Category Archives: VA News

VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions

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May 15, 2013

 

VA Mandates Overtime to Increase Production of Compensation Claims Decisions

Latest Initiative aimed at reducing the backlog

WASHINGTON – As part of its ongoing effort to accelerate the elimination of the disability compensation claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing today that it is mandating overtime for claims processors in its 56 regional benefits offices. This surge, which will be implemented through the end of fiscal year 2013, will be used to help eliminate the backlog with continued emphasis on high-priority claims for homeless Veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and Veterans filing Fully Developed Claims.

“VA is dedicated to providing Veterans with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “This increased overtime initiative will provide more Veterans with decisions on their claims and will help us achieve our goal of eliminating the claims backlog.”

This is the latest effort in support of the Secretary’s plan to reduce the backlog. Last month, VA announced an initiative to expedite compensation claims decisions for Veterans who have waited one year or longer.   On April 19, VA began prioritizing claims decisions for Veterans who have been waiting the longest, by providing provisional decisions that allow eligible Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits quickly.  With a provisional decision, a Veteran has a year to submit additional information to support a claim before the decision becomes final.  More information can be found here.

“We’re committed to getting Veterans decisions on their claims as quickly and accurately as possible,” said Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “We need to surge our resources now to help those who have waited the longest and end the backlog.”

Claims for Wounded Warriors separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately and on a priority basis with the Department of Defense through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). On average, Wounded Warriors separating through IDES currently receive VA compensation benefits in 2 months following their separation from service.

Veterans can learn more about disability benefits on the joint Department of Defense—VA web portal eBenefits at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov.

More information about filing Fully Developed Claims is available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/.

 

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY

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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY

November 2, 2012

 

In This Issue:

1. Protecting Our House from Military Quality-of-Life Cuts

2. Election Just Days Away

3. VFW Fires Back Against False Drop-Out Report on Student-Veterans

4. VA Facilities Closed from Aftermath of Sandy

5. VFW Co-Hosts Wounded Warrior Dinner

6. New Military Family Survey Begins

7. JPAC Welcomes New Commander

8. Two MIAs Identified

 

1. Protecting Our House from Military Quality-of-Life Cuts: This week, the progressive think tank, the Center for American Progress, published a report once again recommending cuts to military pay increases and retiree health care as a way to save money after mortgaging more than a decade of war. The VFW will continue to advocate against these kinds of proposals and adamantly opposes any cuts to military quality-of-life benefits; particularly while our military men and women continue to serve in harm’s way.  Last year, the VFW was the first major veterans’ organization to call attention to drastic proposed cuts to military quality-of-life programs through our “10 for 10” campaign. We have also addressed military budget cuts in our talking paper on budget sequestration.  We recognize that our nation must make difficult budget decisions in the coming months, but balancing the budget on the backs of disabled veterans, those in uniform, their families, and military retirees is not a solution.  Please join us in letting those in Washington know that the VFW will not tolerate any plan that requires those who serve and sacrifice the most to do even more.

To learn how you can make your voice heard in Washington, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/?style=D&

To read the report and VFW’s full analysis on our Capitol Hill blog, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2012/11/here-we-go-again-protecting-our-house.html

 

2. Election Just Days Away:  The 2012 Election is just days away.  VFW encourages all members and veterans’ advocates to get out and vote. Help your members who may need transportation to the polls by arranging car pools and local pick-ups in your area. Remember to check our website to see how your members voted on critical veterans issues when they reached the floor of the House and Senate. Before heading to the voting booth, take a look at what your members have done to improve the lives of veterans, our active duty and their families. To view our vote analysis, visit the VFW website at http://www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC/ and use the Connect to Congress box on bottom right.

As always, if you have a unique program that helps veterans get out to vote this election day, please share your stories with us for the Capitol Hill blog, www.thevfw.blogspot.com. To share your stories, either fill out our online form by clicking here, http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-Blog-Submissions/, or simply email photos and stories directly to vfwac@vfw.org.

