Some Good VA News: Agency Processed Record-Setting 1.3M Claims in Fiscal 2014
Allison Hickey, under secretary for benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. Cliff Owen/AP
By
Bob Brewin
VA processes 93 percent of veterans’ disability claims electronically.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it processed more than 1.3 million disability compensation and pension claims in fiscal 2014, which ended last week. That’s the highest number in history, surpassing last year’s record-breaking production by more than 150,000 claims.
The quality of claims decisions increased along with the number of claims processed, VA said.
The accuracy of VA decisions rose from 83 percent in 2011 to 90 percent this year, according to the agency. Looking only at medical issues, the accuracy rate rises to 96 percent.
VA said its move to a Web-based electronic claims-processing system has enabled quicker, more accurate and integrated benefits delivery.
VA once processed 5,000 tons of paper annually. Today, it processes 93 percent of veterans’ disability claims electronically.
Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey gave a hoorah to the employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration for the record-setting year.
“I am so proud of our employees – more than half of whom are veterans themselves – who continue to work tirelessly to deliver the benefits our veterans have earned through their service to our nation,” Hickey said. “But we all also recognize there is still much more work to do to better serve veterans.”
I wonder how long it will take one or more Congress folks to rain on this bit of good news from VA.