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VA Press Release NARA backlog

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VA partners with National Archives to vaccinate NARA staff

VA partners with National Archives to vaccinate NARA staff

April 1, 2021, 02:36:00 

 

 

 

"VA partners with National Archives to vaccinate NARA staff

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to assist in providing COVID-19 vaccines to NARA staff supporting VA claims processing. 

VA will provide medical staff and enrollment specialists to administer the vaccine. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided a separate allocation of vaccines to the National Archives to vaccinate its staff members. NARA employees will be scheduled appointments to get vaccines at an off-campus site. 

“The staff at NARA play a vital role in making sure Veteran claims for compensation for service-related conditions are processed in a timely manner,” said Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Thomas Murphy. “By assisting their vaccination efforts, we can make significant progress in processing the backlog in claims, which has increased since March 2020 due to the pandemic.” 

VA requires medical evidence obtained from military personnel records to adjudicate Veteran claims for compensation. Due to pandemic-related facility work restrictions, NARA has had limited onsite ability to process requests for military personnel records. These documents are only accessible through copies made available by NARA staff from their location in St. Louis, Missouri. Currently, there are more than 25,000 pending requests for personnel records. 

In addition to its partnership with NARA, VA also works with other agencies such as HHS and the Department of Homeland Security to administer their vaccine allocation to essential staff supporting critical missions. VA’s nationwide footprint and vast network of medical professionals ensures the department can provide needed support to federal partners while delivering the quality care Veterans expect from VA. "

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Thank gods. I have a contact there and he told me they are 500,000 claims behind due to the sporadic opening/re-opening/not open type of schedule they have maintained. The electronic records requests and file transfers have been happening but the physical records and paper files for people prior to the mid-late 90s? Nope, unless they are terminal or fall into a few specific classes. I heard from my contact last week that they are still mulling over sending in portable scanning teams (like how libraries do inventory- with small hand scanners that scan to PDF) but that has been ongoing for months and no one has made a decision. They are an entity outside of VA so there isn't much we can do but wait, just like y'all. 

 

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I don't think they truly know how many claims are backlogged?  according to the New VA  Secretary  Denis McDonough he said on the  ABC Nightly News  with David Muir that the VA had 200.000 claims backlogged  and he was going to implement a faster way to get these claims process sooner  so the veterans can start receiving their benefits within a reasonable time (when is anybody's guess?)

VA Secretary Denis McDonough is responsible for implementing H.R. 6395, P.L.116-283--the FY 2021 NDAA, which contains the Tester/Harder Amendment. It was passed into law on Jan. 1, 2021. anybody know if this has been implemented for the veterans  so they can file on their claims.

Maybe they are going to hire a lot more people to work these claims  but they need training...I can see where its hard to get these claims moving faster   because someone that don't know what  the heck he/she is doing will only makes things a lot worse. (jmo)

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Good point Buck........

The VA problem isn't perilous and the total cases isn't daunting.

The current construct is good; however records, open procedures, and main lining need help.

1. First, veterans need their records in a expedited manner. Hire more people and go to a paperless system. Also, give medical records upon discharge on CD.

2. Next, let the veteran know what is needed for service connection and rating. The onus is on the veteran to provide medical information anyway. Be specific and let the veteran and his physician provide the information. 

3. Last, main lining involves the level of complexity of the case. A dedicated team of experts whom have been working for 5+ years and whom can immediately identify issues or similiar/like. In addition, the expertise would know what information is needed to have a well ground claim. This would be for complex cases

Another group would address issues of 3-5 claims

Lastly, a speed group addressing  1-2 claims with easy ABC module. Inservice incident, current diagnosis/ treatment, and nexus.

 

200,000 isn't overwhelming, but each claim deserves its proper attention to award benefits in a timely manner.

🤠

 

 

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The 500,00 number is claims at the archives for records and includes non va related requests. 
 

Fat- we already have most of that in place. Tiger teams for complex reviews, etc.

What’s needed for a well grounded claim is on the VA website, and the m21 is public information. The schedule of ratings is public also. Anyone can look it up, not just VSOs . 
 

Records at discharge isn’t VAs issue, we aren’t custodians of strs, we just request them like everyone else. 

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Thanks Brokensoldier244.

I only have ideas to help.

Overall, the VA workers are wonderful and I do think we are with the right leadership.

🤠

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LOL. no need to butter me up. Im a equal opportunity curmudgeon. I have my own gripes with VA also, as a claimant (prior) and also as an employee, where they can do better. I just try to work with what I can in my lane and occasionally send emails and suggestions otherwise. 

 

CAS

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