WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs has unveiled the Decision Ready Claims, or DRC, initiative that promises to deliver faster disability claims decisions to veterans and their families, according to VA officials.
The DRC initiative is a collaborative effort between VA and Veterans Service Organizations to help veterans receive faster decisions on disability claims, said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. VA works closely with participating VSOs to make sure they are properly trained in this new process and given the tools they need to participate successfully in the program on behalf of the veterans they serve.
Veterans who choose to submit their claim under DRC can expect to receive a decision within 30 days from the time VA receives the claim. VSOs will ensure all supporting evidence such as medical exams, military service records, etc., is included with the claim submission. This advance preparation by the VSOs allows claims to be assigned immediately to claims processors for a quick decision.
DRC was first implemented May 1 at the St. Paul (Minn.) Regional Office, and is now available at all VA regional offices. While DRC is currently limited to claims for increased compensation (commonly known as claims for increase), and requires veterans to work with VSOs, VA officials hope to expand the types of claims accepted under the initiative and allow veterans other ways to submit their claim under DRC. (Courtesy of VA)