Luttrell Introduces Legislation to Address Veterans Claims Issues

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, introduced the Review Every Veterans Claim Act and the Veteran Appeals Decision Clarity Act. Both bills were introduced in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

“Our veterans deserve the highest quality of care, making it critical to address the various claims issues within the VA,” said Congressman Luttrell. “The two bipartisan bills I introduced will prevent the VA from denying claims for trivial reasons and provide additional options for veterans filing supplemental claims. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance legislation that modifies the claims process, ensuring our veterans are well supported.”

Review Every Veterans Claim Act

This bill would preclude VA from denying a claim based on the sole reason that a veteran failed to appear for a VA examination that VA scheduled in conjunction with a claim for VA benefits. The bill would require VA to consider the evidence already in the veteran’s claims file and make a decision on their claim. Approximately 1,000-2,000 veterans per year will benefit from this bill.

Veteran Appeals Decision Clarity Act

This bill would allow veterans to make an informed decision on whether to file a supplemental claim after receiving an unfavorable VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) decision on their claim for VA benefits, thus ensuring that this step of the appeals process is an effective means of ending the appeals process hamster wheel.