Vets Getting Worse Dealing Dealing With Claims.

[tagandbag]

Haven.t heard this from Filner before, but I may be behind the times here. If this was posted before my apoligies.

t&b

Filner: VA claims process needs radical changes

By Rick Maze - Staff writer

Posted : Saturday Aug 1, 2009 10:33:21 EDT

Improving the veterans’ claims process will require more than just hiring more staff, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman said Friday.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., said in an interview that radical change is needed to eliminate the backlog of claims and make the whole process easier for veterans by automatically accepting claims for disabilities rated at 30 percent or less, with only spot-checking for accuracy.

Filner called this the “IRS model,” a reference to the Internal Revenue Service process of auditing a small percentage of federal income tax returns, not every one.

He said automatic claims approval, with some auditing, is a way of clear what he estimates are 100,000 claims from Vietnam veterans related to exposure to Agent Orange. And the practice also could put a big dent in the overall backlog of all claims pending before VA, which Filner estimates to be almost 1 million.

“When you are getting to a 1 million backlog, the insult is so great you really have to do something,” he said.

In many cases, he said, veterans “get more pain and suffering from the [claims] process than they ever did from their wounds.”

Reforming the claims process is on Filner’s list of top issues that must be addressed by Congress this year.

Other priorities, he said, include creating a process for advance funding of veterans’ health programs, starting a comprehensive program for homeless veterans, improving VA health care treatment for women, and expanding access to VA care for veterans in rural areas.

[broncovet]

Tagand Bag..

Yes, Filner is not the first one to promote the "IRS method" of approving claims. I think the first one was a professor at an IVY league college, who pointed out that most Veterans claims are eventually awarded anyway. U know the drill.. Apply..get denied, file NOD, wait, DRO denied, file appeal, BVA denied, wait, CAVC...denied, file federal court...remanded to CAVC...CAVC remands to BVA...BVA remands to RO..and RO looses paper work so you start all over again.

The "IRS" method means that if you apply for VA benefits, and if you have a verifable DD214 plus medical documentation, poof..you get approved in a couple weeks..kind of like the IRS sends millions of tax refund checks.

My question is, why has Filner not introduced some sort of a "Veterans Claim Expediency Act of 2009" to do just that? What is he waiting on...Christmas? I think he has been on the Veterans Affairs committee for 20 years, so my question is why has he not acted, and it makes me wonder if this is all just talk.

[Testvet]

The Ivy league Professor is DR Linda Blimes the co author of the 3 trillion dollar war with Joseph Stiglitz she has testified to Congress on this issue and yes Filner was there that day he is very familiar with her idea......

[broncovet]

Thanks..Test..yes, I bet that was Dr. Blimes. I love it when I forget where I read something, and then...poof...you filled in the blanks for me. I really dont make this stuff up..

[broncovet]

By the way, IMHO, Dr Blimes/Filner's "IRS Method" of approving claims right away would probably do more to reduce the one million or so claim backlog, plus stimulate the economy by giving this money to deserving individuals, than anything else we could do. JMHO..Unfortunately it is such a good idea, that it will probably never happen.

[Testvet]

My wife says I remember too much useless data lol sometimes it comes in handy

[Pete53]

My Dad used to tell me I was a Fountain of Useless Information. I have been blessed with a very good memory but sometimes that is not such a blessing if you know what I mean.

[Testvet]

Pete I wish I could figure out how my brain works I can remember the wierdest stuff but for some reason books and movies fly in and out with little retention anymore 6 months later they are new again but I remember Alaska, Edgewood, I can't remember kids birthdays my brain hasn't worked right in years since the stroke and then throw in the PTSD and some days my brains are just "mush"

[Pete53]

I have taken to re reading some books that I really enjoyed and although I basically have a good idea of where it is going the second time I seem to be able to pick out more details.

Another quote from my Dad was only an idiot would see a movie a second time.

Everytime the Godfather comes on without commercials I still watch it. I also watch Josey Wells every time I see it on the schedule.

[sgmdae]

I just went to Filners Web Site,

there some interest bills for Vets, maybe we should get behind a few of them and see if we can get them through

Especially the one that wants to hire 1800 more claim processors.

[tagandbag]

Sorry guys, I should have been a little more specific. I wasn't really talking The IRS MODEL, towards claims, it was what he said about veterans getting more pain from the dealings with the VA and it causing more pain than the wounds we got while in the service. Altough, IRS model seems to be on a level playing field, I am not so sure it would work. I think it could cause a lot more veterans, a lot more pain if they were granted benefits and down the road the VA decides this person does not deserve this. Then what, the veteran would wind up owing a ton of money. I don't know, everything thats going on in financial aspect of the world is turning to sh%t.

