U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) each applauded the unanimous Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to streamline veterans’ access to their benefit claim files.
The Wounded Warrior Access Act will require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable veterans or their representatives to make requests to receive their claim files electronically.
Braun
“American veterans represent the absolute best our country has to offer – and they deserve the absolute best when they return home,” Sen. Braun said. “Veterans should not have to jump through hoops just to gain access to benefits they are entitled to, and I’m proud that this bill to streamline the benefits process has passed the Senate and is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
Representative Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33) led the passage of the legislation in the House of Representatives, and the bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Background
When a veteran submits a claim for benefits to the VA, a claims file (C-File) is created. C-Files contain a veteran’s service records, results of VA exams, additional information submitted by the veteran, and any material the VA deems necessary to decide the claim. Currently, veterans must travel to a regional VA location or mail in a form to request a paper copy of their C-Files, slowing down the process for individuals to gain access to their information.
This legislation has been endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc., and Wounded Warrior Project.
Click here for the full text of the bill.