Reporting for ROLL CALL 9/1/13 9:16AM
Hey Captain!
There are @ one million backlogged claims at the VA at this time. And, more to come. Many more. Today the news is that the President is going to ask Congress for its permission for us to invade Syria, Iran's ally and Russia's and Chinese 'friend'. Congress may or may not give its blessing to this and if it does not, the President can launch an attack regardless. So, another way on the horizon, we are 'out' of Iraq only leaving a few hundred thousand 'white collar' soldiers, we are pulling out of Afghanistan and stockpiling Troops in South Korea. More VA claims on the horizon.
The answer to your question about 'what happens' when a claim is filed at the VA, my only answer is: Who knows? Certainly not anyone working at the VA. Last year those responsible for handling claims got bonuses. Big bonuses. Why? Because they are doing a fantastic job of back up the claims. "Lie and deny until you die!" This is the motto of the VA. And, it works. Remember, it is more economically sound for the VA (government) not to pay its soldiers than to do so for wounds incurred in war. So, if the VA can make a soldier quit in his quest to receive compensation for the scars of war he bears, then so be it to the VA's advantage.
Here we come to the spot where I need to explain 'how to play the game'. And, that's just what it is. A game. Up to this point, the game has started when the Cherry Troop goes to the VA to get his VA card. Now we are at the point in the game where the claim has been filed. The pressure is on, now, at the VA to process these claims faster. Congress is on them. And so is the general population. So, dragging its feet is no longer an 'unseen' act. But, the claim takes time to process. And those processing those claims take their time in doing so.
Billions of dollars have been spent to 'update' the records systems at the VA converting 'paper files' to 'computer files'. And, do you know what? It's not working. This morning Facebook emailed me a request for me to give them my telephone number to further secure my position with them. I did so. When I hit 'send' to Facebook, I then when to my Yahoo account and there on the top of my mailbox was an email from Facebook telling me that they had received my telephone number. If Facebook can do that in that time period, why can't the VA?
I'm not saying the VA should approve a Veteran's claim in a matter of 24 hours. Each claim has its own merits. And, there are responsibilities to adhere to, so a claim has to be taken in one at a time. There are no easy answers here. The wheels spin and turn at the VA churning out a 'yeah' or a 'nay' on each claim, one at a time. Could the process be made more efficient? Only the VA really knows how to answer that question. It is what it is. Backlogged!
LT
out
