WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) disability compensation appeals dropped below 75,000, Feb. 11.

Notices of Disagreement (NODs) and substantive appeals filed in the “legacy” system decreased from 292,452 in March 2016 to 74,439 despite VBA receiving 779,720 new legacy appeals.

Both inventories represent appeals within the initial stages of the appeals process, in place prior to the department’s February 2019 implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA).

“VBA is on track to eliminate its NODs and substantive appeals inventory by July.” said VA Secretary Robert Wilke. “Our progress on reducing the number of legacy appeals is proof of the modernization efforts we’ve undertaken.”

The AMA modernizes the current claims and appeals process by:

  • Including three review options for disagreements with decisions.
  • Requiring improved notification of VA decisions.
  • Providing earlier claim resolution.
  • Ensuring Veterans receive the earliest effective date possible.

Visit Appeals Modernization for more information.

Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

Contact us online through Ask VA

Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

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