The Veterans Affairs Department is introducing new, standardized disability claims forms that officials say will make it easier for veterans and their survivors to clearly state what benefits they're seeking from VA and provide the right information to process their claims and appeals, officials said Wednesday.
The new forms will "eliminate applicant guesswork, which often leads to delays in decisions and ultimately delays in receiving benefits," A VA press release stated.
The regulations on the new forms will take effect in late March.
"We must do everything that we can to make it as fast and easy as possible for veterans and their survivors to file for and receive an accurate decision on their claim," said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. "Our veterans and survivors will know, at the outset of the claims process, what is needed, which removes subjective interpretation from the process. We want to eliminate any barriers that make it difficult for our veterans or survivors to receive benefits to which they are entitled."
In the past, a veteran or survivor did not have to use a certain form to seek compensation or other benefits from VA. Claims or appeals could be submitted on any piece of paper, which often caused delays due to missing information. The existing process is also inconsistent with most, if not all, other government and non-government application processes, such as applying for Social Security, a driver's license, a job, or filing for an income tax refund.
By using standard forms for all disability claims, VA can more quickly and accurately identify what the veteran is claiming or appealing so officials can immediately move on to next steps in the evidence-gathering and decision-making process, according to the press release.
As part of the updated process, the traditional informal claims process also will be standardized by employing a new "Intent to File a Claim" procedure that will give veterans or survivors one year to compile the necessary documentation or evidence to support the claim, while preserving the effective date of the claim.
More information about VA Forms 21-526EZ, 21-527EZ, 21-534EZ or VA Form 21-0958, Notice of Disagreement, is online at www.ebenefits.va.gov or www.va.gov/vaforms/.
