NFDA has been made aware of significant issues related to the reimbursement of burial transportation benefits for veterans from January 2023 through March 2024. These problems stem from errors in the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) automated claims processing system.

Specifically, the system:

• Prematurely denied valid claims.
• Failed to reimburse transportation expenses even when supporting evidence was submitted.
• Did not notify claimants of decisions regarding transportation benefits.

As a result, it is estimated that:

• Approximately 1,300 claims were underpaid by a total of $743,000.
• Around 4,700 claims were processed without proper notification to claimants.

To help NFDA ensure affected claims are addressed and to advocate for corrections in the reimbursement process, we ask that you complete a brief survey. Your input is critical as we work to resolve these issues and ensure veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned.

We ask that you please complete the survey by Friday, September 5. 

Take Survey Today: https://www.research.net/r/J26RPVH

The VBA processes claims for transportation reimbursement as follows.

• Eligibility:
  • Transportation reimbursement covers reasonable expenses incurred to transport a veteran’s remains from the place of death to the final resting place.
  • Eligibility expanded under the “Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020,” which became effective January 5, 2023. It includes veterans who died while under VA care, were receiving compensation or pension at the time of death, or whose remains were unclaimed.
• Required Evidence:
  • VBA requires an itemized receipt or statement showing the name of the deceased veteran, the nature and cost of services and transportation, the name of the claimant, and the dates of services rendered.
  • Statements or receipts do not need to show "paid in full," only that expenses were incurred.

If you have any questions or would like to share additional feedback on challenges you may encounter with transportation benefits, please contact Lesley Witter, Senior Vice President, Advocacy at LWitter@NFDA.org.

Thank you for your support and commitment to serving our nation’s veterans.