On October 20, 2013, a local veteran filed for disability and compensation benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As of April 13, 2014, the veteran is still waiting due to his claim being in the “Gathering of Evidence” phase, with an “overdue notice sent” for paperwork that the VA requested from a third party (Department of Veterans Affairs). His claim is one of the thousands that is in a backlog of VA compensation claims. Over a year ago, the VA promised to move quicker to help veterans. They did this among much criticism of excessive bureaucracy (Emmons).
As of April 21, 2014 there remains 602,000 claims that are in the processing phase throughout the 56 VA Regional Offices (VAROs) nationwide, and 325,080 or 54% of which have been pending more than 125 days (United States Department of Veterans Affairs) (Heller, Casey and Morran 5). Nationally, the goal established by the VA is to eliminate the backlog of disability claims by the end of 2015. (Stars and Stripes)
As of Veteran’s Day 2013, the number of veteran’s disability claims numbered over 400,000 currently in backlog, meaning that applicants have been waiting more than four months—the VA’s goal for maximum allowable delay (Glantz, Overtime, New Computer System Put Sizable Dent in VA Benefits Backlog). There are various reasons given for the backlog from sources including Congress, the Administration, newspaper articles, and government reports.
Some of them include:
1. Reports that over 500,000 claims reported in 1993 were due to a common agreement on the complexity of the claims.
2. In 1994, a newspaper published an article citing poor economic conditions for older veterans, leading to more claims being filed, overwhelming the VA.
3. ...
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Philpott, Tom. Shinseki: Backlog Goal Drew Fire, Also Dollars. 18 July 2013. Military Update. Web Article. 13 April 2014. .
Stars and Stripes. "Veteran: You Shouldn't Have to Fight So Hard for Benefits." Stars And Stripes 22 March 2014. Web. 13 April 2014. .
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Monday Morning Workload Report. Spreadsheet. Washington D. C.: Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014. Excel Spreadsheet. 22 April 2014. .
Wright, Wayne. VA even slower at processing disability claims. 5 March 2014. Online. 13 April 2014. .
By 1936 there were an estimated 35,000 unemployed veterans in depression-era Canada. In response to the need implied by this statistic, the government established the Veterans’ Assistance Commission, which sought to equip unemployed veterans for jobs and provide at least some of them with work.
The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) is a public organization that is government provided. The organization funding is produce through taxes. The executive branch of the agency is located in Washington DC and is headed by Secretary of Veteran Affairs. There are Veteran Affairs Offices located in all 50 states, including American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, North Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. It ranks number two in the United States federal department with over 200,000 employees.
America is the land of opportunity and the land of second chances. People come to America to live a better life, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. When Veterans come back home, all they want is a second chance at life again. They want to come back and be able to start from where they left off. But the government has done very little to help these veterans. The government believes they have done enough with the programs they have created, but it hasn’t had much of a change. The purpose of this essay is to discuss my opinion and what I know about this issue, to benefit The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who are my intended audience. If the government were to put a lot of effort, like they do for pointless issues, there wouldn’t be many struggling veterans. If the government does more to improve every aspect of the reintegration process of veterans, so many benefits would come out of this action. There are a couple of reasons for why we should work toward improving veterans lives. First, there would possibly be a decrease in the veteran suicide levels and a decrease in the substance abuse aspect. Second, less veterans and families will have to worry about living and struggling with mental illnesses. Third, by improving the economical aspect for these veterans, more will find jobs and less will end up on the street homeless. And lastly, the reintegration process won’t be as hard for these veterans, and they will be able to resume a normal life. This essay is not meant to offend in any way, its purpose is to provide a new perspective over this issue, to cause a change for the better.
U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Department of Labor, n.d. Web. The Web. The Web. 08 Feb. 2014.
Are veterans being taken care of medically, mentally, and financially? According to Steve Buyer, a member of the House of Representatives from Indiana's fourth district, "Because all of us believe and understand in the fabric of the common bond of why we call ourselves American is to care for the men and women who wear the uniform; and when they take off the uniform, we care for them when they are veterans." After men or women finish their time serving our country and take off their uniform, they still hold the title of Veteran. They are the brave ones who fought and served for America. The care for the veterans of America is a crucial part of giving back to those who risked their lives for our country.
"Bureau of Labor Statistics Data." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 04 July 2017.
The federal government have the mandatory regulation for helping veterans who have disability 30 percent or more have a chance to work in government departments if one of the department has opening job
Some of us are probably ignorant of the fact that in the Unites States Senate; a bill 56 (yea)- 41 (nay) declining an act that would have become extremely beneficial to our Veterans.
"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
One of the most serious problems facing all veterans today is the lack of proper healthcare. Soldiers, sailors and airmen are leaving active duty without having proper healthcare to cover their physical or mental injuries. The department responsible for veteran’s healthcare is the Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA) According to The department of Veterans Affairs website, “The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is responsible for administering programs of veterans’ benefits for veterans, their families, and survivors. The benefits provided include disability compensation, pension, education, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivors’ benefits, medical benefits and burial benefits. It is administered by the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.” The VA, who was formerly called the Veterans Administration, was established 21 July 1930, to consolidate and coordinate government activities affecting war veterans. The VA encompassed the functions of the former U.S. Veterans' Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. On 25 October 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating a new federal Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs to replace the Veterans Administration effective 15 March 1989 (V.A.)
In 1636 the “Pilgrims passed a law which stated that disabled soliders would be supported by the colony.” (VA History) This paved the way for veterans’ benefits and healthcare. It wasn’t until 1811 that the federal government authorized the first medical and domiciliary facilities along with benefits and pensions for the veterans and their families. When the United States entered World War 1 in 1917, Congress created a new system for veterans’ benefits such as disability compensation, insurance, vocational rehabilitation. These benefits were directed by three different agencies in the Federal Government, these branches were the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Ten years later congress authorized the president to “consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans”; this action united the three component agencies into bureaus under the veterans’ administration. In the following six decades there were vast increases in the veteran population, and new benefits enacted by congress for veterans following Wo...
Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age, sex, and race. (n.d.). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 2, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat03.htm
"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
"Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. . (5)