Building on their institution’s commitment to leveraging technology and legal expertise, a team of Stanford University students has developed an AI (artificial intelligence) tool to streamline the disability benefits application process for veterans, aiming to simplify complex systems and empower vulnerable populations.
Named Vet’s Claim, the tool addresses a critical issue within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) disability benefits process, in which nearly 75% of initial applications are rejected due to unclear instructions or technical errors in the submission process. The tool — designed during a 48-hour CodeX Hackathon held at Stanford in early May — utilizes AI to create tailored claims that meet the VA’s requirements more accurately.
The initiative was inspired by the personal experiences of team members, including Army veteran and graduate business student Matt Champion, who had faced numerous difficulties and delays when applying for VA benefits. It took 26 in-person meetings over the course of three years for Champion to finally obtain disability benefits related to a back injury sustained during a tour in Afghanistan. His brother faced similar challenges, spending nearly $20,000 on professional help to file a first-time benefits claim.
“I have personally navigated the VA benefits program and I learned first-hand how challenging, emotionally demanding, and time consuming the process is,” he says. “We wanted to help the 18 million veterans who are eligible for first-time benefits have an outcome and experience that is easier, faster, and better than mine.”
Vet’s Claim addresses these issues by guiding applicants through the process with the help of a chatbot, which uses a conversational approach to collect the necessary information. For example, veterans can click on a part of a human body diagram to indicate where they are experiencing pain and describe their condition in their own words. The tool then translates this information into the specific language and format required by the VA, ensuring that their application is comprehensive and meets all regulatory standards.
“It was easier for me to get into Stanford than it was to receive VA benefits,” Champion says. “Veterans know where they hurt. They don’t know the words that the VA is looking for when they’re looking to approve or process an application.”
Camila Chabayta, a Stanford law student and hackathon participant, highlighted the potential of AI to bridge numerous gaps in legal access, especially related to instances of regulatory compliance needed to receive VA benefits.
“We used the latest regulations, 20 years of VA case findings — which are all publicly available online — and AI tools to design, write, and provide a tailored claim that helps veterans get their application for disability benefits right the first time,” Chabayta says.
By incorporating these resources, the tool provides veterans with a significantly improved chance of having their claims accepted on the first submission. This not only saves time and reduces frustration for applicants but also helps to democratize access to legal resources, making the process more equitable.
The introduction of Vet’s Claim represents a significant step toward ensuring that veterans can more easily and efficiently receive the benefits they have earned through their service, alleviating some of the bureaucratic burdens they face. Although the AI tool is not yet publicly available, the team received investment interest from venture capital firms attending the hackathon. If funded, the project could be scaled up for more widespread use. ●
