What GAO Found The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has limited information on whether contractors who conduct disability compensation medical exams are meeting the agency's quality and timeliness targets. VBA contracted examiners have completed a growing number of exams in recent years (see figure). VBA uses completed exam reports to help determine if a veteran should … [Read more...] about VA DISABILITY EXAMS: Improved Performance Analysis and Training Oversight Needed for Contracted Exams
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the National Research Advisory Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at 1100 First Street NE, Room 104, Washington, DC 20002. The meeting will convene at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. The agenda will include information … [Read more...] about National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting
Understanding Decisions from RAMP
Background RAMP (Rapid Appeals Modernization Program) is the VA’s pilot program for the new appeals system created by the VA Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. RAMP is an optional program, available to veterans with claims that are currently on appeal. If a veteran does not want to opt into the RAMP program, they do not have to submit anything to the VA; … [Read more...] about Understanding Decisions from RAMP
VA’s Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP)
VA Appeals Modernization RAMP is part of VA’s larger Appeals Modernization Program. On August 23, 2017, the President signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (Appeals Modernization Act) into law, creating a new process that allows VA to improve the delivery of benefits and services to Veterans and their families.The Appeals Modernization Act … [Read more...] about VA’s Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP)
VA: Actions Needed to Address Employee Misconduct Process and Ensure Accountability
Employee misconduct at VA's medical facilities can have serious consequences for veterans. We looked at how VA deals with employee misconduct and found several opportunities for improvement. For example: VA doesn't always maintain required files and documents for adjudication, suggesting that employees may not have received due process. VA officials found guilty of misconduct … [Read more...] about VA: Actions Needed to Address Employee Misconduct Process and Ensure Accountability
What does ‘privatization’ of Veterans Affairs really mean?
Giving veterans choices about their care is something we can all get behind. Dismantling VA in lieu of private care will hurt todays veterans and tomorrows veterans. Lots of veterans have good solid reasons for hating the VA for medical care, and there are tons more that love their care. For years they have talked about the great debt we are owed and the state of the art … [Read more...] about What does ‘privatization’ of Veterans Affairs really mean?
Problems Ahead at VA – Did Shulkin get fired or resign? This is why it matters – POLITICO
Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride ... More trouble for an already troubled VA. Those who want to privatize will continue to break the system and veterans will be hurt. I don't want the VA to be privatized for profit care. I want them to put the money, resources and people into place to fix what we earned. They have told us for years that we deserve … [Read more...] about Problems Ahead at VA – Did Shulkin get fired or resign? This is why it matters – POLITICO
Significant Judicial Precedent and Its Effect on the Board
Throughout FY 2016, the CAVC and the Federal Circuit issued many significant decisions that impacted the way VA adjudicates appeals, including the following: ► Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016): This case provides a precedent interpretation of the final sentence of 38 C.F.R. § 4.59, which reads: “The joints involved should be tested for pain on both active and … [Read more...] about Significant Judicial Precedent and Its Effect on the Board
Additional FTCA/1151 info
This issue came up here a few times over the years, and also some months ago---but it bears repeating. In Most of the 1151 and/or FTCA questions we see here- it is obvious that the veteran's health care same solely from the VA. In a widow’s issue, months ago - it took quite some time for us to realize that the veteran’s surgery, which seemed to contribute to his death, … [Read more...] about Additional FTCA/1151 info
VA DISABILITY BENEFITS: Opportunities Exist to Better Ensure Successful Appeals Reform GAO-18-349T: Published: Jan 30, 2018
What GAO Found The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) plan for implementing a new disability appeals process while attending to appeals in the current process addresses most, but not all, elements required by the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (Act). VA's appeals plan addresses 17 of 22 required elements, partially addresses 4, and does not … [Read more...] about VA DISABILITY BENEFITS: Opportunities Exist to Better Ensure Successful Appeals Reform GAO-18-349T: Published: Jan 30, 2018
