What was the purpose of establishing the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program?

The Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program was established primarily to improve claim processing timeliness. This initiative allows veterans to submit claims that are fully supported by evidence at the outset of the process, thereby minimizing the need for additional information requests from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after the claim is submitted. By streamlining the process and ensuring that all necessary documentation is provided upfront, the FDC Program helps expedite the processing time for claims, allowing veterans to receive their benefits more quickly and efficiently. This focus on timely processing aligns with the VA's commitment to serving veterans better and reducing long wait times that were previously experienced in the claims process.