Posted on Nov 24, 2015
Sgt Spencer Sikder
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http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-veterans-appeals-backlog-20151123-story.html

On previous posts there was much conversation regarding the claims delay frustration. So VA shifted priorities and approved the claims, only to cause us veterans to file appeals. Their proposal to streamline the appeals process is to enable them to once again deny the appeal, thereby requiring vets to resubmit a claim. This will result in a reduction in costs, because VA won't have to pay retroactively. Remember my slippery slope comments......
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Responses: 6
1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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The BS with the VA never seems to end, Sgt Spencer Sikder .
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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The fastest way to clear a backlog is to deny everything via rubberstamp. The onus is then on the veteran to prove the claim has merit.

The idea that "you get 1 appeal" when the government has every reason to Deny, we KNOW that record-keeping is shoddy, and the system doesn't work just doesn't make sense.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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Who is going to Pay for improvements to the VA? What "Compassionate Conservative Fiscally Responsible Republican" is going to sign the Check to do what is really necessary. Some things never change since before I enlisted and since I retired. Makes no difference who is in power. They will continue to juggle to numbers to show some improvements but Until Americans are willing to pay higher taxes and foot the bill and until Politicians give us something besides Lip Service. Nothing Changes.
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What did VA think, we didn't recognize the numbers shuffle they pulled?
LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
From what I understand there are approximately 5 years of backlog in the VA appeals process Sgt Spencer Sikder. The Patient Advocate at Martinsburg, WV VAMC told me not to appeal a previous evaluation by VBA. He suggested that unless something became significantly worse I should not request a reeval.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
Sgt Spencer Sikder
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I too don't advocate appealing, however there are definite times when an appeal is necessary.

This particular story, the back pay for this veteran could be in excess of $500,000/700,000. Unfortunately just like most media short stories, they don't provide enough information to explain how after so many denials, it finally got approved.
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PO3 Electrician's Mate
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Just disband it and give the money as an allotment to the Vet equally. Then nothing to be blame except the Vet themselves, if they wasted the money on something else.
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MSgt James Mullis
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As long as the VA is ran by the government, who can't fire anybody, things won't get any better. These are the inevitable results that come from a government bureaucracy. With limited dollars and no real incentive (either positive or negative) to innovate, everything lowers down to the minimum acceptable level. Remember the Yugo and Lada (they were good enough)? How about many jokes about Brit's appealing to their MPs (congressmen) for readdress of the NHS's decisions on simple things like hip replacements and cataract surgery? I hate to say it, but I think things will only get worse over the coming years.
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