new online application from Veterans Affairs allows for processing disability compensation claims faster, and officials are urging veterans and their representatives to use this capability to receive speedier decisions and reduce the backlog of claims.

The Web portal, eBenefits, is now integrated with the new internal Veterans Benefits Management System electronic claims processing system to transform from paper claims records to a fully digital operating environment. This is one of the keys to VA's goal to eliminate the disability claims backlog by the end of 2015.

VBMS has now been fielded at all 56 VA regional offices across the country. Officials said VA will continue to upgrade and improve VBMS based on user feedback, and add features and tools that make it faster and easier to process claims. Instead of filling out and mailing paper forms to VA, veterans can now use eBenefits to enter claim information online using a step-by-step, interview-style application, with pre-populated data fields and drop-down menus similar to popular tax preparation software.

"There are so many advantages to making this move from paper to digital -- for both veterans and VA" said Allison A. Hickey, undersecretary for VA benefits. "Veterans can now file their claims online through eBenefits like they might do their taxes online."

By filing electronically, any compensation benefits that are awarded will be effective back to the date the veteran started entering their claim information in eBenefits. From that initial claim establishment date, each veteran has up to a year to gather all necessary records and hit "submit" to preserve their original date of claim.

Veterans can upload digital images of records and evidence to support their claims onto eBenefits, bypassing the need to physically mail in personal records and wait for confirmation of receipt.

VA officials are advising veterans to gather and submit all relevant medical records and file a Fully Developed Claim, or FDC, in eBenefits. This entails entering all available evidence at the time the claim is submitted and verifying to VA that they have no more evidence to submit. Veterans filing an FDC will receive priority processing over the traditional claims process.

VA can typically process FDCs in half the time it takes for a traditionally filed claim, and there is no risk to veterans in filing an FDC, said officials. If VA finds that there is a piece of relevant evidence that was not submitted by the veteran, but is needed for a rating decision, claims processors will work to get that evidence on the veteran's behalf and process the claim in the traditional way.

Once logged into eBenefits, veterans can also choose to have an accredited veterans service representative assist with their claim submission by filing an electronic power of attorney form. Using this new system, the chosen representative, with proper authorization, will be able to see the contents of a veteran's claim, track its status, and add additional information when needed. A veteran and his or her representative can even work a claim simultaneously while both are logged into the system, enabling representatives to assist more veterans in their homes or even remotely.

VA will still accept paper claims, though processing may take longer than for an electronically submitted claim. VA officials now scan all new paper claims and upload them into VBMS so they too can be processed electronically, though without many of the benefits provided when veterans initiate the process. These benefits include guided questions that help ensure complete and accurate information, and the immediate receipt of information without having to wait for the scanning and processing of paper documents.

Besdies filing claims online, registered eBenefits users can track their claim status and access information on a variety of other benefits, like pension, education, health care, home loan eligibility, and vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.

A free Premium eBenefits account is required to file claims electronically. The quickest and most convenient method of establishing a free premium eBenefits account is to complete the remote verification process through the eBenefits home page, or use a Department of Defense common access card to register for or upgrade an account.

Veterans can also establish an account by telephone at 800-827-1000, Option 7, if they receive VA benefits via direct deposit, or by visiting a VA regional office or TRICARE Service Center if they are a military retiree. For the location of the nearest VA regional office, visit www.va.gov and search the VA regional benefits office locator.

While compensation claims are pending, eligible veterans are able to receive health care and other benefits from VA. Veterans who have served in recent conflicts are eligible for five years of free health care from VA. Currently, more than 55 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are using VA health care.

For more information about VA benefits, go to http://www.benefits.va.gov. For more information on VA's transformation, go to http://benefits.va.gov/transformation. (Courtesy of a VA news release)