The Change In Ebenefits Today

[Joe Hillbilly]

I noticed they made significant changes to the user interface. I think it could be something for the better?

[Chuck75]

If it works, it's almost gotta be an improvement!

I have to, from experience, do a wait and see of anything the VA does in the IT realm.

[ArNG11]

I kind of like it, but you have to navigate a bit and get used to the new interphase. So far it has gotten all the info I normally look at without freezing. So far so good.

[SeattleShay]

It still doesn't tell me if a real live person has touched my claim at all and what number am I in line.....

[Joe Hillbilly]

You looking for miracles SeattleShay?

[63SIERRA]

still cant communicate real time with your RO..

[diver]

I like the fact that it now shows you what disabilities you have and what is in process for claims. Although it still seems very slow. I was guiven 50% for MDD and received the notice at the beginning of February and it still shows pending. Then it was changed to PTSD 2 weeks ago but it still shows that deferred. But it shows that. I like it

[georgiapapa]

63SIERRA,

In my opinion, your statement, "still can't communicate real time with the RO" is the main problem claimants have with the VA?

It just does not make any sense to me as to why the VA doesn't see the lack of real time communication between claimants and the RO as a major problem. If claimants could actually talk to the RO, it would help the claimants and the VA. Claims could be completed faster. Claimants would get their compensation and other benefits faster. The claims backlog would be reduced. A lot of appeals would not be necessary. The appeals backlog would go down. Confidence in the VA would go up. Complaints would be reduced. Morale in the VA would improve. VA costs would be reduced.

Note: I used the word "claimants" rather than "veteran" because I also wanted to include veteran's family members who also need to communicate with the RO (e.g- DIC claims, etc.).

Am I wrong? Doesn't it make sense for claimants and the RO to be able to communicate directly with each other real time (telephone, email, in person) or am I missing something? JMO.

GP

[Berta]

I tried the CHAT with VA thing today in the lower right hand corner, but they said they had a large volume of chat requests ,so that was just like calling Peggy.

If you have lots of security on your PC, and use FireFox Mozilla, you might have to hit to "allow" button to use the chat feature.

(they let me in with my DS login but everything that was there disappeared.

I think it is because my claims are at VA Central...but not sure.....they were there 2 weeks ago at ebenefits

with 53 other things, but now nada..)....

Edited March 24, 2015 by Berta (see edit history)

[Navy04]

I like the new layout and the new features, especially being able to look at SC conditions and %s. I have a lot of 0%s, but forgot most of them. Just hope the screen improvement, helps the VA get their CRAP together. Hope you guys are having a good week so far!!!

[K9MAL]

So far I really like it. From the "dashboard" you can click on disabilities and it shows everything you've been approved and denied for which I thought was kinda cool.

Seems to be more intuitive, slightly faster and a more stable platform.

[artlouis]

I like the ability to see all the documents you upload!

[Chuck75]

63SIERRA,

In my opinion, your statement, "still can't communicate real time with the RO" is the main problem claimants have with the VA?

It just does not make any sense to me as to why the VA doesn't see the lack of real time communication between claimants and the RO as a major problem. If claimants could actually talk to the RO, it would help the claimants and the VA. Claims could be completed faster. Claimants would get their compensation and other benefits faster. The claims backlog would be reduced. A lot of appeals would not be necessary. The appeals backlog would go down. Confidence in the VA would go up. Complaints would be reduced. Morale in the VA would improve. VA costs would be reduced.

Note: I used the word "claimants" rather than "veteran" because I also wanted to include veteran's family members who also need to communicate with the RO (e.g- DIC claims, etc.).

Am I wrong? Doesn't it make sense for claimants and the RO to be able to communicate directly with each other real time (telephone, email, in person) or am I missing something? JMO.

GP

The VA has it's own way of doing things, and has by deliberate intent, made it difficult for veterans to communicate directly with those involved in handling his or her claim.

After all, direct communication might inject some humanity and compassion into the process!

This is pervasive, and often extends to communicating directly with VA health care providers. The VA occasionally calls, often an "underling", expecting to talk directly with the veteran, even though you usually cannot call and

talk directly with those that matter!

Edited March 26, 2015 by Chuck75 (see edit history)

[paulcolrain]

again we see some changes that cost money but, do these changes actually help the veterans claims to be processed quicker and more accurate ??? just like the new way we get our c-files. now they have demoted people at the ro that used to get my cfile to me within 3 weeks now is taking longer than 6 weeks at this new national place.... fixing things that dont need fixing and doing nothing that will make the veterans claims more accurately done.