TEMPLE, Texas — The Veteran's Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 went into effect Wednesday. The policy was written into law back in August 2017.
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, veterans who appealed claims in the past had to wait an average of three to seven years for a decision on an individual case.
The new policy aims to help complete claims of high-level reviews within four months and decide issues appealed to the board within a year.
With the new policy, veterans who file an appeal to a claim have more control over how their appeals are heard through three different review options: Higher-level review, supplement claim and appeal to the Board of Veteran's Appeals.
Higher-level review: An arbitrator conducts a new review of a decision with no new documents needed to support the appeal.
Supplemental Claim: The veteran submits new, applicable evidence and Veteran Affairs is required to help develop new evidence.
Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals: The veteran chooses between direct review, evidence or hearing.