Allsup Adds VA-Accredited Claims Agent To Assist Veterans Amid Growing Disability Backlog

BELLEVILLE, IL--(Marketwired - November 08, 2016) - Allsup has added VA-accredited Claims Agent Joe McBroom to its staff of professionals with the Allsup Veterans Disability Appeal Service^®. The timing is critical because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports a nearly 49 percent increase in disability compensation appeals filed during fiscal year 2015. Allsup is a nationwide provider of services for people with disabilities, including veterans disability appeals, Social Security Disability Insurance representation, and healthcare insurance assistance services.

The VA Board of Veterans Appeals released its annual report this summer showing 69,957 cases at the Board in FY 2015. This is an increase of 22,909 cases, or 48.7 percent, compared with 47,048 cases in FY 2014.

"The growth in disability appeals case-processing at the VA points to the immediate need for Allsup to provide more assistance to veterans," said McBroom, who passed the VA's rigorous examination process in order to become a VA-accredited Claims Agent.

He works with Brett Buchanan, Army veteran and VA-accredited Claims Agent. Together they help veterans across the U.S. pursue their veterans disability compensation appeals. Veterans can appeal claims that have been denied, or disability ratings they feel are too low. "The VA has reported it is working to increase capacity, so some of the increase in appeals is a result of those efforts," Buchanan said.

McBroom fulfilled requirements outlined by the VA as part of the accreditation process, which ensures new claims agents understand their role in representing veterans through the VA disability appeals process. Responsibilities include preparing, presenting and prosecuting claims for veterans disability benefits.

"It's an important responsibility and an honor to represent deserving veterans," McBroom said. "The accreditation process took more than two years, but it was well worth the effort. I'm ready to get started as a fully accredited claims agent."

VA data shows that about 380,000 veterans are currently awaiting VA decisions on their compensation claims.

Visit Veterans.Allsup.com for more information about filing VA disability compensation appeals, or call (888) 372-1190.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup and its subsidiaries provide nationwide Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, return to work, exchange plan and Medicare services for individuals, their employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. Visit Allsup.com for more information about veterans disability appeals.