{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-va-will-prioritize-vets-benefit-appeals", "Kilili: VA will prioritize vets benefit appeals", "2018-11-07", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MP", "Gregorio Sablan", "S001177", "sablan.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kilili: VA will prioritize vets benefit appeals\nNORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS  Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has decided to give priority to benefits appeals claims for veterans impacted by Super Typhoon Yutu.\nAny Marianas veteran with an appeal currently pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals will have their appeal automatically advanced on the Board's docket, Congressman Sablan said. Veterans or other persons making an appeal do not need to take any action to get this priority treatment; and it will be in effect until at least May 1, 2019.\nIn addition to Super Typhoon Yutu survivors,the VA is also giving priority to survivors ofhurricanes Florence and Michael in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia found to be disaster areas by FEMA.\nVA Secretary Robert Wilkie said, Just as it did with hurricanes Florence and Michael, VA'sBoard of Veterans' Appeals is prioritizing the benefits appeals claims process [for Super Typhoon Yutu] because it is the right thing to do.\nMaking sure the Marianas gets the same level of federal response as given to states impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael is a priority for Congressman Sablan.\nThe mission of VA's Board of Veterans' Appeals is to conduct hearings and decide disability benefits appeals for Veterans in a timely manner.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://sablan.house.gov/press-release/kilili-va-will-prioritize-vets-benefit-appeals"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4315310399979353, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}