The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (Appeals Modernization Act) is one of the most significant statutory changes to affect VA and Veterans in decades. Veterans now have a greater choice in how VA reviews their disagreement with a VA claims decision and enjoy timely resolutions of disagreements through a streamlined process. Veterans who appealed a VA decision on or after Feb. 19, 2019, have three decision review lanes to choose from: higher-level review, supplemental claim, and appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

VA’s goal is to complete supplemental claims and higher-level reviews in an average of 125 days, and decisions appealed to the Board for direct review in an average of 365 days. This is a vast improvement to the average three to seven years that Veterans wait for a decision in the legacy process.

For more information on Appeals Modernization, click here.

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22 Comments

  1. Michael Lincoln May 10, 2019 at 13:20

    I submitted an appeal to the DRO in May 25, 2017 for 100% UI after receiving an 80% rating in May 17, 2017. Last February I logged on the website https://www.va.gov/ and that on February 19, 2019 the DRO has made a decision to award me 100% UI and the case was closed on February 19, 2019. This is what the above websites states to this day. However, to this date May 8, 2019 the VA has not issued me a final decision ratings letter. Additional when I called the VA line 800 827 1000, they tell me the case has not been completed, and no explanation as to why it’s taking so long to issue my rating letter.

    So, my question is why is the VA taking so long to issues my final decision letter even after their website is saying the case is closed?

  2. Jerry Kelley May 10, 2019 at 12:06

    I am a Naval Veteran and filed for compensation at the VA facility in Phoenix, AZ on October 09, 2015. I was very surprised at how fast I received a rate of 30 % and twice as surprised at how fast the VA started recouping my SSB. I was forced out of the service during drawdown of the early nineties and received SSB. As of my last appeal (dated 4/22/2019), I have discovered the board was basing my rate on the basis that my length of service was five years with a split between enlistment of fourteen years. I was never counseled that the VA would aggressively recoup my SSB if I filed for compensation. This makes this veteran wonder just what the priorities of the board are since this veteran served honorably on active duty in both the USN / USNR for 19 years, 05 months, and 23 days. The five year length of service with a fourteen year split in service was used as the reason and basis for finding and conclusion. The VA aggressively recoups SSB at the blessing of Congress using Public Law 105-78 as the weapon of choice to recoup benefits earned by over 25,000 veterans. Enter HR 4016 ( Restore Veterans Compensation Act). This Veteran asks again what are the true priorities of the Veterans Board of Appeals, and the VA wonders why some veterans choose to end there lives. It hurts this veteran’s heart as I have seen this treatment of veterans go on for decades.

  3. Robert Jackson Galloway April 26, 2019 at 14:37

    Yes to everything I have read. The VA really couldn’t care less about you or yours, as long as the keep dragging in their pay, which is high, you don’t count. They say they are getting better, but I certainly don’t see where. 1the VA has the wool pulled over everyone’s eyes. Even your state Senators are fooled. they can only be middle men and relay to you what the VA tells them. There never has been nor will there ever be an unbiased investigation into the actions of the VA.

  4. Stephen Christopher White7u7f April 16, 2019 at 10:34

    Hi My names Stephen c. White I sent an appeal of my benefits in March. I was told i had to May to recieve benefits if i did not respond. So far I have not heard anything about my case. We depend on these benefits to servive. please let me know whats happening.I have many medical problems i don’t need this worry on top of my health problems. Thank You Stephen
    (SSN redacted).

    • Kevin T Anderson April 16, 2019 at 23:32

      I submitted an appeal in October 2018 and I gave them records from another doctor because the doctor at the VA in orthopedic did not put any notes or suggestions on my pain in hips and left knee. I went to an outside doctor. I still haven’t heard anything as of yet. I really need help with this. I am no longer able to work and need help with this.

  5. Bruce Palmer April 12, 2019 at 17:34

    I submitted New Evidence to re-open my claim at my personal hearing that’s never been before the DVA on 1-20-2015 to the DRO right in front of my power of attorney DAV the DVA denied my claim and the DRO in the statement of the case worded it just Evidence I had to appeal to the BVA who denied my claim on 12-31-18 witj my New Evidence tjats never been before them, I just sent a reconsideration request

  6. Myron Stanford Elkins April 12, 2019 at 11:35

    i had a BOA approve of all my disability claims and the Regional Office sent letter stating the % of awards. By law the VA is supposed to reimburse me from the initial date of the claims. I have never received another VA letter with the amount of reimbursement, nor a credit to my checking account. I had another claim approved a couple of years ago and was reimbursed in less than a month. It has been over a year ago, and nothing has happened to the money that is owed to me. My VA representative from the Regional Office has not even responded to my e-mails. All i asked was when can i expect payment. Again, the BOA approved my claims in April 2018. M.S. Elkins, USN(ret) (redacted). No web site

    • Myron Stanford Elkins April 12, 2019 at 18:55

      Did you receive my post above. At one time said “review pending” or similar? If not please advise

  7. Katherine Hedlund April 12, 2019 at 09:26

    I served my country at a time when there was significant backlash (69~73) and certainly no marching bands when we came home. Great performance reviews. But after discharge it has been a struggle at times getting benefits. Why? We were there when you needed up. I there are others who were significantly hurt more than I and those who have waitied longer than I. Again, why?

    I am amazed at how fast a review of my claim is now taking. But the therapist i just saw (was assigned to someone outside the VA) never sees patients. And the short time did not allow for her to have a full understanding if the impacts to my life that I have had. Will this be fair??

