In late May 2014, OIG began receiving a number of allegations through the VA OIG Hotline of mismanagement at the Philadelphia, PA, VARO. Many of these allegations included indicators that staff had a serious mistrust of VARO management. On June 19, 2014, OIG benefits inspectors, auditors, and criminal and administrative investigators began a comprehensive review of […]
Patient-Centered Community Care Contracts Cost VA $14.9 Million More Than if VA Used Non-VA Care Program To Purchase Same Health Care Services
In April 2014, OIG received a request from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to review VA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) costs and the $13 million cost savings estimate presented in VA’s budget submission. OIG could not attest to the reliability and accuracy of VA information regarding the methodology […]
OIG’s Top Physician Tells Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee VHA Must Make Quality Health Care Its Most Important Mission
Dr. John D. Daigh, Jr., AIG for Healthcare Inspections, accompanied by Mr. Gary K. Abe, Deputy AIG for Audits and Evaluations, testified before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, United States Senate, to discuss OIG’s health care reviews and audits of programs and performance of the Veterans’ Health Administration (VHA). Dr. Daigh testified that VHA is at […]
OIG Criticizes Office of Information and Technology Officials’ Response to Improper Access of VA Network by Contractors While Working in China and India
Seven years after the 2006 data breach, VA information security employees still reacted with indifference, little sense of urgency, or responsibility concerning a possible cyber threat incident. Austin Information Technology Center (AITC) Office of Information and Technology (OIT) employees failed to follow VA information security policy and contract security requirements when they approved VA contractor […]
VA Office of General Counsel 2014
VAOGCPREC 1-2014 (3/21/2014) Provision of Primary Care for Residents in State Home Domiciliaries Author: Raun, E. VAOGCPREC 2-2014 (5/19/14) Applicability of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 to Decisions Concerning Benefits Administered by the National Cemetery Administration Author: Warren, T. VAOGCPREC 3-2014 (6/20/14) Effective Dates of Awards Based on Same-Sex Marriage Author: Shriber, C. VAOGCPREC 4-2014 (6/20/14) […]
Assistant Inspector General Testifies Before House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on Mismanagement and Data Manipulation at the Philadelphia and Oakland VA Regional Offices
CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY Linda A. Halliday, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) for Audits and Evaluations, testified before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, United States House of Representatives, on the results of the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) recently published reports that substantiated allegations of mismanagement and data manipulation at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, VA Regional Office (VARO) and […]
Explore VA benefits: Overview of VA disability compensation and how to apply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DYm8vRWwFk#action=share This and other videos are put out by Veterans Affairs and can be viewed here Filing Online For VA Benefits When filing a claim for compensation, the fastest and easiest way to file is electronically through eBenefits. Disability Compensation Complete and submit a claim for (1) disabilities that occurred during military service; and (2) post-service disabilities […]
Restrict VA’s Individual Unemployability Benefits to Disabled Veterans Who Are Younger Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security
OPTIONS FOR REDUCING THE DEFICIT: 2014 TO 2023 Mandatory Spending Option 22 Function 700 – Veterans Benefits and Services Restrict VA’s Individual Unemployability Benefits to Disabled Veterans Who Are Younger Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security‘}”>Restrict VA’s Individual Unemployability Benefits to Disabled Veterans Who Are Younger Than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security OPTIONS FOR […]
Iraq veterans in legislature want to protect PTSD dogs
Iraq veterans in legislature want to protect PTSD dogs Louise Knott Ahernlkahern@lsj.com 7:25 a.m. EST January 26, 2015 Lansing State Journal He also wants to change Michigan law to provide the same protections for veterans who use service dogs for PTSD and traumatic brain injury as any … As one of only two Iraq veterans in the Michigan legislature, Knezek hopes to change that by […]
Proposed Cuts to the VA 2015
“The first recommendation is to cut Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) payments to veterans over 65 years old. TDIU is a benefit that attempts to compensate veterans who are unable to secure substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities. These veterans have disabilities that do not add up to a 100% disability rating on their own, but are considered “totally disabled” due to the cumulative effect of these conditions on their ability to earn a livelihood. There are many conditions that need to be met to receive TDIU and the term “substantially gainful occupation” is such vague regulatory language that it is always in play when this rating is being contemplated. Suffice it to say for purposes of this discussion, TDIU helps disabled veterans who cannot sustain work above marginal employment due to their connected conditions. “
VA Dental Insurance Program – Health Benefits
VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) Source:VA.gov The VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) offers discounted private dental insurance for Veterans and family members who meet certain requirements. Find out if you’re eligible, and how to enroll in a plan that meets your needs and budget. Am I eligible for the VA Dental Insurance Program? You […]
Disability Benefits Questionnaires
DBQ’s are part of the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program is an optional new initiative that offers Veterans and survivors faster decisions from VA on compensation, pension, and survivor benefit claims. Veterans and survivors simply submit all relevant records in their possession, and those records which are easily obtainable, such as private medical records, at […]