Beyer, Ciscomani, and McGarvey Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Improve Disability Claims Process for Veterans

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) introduced the Veterans Transition Support Act to improve the post-discharge disability claims process for veterans. The bill would expand the Solid Start program to engage transitioning service members pre-separation and minimize interruptions in medical care and benefits. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) lead companion legislation in the Senate.

"Our veterans often encounter barriers filing post-discharge VA disability claims and lengthy waits before receiving benefits, but it does not have to be this way," said Rep. Beyer. "Those who served deserve a disability claims process that is simple, efficient, and honors their service. By expanding the Solid Start program, our legislation would encourage more service members to take part in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program and file their disability claims early. This would streamline their claims process and minimize the gap between their discharge and when they begin to receive benefits. With this bill, we hope to ensure veterans receive the services and benefits they've earned without unnecessary gaps in care and support."

"Our service members selflessly dedicate themselves to our nation but unfortunately I often hear of the challenges associated with transitioning out of the military," said Rep. Ciscomani. "This is why I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan, bicameral bill to streamline the medical and disability claim process to ensure our veterans have access to the care and support their service earned. By requiring proactive outreach prior to separation from the service, it is my hope that this legislation will help make the process not only smoother but also ensure veterans do not slip through the cracks and miss opportunities to apply for benefits that they have earned."

"Our veterans deserve as much support leaving service as when they go in," said Rep. McGarvey. "When VA knows something is working-like the Solid Start program-it should do everything it can to scale up and expand that program. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Veterans Transition Support Act which would expand the Solid Start program to reach out to veterans before they leave service to ease the transition to civilian life and ensure a warm handoff between DOD and VA."

Due to time constraints in a service member's transition to civilian life, inconsistent education about filing disability claims, and incompatibilities between the Department of Defense's (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health record systems, veterans often face lengthy waits before receiving benefits. The Veterans Transition Support Act would amend the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Solid Start program by requiring that a VA representative contact transitioning service members 120-210 days prior to separation to coincide with their eligibility to file a VA disability claim through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. Filing a claim through the BDD program would ensure service members still have access to their medical and personnel records and enable the VA to rapidly deliver a decision. This bill aims to provide veterans with a more seamless transition and less of a coverage gap between exiting the service and receiving benefits.

Full text of the Veterans Transition Support Act is available here, with a one-pager available here.