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The President today signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. John Katko (NY-24) and Joe Cunningham (D, SC-1) to allow veterans to virtually attend VA claims hearings from home.
The VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act requires the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to allow veterans with pending appeals to appear before the Board remotely from their personal computers. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals determines whether veterans are entitled to VA disability benefits and other services. While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the VA to implement virtual hearings across the board, the Board of Veterans Appeals, which is based in Washington, D.C., normally only conducts tele-hearings from certain VA locations. This cumbersome policy would require veterans to travel to testify in support of their claims, forcing Central New York veterans to drive to the nearest regional office in Buffalo or Albany.
With the VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act now law, veterans will continue to have the ability to teleconference in to these hearings from the comfort of their own homes using personal computers. The legislation also includes safeguards to ensure that veterans’ personal information is protected and that cases are not negatively impacted by taking advantage of this new option.
“At a time in which veterans across the country are relying on tele-hearings to receive decisions on VA disability benefits and other services, I am proud that the President has signed the bipartisan VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act into law. This important legislation will now allow veterans in Central New York to virtually attend VA claims hearings from home,” said Rep. Katko. “Currently, when Central New York veterans appeal a decision by the VA, they are forced to drive to Buffalo or Albany for a hearing. This adds a time-consuming commute to an already stressful process for veterans and their families. By modernizing this process and allowing remote access to hearings before the Board, the VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act will reduce the burden for veterans and their families.”
This measure has earned the support of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
