Update on Veterans Disability Claims Process

[boardman]

Department of Veterans Affairs unveil plans for Veterans Benefits Claims before House Subcommittee

NEWS FROM...
CHAIRMAN BOB FILNER
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Kristal DeKleer at (202) 225-9756

VA Provides Implementation Update on New Law to Improve the Veterans Disability Claims Process

Washington, D.C. - On February 3, 2010, John Hall (D-NY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, convened a hearing to assess the progress of implementing the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act, P.L. 110-389. An omnibus measure, the law is primarily intended to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims processing system to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of benefits to veterans, their families, and survivors, and to transform the VBA into a 21st Century institution.

In response to many of the provisions of P.L. 110-389, the concerns of stakeholders, and directives from the Administration, VBA has undertaken a new information technology strategy to improve business processes targeted at reducing the average days to complete rating claims and improving consistency and accuracy. According to VA, the core of the new strategy is the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), which will require the design of robust and agile technology and software. The VBMS initiative is being implemented under smaller original projects to transition to a paperless claims processing environment, update the mail intake process, perform end-to-end claims processing in an electronic environment, and enhance communication with veterans.

Chairman Hall stated, "The concerns raised by the veteran advocates here today have been repeated time and time again. Although concerns remain about the timeline of the implementation of P.L. 110-389, I am pleased at the strides taken since the bill's passage. Changes like an Office of Survivors Assistance, substitution to allow a claim to continue, the claims checklist, and the current pilot programs on expedited will go a long way to fix the problems that have been plaguing veterans for decades. I am hopeful these efforts will result in a system that reflects improved accountability, accuracy, quality assurance, and timeliness of claims processing for our veterans, their families, and survivors."
Provisions of Public Law 110-389 include (but are not limited to):
Directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modernize the disability benefits claims processing system of the VA to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of compensation to veterans and their families and survivors;
Establishing an Office of Survivors Assistance within the VA;
Allowing temporary disability ratings for certain veterans; and,
Addressing employee and manager training for those responsible for processing claims by redeveloping the certification exam and requiring an evaluation of the training and quality assurance program.

The director of Compensation and Pension Service, Bradley G. Mayes, reported that VBA is behind schedule on a number of reports and issuance of regulations required by P.L. 110-389. Mayes explained that because of the importance of these issues, VBA officials are proceeding deliberately. When warranted, VBA sought outside expertise which sacrificed expediency for the sake of excellence. During the hearing, VA delivered updates on current expedited claims pilot programs, the newly created Office of Survivors Assistance, certification and training of VBA employees responsible for claims processing, and significant delays in the issuance of substitution of claims regulations, among other things.

Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Committee Bob Filner commented, "As a nation, we ask much of our service members. Some return from battle with lost limbs, traumatic brain injury, or unrelenting stress. Our country must be better prepared to assess the needs of these warriors and immediately provide for them when they are separated from the military. I'm happy to see that VA is progressing on this front, but it is a long road ahead and we cannot lose our sense of urgency."

Witness List:

Panel 1
Richard F. Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America
John L. Wilson, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
Ian C. De Planque, Assistant Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion
Richard P. Cohen, Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Inc.
John McCray, Rating Specialist, Los Angeles, CA, Regional Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (On behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO)

Panel 2
Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Accompanied by:
o James P. Hanley, Director, Office of Survivors Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
o Richard J. Hipolit, Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
o Stephen W. Warren, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office and Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs