Va To Hold Public Forum

[Berta 4,215]

"VA Hosts Public Forum to Improve Disability Compensation Criteria

VA Seeks Opinion of Veterans and Public and Private Experts

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting a public

forum in Scottsdale, Ariz., aimed at improving the fairness of payments

for Veterans who are service-connected for genitourinary, digestive,

dental, infectious, immune disorder and nutritional deficiency diseases

and injuries.

"We welcome to this public forum key stakeholders, our nation's

Veterans, Veterans service organizations, public and private health

experts, health economists and Department of Defense professionals, who

will provide us with the information we need to bring the disability

rating criteria into the 21st century," said Acting Under Secretary for

Benefits Michael Walcoff.

The focus of the forum is to assist VA in gathering information to

update the Department's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The schedule

is used to assign levels of disability compensation for Veterans who are

service-connected for these disabilities. The forum's agenda includes

presentations by VA, DoD and private subject matter experts.

The forum is taking place from Jan. 25-28 and Jan. 31- Feb. 3 at

DoubleTree Paradise Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. The meetings and

working sessions will be held each day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The public forum is the third in a series of meetings that will enable

VA to make changes to the ratings schedule. It is part of a systematic

update of all 15 body systems of the rating schedule, to be completed by

2016. The two previous forums held in 2010 focused on mental health and

musculoskeletal disorders.

VA provides compensation and pension benefits to more than 4 million

Veterans and other beneficiaries through a VA nationwide network of 57

regional offices. Currently, the basic monthly rate of compensation

paid to Veterans ranges from $123 to $2,673.

Disability compensation is a non-taxable, monthly monetary benefit paid

to Veterans who are disabled as a result of an injury or illness that

was incurred or aggravated during active military service.

After finding that a Veteran's disability is service-connected, the

rating schedule is applied to determine the level of disability, which

ranges from zero to 100 percent. The Veteran then receives compensation

payments based on the disability level assigned.

Veterans and other people seeking information about, or assistance with,

VA compensation or pension benefits may call VA's toll-free number

1-800-827-1000, or go to www.vba.va.gov/VBA."

Source VA Media Press Release

[Vync 2,270]

They need to have these in more cities

[acesup 48]

I wish they could hold meetings for everyone to attend. I'm hoping to see a change in the ratings for musculoskeletal spine injuries and diseases. The way they rate the spine now is so unfair, ignoring basically everything besides range of motion readings.

But, I have to view this in a positive way. The fact that they are seeking any public input can only be a good thing, so there is hope.

[retiredat44 73]

They need to have these in more cities

Yes they frakkin do need to hold them in more cities!

[Papa 12]

Well, in this regard I can not say VA Officials are stupid. They chose a nice warm place versus a cold snowy place like DC. I also heard that Scottsdale has some excellent Golf courses. I'm half way having some fun, but serious another way. They, could have had this at another, central location.

Papa

[carlie 56]

Berta,

Do you think this has anything to do with whatever results and

recommendations the Disability Commission came up with a few years back.

I've got a feeling these are somehow tied together.

What do you think ?

[Berta 4,215]

It could be Carlie-

I think the VA has been surprised at the way veterans and advocates have been quick to contact the H and S VACs , as well as comment at the Fed Register site when they propose new legislation for 38 USC on disabilities, and the internet has also made it so much easier for vets to contact their congressional reps as well that in the long run I believe tat VA has begun to recognize that most of us who gripe to them about important vets issues -do often have some solutions they should consider and more importantly the VA can no longer ignore any vet or widow who takes a stand or sends a complaint that could impact on many other claimants-not just one.

I have been around the VA block for over 2 decades in some ways and only in the last few years have I seen veterans and widows aggressively bring the VA's attention to the problems that have transpired (which have been worse in the past few years then ever before)-I remember spending hours every week at the local VAMC for many years only to hear constant complaints from some vets (Not all) with no actions ever taken by themselves. Often a patient advocate could resolve their VAMC issues or they needed a better VSO to handle their claim.

When I think of watching my advocate friends John Rossie, and Carol Olszenacki, and Commander Wells at the last BWV hearing-before ther H VAC- and the hearings Kelley has been to with H VAC input and the Gold Star Wives etc-----

The fact that any vet can watch these hearings in real time video from their PCS has, in my opinion, inspired other vets and widows to make sure they are heard by the VA.

I think Secretary Shinseki has been trying to do all he can to change the system.

Kurt Priessman was right- it should be dismantled and started all over again.

But that wont happen and change takes a long time.

I sent plenty of ideas to the disability Committee you mentioned and I know others here did too.

We claimants are the reason for many VA jobs in the VA claims system.They need us as much as we need them.And we should be heard.

If you read the link about the Secretary sending Larry Scott,VA Watchdog a nice letter-Larry the VA's roughest critic for 5 years-

does give the Sec high marks and I do too.