Allred Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Transparency, Accountability and Help Veterans Get Accurate Benefits

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced the bipartisan Veterans Claim Transparency Act. The bill reinstates and codifies "the 48-hour rule" which allows a veteran's representative to review VA's preliminary determination of a veteran's benefits 48 hours before finalizing the benefit determination. The VA moved to end the rule earlier this year. The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Jim Hagedorn (R-MN-01).

"After all they've done to serve our nation, our veterans deserve to receive accurate benefits in a timely manner," said Allred. "This bill is a common-sense fix and puts back in place an important review period that will help ensure transparency and accountability so all our veterans get the benefits they are owed."

The bill will help a veteran's representative, like a Veteran Service Organization, correct errors, mistakes and help ensure veterans get their correct benefits the first time and do not have to file a cumbersome appeal at a later date.

The bill is supported by the Disabled American Veterans (read letter here:

) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"The 48-hour review period is an essential feature of the VA claims process," stated Matthew Doyle, Deputy Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars. "It functions as an independent quality review check on claims decisions before final ratings are sent to veterans. The VFW thanks Representative Allred for introducing this important legislation, which would rightfully reinstate the 48-hour review policy."