U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, applauded the unanimous Senate passage of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation he introduced to modernize the woefully outdated benefits claims appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
 
“I applaud the Senate for passing this critical legislation,” said Isakson. “For too long our veterans and their families have faced unacceptable delays during the VA’s benefits claims appeal process. I urge the House of Representatives to follow suit and pass this bipartisan measure to help ensure we get veterans a response to their appeals in a timely manner.”
 
The VA’s current appeals process is in desperate need of updating, and nearly half a million veterans are in limbo because of the VA’s existing backlog. Between fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2017, the number of pending appeals increased from approximately 380,000 to 470,000 – a more than 20 percent increase.
 
The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 was introduced by Isakson on May 3, 2017, and is cosponsored by 31 senators: U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Robert Casey, D-Pa., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Dean Heller, R-Nev., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, John Hoeven, R-N.D., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Jon Tester, D-Mont., John Thune, R-S.D., Tom Udall, D-N.M., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
 
Following the Senate passage, the measure, H.R.2288, which originated in the U.S. House of Representatives, heads back to the House as amended for a vote on final passage.
 
Isakson highlighted broad support for the measure from VA Secretary David Shulkin, VA state directors around the country, as well as from several veterans’ advocacy groups that represent millions of veterans in the United States.