Review Every Veterans Claim Act Proposes End to Automatic Denials for Missed VA Medical Exams

This proposed legislation, titled the "Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025," targets a specific frustration point within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits process. Simply put, it prohibits the VA from denying a veteran's claim solely on the grounds that the veteran failed to show up for a required medical examination.

Missed Appointment? Your Claim Isn't Automatically Toast

Under this bill, if a veteran misses a VA-scheduled medical exam related to their benefits claim, the VA can't just close the case and issue a denial based only on that missed appointment. Instead, the agency would still be required to review the claim itself, considering whatever evidence is already available. Think about a veteran juggling multiple jobs, unexpected childcare needs, or even another health emergency – situations that could easily lead to a missed appointment. This change aims to prevent such circumstances from automatically derailing a potentially valid claim for benefits they've earned.

Focusing on Evidence, Not Just Attendance

Essentially, this shifts the VA's process slightly. While attending scheduled exams remains crucial for providing necessary medical evidence, this act ensures that a single missed appointment isn't the sole reason a claim gets rejected. The focus moves towards evaluating the substance of the claim based on the information the VA does have, rather than stopping the process cold due to attendance issues alone. It’s a straightforward change intended to add a layer of fairness for veterans navigating the claims system.