 

3. VFW Fires Back Against False Drop-Out Report on Student-Veterans: Last week the Huffington Post reported that nearly 88 percent of veterans going to school on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill drop out. After reading the story, the veterans’ community balked at the baseless allegation and started firing back. To the VFW, this latest story of abysmal student-veteran performance is a disservice to the nearly 850,000 veterans currently enrolled in school through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, especially since nobody in higher education or VA currently tracks student-veteran drop-outs or completions. The VFW believes that we have an obligation to today’s veterans to ensure they have access to the quality education we promised them, and has been working diligently over the last four years to improve and protect the benefit. To read the VFW’s full response to the erroneous story and to learn about ways the VFW is working to maintain the integrity of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, click here: http://thevfw.blogspot.com/2012/11/protecting-gi-bill-perception-is-reality.html

 

4. VA Facilities Closed from Aftermath of Sandy: The Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced several facilities closed due to the effects of Sandy in the Northeast and parts of West Virginia. Facilities with closures include:

  • VISN 2: Bath, NY (Mansfield CBOC)
  • VISN 3: Hudson Valley (Monticello & New City)
  • VISN 3: New Jersey (Outpt at Lyons and Newark; Hackensack, Hamilton, Jersey City, Morristown, Tinton Falls; East Orange plastic surgery)
  • VISN 3: New York Harbor (all open except Manhattan)
  • VISN 3: Northport (all clinics closed thru Friday, no DAV transportation)
  • VISN 4: Clarksburg (Tucker County CBOC)
  • VISN 4: Coatesville (No MRI Wed/Thurs)
  • VISN 4: Philadelphia (Ft. Dix closed; Gloucester limited phones)

For more information click on the facility link above or visit the VA website at:  http://www.va.gov/

 

5. VFW Co-Hosts Wounded Warrior Dinner: The VFW is joining the Aleethia Foundation to co-host a Wounded Warrior Dinner this evening at the National Press Club in Washington. What makes this dinner extra special is it will bring military personnel recuperating from their wounds at nearby Walter Reed National Military Medical Center together with 30 Marines who have moved on from their injuries to complete a USMC Wounded Warrior Cycling Camp at MCB Quantico. The VFW has been a strong supporter of these weekly wounded warrior dinners ever since they were created in October 2003 by fellow VFW member Hal Koster, who received the VFW Citizenship Award in 2007.

 

6. New Military Family Survey Begins: The 2013 Military Family Lifestyle Survey is now available online for veterans, service members and their families. The survey is open through December 3, and should take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete, depending on your responses. Go to the Blue Star Families website to participate at http://www.bluestarfam.org/Policy/Surveys/Survey_2013.

 

7. JPAC Welcomes New Commander: Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague assumed command of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command yesterday in change of command ceremonies at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. He replaces Army Maj. Gen. Steve Tom, who will be retiring after serving our nation for 40 years, and who was able to address the 113th VFW National Convention in Nevada in July. Read more at http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/index.php?page=press_center&size=100&ind=0&fldr=PressImageArchive&file=2012-10-31_ChangeofCommand.

 

8. Two MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to two soldiers who had been missing-in-action from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Identified are:

  • Army Pfc. James C. Mullins, 20, of Dunham, Ky. On July 22, 1950, Mullins and his unit, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, were fighting enemy forces near Yugong-ni, South Korea. Mullins was declared missing after the battle.
  • Army Maj. James L. Whited, 42, of Norman, Okla. On Nov. 19, 1966, Whited was the co-pilot of an OV-1A Mohawk that crashed while conducting a daytime reconnaissance mission over Attapu Province, Laos. No parachutes were seen exiting the aircraft, and heavy enemy presence in the area prevented recovery efforts.

Read more about their stories at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.

VA Approves $28 Million in Grants for Homeless Veterans

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September 19, 2012

WASHINGTON—The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved $28.4 million in grants to fund 38 projects in 25 states and the District of Columbia that will provide transitional housing to homeless Veterans.  Among these 38 projects, 31 will provide temporary housing to homeless Veterans with the goal that they will retain the residence as their own.

