Chicago Claims Processing 4th Worst in Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 23, 2013. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Ranking Member on the Appropriations Subcommittee for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, along with Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) at a roundtable discussion yesterday questioned Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric Shinseki on the growing VA disability claims backlog. The Chicago Regional Office has the 4th worst processing time with claims waiting for an average of 465 days. Claims processed at the VA Regional Offices average 292 days across the United States.
“In Chicago, it will take a veteran 465 days before their claim will be adjudicated by the VA,” Senator Kirk said at the press conference following the meeting. “By fully integrating an electronic medical record coming from Department of Defense to Veterans Affairs we can do better for our veterans.”
A video clip of Senator Kirk discussing the meeting can be found here.
Background:
On April 29, 2013, Senator Kirk joined a bipartisan group of 68 U.S. Senators in urging President Obama to take direct action in ending the VA disability claims backlog. A copy of that letter can be found here. At the April 18 MILCON-VA Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Senator Kirk also raised the issue with Secretary Shinseki, urging him to find a solution to reduce the backlog.
Source: kirk.senate.gov
