Since its April 2 decision to cancel all in-person compensation and pension (C&P) exams, the VA’s backlog of disability cases has grown considerably. Many of these cases simply cannot move forward without a C&P exam. In response to pressure from Congress, the VA has ordered some of its facilities to begin scheduling in-person exams once again. The new policy is unfolding in a few areas of the country with low numbers of COVID-19 cases, which limits the risk of infection for veterans and the VA staff serving them.
These are uncertain times for all of us, and especially veterans seeking compensation for their service connected disabilities. At Jackson & MacNichol, we are more dedicated than ever to our goal of helping veterans get their hard-earned benefits. If you or a loved one has been denied their veterans disability compensation, we can help you with the appeals process. Call us today at 1(888) 492-2941 for a free consultation about your case.
Some Cases Can’t Move Forward Without an In-Person C&P Exam
Numbering 70,000 at the beginning of the year, there are now over 125,000 disability cases in the VA’s backlog, with no sign of the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down. On top of this backlog, the VA has to contend with over 230,000 disability cases that are on hold because of cancelled C&P exams. Facing a potentially irrecoverable situation, the VA is opening some of its facilities for C&P exams–but in areas that have low infection rates.
Below are the VA facilities where in-person C&P exams are now being scheduled:
- Boise VAMC, Idaho
- Central Arkansas Veterans HCS, Arkansas
- Erie VAMC, Pennsylvania
- Fargo HCS, North Dakota
- Fort Harrison VAMC, Montana
- Hershel “Woody” Williams VAMC, West Virginia
- James H. Quillen VA HCS, Tennessee
- Kansas City VAMC, Missouri
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC, Ohio
- Puget Sound VAMC, Washington
- Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, South Carolina
- Salem VA Healthcare System, Virginia
- South Texas VA HCS, Texas
- Syracuse VAMC, New York
- Tomah VAMC, Wisconsin
- VA Southern Arizona HCS, Arizona
- VA Southern Nevada HCS, Nevada
- West Palm Beach VAMC, Florida
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, Vermont
- William S. Middleton VAMC, Wisconsin
Some of these facilities are still treating active COVID-19 cases, and with infection numbers steadily increasing across the country, further closures may be on the horizon. If the VA schedules a C&P exam for you at one of these facilities, you can expect to undergo heightened sanitation measures. But it’s a small price to pay to ensure your safety while you get your disability case moving again.
Get the Help You Need With Your Disability Appeal
Even before the pandemic, a large portion of the VA disability appeals process happened through virtual hearings. So the COVID-19 outbreak is having a much worse effect on initial disability claims than it is on the appeals process. At Jackson & MacNichol, we have been successfully advocating for our clients in virtual hearings with the Board of Veterans Appeals, and can put our skills to work on your case today. To learn more about how a veterans benefit lawyer can increase your chances of success in the appeals process, call us today at 1(888) 492-2941. We get justice for veterans.
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