“As we drive toward our goal to end homelessness among Veterans by 2015, VA continues to find innovative ways to permanently house Veterans who were formerly homeless,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “Under President Obama’s leadership, we have made incredible strides in creating programs to aid these brave men and women who have served our Nation so well.”

Thirty-one of the grants were awarded through VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program’s (GPD) “Transition in Place” model.  The program allows Veterans the opportunity to take over payment of a lease instead of moving out after using VA services—substance use counseling, mental health services, job training and more. Other VA programs require Veterans living in transitional housing to move out after 24 months.  A list of the grant recipients can be found at:  http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp.

GPD helps close gaps in available housing for the nation’s most vulnerable homeless Veterans, including women with children, Indian tribal populations, and Veterans with substance use and mental health issues.

Those receiving funding have undergone a rigorous review by teams of experts rating each application under objective criteria to ensure that those funded have the ability to provide the services described and a solid plan to get these Veterans into housing with a high probability of obtaining residential stability and independent living.

“Securing permanent housing is a vital step in the journey of our homeless Veterans,” said Dr. Susan Angell, executive director for VA’s Veterans Homeless Initiative. “This is the last piece of the puzzle, and it is crucial for them in continuing to lead independent lives.”

Community-based programs funded by GPD provide homeless Veterans with support services and housing. GPD grants are offered annually as funding is available by VA’s National Homeless Program.

Lisa Pape, national director of homeless programs for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which oversees GPD, said VHA’s focus is creating and strengthening community services around the country so that homeless Veterans get the support they need.

“Our focus is creating a team of community support—pairing a variety of services, such as mental health support, employment assistance and job training with the essential component of housing,” said Pape. “Whether it is aid in overcoming substance use or finding a job, a community helping hand is exactly what these Veterans need to lead a better quality of life.”

On a single night in 2011, a national count of homeless Veterans totaled 67,495, 12 percent lower than 76,000 in 2010. As part of Obama and Shinseki’s five-year plan to eliminate Veteran homelessness by 2015, VA has committed almost $1 billion to strengthen programs that prevent and treat the many issues that can lead to Veteran homelessness.

These awards follow closely with a notice VA published asking interested organizations to submit a nonbinding letter of intent to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program to apply for initial and renewal supportive services grants  by Sep. 28, 2012.  The SSVF Program in the first 10 months of operation has assisted more than 28,000 Veterans and their families to prevent or rapidly end homelessness.  Letters of intent have no impact on the opportunity for entities to apply when funding availability is announced.  These letters of intent will help VA gauge interest in the SSVF program as it seeks to make access to SSVF services available throughout the country.  VA anticipates announcing a Notice of Funding Availability in the new fiscal year.

Additional information can be obtained at:

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/08/23/2012-20761/letter-of-intent-to-apply-for-funding-available-under-the-supportive-services-for-veteran-families#h-5

 

VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY REVIEW AUGUST 31, 2012

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VFW Washington Weekly
August 31, 2012

In this issue:

1. VFW Applauds White   House Effort to Combat Suicide
2. VFW Active at   Republican Convention
3. VA Increases Vets   Retraining Assistance Program
4. Combating Veterans’   Homelessness
5. VFW Hears from   Marine Corps Commandant
6. Army and NFL   Discuss TBI
7. Five MIAs Return   Home

1. VFW Applauds White House Effort to Combat Suicide: Today, the President signed   an executive order designed to curb military and veteran suicide and improve   the delivery of mental health resources to our nation’s heroes. The executive   order, “Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service   Members and Military Families,” which President Obama is scheduled to   announce during a visit to Fort Bliss in Texas, includes nearly a dozen   specific initiatives designed to improve mental health resources and   intervention tools. National Commander John E. Hamilton, noted the VFW   support for the president’s vision to prevent military suicides and improve   mental health care delivery, but also expressed concerns about potential   funding shortfalls to accomplish the president’s goals. Click here for the   VFW’s Press release: http://www.vfw.org/News-and-Events/Articles/2012-Articles/VFW-Applauds-White-House-Efforts-to-Stop-Military-Suicide/

