Veterans Disability Benefits Further Evaluation Of Ongoing Initiatives Could Help Identify Effective Approaches For Improving Claims Processing

Veterans' Disability Benefits: Further Evaluation of Ongoing Initiatives Could Help Identify Effective Approaches for Improving Claims Processing

"For years, the disability compensation claims process has been the subject of concern and attention by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congress, and veteran service organizations (VSO), due in part to long waits for decisions and the large number of claims pending a decision. As GAO and other organizations have reported over the last decade, VA has also faced challenges in improving the accuracy and consistency of disability decisions. GAO was asked to examine(1) trends in VA's disability compensation claims processing at the initial claims and appeals levels and (2) actions that VA has taken to improve its disability claims process. To do this, GAO reviewed and analyzed VA performance data, budget submissions, program documents, and external studies and interviewed VA officials and VSO representatives."

For years, in addition to experiencing challenges in making disability claims decisions more quickly and reducing its claims backlog, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has faced challenges in improving the accuracy and consistency of its decisions. This statement discusses issues surrounding VA¿s Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) program, a disability compensation and pension quality assurance program, and possible ways, if any, this program could be improved. It focuses on actions VA has taken, including those in response to past recommendations, to: (1) address identified weaknesses with STAR; and (2) improve efforts to monitor the consistency of claims decisions.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, the VA collaborates with DoD to streamline access to vets' disability benefits by allowing some servicemembers to file a claim and undergo a single exam process prior to discharge. BDD is designed for servicemembers with conditions that, while disabling, do not generally prevent them from performing their military duties. This program can shorten the time it takes for vets to receive benefits by several months. This statement identifies ways VA and DoD could improve these programs for transitioning servicemembers. It examined: (1) VA efforts to manage the BDD program; and (2) how VA and DoD are addressing challenges servicemembers face in accessing the BDD program. Illus.