(Washington, D.C.) – “As the government shutdown enters its eighth day, Vietnam Veterans of America is increasingly concerned over the impacts on the delivery of services to veterans,” said Tom Burke, VVA National President. “VVA wants to alert our members and other veterans to a few significant impacts they may already be experiencing during the shutdown,” said Burke.
Although VA regional offices are otherwise closed, VA will continue to conduct Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearings. Veterans with scheduled hearings will be given the choice of converting their in-person hearing in a regional office to a “virtual” hearing where the veteran connects from their home or other location and the VSO and Board of Veterans Appeals representatives from other locations. For live hearings that are still scheduled in regional office space, VBA support staff will be available in person, starting approximately one hour prior to the start of the hearing.
In the case of delays in processing time-sensitive mail, documents, or evidence related to new or ongoing claims, veterans and VSOs are urged to submit requests for extensions of time limits under 38 CFR 3.109(b). VBA will accept such requests in any form of written documentation as there is no specific form requirement for requesting good-cause extensions of time limits and timely filings. The unfeasibility of transmitting mail due to a federal government furlough and associated physical office closures would constitute a showing a good cause.
“VVA encourages veterans and VSOs to be proactive in continuing to pursue their pending claims and appeals during the shutdown. It’s important not to panic,” said Burke. “VVA, in the meantime, will continue to pursue all efforts to move Congress and the administration towards a rapid resolution to the current impasse. An extended shutdown would be damaging for the entire country, but especially for vulnerable populations dependent on government support, like veterans.
