The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that disability compensation claims can now be submitted online, according to a news release.
eBenefits, which was established jointly between the VA and the Department of Defense, is a web portal that integrates the new internal Veterans Benefits Management System electronic claims processing system and aims to eliminate the disability claims backlog.
eBenefits will allow veterans to upload digital images of records and evidence to support claims and eliminates the need to mail physical records and wait for confirmation of receipt. Electronic filing will ensure compensation benefits that are awarded will be effective back to the date that the veteran started entering claim information in eBenefits.
The VA is also encouraging veterans to file a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) in eBenefits, which involves entering all available evidence at the time the claim is submitted and verifying that there is no more evidence that will be submitted. Veterans filing FDCs will receive priority processing over traditional claims, because FDCs can be processed faster.
“There are so many advantages to making this move from paper to digital — for both veterans and VA,” Allison A. Hickey, VA undersecretary for benefits, stated in the release. “Veterans can now file their claims online through eBenefits like they might do their taxes online.”