    • jack Taylor April 12, 2019 at 21:41

      The same thing has happened to me in the Hampton Roads area. I was evaluated by 2 different Dr.s for 2 separate and different claims. The evaluation was fast, superficial, and very impersonal. Both Drs seemed young inexperienced, and new to their practice. It was if the VA had stacked the deck. Upon my departure from both visits, I was positive that they would not find in my favor, and I was right, and so is Kel King about it being a joke.

  8. Mai-linh DEan April 12, 2019 at 06:44

    MY husband also ww2 veterans died 1994 POW..,i only get DIC.They disclose our data.i dont know,its been 25 years,my appeal wad denied.I have no health insurance,all the benefits entitle for surviving spouse.

    none

  9. Patricia April 12, 2019 at 02:21

    I’m still waiting on Appeal for my DIC it been 11 yrs lost my house every thing and my husband was a veteran that’s VA trying to play me about his claim since his dead guess they will wait till I’m dead now they have coast me so much pain depressed

    • Eddie Smith April 12, 2019 at 08:57

      Patricia, what was the circumstances of your husband’s death? DId he die from a service-connected health condition? Or, was he rated at 100% disabled for at least 10years proceeding death, was he 100% disabled when he separated from the military? These are the type of circumstances that would make you eligible for DIC. V/R.

  10. Kel King April 12, 2019 at 00:54

    Nod was filed in 2014, weve had our hearing, BVA remanded appeal. Jumped through the hoops. Went back to the BVA again, Remanded once again! Why? Because the judge is not satisfied with the results of exams and such. So, because these comp and pen examiners are a joke and have not done their job correctly, nor do they have the veterans best interest in mind, we are in limbo once again for how many more years? Waiting for the Veteran to die perhaps? Sad, but true.

  11. Gerald Wray April 12, 2019 at 00:17

    Every time I get a hearing exam they tell me it’s the same and hasn’t changed. However, everyone I live with and all my friends say different. I even saw one of my tests on the monitor and I could see the difference. Why can’t the technicians be honest.

  12. holly mccracken April 12, 2019 at 00:04

    Whoever thought of the title for this article surely CANNOT be a Veteran. In my experience, and so my opinion, is that the VA is even worse now than it ever was. I was happy to pay for Medicare just so I could get myself out of the nightmare of Tri-care even though Medicare Dr only allowed 15 min visit and ONE question, his reason?, “because Medicare only pays half the price”. So I applied for VA health , got my cards, called for an appointment ,only to find out that the VA had contracted themselves out to Tri-care!! Tri-care, gave me a provider with one star “Oh God” here we go again.This “Dr” sent me a bill for $500 after 2 visits. I suppose doesn’t matter much anymore since I received a phone call from VA saying I was no longer eligible for their health care! Still no idea why or why they gave me a health care card at all. I was told even though I am a 16 yr Vet AND a survivor Spouse I was still ineligible.
    Do you suppose I can find anyone to answer those questions? Hell no! What do I expect? It’s the VA remember.

  13. Kimberly Bishop April 11, 2019 at 22:40

    The current process for reviewing NODs is terribly long. I have to explain to my clients frequently how long the process is. Hopefully this will shorten wait times. Any improvement is welcome!

    • Katherine Hedlund April 12, 2019 at 09:48

      You know, after the service i joined Allstate Insuance as a
      Computer tape library person. But I bought IBM manuals and taught myself about the computers and BAL, PL/1, COBOL and RPG languages. Created many state of the art systems. Upon getting into Data Communication, our unit & a Sears unit created a new company. We created a brand new network while dismantling the old legacy networks and ended up with the World’s Largest SNA network.

      That first part, along with 2 Associate degrees was during first 8 years. By the next 8 we had created the nee network and I finished an MBA all while raising 4 children and running a campaign (and winning) for local elected office.

      And processing these claims take so “f**king long”? I don’t fight just for myself, I fight to help stop and identify the flaws to help the VA be what it should be. Even disabled as I am, I got myself on the local Stakeholders committee to make positive change. While there are many fine VA employees, there so that need a “wake up” injection or something. And the bureaucractic processes NEED revamping and best practices applied to it. Sorry but too many internal processes almost rely on the VA’s old legacy ways. Why??

  14. Earl Beard April 11, 2019 at 19:13

    It is aproblem with the appeals.
    Uncontrolled seizures incurred in service and 3 brain surgery so later, not a continuing problem…
    Filed 3 times, 3 different answers. Not incurred, not continuing, not a problem…
    Good luck to all, keep trying if you have a problem.

  15. Arnold H Fuller April 11, 2019 at 18:20

    The new time frame is nice, only if you place all of those that have been waiting a long time in it to be taken care of first. Everyone needs to have help, but please start on those who have been waiting the longest top priority. There are a lot who have passed on, and never received the help they needed, or deserved.

  16. Jay L Cole April 11, 2019 at 12:45

    I am awaiting a decision on my NOD filed by my attorney March 2017. How many legacy appeals like mine are there & approximately how long will it take to dispose of them?

  17. James L Blannon April 11, 2019 at 05:37

    My dad is a Koran War Veteran also known as the cold war. He is a purple heart recipient and has yet to receive any benefits. He served the country with honor and courage. This is a disgrace to the men and woman who served in the arm forces so that you and your families would not have to live in fear. Robert Blannon served in the Army Special Forces Unit Combat Infantry A-1 from 1950-53-55. The millions that the VA is stolen belongs to the men and woman who served in this country. I tell my sons not to serve to take care and defend yourself let the government fight they own war that they created and let the money they stole from the men and woman who served this country pay for them and their families burial.

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