{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4584d8bc-5d3a-40f2-9999-5a7a4b3f4f6f", "Heller Files Amendments to Speed up Veteran Disability Claims Process", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Dean Heller", "H001041", "www.heller.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) filed two amendments to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both amendments would speed up the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims process and ensure that veterans receive the benefits they earned and deserve in a timely manner.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s important that Congress takes care of our nation\u2019s veterans by fulfilling the promises made to them. Unfortunately, in Nevada, we have one of the highest disability claims backlogs in the country. Our current disability claims processing system is broken and has been an ongoing issue that severely impacts our heroes and their families,\u201d said Senator Dean Heller. \u201cAfter everything our veterans have been through and after all the sacrifices they have made, it is unacceptable for them to have to wait long periods of time for their benefits. The Senate should act quickly on these amendments.\u201d\r\nBackground:\r\nHAIMS Implementation Amendment (SA 2311)\r\nTo process a veteran\u2019s claim, the VA must obtain records from the Department of Defense (DOD).\u00a0 In an effort to speed up the process, the DOD is developing an electronic system, the Health Artifact and Image Management Solution (HAIMS). This system will electronically deliver critical records to the VA.\u00a0 Implementation of HAIMS will ensure that veterans receive a decision on their claim in a timely manner.\u00a0 This amendment would:\r\n \r\nSet a deadline for the DOD to implement HAIMS within 6 months.\r\nRequire the DOD to issue a report on the success of HAIMS implementation and the effect on the VA\u2019s claims processing system.\r\n \r\nDOD/VA Transfer of Records Amendment (SA 2310)\r\nAccording to a 2012 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, one of the reasons that the veterans disability claims backlog is so high is that the VA is not receiving certain records it needs from the DOD in a timely manner.\r\nHeller\u2019s amendment directs to the DOD to respond to a VA request for records needed to process a claim within 30 days. If the record cannot be transferred in 30 days, the DOD can request a 30-day extension. If they don\u2019t respond within 60 days, they must report to the VA with the reason for the delay and when the requested record will be provided.\r\nPDF copies of both amendments are below.\r\n###", 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://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4584d8bc-5d3a-40f2-9999-5a7a4b3f4f6f"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.4760388769209385, "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"}