Veterans' Disability Benefits: Further Evaluation of Ongoing Initiatives Could Help Identify Effective Approaches for Improving Claims Processing
Abstract
For years, the disability compensation claims process has been the subject of concern and attention by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congress, and veteran service organizations (VSO), due in part to long waits for decisions and the large number of claims pending a decision. As GAO and other organizations have reported over the last decade, VA has also faced challenges in improving the accuracy and consistency of disability decisions. GAO was asked to examine (1) trends in VAs disability compensation claims processing at the initial claims and appeals levels and (2) actions that VA has taken to improve its disability claims process. To do this, GAO reviewed and analyzed VA performance data, budget submissions, program documents, and external studies and interviewed VA officials and VSO representatives. GAO recommends that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs direct (1) VBA to collect data on redistributed claims to help assess the effect of workload redistribution, (2) VBA and the Board of Veterans Appeals to establish a plan with criteria for assessing whether ECA should be widely implemented, and (3) VBA to develop a plan with criteria for assessing whether its pilot reorganization of claims processors should be expanded. VA agreed with the recommendations, and noted plans to address them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1179126
Entities
People
- Bryan Rogowski
- Daniel Bertoni
- Joel Green
- Lisa Mcmillen
- Shelia Drake
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office