Thursday, September 30, 2010

Congress Approves Veterans Benefit Act 2010

Full Article at: Congress approves Veterans Benefits Act
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 30, 2010

"In one of their last moves before heading into the pre-election recess, House lawmakers last night passed the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010, which includes a host of changes to VA programs and updates concerning the rights of deployed active duty troops. The White House is expected to sing the measure into law in coming days.

The bill is a compromise measure between the House and Senate which encompasses a number of smaller, stand-alone veterans benefits bills. It includes improvements to employment programs, homeless outreach efforts, disabled veterans assistance and research into future medical needs of returning troops. Here's a look at some of the highlights:

-- Prohibits early termination fees for certain contracts (like cell phone service and residential leases) after troops receive orders to relocate to and area that "does not support the contract."

-- Reauthorizes a recently expired VA work-study program, and expand the type of work available for participating veterans. Officials said the change allows for veteran students to complete work study in congressional offices, state veteran agencies, and similar opportunities.

-- Requires the VA to verify to operate a database of veteran-owned small businesses and service-connected veteran-owned small businesses, "in an effort to end contracting with businesses that fraudulently claim to be owned by a veteran."

-- Authorizes $10 million more to provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.

-- Allows 100 percent disabled veterans to receive free Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage for two years following separation from active or reserve duty.

-- Increases the automobile allowance for disabled veterans from $11,000 to $18,900.

-- Allows parents whose child died while on active duty to be buried in a national cemetery with that child (provided the veteran has no living spouse or children).

-- Instructs the Institute of Medicine to carry out a comprehensive review of best treatment practices for chronic multi-symptom illness in Gulf War veterans.

New Jersey-RO has 29% Error Rate, VAOIG Reports

VARO staff did not accurately process 35 (29 percent) of the 120 disability claims reviewed.

Inspection of the VA Regional Office Newark, NJ


Report Number 10-03055-259
, 9/29/2010

The Benefits Inspection Division conducts onsite inspections at VA Regional Offices (VAROs) to review disability compensation claims processing and Veterans Service Center operations. The Newark VARO correctly processed herbicide exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder disability claims. Management ensured staff followed the Veterans Benefits Administration policy to establish correct dates of claims in the electronic record. Further, staff were generally compliant in correcting errors that VBA’s Systematic Technical Accuracy Review program identified. VARO management needs to improve the control and accuracy of processing of temporary 100 percent evaluations and traumatic brain injury (TBI) claims. Overall, VARO staff did not accurately process 35 (29 percent) of the 120 disability claims reviewed. Management also needs to strengthen controls over the recording of Notice of Disagreements for appealed claims, Systematic Analyses of Operations (SAOs), incoming mail upon receipt, and final competency determination processing. We recommended that Newark VARO management review all temporary 100 percent evaluations to determine if reevaluations are required and take appropriate actions. Management needs to implement controls to ensure diaries for temporary 100 percent disability evaluations are established. We recommended management provide refresher training on the proper procedures for processing TBI claims. We also recommended that Newark VARO management strengthen controls to ensure timely establishment of NODs in the Veterans Appeals Control and Locator System, accurate and timely preparation of SAOs, and implementation of a plan for ensuring accurate and timely processing of incoming mail. The Director of the Newark VARO concurred with all recommendations. Management’s planned actions are responsive and we will follow up as required on all actions.