2. VFW Active at   Republican Convention: VFW Representatives attending the   Republican National Convention (RNC) listened to key note speakers and spoke   with delegates on critical issues like veterans mental and behavioral health,   accurate claims processing and helping service members secure educational,   employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The VFW will also be   represented at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte to   ensure the voice of veterans, service members and their families remains a   key priority during Campaign 2012. Leading both delegations will be VFW   Legislative Director Ray Kelley. Stay informed throughout by reading blog   postings at: www.vfwonthehill.org/

3. VA Increases Vets   Retraining Assistance Program: This week, VA announced that   have filled 36,000 of the 45,000 job training openings available under the   Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) passed as a part of the VOW to   Heroes Act. An additional 55,000 openings will be available October 1, 2012.   VRAP provides up to $1,473 a month in GI Bill benefits for those taking   full-time courses to learn the skills necessary to land a job. VFW was   instrumental in getting the provision passed as a part of the comprehensive   jobs bill and encourages veterans eligible to apply online. Click here for   more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/

4. Combating Veterans’   Homelessness: Veterans’ homelessness is a national problem   that is best solved at the local level. As such, the VA recently launched a   new online ordering portal for communities and national partners to order   free informational material and promotional items ranging from brochures and   posters to wallet cards, drawstring bags and hygiene kits, among other items.   Share the portal link with your VFW members and Posts and with others in your   community to help spread the word. For more information or to place an order,   go to http://www.va.gov/homeless/materials_center.asp.

5. VFW Hears from   Marine Corps Commandant: This week, VFW attended a Press Club   event where Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos spoke on a number of   issues important to the Corps. Leading the list was the continuing success of   combat operations in Afghanistan and the transfer of responsibilities over to   Afghan national security forces. Following his remarks, Amos fielded   questions from the audience on a variety of military quality-of-life and   force readiness issues ranging from fiscal responsibility and budget   constraints on the Marines Corps, to women serving in combat, suicide, and   sexual assault. When asked about potential across-the-board cuts to the   Defense budget, Amos said he believed the Marine Corps would be hit   disproportionately hard, considering the size of the force and the value it   delivers to the U.S. military. Amos also said that the greatest challenge for   the Corps moving forward would be ensuring the force remains balanced through   a period of fiscal austerity. To learn more about Amos’ remarks and to view   C-SPAN’s full coverage of the event, click here: http://www.vfwonthehill.org/2012/08/vfw-hears-from-marine-commandant.html?m=1

6. Army and NFL   Discuss TBI: Earlier this week, Army representatives hosted   NFL leaders at West Point to discuss how they can affect positive change   surrounding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and concussions. The military,   alongside the NFL have continued conversations regarding the Soldier-Athlete commitment   to education and awareness of these serious injuries. To watch the   discussion, click here: http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/2578#.UD5iiqCoz1l.

7. Five MIAs Return   Home: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office recently   announced the identification of remains belonging to one airmen and four   soldiers who had been missing in action since World War II, Korea and   Vietnam. Returned home are:
* Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Harry W. Eck, of Minot Ward, N.D. On Sept. 13,   1944, Eck and eight other crewmembers were aboard a B-17G Flying Fortress   that crashed near Neustaedt-on-the-Werra, Germany. Only one of the nine   crewmen is known to have successfully parachuted out of the aircraft before   in crashed.
* Army Cpl. Kenneth R. Block, 22, of Ann Arbor, Mich. In late November 1950,   Block and elements of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, known as “Task   Force Faith,” were advancing along the eastern banks of the Chosin   Reservoir in North Korea when they came under attack. On Dec. 3, Block and   many other Americans would be listed as missing in action as a result of the   heavy fighting.
* Army Sgt. 1st Class William T. Brown, 24, of La Habra, Calif.; Sgt. 1st   Class Donald M. Shue, 20, of Kannapolis, N.C.; and Sgt. 1st Class Gunther H.   Wald, 25, of Palisades Park, N.J. On Nov. 3, 1969, the men and six Vietnamese   soldiers were part of a Special Forces reconnaissance patrol that was   ambushed while operating in Quang Tri Province near the Vietnam-Laos border.
Read more about their recovery and identification at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.
 
