Luttrell’s Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act Passes in the House

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA), authored the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 1530), which the House of Representatives passed today with bipartisan support. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
 
“As a veteran myself, I know firsthand how cumbersome the disability claims process can be and it is past time to modernize these processes,” said Congressman Luttrell. “I am proud to see my bill, the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act, pass through the House today with bipartisan support. This legislation will meet the needs of those who have proudly served our country by minimizing Veterans Affairs backlogs, delays, and unnecessary procedural burdens. I will continue to work towards solutions to make vital improvements in the lives of our veterans and their families."
 
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act will make improvements to the requirement that the Secretary publish disability benefit questionnaire (DBQ) forms on the VA’s website for use by a veteran’s private provider. It also includes a report on improving access to travel reimbursement pay for veterans living abroad who must attend a disability exam. Additionally, this bill will improve communication regarding the scheduling of disability exams between contractors, veterans, and the veteran’s accredited representative.