Fixing The Va

[hurryupnwait]

There's a lot of talk these days about fixing the VA. We have very talented people on Hadit and many know about the problems and issues with the VA, so let's start thinking about how to fix them. A Hadit think tank if you will.

When replying could we keep a format such as;

Issue: Slow processing of claims.

Fix: Hire and train more raters.

Cheers

Paul

[MRRRR5]

Great point SouthernBelle!

Award the raters for doing their job correctly, and not award them for the number of cases cleared. The big problem is when you give management HUGE bonuses for their employees' work. They make a lot of money if they can show their bosses in Washington their office closes a lot of cases. They push their employees for quantity instead of quality.

In my opinion, the hourly rate that is paid to these government workers are the "award" that they receive based on doing what they "agreed" to do for taking the job. B)

It is in the job "PD" (position description) that was advertised and provided to them when they accepted the job offer.

Edited December 12, 2008 by MRRRR5

[Philip Rogers]

I know a great system. Do your job properly, keep your job. Do extra, get promoted. Fail to do job properly, you're outta here and someone else is hired. Guess that's too old school, tho. jmo

pr

[hollywoodnc]

Issues: VA internal problems with claims processing and misorganization.

Solution: Set up a training center for VA employees to attend and have them pass a profficiency test before they start to work. Also require the Veteran Service officers from all Organizations to do the dame at their own expense. Give all graduates a certificate and set the standards high.

Set up field offices to outreach Vets to help them develop claims. Employ folks at the Records centers and have them control the record movement to and From the VA Regional Offices. Last but not least, Hire Veterans or spouses of veterans as preference.

J

jbasser...

"Set up a training center for VA employees to attend and have them pass a profficiency test before they start to work."

This is done within the RO's itself, and they are given grades and are tested. Adjudicators are trained for 3-4 months, prior to going on the floor.

If memory serves me right, they are issued a "Certificate of Achievement" signifying that they passed. This DOES NOT say though that they are "A" students...!

"Also require the Veteran Service officers from all Organizations to do the dame(sic) at their own expense."

Uh...not a good idea, being that they to went through the training program, as did the adjudicator (supra), and having them to pay, will then force these organizations to start charging for their services.

Furthermore, who's to say that Veterans will receive better quality SO's if we have to pay.

Their salaries are based on Memberships. Berta can answer this more accurately than I.

Funny, but true story...

A while back, my SO had mentioned to me that "I" should apply to the PVA!!! I admired the compliment, but frankly, I have the mindset of it's me vs them! I would piss off a lot of people at that RO, to a point that I would make them CRINGE when I walk into the room!

I would criticize and belittle them!

I would be labeled "General Patton in civilian clothes"!

Uh...I did attend Military schools from 4th-12th grade, so I run a tight ship! You should see how I correspond to these people on my 4138's! My SO always tells me to "Tone it Down".

SouthernBelle comes across as "Cool, Calm, and Collected" in her pursuit with the VA...

NOT ME...I bite off heads, and spit it back at them!

My BVA hearing in front of the AJ, was anything BUT calm!

In short...I'm a Bastard to them and I wouldn't last a month as an SO!

I try to live my life in a logical fashion. How could I survive working in a(n) environment which operates on a Illogical manner?!

Anyway...Having SO's pay for their education is not a good idea. They attend seminars often, so that they are updated and motivated.

"Set up field offices to outreach Vets to help them develop claims."

OK...If I am interpreting this correctly, are you referring to the DVA setting up 'Field Offices'? This is and has been the case at every RO for a long time now.

"Employ folks at the Records centers and have them control the record movement to and From the VA Regional Offices."

I worked next to this one guy that did just that. He controlled the movement of files to and from my RO. He was also issued a car to hand deliver and P/U folders from the local Clinic.

If a Veteran has a change of address, the Mail room would sent the file via U.S. carrier to that particular RO where the Vet moved.

Surprisingly, with ALL the files zipping to and fro, very little are lost! If COVERS and BINQ is used properly, than locating the file is not a problem.

"Last but not least, Hire Veterans or spouses of veterans as preference."

Veterans ARE hired, normally under different programs. I was hired under the Rehab Act sect. 501 (30% or more), but there is also a Vietnam Vet Readjustment Act that is utilized also.

Regardless, if you are a Veteran with 30% or more of a S/C disability, and you have prior experience in clerical work, law, medical, or all of the above, etc., then you qualify.

There are Veterans at 100% that work at the DVA.

Now, I'm seeing more College students getting hired with Medical agendas. Even though this MAY appear more of a positive for deciding Vet claims, they are not proficient enough to render decisions about your particular problem AND they may do just that, thinking that they do! Additionally, if they are attending college with a major in Medicine, they NOW have to train in the field of LAW; in particular Title 38.

My idea of a fix...

What SHOULD occur here, is that these medical students should have a crash coarse, and tested in diagnosing and writing opinions. These students should have experience as an intern with a physician.

Next...

Once they can accurately diagnose what your doctors note is stating, and what you describe, they should render their own opinion to the LEGAL dept.

Next...

The Legal Dept. should interpret what is said, by all and apply appropriate law to your claim.

In a way, Regional counsel does this, but it is very limited, and only really applies to suits against the RO.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but as it stands now (from what I've seen) there are only a few people at my particular RO that oversaw and answered questions to complex claims. Other than that, almost everybody went strictly by the CODES written in by VA doctors from Title 38.

However IF no one specializes in any particular issue (in MY case Biomechanics), then I recommend seeing a specialist outside of the VA, because you will not get accurately rated.

