VA Disability Lawyer
VA
claims it is at a tipping point in breaking the back of the department’s
massive claims backlog.
VA
maintains this because it is done with the so-called Nehmer review ordered by
the Federal Court. That was a review of
Agent Orange disability claims generally for added presumptive claims that
overwhelmed the system for two years.
Nearly 230,000 of those cases have been reviewed and finalized, and
officials said fewer than 500 open cases remain.
The
VA reports that 37% of the department’s rating staff dealt solely with these
Agent Orange cases. With the work
finished, about 1,200 claims processors will begin dealing with the overall
disability and pensions backlog.
More
than 911,000 claims remain unprocessed, down from more than 1.4 million last
year, but still up 60% from when the Agent Orange claims push started two years
ago. About two-thirds of those cases
have been pending for more than 125 days, despite department promises to deal
with them quickly.
The
manpower can now be deployed on the backlog.
These raters have more experience than when the Nehmer review
started. Many in Congress are skeptical
and have heard this claim that VA is getting its arms around the backlog
before. What else can VA say? Veterans simply want this proven. It is hard to be optimistic when the mail is
not being filed in VA Regional Offices or claim status reports tell you it will
be 525 days on average for a decision.
To
read more about Congress’ concern in Stars & Stripes: http://www.stripes.com/news/skeptics-doubt-va-s-claim-of-breakthrough-on-claims-backlog-1.180811
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