An agreement signed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will help California veterans and their families receive their benefits more quickly and help reduce the backlog of claims that have kept some veterans waiting for nearly two years.

The Memorandum of Understanding, along with $3 million and 36 limited-term positions authorized by the Governor’s 2013-14 budget, allows CalVet to hire teams of 12 veterans claims representatives for VA’s regional offices in Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego. Claims representatives will review claims pending for 125 days or longer and work to make them fully developed and ready for VA rating. Once a claim has been adjudicated and a disability rating has been assigned, compensation or pension payments can be properly calculated and sent out to the veteran.

“This agreement, along with greater access to veterans’ records and the dedication of our veteran claims representatives, will go a long way easing the backlog of California benefits claims,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “By reviewing claims that have been pending the longest and working forward, we will reduce the waiting time veterans have had to face.”

CalVet has begun hiring veterans claims representatives and, to date, has 14 of the 36 positions filled. To view the veterans claims representative job bulletins for openings in Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego, go to http://www.calvet.ca.gov/AboutUs/Jobs/JobAnnouncements.aspx.