By Eric Stock
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said veterans who need help getting their medical claims processed need a wingman.
The Taylorville Republican has proposed a measure that would enable congressional offices to more easily handle veterans claims that often get stuck in the beaurocratic nightmare that is the VA.
“Ask almost any caseworker, and they will tell you that the VA is one of the most difficult federal agencies to get a response from,” Davis said.
Davis cited the case of a Bronze Star recipient from Urbana who was denied benefits due to missing a doctor’s examination because he was deployed at the time. Davis said the VA never rescheduled the appointment. Davis’ office stepped in to work with the VA to ensure his benefits were received.
“These examples not only show the incompetence and unresponsiveness of the VA but they also show how important congressional offices are to getting answers veterans need and deserve,” Davis said.
Advocates would be able to access the status of a pending claim, medical records, comp and pen records, rating decisions, statement of the case, supplementary statement of the case, notice of disagreement, and Form-9 files.
The Wingman Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
