Legion makes difference with claims appeals

The American Legion has announced that 73 percent of all disability claims appeals it has processed for veterans this year have received favorable decisions from the Board of Veterans Appeals. This means that veterans whose initial disability claims were denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs can now start to receive their earned medical benefits, or else have their claims reconsidered by VA regional offices.

"Any veteran who has been denied benefits from their VA regional office can appeal that decision and have The American Legion represent them at the Board of Veterans Appeals for free," said Verna Jones, director of the Legion's Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division. "We have a staff of 19 in our claims appeals unit here in Washington, and that includes a physician who writes medical opinions for the cases we handle."

Veterans who want help with their claims appeals can contact an American Legion service officer at their nearest VA regional office, or click here to get a department service officer directory.

Service officers from The American Legion can also help veterans file their initial disability claims with the VA. "And if the claim is denied, our service officers can represent veterans throughout the entire appeals process," Jones said.