AMVETS APPLAUDS VA’S ANNOUNCEMNT ON AGENT ORANGE CLAIMS

Executive Director Jim King calls automation a “critical step” toward delivering benefits on time

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2010— This morning, VA announced it plans to introduce an automated system to handle new presumptive Agent Orange claims in the coming months. AMVETS, one of the nation’s largest and most inclusive veterans’ organizations, applauded the decision, which could potentially help more than 200,000 Vietnam veterans receive their new benefit entitlements in a timely manner.

“We’re happy to hear that VA has decided to take a 21st-century approach to the new presumptive Agent Orange claims,” said AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King, a Vietnam veteran. “Aside from this being a critical first step in modernizing the entire VA claims process, an automated solution will help ensure that Vietnam veterans affected by the new presumptions will not have to wait even longer for the benefits to which they are entitled.”

Last year, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced that three new illnesses would be included under VA’s presumption for Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam: Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, and B-cell leukemias. Veterans who served in Vietnam who suffer from these conditions will now be entitled to receive care and compensation for their illnesses without the burden of proving a direct correlation to military service.

This week, VA will solicit private sector input on the best way to implement an automated system with the goal of implementation within 150 days.

“Veterans whose health was harmed during their military service are entitled to the best this nation has to offer,” said Shinseki in this morning’s announcement. “We are undertaking an unprecedented modernization of our claims process to ensure timely and accurate delivery of that commitment.”

VA encourages all veterans potentially affected by the new policy to start submitting claims as soon as guidelines on the new presumptions have been published, and AMVETS National Service Officers stand ready to assist veterans seeking to file such claims at VA regional offices around the country free of charge.

This is the first time VA is looking to implement an automated claims-processing system, which VA hopes will reduce the time it takes to collect evidence on claims and AMVETS leaders hope will have a drastic impact on the current VA claims backlog.

Eliminating the VA claims backlog, which approached 1 million claims and appeals in 2009, is AMVETS’ top legislative priority for 2010. To read all of AMVETS legislative priorities for 2010, visit www.amvets.org/legislative.html.

About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.