**tidbit**-Claims Development Info

[harleyman]

I thought I would share the following which explains why files bounce around sometimes. This is just an FYI - Harleyman

TIDBIT: Who ever touches the file LAST, is the person charged with an error against them, if there is an error in the file. So if an RVSR makes a mistake and the person processing the RVSRs decision, misses the mistake, and the award is processed with an error by mistake, the person who processed the decision is charged with an error. The fact is the mistake is charged to the last person who touched the file. In ths case it would be the VSR who processed the award, not the RVSR who made an error in the decision.

That is why you see files go in and out of development and ready for decision, and authorization, back and forth as issues are found not developed properly, or a decision, is not written correctly, or records were suppose to be requested but weren't. Tons of reasons to return files for corrections. No one wants errors, and have their job standard showing quality problems, just to be put on a PIP (performance improvement plan". So usually back and forth movement of a file is good as it means things are being researched and errors corrected,- IMO

[broncovet]

Interesting, Harleyman, and most certainly true. I have often said that VA's problems are management problems, not the fault of a single or even a group of employees. Great managers understand that it is about fixing the problem, and not fixing the blame. A great manager can get the best out of his help..in part, by leading with excellence.

[harleyman]

Upper management at the VA are not necessarily great leaders or managers. It appears the VA is good about promoting within, but just because a person can rate a claim does not mean the same person can lead a team and manage the work force. One of the biggest problems at VA is morale. Not only are many of the employees Veterans themselves, but they also have claims pending that are not processed properly, and their claims are not accessable, because the pending claims for employees are sent out of the area to a different RO. So in order for an employee to go to the RO to check on their claim, they have to drive all day to get to where thier claim is being processed, usually in another state.

Then with the negative news against the VA admistration and VA employees and the management theory of this is how we do it at this RO, even though it's done differently somewhere else, it gets discouraging with the lack of unification on the processes. Each RO has special projects, and pilot programs , etc. there is no consistancy. So morale is a real problem for the average employee. Top it off with the treats of PIPs (performance improvement plans), and reassignemnt for quality or performance, morale is a problem. Some employees are just tired of beig blamed for bad decisions made by management, who shouldn't be inmanagement as they have no people skills, and no prior mangement experience or training to be leaders of the work force, and shouldn't even be considered for the job in the first place. So yes, we have some benefits but it is not a glamorous job, to say the least, and it is very stressful as well. - IMHO

Please let me add, I want to help Veterans, I enjoy seeing the grants and sucess in a claim, I dislike denials, I am pro Veteran and I am grateful to be employed, That being said, the VA system, could use some input from the VA employees about the processess implemented in working claims. Also- IMHO

Edited September 8, 2013 by harleyman

[free_spirit_etc]

Harleyman,

Thanks so much for sharing all that. It explains some things.

Edited September 9, 2013 by free_spirit_etc

[Philip Rogers]

Once again, I sincerely thank you for taking your time to share this and all that you share.

pr

[carlie]

Some employees are just tired of beig blamed for bad decisions made by management, who shouldn't be inmanagement as they have no people skills, and no prior mangement experience or training to be leaders of the work force, and shouldn't even be considered for the job in the first place.

Personally, I have dealt with a couple of DRO's - that I feel should NOT BE TEACHING lower level

employees, because these couple of DRO's did NOT know their JOB RESPONSIBILITIES or

38 CFR / 38 USC, well enough, to be instructing other's.

JMHO

[meghp0405]

but yet, the DRO's are supposed to be the cream of the crop. at least that's what we are told here... who knows....