Posted on Jan 28, 2014
SOTU: Reform of VA disability benefit claims, get rid of claim backlog
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Tonight, President Obama mentioned the reform/change of the VA, specifically stating that the backlog of disability claims was unacceptable. I think this is a huge problem that definitely needs to be addressed. I've heard stories of our wounded warriors having to wait months/years to receive the benefits they are entitled. There also seem to be huge amounts of discrepancies as to % of disability and people taking advantage of the system. Do you know someone affected by this? What can be done about this?
I think it'll take years and years to fix, but like President Obama said, something NEEDS to be done.
I think it'll take years and years to fix, but like President Obama said, something NEEDS to be done.
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 3
As a rater, This is wrong. There are many of us working very hard at getting claims rated and processed. There is also a problem with veterans who claim and claim and claim. They all have to be addressed as well. I have had claims where a veteran has already filed a new claim before the ink on the previous rating has dried. I am tired of hearing how bad the VA is. Yes there are issues and I do not deny that. We have so many changes that are constantly tying our hands handed down by Washington. How about telling Washington to let us do our job and get claims processed. Veterans, show you honor and not file petty claims over and over that require attention and TIME from other claims. Yes I do expect some negative responses here. Nature of the beast. I just know those I work with work hard to get the claims rated regardless of what the "public" might think or are told about.
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SSG Alvin Johnson
I agree with you marlin Green and thank you but a promblem I am having in louisiana is there is no one to talk to and when you get someone they never been in the military so they dont have a clue about the nightmares the sweats the racing thoughts and the heart pounding and that is just the day before the 4th of july thank you for all you tring to do for you brothers and sister in arms, you make me feel proud to be a Veterans no negative feedback just glad to know at least one person cares Thanks
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MSgt (Join to see)
I submitted a claim and the VA requested medical records maintained by the VA. Why do I have to gather records that the VA already has?
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LCpl Ronnie Padgett
I appreciate you all as raters, but I've had claims denied bc my initial point of contact Va Regional office in Garner NC was closing down, and didn't handle my paperwork correctly, but nevertheless I've hooked up with DAV, hoping we can correct this wrong in a timely manner.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I was one of those that kept claiming and claiming because my claims were being denied. The VA Rep i was using at the time kept telling me to keep on it so i did. I have been fighting for 13 years to get my disability service connected. It is all there in black and white from Iraq and the VA keeps saying there is no evidence. I am one of them that cant stand the VA. It hasnt done anything to help me. My depression and Anxiety go through the roof everytime i deal with the VA. I cant stand that place and there is nothing that can change that feeling!
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This article explains a lot. I think the VA lives by the motto "Deny til they die."
http://www.stripes.com/veterans-advocates-stop-the-va-hamster-wheel-disability-appeals-process-1.325260#comment [login to see]
http://www.stripes.com/veterans-advocates-stop-the-va-hamster-wheel-disability-appeals-process-1.325260#comment [login to see]
Veterans advocates: Stop the VA 'hamster wheel' disability appeals process
The effort to clear a massive backlog of veteran disability claims is hurting efforts to address a similar backlog in appeals of denied claims, say advocates demanding reforms to an onerous “hamster wheel” system that leaves veterans languishing for years.
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SSgt Harold Curtis
You said that right, They all most cost me to be add to the list of the dead by pushing to much pills, which seem to be the only thing they can do. I was a military police and we trained hard, hurt my back not once but 3 times and its in the records one or two lines and the VA say its not enough to be rated. What a joke, and yet they treat me for back pain pills pills until 08/15/2015 I all most died from all the pills. Local hospital report over medicated.
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Saying it needs reform, and actually producing tangible plans to do just that are different things entirely. I would be more enthusiastic if there was something concrete advanced that might address the problem in the real world as opposed to whatever it is that goes on inside the beltway.
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1st Lt (Join to see)
I agree completely... I didn't see any plans laid out, but hopefully that comes soon.
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