Some veterans organizations across the country bristled when they heard about proposed changes made by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to Military.com, proposed rule shifts may create a rift between those filing for veterans benefits through paper and those doing it electronically.
While VA told the website that they want to make it as fast and easy as possible to apply for and get benefits, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and other groups said they believe these changes may hurt those veterans without access to a computer or the Internet.
“This proposed regulation separates claimants into two groups,” the Legion said in its letter to the VA, according to Military.com. “Claimants who can access the internet and claimants who are not able to access the internet. This bifurcated separation of claimants penalizes those claimants not able to access the internet and therefore is not fair.”
The main issue for these groups is a change that would give paper filings a date from the day they are completed, according to the website, whereas electronic applications would have more time and leeway.
VA reported that there has been progress in the large backlog since earlier this year. The department’s website reported that disability and pension claims in the backlog were reduced by 36 percent from March to December 2013.
The Internet is here to stay. All government agencies and modern business are either fully using the electronic platform to conduct business or are trying to employ this system. It will serve veterans attempting to secure VA benefits to seek assistance from professionals when filling or appealing a claim. The Law Offices of Harold W. Conick & Associates is available to assist veterans with their claims and appeals for benefits.
