In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created a goal of processing all new veterans’ disability claims within 125 days of filing with a 98% accuracy rate by 2015. The past 4 years, with a backlog of claims reaching over 800,000, there has been progress but a long road ahead.

The major points of the VA’s plan for claim processing improvements already in place are:

• The claims transformation initiatives program, currently running at 4 pilot programs and expected to be put into full action at 12 additional regional offices by the end of 2012.
• Quality Review Teams, composed of local quality review specialists who evaluate regional office employees and processes.
• Simplified and Standardized Rating Notification Letters, giving veterans a single, simple decision letter regarding their disability claim with a summary of the evidence considered and reasoning for their decision.

The claims transformation initiatives will be using several methods to target many aspects of the disability claims process where errors and delays are most often seen. Some of the methods used include:

• A central Intake Processing Center - sorts claim documentation in a triage system;
• Segmented Processing Lanes – to fast-track critical claims for faster decisions;
• Cross-Functional Teams – to better manage claims by eliminating the need for reworking claims; and
• The Veterans Benefits Management System – to electronically access and store claimant documents.

As more regional offices begin to use the new systems and practices it’s hoped that veterans will see improvements in the lengthy wait times many experience while applying for veterans’ disability benefits. While the new systems slowly begin to help, a disabled veteran can find claim support now through the services of a veterans’ disability attorney.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.

A partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration will soon help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in their initiative to digitalize veterans’ disability benefit claims.

The backlog of disability claims has been causing continued concern for the VA since the estimates of claims pending numbered in the 800,000s the first quarter of 2012. The push for a paperless, online claims system has resulted in veterans being able to file new claims online, but did little to help the thousands of disabled veterans whose paper claims are still in queue.

By working with the National Archives, the VA hopes to use their high quality scanning system to transfer the billions of pages that make up the current claim backlog into the electronic Veterans Benefits Management System implemented earlier this year.

Having all of your disability claim paperwork in one easily accessable file is important for both organization and expedition of your claim. The better assembled and documented your claim is, the faster it can be processed by the VA so you can avoid errors that may jeopardize your benefits and result in a wrongful denial.

At LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. our disability law firm has already taken the digital leap into paperless disability claim processing. Our customized database system has allowed our firm to develop a digital client record system that allows attorneys to access a client’s complete disability claim and supporting documents with a few clicks of their mouse.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.

In early 2012, a transformational plan was piloted at 4 regional Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offices. With the success of this trial, the VA has selected 12 more regional offices to implement the new plan by the end of the year. If successful, the transformational plan will be put to use at the remaining 40 regional offices throughout 2013.

The basis of the transformational plan is a 3-fold system involving people, processes, and technology enhancements. There were more than 40 measures tested and evaluated for this plan with a goal of reducing the backlog of claims.

In 2009, the VA had issued a objective for their department to achieve 98% accuracy on claims and resolve each one in less than 125 days – all by the year 2015. So far their efforts are paying off with measures, such as quality review teams and simplified rating letters. Other measures in the works include a formalized process for sorting documents by priority, new electronic claims processing systems, and segmenting types of claims to be funneled to the most appropriate teams.

While the VA has been working diligently on their side to improve efficiency and accuracy, a veteran filing disability benefits for the first time can also help speed their claim along on their own by working with a veterans’ disability attorney to prepare your forms so you can avoid some of the delays or denials that come from inaccurate or incomplete information.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.