I am scared and worried,

t&b

[broncovet]

TagandBag

There is no doubt that Filner is right on this one. Military personnel begin their career as the healthiest, most fit Americans and the military and the VA turns this same healthy/fit lot into the highest suicide level and highest homeless level of all groups. The high suicide level for Veterans could be accounted for by the military, however, the high homeless level in Veterans is surely the result of the VA's claim "process".

How can the VA possibly account for this dramatic turnaround, other than the VA's own mismanagement?

That is, why are yesterdays most fit Americans, todays highest risks for suicide and homelessness?

Edited August 21, 2009 by broncovet (see edit history)

[SLEDGE]

Those political pundits CLAIM that they want to:

Reduce the backlog?

Award claims without the usual BS that I (sledge) went through between 1985 and 2009?

As my Grandfather used to say, "Somebody is blowin and goin."

His opinion of bureaucrats rivaled mine.

Remember this,

Veterans are touted to be the reason that the VA exists.

Caring for the wounded is supposed to be the main priority.

That's BS.

VA managers compete for 'higher up the ladder' jobs because the can pad their pockets better at the next level.

That's how government works.

The name of the agency that those people are employed under does not matter.

The beneficiaries, of whatever agency, do not make any difference to the managers once contact with 'us' is no longer a part of the job.

Outa sight, outa mind.

A good individual proficiency rating, lies that they all tell about each other in order to get promoted, is never dependent upon how these whiners and fakers perceive the doling out of the benefits from the agency.

Veterans are 'NEVER' satisfied so watch the budget, not the vets.

At the lowest level of care-giving, basically the nurses, I have seen a slight improvement in attitudes and subsequently care-giving.

Even though I've never met a bad nurse or one with a rancid attitude in the first place.

However, when bandages are constantly in short supply, patient chow doesn't taste like food and the formulary is driving you nuts, even the best can get rattled.

Ask a spouse, not the patients.

Politicians love to point the finger at someone else and that will always cause a few sabers to rattle.

Expert panels will be formed so the proper scape goats can be identified.

(Who is running the VA now and what was his last job?)

Considering how much our tax dollars have spent on the economy, the war, global warming scares and as always, foreign aid -

health care and compensation for disabled veterans is GROSSLY underfunded and completely inadequate.

You don't get a million unanswered claims if the congressional mandate for veterans care has been followed.

A million has to involve many, many blood sucking government leeches on the veterans in general.

I still say, if the VA managers would allow the system to function like the rules and regs prescribe, this forum community would have no reason to exist.

But then, how would they get cousin Bubba and the mistress on the payroll?

Good rant, I'm done now.

sledge

[WHOLESALE]

You got my blood boiling Sledge. Amazing how clear our minds get when things that matter most anger us. Great post and right to the point. Your'e just telling it like it is. The only good thing about a million backload claims is once it gets to a certain point ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE. That is if they don't do something NOW about the backload. It's just a matter of time that we get breaking news of a vet going MAD B) at some regional office. It's not if but when.

frank

Those political pundits CLAIM that they want to:

Reduce the backlog?

Award claims without the usual BS that I (sledge) went through between 1985 and 2009?

As my Grandfather used to say, "Somebody is blowin and goin."

His opinion of bureaucrats rivaled mine.

Remember this,

Veterans are touted to be the reason that the VA exists.

Caring for the wounded is supposed to be the main priority.

That's BS.

VA managers compete for 'higher up the ladder' jobs because the can pad their pockets better at the next level.

That's how government works.

The name of the agency that those people are employed under does not matter.

The beneficiaries, of whatever agency, do not make any difference to the managers once contact with 'us' is no longer a part of the job.

Outa sight, outa mind.

A good individual proficiency rating, lies that they all tell about each other in order to get promoted, is never dependent upon how these whiners and fakers perceive the doling out of the benefits from the agency.

Veterans are 'NEVER' satisfied so watch the budget, not the vets.

At the lowest level of care-giving, basically the nurses, I have seen a slight improvement in attitudes and subsequently care-giving.

Even though I've never met a bad nurse or one with a rancid attitude in the first place.

However, when bandages are constantly in short supply, patient chow doesn't taste like food and the formulary is driving you nuts, even the best can get rattled.

Ask a spouse, not the patients.

Politicians love to point the finger at someone else and that will always cause a few sabers to rattle.

Expert panels will be formed so the proper scape goats can be identified.

(Who is running the VA now and what was his last job?)

Considering how much our tax dollars have spent on the economy, the war, global warming scares and as always, foreign aid -

health care and compensation for disabled veterans is GROSSLY underfunded and completely inadequate.

You don't get a million unanswered claims if the congressional mandate for veterans care has been followed.

A million has to involve many, many blood sucking government leeches on the veterans in general.

