Veterans have been denied benefits during the coronavirus
pandemic because their compensation and pension exams at the Department of
Veterans Affairs have been canceled, advocates told Congress Wednesday.
A backlog of compensation and pension exams is growing --
with more than 230,000 delayed during the pandemic so far -- and VA has yet to
communicate its plan to address that backlog, lawmakers and advocates said
during an online forum held by the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
"The abrupt pause to the process has left some veterans
to wonder when and how their claims will move forward," Rep. Elaine Luria,
D-Va., said.
No one from VA was present for the forum, and lawmakers were
critical of the department's absence.
"VA's insight is critical if we are to determine the
best way forward on this issue," said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill.
"VA needs to show leadership in the midst of this
crisis by showing preparedness," said Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Takano,
D-Calif., adding that the numbers of backlogged claims "are alarming, but
that doesn't mean we can rush back to normal operations without a plan in
place" and that plan should address the "mounting backlog without
sacrificing quality."
Beginning in early April, VA began canceling compensation
and pension (C&P) exams or transitioning them to telehealth by phone or
online.
That was several weeks after President Donald Trump
instituted a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, and followed state
and local governments enacting stay-at-home orders. Some veterans already had
canceled their exams for their safety or had their appointments canceled by
contracted providers.
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