Social Security To Expedite Veteran Disability Claims

[pacmanx1]

The Social Security Administration plans to streamline its review of disability claims for veterans starting next month, shaving weeks off the process by which it determines benefits, officials are set to announce Wednesday.

The Woodlawn-based agency says it will expedite claims for former service members who already have been deemed fully disabled by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, alleviating a bureaucratic nightmare for veterans who sometimes waited years to get a decision about their eligibility for benefits.

Carolyn W. Colvin, the acting commissioner of Social Security, is set to announce the policy change in Baltimore. The move would add disabled veterans to the list of high-priority groups — including service members wounded in combat — that are put at the head of the line for review.

"It's a very good result for veterans who obviously made a tremendous commitment to their country," said Rep. John Sarbanes, a Baltimore County Democrat who has pushed for the quicker review. "They're returning from overseas conflicts and they've suffered injuries that make it impossible for them to have gainful employment."

It's not clear exactly how many people would be affected by the policy, but the Social Security Administration estimates it could be tens of thousands of veterans over time.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-veterans-ssa-20140218,0,3719630,print.story

I know this has been posted somewhere on hadit but I feel more eyes will see it here.

[Vync]

Thanks JB. Sounds like they specialize in red tape too.

[WoundedWarrior]

Husbands initial VA claim took close to 3 years. His SSD claim? 10 weeks, from start to finish, with a year of backpay. No medical appointments. No court hearing from a judge. Nothing. I think SSA should take over claims proccesing for the VA - the VA has a smaller scope of disabled individuals (just Veterans) and SSA deals with disabled Vets, disabled children, disabled adults AND adults eligible for retirement or death benefits. Sounds like the VA is doing something wrong...

[NavyWife]

Here's the link directly from Social Security that explains how the reps are to process these claims.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/reference.nsf/links/02202014042048PM

In a nutshell it says that it is for 100% vets that are also considered permanent and total.

It states that just because they were approved by VA does not mean they will be approved by social security.

All the vet needs to do is enclose a copy of their award letter stating the 100% permanent and total In order to receive the expedited processing.

[Vync]

This is a really good find:

Here's the link directly from Social Security that explains how the reps are to process these claims.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/reference.nsf/links/02202014042048PM

In a nutshell it says that it is for 100% vets that are also considered permanent and total.

It states that just because they were approved by VA does not mean they will be approved by social security.

All the vet needs to do is enclose a copy of their award letter stating the 100% permanent and total In order to receive the expedited processing.

I love how they titled it as "Emergency Message".

However, regarding 100% vs. 100% P&T:

• · Expedited claims processing applies to all veterans with a 100% P&T VA disability compensation rating.
  · Expedited claims processing does not apply to veterans with a 100% P&T VA disability pension rating.

Husbands initial VA claim took close to 3 years. His SSD claim? 10 weeks, from start to finish, with a year of backpay. No medical appointments. No court hearing from a judge. Nothing. I think SSA should take over claims proccesing for the VA - the VA has a smaller scope of disabled individuals (just Veterans) and SSA deals with disabled Vets, disabled children, disabled adults AND adults eligible for retirement or death benefits. Sounds like the VA is doing something wrong...

That's an impressive turnaround. One can only assume the evidence spoke for itself and someone at SSA actually cared enough to get it right the first time.

[Barbamatt]

My SSDI took over 2 years and I lost everything in the process. I am still not at 100%....I went to court for my social security. That part of the process probably wont change much.