... we assessed the effectiveness and timeliness of VBA's hiring process, VBA's process for ensuring new employees are trained and supervised, and VBA's overall progress at integrating new ... the end of FY 2008 and that VBA was also conducting ongoing recruitment to replace losses due to attrition. VBA allocated the 3,100 new FTE primarily to 4 VBA business lines compensation and pension (C ...P operations represent the largest portion of VBA's workload. VBA also allocated some positions to other business... http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfsep08/nf090608-1.htm
... FY 2006. The audit also evaluated VBA outreach to service members and veterans during Fys 2006 and 2007. VBA Emphasis on Seriously Disabled OEF/OIF ... for Benefits wrote the following to all VBA employees: There is no higher priority for any VBA employee, whether serving in the field ... C&P Service officials stated that VBA had not followed up with DOD to obtain these reports because VBA was waiting to obtain the injury and classification codes from a planned VBA/DOD Veterans Tracking Application (VTA). As of January 2008, VBA was testing the reliability of VTA data... http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfJUL08/nf072108-1.htm
...org Veterans for Common Sense: Bring VBA Services to Our Veterans Bring VBA Services ... new approach to improve how Veterans access VBA is urgently needed. Restructuring Proposal for VBAVBA should gradually increase the number of VBA offices in each state in order to ... proposal of adding more full-time VBA claim processing staff at VHA facilities. Precedent for Restructuring VBA There are three historical precedents for restructuring VBA facilities and significantly expanding outreach. First... http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nfjan10/jan10files/VCS VBA Reform 10-19-2009.pdf
...- Comment at bottom of page. VBA GETS THE CLUE, PLANS NEW CLAIMS ... TO REWARD QUALITY "I hope the VBA has finally gotten the message from veterans ... these are just words or if the VBA is really going to change. Use ... COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS PRESS RELEASE VBA Heeds Congressional Directive, Plans New Claims System to Reward Quality VBA Announces Plan to Change Employee Performance Standards ... the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee work credit and management systems ... calls from Congress and veteran stakeholders, VBA announced plans to take new steps to ...VA). This report on the VBA work credit and management systems was mandated... http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nfmay10/nf051110-3.htm
... big success stories in dealing with the VBA. I'll end the year ... adversarial agency of our government, the VBA. The Veteran seeking assistance is guilty until proven innocent at VBA. He or she is seen as ... the Veteran is looked down on by VBA as if we were wanting something for ... There are no negative consequences to any VBA employee, manager or director in any ... Compensation and Pension examination services for the VBA. Former VA Secretary Anthony Principi is Chairman of the QTC board. The VBA pays untold millions of dollars to QTC and even the VBA is often forced to admit that many... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfDEC07/nf122407-2.htm
... be systemic. We also noted that VBA mail processing deficiencies led to unnecessary delays in establishing control of claims in VBA's "SHARE" system after ... processing claims. Based on this inventory VBA discovered claim-related documents in shred bins awaiting destruction at 41 VBA locations nationwide, including 40 of the 57 Varos and VBA's Records Management Center in St ... delays in establishing control of claims. VBA mail processing deficiencies led to unnecessary delays in establishing control of claims in VBA's "SHARE" system. In FY 2008, VBA placed 82 percent of claims under control... http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfoct09/nf100109-3.htm
... their world as you are. The VBA, more than any other division of ... administration of the laws that direct the VBA has become more complex. Laws are ... In 2008 the DVA, specifically the VBA, is in a losing struggle to ... of the front line employee at the VBA. I hear from a lot of ... law and the rules that guide the VBA employee originate in Congress. Just like your job, if the VBA staffer doesn't follow the guidelines ...526 http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526-ARE.... http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfMAR08/nf031208-1.htm
8. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 10-14-2007 #1 -- VAOIG REPORT: UNNECESSARY OVERPAYMENTS CAN CAUSE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR VETERANS -- VA's slow response to changes in beneficiary status leads to overpayments. Vets can face hardships when VA goes to collect.nf101407-1.htm
... present financial hardships for beneficiaries. When VBA receives evidence showing a change in a beneficiary s status, VBA is required to notify the beneficiary of ... days to respond to this notification and VBA allows an additional 5 days for mail receipt. VBA refers beneficiary debts, including debts caused ... since 1996, we met with senior VBA officials to establish a reasonable timeframe for evaluating processing timeliness. VBA officials stated that 30 days was a ... in significant overpayments to beneficiaries. Conclusion VBA needed to improve timeliness of processing compensation benefit adjustments. VBA should improve standards and establish a mechanism... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfOCT07/nf101407-1.htm
9. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 10-16-2007 #1 -- COMMUNICATING WITH THE VA: "THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE ANYTHING." -- Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland with great advice on dealing with the VA.nf101607-1.htm
... boss or the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), you must make the other ...'s a sure bet that the VBA isn't going to allow you ... The first time you communicate with the VBA is the most important of all and ... . If you don't tell VBA what you want, you haven' ...com Like most organizations and businesses, VBA has it's own style of ... the military way of writing, a VBA letter is usually full of reference letters ... or stilted. When you write to VBA, you should study a VBA written communication first. Then try to... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfOCT07/nf101607-1.htm
10. VA Watchdog dot Org - VA NEWS FLASH - 09-14-2007 #10 -- BACK TO BASICS: THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR VA CLAIM -- Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland explains how to get started with a VA compensation claim.nf091407-10.htm
... deal with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The Veteran who wrote the ... he deserved. He played by the VBA rules. It really is just that ...s review a basic principle of the VBA disability claims process. The foundation of ... is referred to as a condition by VBA. You must have proof of the ... The first document you submit to the VBA is the most important. Documents submitted ... whether you write a simple letter to VBA stating your claim or whether you use ... here http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-4138.pdf Whether... http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfSEP07/nf091407-10.htm
