San Mateo, CA –The oldest veteran with a backlogged claim who attended the May 21 "VA Fix-It meeting" convened by Rep. Jackie Speier was informed today that his claim has been approved. Jake Ventrello, 93-year-old WWII veteran, will receive a retroactive payment and a monthly disability payment.

Congresswoman Speier stated, "It is fitting that on the eve of Memorial Day weekend one of the oldest veterans, if not the oldest veteran with a backlogged claim at the Oakland VA, has been given the service he deserves. We have many more veterans who deserve a similar response."

Speier said that over 250 veterans participated in the May 21 meeting at the War Memorial Building in San Francisco where VA claims representatives interviewed 115 veterans. Those veterans who were not seen will still have their cases reviewed in an expedited manner. Speier added that her staff is tracking these cases to identify the reasons for the delays which have veterans waiting an average of 320 days for a claim decision.

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