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VA BLUE BUTTON REACHES ONE MILLION REGISTERED PATIENTS

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Blue Button Reaches One Million Registered Patients Cutting Edge Technology Expands to Empower More Patients   WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that, during the month of August, the one millionth patient has registered for Blue Button to access and download their Personal Health Record (PHR) information.   “Since President Obama announced the availability of Blue Button two years ago, VA has worked tirelessly with our sister agencies to make online access to personal health records convenient, reliable, and safe.  I am very pleased with our progress,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.    The Blue Button enables patients to assemble and download personal health information into a single, portable file that can be used inside a growing number of private health care electronic records–as well as those in the VA, Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and private sector partners.  The VA Blue Button PHR includes prescription history, the ability to review past appointments and medical history details, wellness reminders and emergency contact information. Because it is web-based, the information is available anywhere, any time.  Its security measures are identical to those employed by retail websites that accept credit cards.   “VA believes that patients are hungry for their health information,” said Peter Levin, VA’s Chief Technology Officer. “The simplicity of Blue Button makes it easy for other public agencies and Federal Employee Health Program carriers to participate.  Getting to one million registered users so quickly is a great validation for our team.”   The Blue Button will see even wider use as more non-profit organizations and health care industry partners, such as Kaiser Permanente and Aetna adopt it as an integral part of their customer health records.   One of the most recent Blue Button partners is UnitedHealth Group.   “We are just thrilled to see how Blue Button has expanded so quickly, both in the richness of its content as well as the number of institutions that have pledged to make their data available,” said U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park.  He went on to say that Blue Button has become the model of data liberation throughout the Federal Government.  “Data is the rocket fuel of job creation in the high tech sector.  Blue Button is just a terrific example of what people can do once we liberate their data – safely and privately – from our vaults.”   For more information on the Blue Button initiative, please visit:  http://www.va.gov/bluebutton/   # # #

 

VA Supports Gulf War Veterans on Multiple Fronts

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2012

 

VA Supports Gulf War Veterans on Multiple Fronts

 

It has now been 22 years since the start of the 1990-1991 Gulf War which comprises the deployment and combat operations known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Almost 700,000 Servicemembers were deployed during this period. Those Veterans who have enrolled in the VA health care system have made over 2 million outpatient visits for health care and had over 20,000 inpatient admissions in the VA health care system.

 

“The Department of Veterans Affairs has not forgotten the service and dedication of Gulf War Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We continue to provide high-quality health care and benefits to them while we invest in research that helps us understand and treat Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses.”

 

In support of care and services to the Veterans of the first Gulf War, VA has led efforts to better understand and characterize Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses and to improve treatment.   Research initiatives have included:

 

  • Funding an independent Institute of Medicine (IOM) review of scientific and medical research related to treatment of chronic multi-symptom illness among Gulf War Veterans.  The report is expected in 2013.

 

  • Funding and encouraging a wide spectrum of research focused on identifying new treatments to help Gulf War Veterans, including studies on pain, muscle and bone disorders, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, and other chronic diseases.   Research is ongoing in other conditions, as well, that may affect Gulf War Veterans, such as brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS), and multiple sclerosis.

 

  • Launching in May 2012, the third follow-up study of a national cohort of Gulf War and Gulf War Era Veterans (earlier studies were conducted in 1995 and 2005; the health surveys are done to understand possible health effects of service and guide health care delivery).

 

  • Continuing the clinical, research, and education activities of the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center program which focuses on post-deployment health.

