Hoyer Hosts Briefing with Veterans Service Organizations and Community Stakeholders

CHARLOTTE HALL, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) hosted a briefing with veterans service organizations, community stakeholders, and the Director of the VA's Baltimore Regional Office, Michael Scheibel, at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to discuss steps being taken to improve the claims process for Maryland veterans at the  Baltimore Regional Office, which is working to improve operations and ensure veterans receive their benefits in a timely manner and with fewer errors. They also discussed how veterans service organizations and community stakeholders can assist veterans in filing claims.

Participating in today's meeting were representatives from the following organizations: the American Legion; Charlotte Hall Veterans Home; Disabled Veterans of America; the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc.; Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Project; Metropolitan Enterprises, Inc.; the NAACP; the Prince George's County Commission for Veterans; the Southern Maryland Battle Buddies; the Tri-County Veterans Advisory Committee; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"The claims backlog that veterans in Maryland and across the country are facing is unacceptable," stated Congressman Hoyer. "However, I am hopeful that working together we can improve services for veterans in our state, and ensure they have the care and resources they have earned and deserve as quickly as possible. I thank the organizations and stakeholders who attended today's briefing for their commitment to our veterans, as well as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, and leadership at the Baltimore Regional Office for the positive steps they are taking to serve Maryland veterans and their families. Together, we will continue to fight for our nation's heroes."

Last month, Congressman Hoyer invited the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, to meet with the entire Maryland House Delegation to discuss how the VA intends to improve the functionality of the Baltimore Regional Office and retain a qualified workforce. Over the last four months, Secretary Shinseki has announced several steps to alleviate the claims backlog. In April, he announced a plan to expedite claims that have been backlogged for more than a year. In February, he announced that the Baltimore Regional Office would receive additional training, an influx of senior staff, and a new digital processing system ahead of schedule.