Politics & Government
New West L.A. Hires Expected to Help Resolve Veterans' Backlogged Claims
Six new hires are expected to help reduce the backlog that has kept some veterans waiting nearly two years for claims.
The California Department of Veterans Affairs announced last week that it is hiring a dozen staffers for its Los Angeles office to help reduce a backlog of claims that have kept some veterans waiting nearly two years.
The new hires were authorized by Gov. Jerry Brown's 2013-14 budget.
Claims representatives will review claims pending for 125 days or longer and work to make them fully developed and ready for VA rating. Once a claim has been adjudicated and a disability rating has been assigned, compensation or pension payments can be properly calculated and sent out to the veteran, according to the VA.
CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett said that by immediately reviewing claims that have been pending the longest and working forward, "we will reduce the waiting time veterans have had to face."
Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To date, 14 of 36 positions authorized statewide have been filled, according to the VA.
Find out what's happening in Westwood-Century Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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