VBA Appeals Hearings Now Held Virtually in Southern New Jersey

PITTSBURGH — In partnership with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), veterans, and elected officials, and in an effort to improve veteran satisfaction, VA Healthcare – VISN 4 and the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, are working to improve the compensation and pension appeals process for veterans in southern New Jersey. Previously, many of the area’s veterans who appealed a decision for a service-connected disability rating by VBA had to drive to Philadelphia for a hearing. Now, veterans can use VA’s secure network of telecommunications technology at the Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May County VA outpatient clinics for virtual appeals hearings, eliminating long drives to Philadelphia.
“With the help of this equipment, veterans will be able to engage in the appeals process without the associated costs and stress of traveling,” said Vince Kane, director of the Wilmington VAMC. “We saw an opportunity to improve this process for our veterans and their families, and it made sense. By leveraging VA equipment, we are going to reduce, and in many cases eliminate, unnecessary travel for our veterans and their family members.”
“Over the past year, we have seen positive results for, and response by, South Jersey veterans who could access more health care services at our clinics,” said U.S. Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02). “Today’s announcement starts to bring the VA benefits closer to home, and make them more readily available for our veterans. I appreciate VA’s continued partnership with my office, VSOs and our veterans to finally address long-term shortcomings in VA services in South Jersey.”
When a Veteran disagrees with their rating decision, they have the opportunity to have their rating decision adjudicated in a face-to-face hearing. Hearings are usually held at the Philadelphia Veterans Benefits Regional Office. Previously, veterans in southern New Jersey had to travel to the Philadelphia VA Regional Office for the hearing. Now it can be done virtually over this secure network, eliminating the drive.
“It makes sense for the veterans and for VA,” said Diana Rubens, director of the Philadelphia VA Regional Office. “We are pleased to be able to partner with the Wilmington VA Medical Center to offer this service to veterans.”
“In partnership with elected officials, Veterans Service Organizations, and other stakeholders, we are making progress in how and where we deliver care and other services to our veterans in southern New Jersey,” said Kane. “The appeals process has been a challenge for a lot of veterans, and we are excited to be able to partner with VBA for this purpose. We want to expand its use so veterans can get other services, including compensation and pension exams, closer to their homes.”
VA Healthcare – VISN 4 and the Wilmington VAMC administer the health care delivery to veterans in southern New Jersey at VA outpatient clinics in Vineland, Northfield, and Cape May, New Jersey. If you are a veteran, you may be eligible to receive care and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Visit www.vets.gov to learn more.