For years, we have known that the VA uses Veterans as a source of funding when funds are short. In a nutshell Veterans claims are delayed until next year, the following year, and sometimes 10 or more years later. In many cases, the VA NEVER has to pay back this interest free loan, as the Veteran either dies or gives up on his claim. Even if the Veteran is paid back this loan through the granting of benefits, the VA often manipulates the effective dates, sometimes shredding the only evidence of the Veterans original claim, and even if the Veteran is paid retroactively to the date of his claim, he receives no interest on monies due him even tho inflation has eroded the value of prior years benefits.
Veterans complaints are given "lip service" by politicians who promise to speed up the claims process. However, the reality is that the backlog of Veterans claims has increased almost every year since it began. The newest Secretary has increased the backlog of claims by 15%, while adding a new category of backlogs: education backlogs.
Recent reports show that there are at least 254,000 Veterans/dependents waiting on the Va to process their education claims. In the mean time, student Veterans have little or no means to pay for rent, food, school expenses. Story is here:
The reason the VA does this is simple. When the Va submits its budget, there is no category for "mismanaged or squandered" money. Congress approves the VA budget for approved items, but would not approve things like unauthorized bonuses. Then, when money is squandered or paid in unauthorized bonuses, this budget shortfall has to be made up else where..and guess where? That's right..VA executive salaries and bonues. No? Oh, yes you are right. This squandered money is made up by cuts to Veterans services and/or cuts in disability compensation payments. That means Veterans claims are delayed or denied.
So, the next time you wonder what is taking the VA so long in "processing" your claim, just remember the VA has to make up the squandered money from SOMEWHERE.
Right now, there is at least $342 million that has to be made up, so Veterans can expect even longer processing times:
Have you noticed that the VA budget has been increased, and none of the increase is being passed to Veterans? Guess what..those extra billions will wind up being squandered as Vets wont get a dime:
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broncovet
For years, we have known that the VA uses Veterans as a source of funding when funds are short. In a nutshell Veterans claims are delayed until next year, the following year, and sometimes 10 or more years later. In many cases, the VA NEVER has to pay back this interest free loan, as the Veteran either dies or gives up on his claim. Even if the Veteran is paid back this loan through the granting of benefits, the VA often manipulates the effective dates, sometimes shredding the only evidence of the Veterans original claim, and even if the Veteran is paid retroactively to the date of his claim, he receives no interest on monies due him even tho inflation has eroded the value of prior years benefits.
Veterans complaints are given "lip service" by politicians who promise to speed up the claims process. However, the reality is that the backlog of Veterans claims has increased almost every year since it began. The newest Secretary has increased the backlog of claims by 15%, while adding a new category of backlogs: education backlogs.
Recent reports show that there are at least 254,000 Veterans/dependents waiting on the Va to process their education claims. In the mean time, student Veterans have little or no means to pay for rent, food, school expenses. Story is here:
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/...=7&cxcat=11
The reason the VA does this is simple. When the Va submits its budget, there is no category for "mismanaged or squandered" money. Congress approves the VA budget for approved items, but would not approve things like unauthorized bonuses. Then, when money is squandered or paid in unauthorized bonuses, this budget shortfall has to be made up else where..and guess where? That's right..VA executive salaries and bonues. No? Oh, yes you are right. This squandered money is made up by cuts to Veterans services and/or cuts in disability compensation payments. That means Veterans claims are delayed or denied.
So, the next time you wonder what is taking the VA so long in "processing" your claim, just remember the VA has to make up the squandered money from SOMEWHERE.
Right now, there is at least $342 million that has to be made up, so Veterans can expect even longer processing times:
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfsep09/nf091709-4.htm
Have you noticed that the VA budget has been increased, and none of the increase is being passed to Veterans? Guess what..those extra billions will wind up being squandered as Vets wont get a dime:
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfsep09/nf091709-3.htm
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