WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Banks (R-ID), members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, have introduced bipartisan legislation to make the veteran benefit claims process more streamlined and fair. The Review Every Veteran’s Claims Act would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process, helping to ensure that veterans’ benefits claims are never denied solely because they miss a medical disability exam appointment.

Currently, many VA disability compensation claims require a medical examination to determine if a claimed disability is related to a veteran’s service. However, many veterans and veteran service organizations frequently report frustration with the exam scheduling process and veterans can be penalized for administrative mix-ups out of their control. Under the Review Every Veteran’s Claims Act, the VA would be restricted from denying a benefits claim solely on a veterans’ failure to show up to a scheduled exam.

“Our veterans gave their very best during their service to our country and they deserve access to all their earned, well-deserved benefits,” said Senator King. “No veteran should ever be denied their benefits because of bureaucracy, mistakes or unplanned schedule conflicts getting in the way. The bipartisan Review Every Veteran’s Claims Act will work to humanize the VA’s claims process and ensure we make true on our promise to take care of the brave men and women who served.” 

“Veterans’ benefit claims shouldn’t be tossed aside because of red tape or poor communication,” said Senator Banks. “VA has a duty to assist veterans every step of the way, and my bill makes the claims process fairer so veterans always get the benefits they have earned.”

Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to help reduce suicides among veterans by providing free secure firearm storage to veterans. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Senator King has also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Earlier this year, he cosponsored the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act that would provide more combat-injured veterans with their full earned benefits. Most recently, he joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize a program that would expand access to veteran disability claims exams.

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