Va Claims Backlog Is Not 783,000 Its Still Over 1,000,000

[Capt.]

Hello All, I am still confused that we keep getting fed with wrong numbers and information concerning the VA's backlog problem. As posted here in several articles the number of claims backlog keeps popping up at 783,000 by several agencies. I would like to put something to the board and look at this thing as it has progressed since 2009. Ok now the FACTS. According to VA Secretary Shenseki article posted 09-01-2010 at VA Watchdog.org he addressed an American Legion Conference telling those that the backlog was over 1,000,000 backlogged claims. and that VA was averaging 97,000 new claims every month. http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nfsep10/nf090110-6.htm

OK , thats from the Secretarys own mouth. Now we see in ArmyTimes http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/02/military-va-claims-backlog-021411w/ that the backlog is 783,000. We also see that in the watchdog.org article that claims average for decision , good or bad is 160 days. Its not hard to see that the math does not work and that the backlog is HUGE. Where did all the numbers go. Its not getting better, its getting worse as most of us have seen or experienced. Yes , its true that the roughly 3500 new adjudicators are also working on the AO cases since the new IHD presumptive were added this past fall, but not 300,000 to 400,000 less claims being adjudicated. This is really misleading and getting out of hand. Whether the VA is not counting those may be their reason for the discrepency in total numbers but it is not being added correctly, nor truthfully. The problem is still HUGE and getting worse.

Also in this week's Senate hearing , American Legion Director Tim Tetz http://www.legion.org/legislative/97265/legion-treat-root-va-claims-backlog said the way to save money and move the backlogged claims problem is to stop the C and P exams when a veteran already has a diagnosis from his VA doctors , or family doctors. AMEN. What a simple idea. Yes it would move claims and we would also have ACCURATE decisions and less BVA REMANDS. Oh yes but then comes the wonderful corruption of QTC and its billion dollar contract to assign C and P Exams. It is no wonder that CEO Princippi, past VA Secretary and Dr. Peake , a board director and another past VA Secretary himself are steering this. They are making alot of money. Unfortunately it is the veteran that looses and the Veteran is at risk again. For those of you who are mad and tired of the hamster wheel maybe by calling our Senators and Congressmen to support some type of legislation like Tim Tetz is suggesting needs to be put into a bill or law. Certainly the VA Senate and House Committee members would need to see this. Its just some thoughts I had and wanted to sound off on. I hope I did not step on someones feelings but this thing is out of control. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

P.S. My hand hurts so bad

Edited March 3, 2011 by Capt.Contaminate

[john999]

Teac

You know when I filed for "S" it only took about 6 weeks from start to finish and it was a CUE. I was prepared to wait years. I think some of it depends on how easy and straight forward your claim is for the VA. Easy claims go fast and complicated ones take forever. Then again sometimes there is no explanation for why it takes so long. I think claims in general are much easier now than years ago. People seem to win 100% on things that would have required missing both arms and legs before. Maybe that is years of getting awful decisions and multiple trips to the BVA depending on the DAV to win for me. Your claim is also about damage the VA caused. They hate to admit those kinds of mistakes I think. What better way to punish you than to drag it out for years.

[Capt.]

Hello John and Teac, I don't know why some don't take so long and some take longer. I think your right John that the complicated claims take longer. I believe that the better evidence you have and sound medical opinions and the more the better , will eventually get the benefit of a doubt rule put to the veterans favor. It may take alot of remands and RO passing off but the end result will be just that. Evidence wins.

Whatever the situation is , the sad state of our Veterans Affairs is that the Backlog is increasing and it is going to get worse unless some serious changes are made like doing away with C and Ps where a doctor has made an opinion. Also as always the Veteran must remember to NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

[Pete53]

When I filed for S I got it in a little over 3 months and only 2 months of backpay. When I appealed it I was denied in less than 24 hours.

[john999]

Pete

They know they are caught in a lie, so they just stick it to you to prove it. That was fast service, however. Not good, just fast. At least you know where you stand. They should have to prove they considered "S" when you got 100%, and they can't do that because they obviously did not consider it. They just intend to brazen it out. They just don't want to pay the retro plain and simple. I hope you stick it down their throats. Arrogant bastards.