ABC News 23 Bakersfield
Rep. TJ Cox introduces Ensuring Veterans Access Act
August 20, 2020
Representative TJ Cox (D-CA-21) and Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21) introduced the Ensuring Veterans Access Act to Ensure Transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Last week, the representatives introduced the Ensuring Veterans Access Act, to improve transparency for veterans attempting to access their claims file (C-File).
A C-File is created when a veteran submits a claim for benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A veteran may want to view their C-File to ensure all the information it contains is accurate before the VA makes a decision.
Currently, the process for a veteran to view their C-File is incredibly inconvenient, as it requires veterans to either travel to their regional office, submit a form via mail or fax, or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
To create a more accessible process, Rep. Cox introduced the Ensuring Veterans Access Act to request that the VA offers an online option for veterans to request their C-File. Online requests would be more convenient for veterans and cut down on processing time. Having knowledge of what information is available in their C-File gives veterans control over their claims. Veterans will be able to determine if the VA has all the necessary and relevant information needed to adequately process their claim. As a result, there will be fewer appeals filed due to incomplete medical information.
“It’s long past time that the claims process at the VA was modernized, said Rep. Cox. “Veterans should be able to access their claims file in the comfort of their own homes. They already access their benefits, file taxes, and pay bills through the internet. We owe it to our veterans to make claims processing through the VA as easy as possible.”