I hope this helps.

Edited December 12, 2008 by hollywoodnc

[hollywoodnc]

In my opinion, the hourly rate that is paid to these government workers are the "award" that they receive based on doing what they "agreed" to do for taking the job. B)

It is in the job "PD" (position description) that was advertised and provided to them when they accepted the job offer.

I'm in 100% agreement to your post!!!

[hollywoodnc]

I know a great system. Do your job properly, keep your job. Do extra, get promoted. Fail to do job properly, you're outta here and someone else is hired. Guess that's too old school, tho. jmo

pr

Hey Phil...

I to am Old Fashioned, and there is NOTHING WRONG with that!

Management knows that what they are doing is WRONG, yet they are so f*cking blinded by their greed, that they don't give a damn about the Veterans' problems.

[jbasser]

jbasser...

"Set up a training center for VA employees to attend and have them pass a profficiency test before they start to work."

This is done within the RO's itself, and they are given grades and are tested. Adjudicators are trained for 3-4 months, prior to going on the floor.

If memory serves me right, they are issued a "Certificate of Achievement" signifying that they passed. This DOES NOT say though that they are "A" students...!

"Also require the Veteran Service officers from all Organizations to do the dame(sic) at their own expense."

Uh...not a good idea, being that they to went through the training program, as did the adjudicator (supra), and having them to pay, will then force these organizations to start charging for their services.

Furthermore, who's to say that Veterans will receive better quality SO's if we have to pay.

Their salaries are based on Memberships. Berta can answer this more accurately than I.

Funny, but true story...

A while back, my SO had mentioned to me that "I" should apply to the PVA!!! I admired the compliment, but frankly, I have the mindset of it's me vs them! I would piss off a lot of people at that RO, to a point that I would make them CRINGE when I walk into the room!

I would criticize and belittle them!

I would be labeled "General Patton in civilian clothes"!

Uh...I did attend Military schools from 4th-12th grade, so I run a tight ship! You should see how I correspond to these people on my 4138's! My SO always tells me to "Tone it Down".

SouthernBelle comes across as "Cool, Calm, and Collected" in her pursuit with the VA...

NOT ME...I bite off heads, and spit it back at them!

My BVA hearing in front of the AJ, was anything BUT calm!

In short...I'm a Bastard to them and I wouldn't last a month as an SO!

I try to live my life in a logical fashion. How could I survive working in a(n) environment which operates on a Illogical manner?!

Anyway...Having SO's pay for their education is not a good idea. They attend seminars often, so that they are updated and motivated.

"Set up field offices to outreach Vets to help them develop claims."

OK...If I am interpreting this correctly, are you referring to the DVA setting up 'Field Offices'? This is and has been the case at every RO for a long time now.

"Employ folks at the Records centers and have them control the record movement to and From the VA Regional Offices."

I worked next to this one guy that did just that. He controlled the movement of files to and from my RO. He was also issued a car to hand deliver and P/U folders from the local Clinic.

If a Veteran has a change of address, the Mail room would sent the file via U.S. carrier to that particular RO where the Vet moved.

Surprisingly, with ALL the files zipping to and fro, very little are lost! If COVERS and BINQ is used properly, than locating the file is not a problem.

"Last but not least, Hire Veterans or spouses of veterans as preference."

Veterans ARE hired, normally under different programs. I was hired under the Rehab Act sect. 501 (30% or more), but there is also a Vietnam Vet Readjustment Act that is utilized also.

Regardless, if you are a Veteran with 30% or more of a S/C disability, and you have prior experience in clerical work, law, medical, or all of the above, etc., then you qualify.

There are Veterans at 100% that work at the DVA.

Now, I'm seeing more College students getting hired with Medical agendas. Even though this MAY appear more of a positive for deciding Vet claims, they are not proficient enough to render decisions about your particular problem AND they may do just that, thinking that they do! Additionally, if they are attending college with a major in Medicine, they NOW have to train in the field of LAW; in particular Title 38.

My idea of a fix...

What SHOULD occur here, is that these medical students should have a crash coarse, and tested in diagnosing and writing opinions. These students should have experience as an intern with a physician.

Next...

Once they can accurately diagnose what your doctors note is stating, and what you describe, they should render their own opinion to the LEGAL dept.

Next...

The Legal Dept. should interpret what is said, by all and apply appropriate law to your claim.

In a way, Regional counsel does this, but it is very limited, and only really applies to suits against the RO.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but as it stands now (from what I've seen) there are only a few people at my particular RO that oversaw and answered questions to complex claims. Other than that, almost everybody went strictly by the CODES written in by VA doctors from Title 38.

However IF no one specializes in any particular issue (in MY case Biomechanics), then I recommend seeing a specialist outside of the VA, because you will not get accurately rated.

I hope this helps.

Hollywood, I dont agree. They system in place obviously doesnt work. The training should be in an institution and the trainees tested far away from the inner operations of the VA. This could actually be a college level degree on its own accord.

This way a governing body could oversee the education of these folks and the ones who fail to get the course of study can be weeded out.

The must implement a continuous quality improvement system. Congress needs to change the authority of the executive branch and make the VA accountable to another agency. (Someone should mind the store). There needs to be a continuous basis of audits by an outside company like Underwriters Labratories to assess the ongoing quality operations ( Conducted yearly) and there must be some type of incentive in place for the employees to do a quality job, not just show numbers.

Total change is needed. Not just a Band Aid.