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REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

March 14, 2007

VA subcommittee learns of the impact of OIF/OEF on the VA claims process

Washington, D.C. — A Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs oversight hearing on the impact the war on terror is having on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims system reinforced evidence that a major factor degrading the delivery of benefits to war on terror veterans is the lack of a seamless transition from the military to the VA as well as the growing backlog of benefits claims.

“We must achieve a seamless transition from the military into the VA system. It is apparent to me that a seamless transition will help erase that backlog, because it increases the system’s overall efficiency,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.). “One thing is certain, if we do not fix this problem now, our legacy will be an intolerable backlog regrettably endured by this generation of veterans, and inexcusably bequeathed to a future generation.”

Ronald R. Aument, VA deputy undersecretary for benefits, told the subcommittee of an increasing workload that includes rising claims from veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Aument spoke of VA’s intent to improve its processes.

“The number of veterans filing initial disability compensation claims and claims for increased benefits has increased every year since FY 2000. Disability claims from returning Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans as well as from veterans of earlier periods of war increased from 578,773 in FY 2000 to 806,382 in FY 2006. For FY 2006 alone, this represents an increase of nearly 228,000 claims or 38 percent over the 2000 base year,” Aument said. “It is expected that this high level of claims activity will continue. Expediting the claims process is critical to assisting OIF/OEF veterans in their transition from combat operations back to civilian life.”

Scrutiny of the care provided to veterans has intensified with the exposure of problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The hearing today examined the effectiveness of the VA disability claims system for OEF and OIF veterans.

Last week, VA Secretary R. James Nicholson informed Congress of VA’s efforts to improve services for these servicemembers. VA will expedite OIF and OEF disability and compensation claims, using a “tiger team” that will expedite their development and adjudication.

Among veterans’ advocates testifying today, Ann Knowles, president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, cautioned that, while OEF and OIF veterans deserve the best their government can provide, all veterans are important. Elevating the priority of one group of veterans may cause others to see increased delays, Knowles told the subcommittee.

Asked by Lamborn what one thing on his list of recommended improvements is the most feasible and should be immediately implemented, Steve Robinson, a director with Veterans For America, emphasized the importance of early intervention with servicemembers leaving the military.

“Fix the DoD discharge process,” Robinson said without hesitation, referring to the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program that ensures VA benefits are in place at discharge from the military. Robinson acknowledged that VA has made great strides, while the Pentagon bears much responsibility for needed improvements.

Lamborn emphasized the importance of the transitional period. He stated that veterans must have a “fully interoperable electronic health records between VA and DoD, an electronic DD Form 214, military separation physicals that can also function as VA disability physicals, and a disability rating process that provides consistent ratings.”

Part of the problem has been retirements among VA claims personnel. The VA budget request for fiscal year 2008 would fund 457 new compensation and pension hires. The committee has recommended an additional 1,000 hires.

Committee Republicans, in addition to recommending additional hiring for VA’s compensation and pension service, want to explore innovative pilot programs they believe will complement increased staffing and further accelerate claims processing, while improving accuracy.

“VA must explore innovative ways to tackle this challenge that may have a faster payoff then new hires,” Lamborn said. He described recommendations that include working more closely with state and local veterans’ offices to develop claims, mobile VA claims offices, and better use of automation.

“No veteran should have to wait six months or a year for their claim to be decided and then endure an appeal that adds another year or two. For some veterans, this is not mere inconvenience, it is financial and potentially emotional disaster,” Lamborn said.

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Larry Scott

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