February 2024 marked five years of VA’s implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA). Signed into law on Feb. 19, 2019, it was among the most significant statutory changes in decades to benefit Veterans because it restructured the way VA processes appeals of disability compensation claims.
Improving the appeals process
AMA allows Veterans three decision review options to disagree with a benefit decision. It also delivers timely resolutions and provides a streamlined process, regardless of the route selected.
The three options available under AMA are:
- Higher-Level Review, which is a new review of the completed claim by a higher-level reviewer based on the prior evidence.
- Supplemental Claim, which allows new and relevant evidence to be submitted for a new decision.
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals for a review by a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ), either through a direct review (no additional evidence or hearing), evidence submission (additional evidence but no hearing), or a hearing (a hearing with a VLJ and the opportunity to submit additional evidence).
With these updated changes, AMA allows Veterans to decide which method of review is best for them, depending on the circumstances of their claim. Prior to the implementation of AMA, the average time to resolve a legacy appeal was anywhere from 16 to 35 months. Over the past five years, VA has processed over 2.1 million AMA decisions, in an average of 102 days.
Improving customer service
“The Appeals Modernization Act provides our Veterans with options when they disagree with a VA benefits decision. It gives them choice and control,” said Timothy Sirhal, the executive director for VA’s Office of Administrative Review. “Over the last five years, we’ve talked to Veterans and representatives about their customer experience with the decision review options. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality decision as quickly as possible, and Veterans and beneficiaries are experiencing that change.”
For more information on the three decision review options available under AMA, or to begin your appeal, please visit our AMA website.
Topics in this story
More Stories
Beginning June 10, families of deceased and cremated Veterans can apply to receive commemorative plaques or urns from VA if they do not want to inter their loved ones in a VA National Cemetery or receive a government-furnished headstone, marker or medallion for placement in any cemetery.
“Do you know how to identify a VA claim predator?”
Veterans Canteen Service introduces online service for ordering contact lenses, a quick and convenient way to get prescription contacts
Due to constantly resubmitting of evidente. And being assigned centers to visit the assigned providers by the Veteran Administration. Then the VA claim reviews doing computerize research that has nothing to do with me. All of this is to refuse the claim. My claim has been submitted since 2012. I am constantly resubmitting and sending the evidente. A reviewer had the never to tell me that eventhough these things began while on active duty that there was no way to verify that it was not aggrevate due to some other reason. So, I know they are hoping that I would just give up. I am of color and to kerp from awarding me the pay from 2012 to now. What ever they can do to stop it that is ehat Kentucky Regional Ofgice does. That is the most hateful thing I have faced since the Military. I have requested that my claim be removed and sent to Nirth Carloina or anywhere other than Kentucky. I have decided to use an attorney. I know you can pull their information and see it. If not I send it by scan documentation
Mark Goss’s comment is 100% correct and he had the balls to say it….. I highly commend you for your statement …..
10 Million VA dollars given as bogus bonuses to VA executives?? It doesn’t smell it Stinks READ THE REPORT ON THIS FRAUD,WASTE AND ABUSE
I have been waiting for it..
This information is not accurate I have an appeal been there since April 2021 for review and there is no option for a veteran to get an update or status online or via phone. This is very stressful.
the VA could approve all the claims without review and award lifetime full disability for less than the US is giving Ukraine. For the amount that we are going to spend paying off educational loans for kids or the amount spent on illegals. It is a sad time when the people who have guaranteed the people their way of life are denied their just due. The legislature and President should be ashamed.
102 days to process a claim? I have been waiting closer to six months now. A little too much spin there.
Veteran’s Benefits Newsletter | May 2024: “VA Celebrates Five Years of Appeals Modernization
This year marks five years of VA’s implementation of the Veterans Appeal Improvement and Modernization Act. It restructures the way VA processes appeals of disability compensation claims.”
It is hard to imagine how bad the appeals process must have been before. I have been waiting a year since I was notified that the VA made a mistake in my review and are starting all over again. From the looks of the other comments, it seems that I could be waiting another 2 years. The process performance and duration could not be more disrespectful to the men and women who have served our country. Somebody please do something about it for all of us.
Hello Robert, the old appeals was horrible. I had a 1998 claim in that was kicked back to me in 2018 . 20 yrs sitting somewhere. We really need to continue to pressure VBA to streamline and be transparent. If you look at va.gov you really can’t see everything that’s going on . I have several claims that are closed BUT, they really aren’t.
That’s great!!!
Now, how about you develop a separate website dedicated to the FMP.
