The following article applies to the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (“RAMP”), a pilot appeals program for the Appeals Modernization Act (“AMA”). RAMP was in operation from November 2017 to February 2019 when AMA was fully implemented. Some of the information provided in that article may not apply to the new appeals system, AMA.
When President Trump signed the Appeals Modernization Act of 2017, a new initiative was launched by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To expedite the resolution of claims that were in the appeals process, the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program, or RAMP, was created to provide a more expedient resolution to these appeals and address the enormous backlog of claims.
The legacy process for appeals splits jurisdiction between two agencies: The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Not only does this complicated process require many additional steps, it’s often confusing. The wait time for decisions is long—sometimes up to seven years.
If you want to expedite your appeals claim, it’s important to understand if the benefits of the RAMP outweigh the disadvantages.
An experienced VA disability attorney can help you understand the changes in the appeals process.
What Are the Benefits of the Appeals Modernization Act?
There are varying opinions about whether the new procedures under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) is an initiative worth pursuing. Some people feel there are still too many unknowns about the program, while other think the process may not actually be faster. However, the VA promotes AMA as way for veterans to:
- Enter a more efficient and effective review process for their appeals
- Receive the earliest possible resolution of their disagreements with the VA’s decision about their claims
- Have the option to use multiple review options: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the BVA after 2019
- Receive the same potential effective date for benefits no matter which review option they choose
- Get a fresh, expedient evaluation of a previous VA decision by a skilled claims reviewer
If You Need Help With Your VA Disability Appeal
Cuddigan Law has filed many appeals for veterans trying to get their benefits claims approved, and we work hard for veterans injured and disabled during their military service. If you need help with a claims application or your appeal, call Cuddigan Law. We’ll work to help ensure your best possible chance for getting an approved claim, whether you’ve submitted it for the first time or are waiting on an appeal.
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