I still say, if the VA managers would allow the system to function like the rules and regs prescribe, this forum community would have no reason to exist.

But then, how would they get cousin Bubba and the mistress on the payroll?

Good rant, I'm done now.

sledge

Edited August 22, 2009 by WHOLESALE (see edit history)

[mrsvet28]

I have taken to re reading some books that I really enjoyed and although I basically have a good idea of where it is going the second time I seem to be able to pick out more details.

Another quote from my Dad was only an idiot would see a movie a second time.

Everytime the Godfather comes on without commercials I still watch it. I also watch Josey Wells every time I see it on the schedule.

Me too I collect movies 500 to count-and I have watched Lonesome Dove again 2 nites in a row-Duvall and Jones are amazing in it.....its almost 6 hours!!!!!!!!!

[MikeR]

Me too I collect movies 500 to count-and I have watched Lonesome Dove again 2 nites in a row-Duvall and Jones are amazing in it.....its almost 6 hours!!!!!!!!!

It is a good book as well.

[sixthscents]

Yeah Sledge, good post. I agree. A bit less emphatically, but I do agree.

[tagandbag]

Those political pundits CLAIM that they want to:

Reduce the backlog?

Award claims without the usual BS that I (sledge) went through between 1985 and 2009?

As my Grandfather used to say, "Somebody is blowin and goin."

His opinion of bureaucrats rivaled mine.

Remember this,

Veterans are touted to be the reason that the VA exists.

Caring for the wounded is supposed to be the main priority.

That's

.VA managers compete for 'higher up the ladder' jobs because the can pad their pockets better at the next level.

That's how government works.

The name of the agency that those people are employed under does not matter.

The beneficiaries, of whatever agency, do not make any difference to the managers once contact with 'us' is no longer a part of the job.

Outa sight, outa mind.

A good individual proficiency rating, lies that they all tell about each other in order to get promoted, is never dependent upon how these whiners and fakers perceive the doling out of the benefits from the agency.

Veterans are 'NEVER' satisfied so watch the budget, not the vets.

At the lowest level of care-giving, basically the nurses, I have seen a slight improvement in attitudes and subsequently care-giving.

Even though I've never met a bad nurse or one with a rancid attitude in the first place.

However, when bandages are constantly in short supply, patient chow doesn't taste like food and the formulary is driving you nuts, even the best can get rattled.

Ask a spouse, not the patients.

Politicians love to point the finger at someone else and that will always cause a few sabers to rattle.

Expert panels will be formed so the proper scape goats can be identified.

(Who is running the VA now and what was his last job?)

Considering how much our tax dollars have spent on the economy, the war, global warming scares and as always, foreign aid -

health care and compensation for disabled veterans is GROSSLY underfunded and completely inadequate.

You don't get a million unanswered claims if the congressional mandate for veterans care has been followed.

A million has to involve many, many blood sucking government leeches on the veterans in general.

I still say, if the VA managers would allow the system to function like the rules and regs prescribe, this forum community would have no reason to exist.

But then, how would they get cousin Bubba and the mistress on the payroll?

Good rant, I'm done now.

sledge

Sledge I ran across this article maybe this is what has to be done. If this offends anyone, or if it is deemed inapropriate, I apologize.

545 vs 300,000,000

EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE.

READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE.

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545 PEOPLE

By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

-0-

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it ......... is up to you.

This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.

Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,

Tax his bed,

Tax the table

At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,

Tax his mule,

Teach him taxes

Are the rule.

Tax his work,

Tax his pay,

He works for peanuts

Anyway!

Tax his cow,

Tax his goat,

Tax his pants,

Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,

Tax his shirt,

Tax his work,

Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,

Tax his drink,

Tax him if he

Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,

Tax his beers,

If he cries

Tax his tears.

Tax his car,

Tax his gas,

Find other ways

To tax his ass.

Tax all he has

Then let him know

That you won't be done

Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;

Then tax him some more,

Tax him till

He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,

Tax his grave,

Tax the sod in

Which he's laid.

Put these words

Upon his tomb,

Taxes drove me

to my doom...'

When he's gone,

Do not relax,

Its time to apply

The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax

Building Permit Tax

CDL license Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Permit Tax

Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)

Gross Receipts Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

Liquor Tax

Luxury Taxes

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Personal Property Tax

Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service Charge T ax

Social Security Tax

Road Usage Tax

Sales Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

School Tax

State Income Tax

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

Telephone Federal Excise Tax

Telephone Federal Universal Ser vice FeeTax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge=2 0Tax

Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax

Telephone State and Local Tax

Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Taxes

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the mostprosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?

If this is to poltical and I apoligize, but I thought it was an interesting idea that we the people can fire every last one or them. I wonder how you could do that?

t&b