Currently, it takes weeks or months for congressional constituent service representatives to receive files from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that they requested to help veterans with their claims

The WINGMAN Act eliminates the burdensome step of using the VA as a middle-man and allows constituent service representatives direct access to these files


WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has joined with other senators to introduce legislation to help speed up the processing of veterans’ benefits claims. Currently, it takes weeks or months for congressional constituent service representatives to receive files from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that they requested to help veterans with their claims. The Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now (WINGMAN) Act eliminates the burdensome step of using the VA as a middle-man and allows constituent service representatives direct access to these files. This will allow constituent service representatives the ability to keep veterans better updated on the status of their pending claims, including medical records, compensation, pension, exam records, rating decisions, statement of the case, supplementary statement of the case, notice of disagreement and form-9 files.

“Our veterans have served our country on the front lines. They shouldn’t have to face long waits to receive the benefits they’ve earned when they return home,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation would take an important step to cut out the middle-man and provide casework staff with the tools to better respond to the needs of our brave men and women.”

Joining Klobuchar in introducing this legislation were Senators Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Mark Kirk (R-IL). Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL) has introduced a companion bill in the House.

Klobuchar has worked in a bipartisan manner to modernize G.I. Bill benefits for our troops and to strengthen funding veterans’ health care, including service related injuries related to Agent Orange exposure. She has also authored bipartisan bills on behalf of our nation’s veterans and their families to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, expand job training and employment opportunities, cut red tape and wait times for veterans scheduling appointments at VA Medical Facilities, and to reduce veterans’ homelessness.

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