In March 2020, a national emergency was declared due to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. In response to this emergency, VA adjusted how it processed claims, acknowledging how the pandemic affected certain aspects of the claim process, such as claim exams or hearings. Since many claimants were unable to attend scheduled exams or hearings due to these COVID-19 concerns, VA held these claims until claimants could attend their appointments.
Now that the national emergency declaration has ended, VA will no longer delay claims due to COVID-19 concerns.
What is changing
During the pandemic, individuals who had any COVID-19 concerns and wanted to delay scheduling a claim exam or hearing were able to do so. These claims were held until the claimant was able to attend their scheduled appointment.
Now that the pandemic has ended, and beginning on June 10, VA will no longer delay scheduling claim exams or hearings due to general COVID-19 concerns. Claimants will be notified once their claim exam or hearing is scheduled and are encouraged to attend their appointment. Claim exams and hearings are important to the claims process since they can provide additional information in support of a pending claim
If a claimant does not attend their scheduled claim exam or hearing due to general COVID-19 concerns, the claim will continue to be processed.
COVID-19 diagnosis
While general COVID-19 concerns cannot be used to delay a claim exam or hearing, if a claimant is unable to report to a claim exam or a hearing due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, they can notify VA and the request will be rescheduled. VA may also allow requests for certain time limit extensions due to lengthy COVID-19 hospitalization.
Additional information
More information on VA claim exams can be found online at https://www.va.gov/disability/va-claim-exam/ and information on how to check the status of your VA claim or appeal can be found online at https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/.
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Yes the VA in certain locations continue to schedule disability exams for the Veterans to get to because of there disability. If you have a exam for your eyes it is to far for the veteran to drive. They still want you to go to a exam when they already have paperwork for the exam already showing your the same thing another exam will. This is happening with the Pact Act exams. The Va has the paperwork to make a decision. This is slowing down the process. The Pact act says the condition is pre-emptive.
I been waiting on appeal since Oct of 2020 judges decision almost three years this is ridiculous something has to be done I no I’m not the only one some ppl been waiting alot longer a change has to come