Veterans Affairs officials are hiring in excess of 2,000 additional claims processors to help cope with the increase in backlogged cases, the biggest that the department has experienced in seven years. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “Department officials are also planning to use mandatory overtime for thousands of already-working claims staff and emergency coronavirus…
Two Congressmen stated that they are positive that the bill to provide benefits to veterans affected by burn pits will be passed this year. According to an article published by Connecting Vets, “Two bills are currently before Congress that address the health care implications of veterans exposed to toxins. On the Senate side, the Comprehensive…
The deadline for Gulf War veterans to claim presumptive disability for Gulf War Syndrome and other service-related illnesses has been extended. According to an article published by Military.com, “While there is no time limit for claiming disability benefits from the VA in normal circumstances, some presumptive conditions do come with time restrictions…To qualify as disabling,…
The number of first-time disability claims that have been waiting for decisions for months has now exceeded 215,000 nearly triple what it was in early 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country. According to an article published by Military Times, “Veterans Affairs officials don’t know how bad the backlog of veteran disability claims will…
Last week, Senate appropriators supported the White House on plans for another considerable boost for theDepartment of Veterans Affairs funding next year. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “If approved by the full House and Senate later this year, the legislation would boost discretionary spending for Veterans Affairs by nearly 9 percent (to about…
Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs expedited disability compensation claims for veterans who developed certain conditions as a direct result of exposure to burn pits. According to an published by Stars and Stripes, “The VA announced it will now process disability claims for those conditions on a presumptive basis, which lowers the amount…
This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs leaders announced that all Title 38 employees who work in VA health facilities (incl. physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, etc.) will need to be fully vaccinated by mid-September or lose their jobs. According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, “Officials said the move is designed…
After federal watchdogs and employees aired their concerns about the new electronic health record system, the Department of Veterans Affairs stated that they will ensure a new approach to the massive project. According to an article published by Stars and Stripes, “VA Secretary Denis McDonough testified Wednesday before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee about the…
Another audit report by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) confirmed that the electronic health records modernization system (EHRM) was underestimated by billions of dollars. According to a report by Connecting Vets, “The OIG found the estimate of about $4.3 billion for information technology upgrades was not reliable, and a lack…
Earlier this year the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a full review of the department’s $16 billion electronic medical records overhaul and stated that the review would not delay the rollout of the new system. However, the review has already caused delays and has left VA hospitals wondering when the new system will be implemented….