 

VA is also improving care and services for Gulf War Veterans through initiatives outlined in the 2011 GWVI Task Force Report. These include the evaluation of a clinical care model specifically for Gulf War Veterans and of enhanced education for health care providers about Gulf War Veterans’ concerns.  Additionally, a VA Gulf War Research Strategic Plan has been developed to address effective treatment for the symptoms experienced by some Gulf War Veterans and to guide efforts toward improvements in diagnosis, the understanding of genetic and biologic factors related to Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses, and the application of research findings in Veterans’ health care.

 

VA provides care for Veterans of all eras as part of its mission.  VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system.  With a health care budget of more than $50 billion, VA expects to provide care to 6.1 million patients during 920,000 inpatient hospital admissions and nearly 80 million outpatient visits during 2012.  VA’s health care network includes 152 major medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics.

For more information on Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses, see: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/.

 

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VA, Veteran Representatives Partner in Fully Developed Claims Process

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VA, Veteran Representatives Partner in Fully Developed Claims Process

Filing Fully Developed Claims Reduces Processing Times to 110 days

 

WASHINGTON (Aug. 7, 2012) – The Department of Veterans Affairs hosted an event July 31 for 10 Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) to collaborate in VA’s effort to eliminate the claims backlog.

The main focus of the workshop was VA’s emphasis on the shared goal of better serving Veterans and positive impact of filing Fully Developed Claims (FDC). Participation in the FDC Program is completely optional, and allows for faster claims processing, while preserving a Veteran’s right to appeal a decision.

 

“VA prides itself on our ongoing partnership with organizations that represent Veterans throughout the VA claims process,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “They are at the frontlines and have a major role in our ability to transform our claims process, starting with fully-developed claims.”

 

Claims are considered to be “fully developed” when Veterans submit all available supporting evidence, like private treatment records and notice of Federal treatment records, to VA at the time they first file a formal claim and certify they have no more evidence to submit. VA gathers all Federal records the Veterans identify, like those from VA Medical Centers and the Social Security Administration. VA will also send the Veterans for a VA medical examination, if needed. The early submittal of evidence and certification by the Veteran allow VA to start processing the claim immediately, without holding it for mandatory wait periods.

 

Veterans and their representatives do much of the development that typically takes VA 175 days to gather. Currently, FDC claims take an average of 110 days to decide compared to 254 days through the traditional claims method.

 

Part of the workshop featured a discussion lead by Chicago Regional Office Director Duane Honeycutt on how VA’s regional offices and VSO field staff can work together to increase the number of FDCs Veterans file. The Chicago Regional Office is one example of recent successes in reducing the time it takes to process a claim by working with Veteran representatives to increase FDC claims. Currently, FDC make up 10 percent of the RO’s claims, compared to just 3 percent nationwide.

 

“VA, Veterans representatives and Veterans all have a stake in the claims process,” Honeycutt said. “We continue to operate under the mantra, ‘Grant if you can, deny if you must,’ but more often than not, the challenge to obtain certain evidence that allows us to grant the claim.  That is why partnering with the VSO’s to increase the number of fully developed claims that are submitted is so important. ”

 

Honeycutt said FDC involves Veterans in the process and allows them more control over their claims. Their reward is a claim that is finished in substantially less time.

 

“DAV has National Service Officers located in every regional office,” said Jim Marszalak, Assistant Service Director with Disabled American Veterans. “Our NSOs in the Chicago Regional Office started using the FDC program and have seen a dramatic amount of time shaved off waiting times. It has also minimized the amount of appeals we file on our Veterans’ behaves.”

 

Using VA Form 21-526EZ, Veterans can file FDC for disability compensation. VA Form 21-527EZ allows Veterans to file for a non-service connected pension. The FDC forms, found at http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf and http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-527EZ-ARE.pdf  include information on what evidence is VA’s responsibility and what evidence is the Veteran’s responsibility.

 

For more information on the Fully Developed Claims program, visit http://benefits.va.gov/transformation/fastclaims/.

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VA Deploys New Processing Model for Compensation Claims

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VA Deploys New Processing Model for Compensation Claims

New Procedures Ensure Benefits Delivery to Veterans in Need

            WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it is deploying a new model for processing compensation benefits claims at 16 VA regional offices. The new model is part of a comprehensive transformation plan designed to yield an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 additional compensation claim decisions annually, while ensuring Veterans most in need receive priority attention.

