Sánchez Commends VA Action to Improve Claims Processing (July 12, 2012)

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) today released the following statement after the Department of the Veterans Affairs announced new steps to improve training for VA employees who handle veterans’ disability claims:

“I applaud the Department of Veterans Affairs for taking action to improve the processing of claims for our veterans. As a recent government report detailed, the VA Regional Office in Los Angeles must improve how it processes veterans’ claims. Implementing this new training model for VA employees is a good first step toward providing more efficient and comprehensive care to veterans. The men and women of our military have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. It is our duty to make sure they receive the best care and services here at home.”

Background
Congresswoman Sánchez currently serves on the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee. In May, Congresswoman Sánchez, criticized the Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Regional Office in Los Angeles after the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported unacceptable hardships local veterans experience in processing their benefits claims.

The goal of the new VA training model program “Challenge” is faster, more accurate claim processing. A VA report says that employees trained under this new model, process 150% more claims, with 30% more accuracy than under the previous training model.

For more on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ full “Challenge” program, click here.