How's That Front End Tool Workin'?

The Veterans Benefit Administration has a mess of tech problems on its hands with the near collapse of its Veterans OnLine Application and an inability to handle documents that vets have to attach to their applications. VBA was supposed to complete testing on Monday of a key piece of a new front end tool to speed up processing of post-911 GI Bill claims today, according to an internal memo that made its way here to "What's central" in Las Vegas, N.M.

The tool, as Keith Wilson, director of the Office of Education Service at VBA, told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity subcommittee in February would be used to automate the manual claims examination in each regional processing office and the VA's central office.

The piece of the tool that the VA is supposed to complete testing on is designed to provide claims examiners the capability to perform the payment calculations for school enrollment periods, automating a complex task.

I have a query into VA on the test, but I am afraid it will join a long list of queries I have submitted to the department since February. They seem to have been stuck in digital limbo.

But don't worry, VA now has a new corporate operations center. It's detailed in the department's 100 Day Report, which I'm sure will help management keep on top of the front end tool and other problems that could delay education payments to veterans by the time they start school this September.

The center, the 100 Day Report noted, will provide "for real-time synchronization, integrated planning, and coordination of all information and intelligence, and the operational status of all VA facilities and communications systems."

Not had enough buzz words yet? Read this: The center also will serve "as VA's fusion center to support VA senior leadership requirements for timely, accurate and relevant information to ensure VA's ability to deliver services to our nation's veterans" blah, blah, blah.

I'd like a tour.