WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Chellie Pingree welcomed news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has agreed to her request to reexamine previously denied disability claims from sexual assault survivors, but says the VA is doing a poor job of communicating that policy to veterans.

“It’s pretty clear that there are thousands of survivors of sexual assault who should have been getting benefits but had their claims denied,” Pingree said. “The VA has admitted they have made mistakes and agreed to take another look at these claims. But they haven’t done a very good job of telling veterans they have another shot and I don’t think they have even communicated this change effectively to their own staff.”

Pingree had been pushing the VA to reopen cases in which victims of sexual trauma have suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder and have applied for benefits but had their claims denied. Last summer Gen. Allison Hickey, undersecretary for benefits in the VA, said the Department was agreeing to Pingree’s request but it wasn’t until late this spring that letters started to go out to veterans who have had their claims denied.

Pingree created a page on her website — pingree.house. gov/mstclaims — that includes the letter and tips on how veterans can get their claims reviewed.

“The VA is telling veterans — some veterans — that they can have their claims reconsidered. But they don’t give them a number to call. We will do our best to make sure that veterans get the info they need, but the VA has to do a better job too,” Pingree said.