WASHINGTON, DC — On February 13, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) introduced his first piece of legislation as a member of congress. The bipartisan "Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act" would simplify forms required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans and survivors.

“Our military members dedicate their lives to serving our nation. The last thing they need when they come home are mountains of daunting paperwork,” said Bresnahan. “Pennsylvania’s Eighth District is home to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center and nearly 40,000 veterans. The 'Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act' will ease the burden of paperwork felt by so many of our veterans and their loved ones."

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within VA requires veterans and survivors to complete standard forms to initiate and pursue claims for VA benefits, including disability compensation, pension, and survivors’ benefits. These forms can often be arduous and difficult to understand for veterans or their survivors, and failure to do correctly fill them out can result in delays in processing their claim, delays in receiving a decision on their claim, or even a denial of their claim. 

Bresnahan introduced the "Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act" to simplify the forms process to make VA standard forms more user-friendly. The legislation would require VA to contract with a nonpartisan, federally funded research entity to conduct a study on, and provide recommendations for, revising VA forms to be more understandable for veterans and their survivors. Following this study, the VA Secretary would be required to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations.

“I came to Congress with the mindset that I am here to make life better for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Bresnahan. “My first piece of legislation will do just that by taking care of those who fight every day for our freedom. I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me to support our nation’s past and present soldiers and their families.”