VA makes progress on resolution of legacy appeals

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Appeals Management Office (AMO) significantly reduced disability compensation legacy appeals inventory during the last nine months as part of the department’s long-term legacy resolution plan.

This inventory includes Notices of Disagreement (NOD) and substantive appeals filed in the “legacy” system – the appeals process in place prior to implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA). VBA lowered this inventory from a high of 292,452 in March 2016, to 96,350 on Dec. 31, 2019, despite receiving 770,571 new NOD and substantive appeals during that period.

“Veterans who have been waiting for their decisions can trust that VA is working towards getting them the benefits and services they deserve,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Completing legacy Notices of Disagreement and substantive appeals will be an important step in meeting this obligation.”

VBA is on track to eliminate its NOD and substantive appeals inventory by July 4.

Information on the VA appeals process can be found at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asp.