VA Adds Staff To Accelerate Md. Claims Processing

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it's adding staff and installing new managers at its Baltimore regional office to reduce a large backlog of claims from Maryland veterans.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki made the announcement Tuesday. The changes stem from a General Accountability Office report that found the Baltimore office had the nation's highest percentage of backlogged cases and the highest rate of errors.

Shinseki says the VA also is refining the mission of the office. He says it previously had a dual mission of serving Maryland veterans and processing national disability claims for seriously ill and injured service members who were leaving the armed services.

Under the new format, the office will focus solely on Maryland veterans, their families and survivors.

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