“This new model is a part of our comprehensive plan to eliminate the compensation claims backlog,” said Under Secretary for Benefits, Allison A. Hickey.  “Our redesigned model follows comprehensive planning and testing to ensure we have the right recipe for success.”

The new organizational model involves special handling of claims from Veterans who are facing the most serious injuries or illnesses or experiencing financial hardships or homelessness, and therefore need immediate attention.  Through a new “intake processing center,” claims are routed to one of three segmented lanes:

  • Express: Claims that have only one or two medical conditions, or have all the supporting documentation, medical evidence and service records needed for an expeditious rating decision—referred to as “fully developed claims”.
  • Special Operations: Claims requiring special handling because of the unique circumstances of the Veterans.  These include financial hardship; homelessness; serious wounds, injuries or illnesses; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder associated with military sexual trauma; and former prisoner of war status.
  • Core: Claims with more than two medical conditions, or those that will need additional evidence to make a compensation decision.

The  segmented-lanes approach helps increase speed and accuracy because the claims specialists become familiar with processing claims of similar complexity.

Veterans and their Veterans Service Organization representatives are encouraged to provide all the needed evidence along with their application in a “fully developed claim” in order to expedite the process.

Sixteen regional offices have received the new organizational and process model, including Huntington, W.Va.; Hartford, Conn.; Portland, Ore.; Houston, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Boise, Idaho; Phoenix, Ariz.; New Orleans, La.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Atlanta, Ga.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Wichita, Kan.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Newark, New Jersey and Fort Harrison, Mont.  These offices will also receive new technology systems and software upgrades over the next 3 months.  All 56 VA regional offices will have fully implemented all of the people, process, and technology initiatives in VA’s transformation plan by the end of 2013.

To learn more about how to file “fully developed claims” using VA’s new Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), visit http://benefits.va.gov/disabilityexams.

VA Exceeds Government-Wide Goal for Veteran-Owned Business Procurement

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VA Exceeds Government-Wide Goal for Veteran-Owned Business Procurement

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs exceeded by more than six times the Small Business Administration (SBA) goal of government procurements to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) according to the SBA scorecard released today.  That total surpassed the combined procurements from the rest of the civilian agencies of the federal government.

“Our results demonstrate VA’s commitment to the success of Veteran-owned small businesses,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  “Veterans possess the vision and abilities to help build an enduring and vibrant economy.  VA is doing its part to help translate those traits into results.”

VA has statutory responsibilities under Public Law 109-461 that place SDVOSB and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) first and second, respectively, in the hierarchy of its small business preferences.

In support of this policy, Secretary Shinseki has established a department goal of 10 percent for SDVOSB procurements. VA continued to make SDVOSB its first priority even after it met its own expanded goal, resulting in the department nearly doubling its own SDVOSB goal. The Department of Veterans Affairs awarded more than 18.3 percent of its procurement dollars to SDVOSB.

Secretary Shinseki also established a department goal of 12 percent for VOSB.  In 2011, VA spent 20 percent of its procurement dollars with VOSB, again far exceeding its own goal.

At the National Veteran Small Business Conference in Detroit last week, the largest crowd of Veteran businesses and government procurement decision makers gathered anywhere in the country this year, Secretary Shinseki announced additional steps to ensure that VA meets its commitment to Veteran-owned businesses.

  • Any contract not going to a Veteran-owned small business must be reviewed by a senior executive and concurred with by a senior contracting executive.
  • All senior executive performance evaluations will include a small business performance metric.
  • For the first time, VA has established small business procurement goals all the way down to the lowest senior executive level that exercises procurement responsibilities; for instance, at a medical center or a regional office or a cemetery. Within overall departmental goals, senior executives are now accountable for specific goals.

For more information about VA’s services for Veteran-owned small businesses, please visit: http://www.vetbiz.gov/.

 

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