It would be nice if I didn’t have to struggle to get my claims paid back to me with decision letters that take a year to get back me.
I checked out the recent #s on the website and if you are processing 200k claims a year and there’s a backlog of 400k claims shouldn’t my claim that I’ve been waiting on for 3 years be completed? Maybe the data is bs…..
[Editor: Appeals of completed claims are not a part of the claims “backlog.”]
The AMA has offered limited results in addressing the appeal process. The VOS representatives seem to be unaware what direction to apply to veteran appeal process. My personal experience has resulted in time standing still. There no resolutions and the AMA offered no relief in dealing with Appeal process.
It’s been over 3 yrs, comment check back next month veterans are are tired of hearing that comment, they gave there all in a war, va.gov can do the same,I guess waiting on us to die.
I have a major problem with the VA and the way my ability to to seek documentation and medical records from the Army has been hindered by the VA refusing to give me my records they have had n refused to return them to St. Louis. My 201 file also was not given to me when I requested it. I have been prescribed the wrong medication, left with a blood clot in my arm,injured at a nursing home they sent me to and the list goes on. I has a head injury,TBI in the service and was denied because someone changed my claim and said I was seeking compensation for a brain disease .
An this act does not even work, 14 years in BVA appeal process, 4 BVA hearings, $ BVA remands, 2 requests for upper level review near an year ago, still no final decision, so where does this act really work?? How many other Veterans are waiting final claim rating decisions!!! Refusal to accept outside C7P exam doctors evaluation report. The VA get to accept and deny as it please as the is ZERO accountability to anyone at the VA!!!
Yes. It’s so much better that I have been waiting almost 4 yrs now for my review with a judge!
Don’t worry VA, I’m not dead yet so you don’t have to hear my case!
I have been waiting over two years to have my BOVA video apple. At least a best time estimate should be availble. For over two years I have been told to check back next month.
I have an appeal with BOVA for years now. It would be very helpful if I could get an estimated time that my video appeal will be heard. Currently the only information available is check back again next month.
I hope the process with the BOVE can expedite my video appeal. I would be helpful to know the status. i.e., an accurate estimate of how much longer the process will take. Currently the only information is check again next month, and that I am in the que.
I’d like to see how they figure an average of 102 days for an AMA appeal. 19 months and still waiting.
It will be two years in August that I’ve been waiting for an answer on my appeal. I was told it is an average of three years before I could hear anything on the appeal.
My claim has been docket on the direct review since Feb 2021. The VA wont even tell me what current month and year they are working on. Don’t think it right to mislead appellants this way.
Time to REBOOT again. Claims system is poorly managed and unclear at best. At worst, there are no words to describe how bad it is. All confidence in VA is forever lost by so many Vets just like me. I got another letter last week with opening statement: “You indicated you would like to file a claim for compensation.” Yes, since originally filed by VSO in February 2022. But still a mystery to me if anything will ever work. I’ve had two more VSO groups since then who were unable to do anything. Never give up. Never give in. Never surrender. That’s my personal oath to my family and myself in driving forward until VA gets it right.
This is just another way to make the veterans of America who so desperately deserve to have a decision made in their favor wait to get the money, they deserve from an accurate decision being made
You’re so right!
What is the benefit of the choices, if the VA sits on an appeal as “closed” without the appearance of any action for months? This seems to be another way to avoid making decisions that require acknowledgement of service connected disabilities? Don’t tell me to call; none of your reps seem willing to explain “closed”.
Could not prove it by me. I’m losing trust and confidence in the VA
They are not following the PACT Act in doing claims or FOIA request.
VA just closed my requested, after 4 months, and I received nothing. Disapproved my claims because I did not complain while on AD. I know they have the DBQ records.
20 years ago the VA was finally called out for the long wait times. It’s happening again on Oklahoma. Cardiac tests are scheduled one at a time 6-10 weeks apart. And the worst, they have no cardiologist so if you survive the wait you get to see the lowest bidder Dr who takes va patients. Had a friend that died waiting on his echo. Now I’m waiting on one. Other clinics are weeks out and some haven’t even been scheduled. I miss my friend and now the same may happen to me.
My journey started over 45 years ago. I’m sure closure will only come with my death because the VA doesn’t care anymore than the navy did. They are just as good at cover up as the military and are only there for the benefits.
I am going on 3 years at the BVA and started 21 years ago for a decision and closer.
My husband’s appeal is now at almost 24 months. Hmmmmm. Seems like it’s the same long wait times.