HVAC Probes VA Executives Lavish Bonuses

The Following is a Important News Bulletin From the House Veterans Affairs Committee 

Note: VA did not respond when asked why only benefits administrators and not health executives were forgoing bonuses.

Note: "VA employees and managers who fail in their jobs shouldn't receive bonuses – they should be disciplined or fired," Miller said.

"While VA's decision to withhold fiscal year 2012 bonuses for VBA senior executives is a step in the right direction, it does nothing to ensure that poorly performing Veterans Health Administration officials will not receive bonuses. In recent days, we've learned that multiple VA medical center officials have received bonuses even in the wake of patient deaths linked to mismanagement. VA owes us all – especially the families of those who died – an explanation as to why the department awarded these bonuses and how they plan to eliminate similar payments in the future."

 

VA scraps bonuses for some executives

By Daniel Malloy

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

http://www.myajc.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/va-scraps-bonuses-for-some-executives/nXcMM/?icmp=ajc_internallink_textlink_apr2013_ajcstubtomyajc_launch

 

Many senior officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs will go without bonuses this year, but health executives — including those at the Atlanta VA Medical Center — will still qualify for the rewards.

The bonuses, when given, are paid for work during the preceding year. The VA announced late Friday that senior executives at the Veterans Benefits Administration would not receive performance bonuses for the 20o12 fiscal year and the money would be used instead to help attack the lengthy backlog of benefit claims. Nationwide, 610,000 benefit claims have been pending for more than 125 days, according to VA data.

"We remain confident that VBA senior executives are dedicated to our nation's veterans, and they will continue to lead our drive toward VA's goal: eliminating the claims backlog in 2015," the VA said.

The directive did not apply to executives at the Veterans Health Administration, the VA's other major sub-agency, and came at the end of a week in which the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other news outlets reported on health executives receiving big bonuses even as their hospitals were under investigation for mismanagement.

An audit published this month by the VA's Inspector General blamed mismanagement at the Atlanta VA for three deaths of mental health patients and examined long waiting lists for mental health services. As those problems were ongoing, top executives — including former director James A. Clark — were getting annual performance bonuses. Clark pulled in $65,000 in bonuses over a four-year span, which the VA said was due in part to his pitching in as acting Southeast Network Director.

VA did not respond when asked why only benefits administrators and not health executives were forgoing bonuses.

It is unclear how much money this would free up to attack the claims backlog. In the Atlanta region, 20,960 entitlement claims have been pending for more than 125 days.

VA handed out about $2.3 million in bonuses for both benefits and health executives for the 2011 fiscal year, according to a spokeswoman, down from $3.3 million in the previous year as part of an effort to increase efficiency and accountability. Senior executives earn a small fraction of the total bonuses; the VA gave $194 million in bonuses last year according to congressional testimony.

U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., who has called for disciplinary action against Atlanta VA executives for the lapses the inspector general found, cheered the partial end of the bonuses but said it was not enough.

"VA employees and managers who fail in their jobs shouldn't receive bonuses – they should be disciplined or fired," Miller said.

"While VA's decision to withhold fiscal year 2012 bonuses for VBA senior executives is a step in the right direction, it does nothing to ensure that poorly performing Veterans Health Administration officials will not receive bonuses. In recent days, we've learned that multiple VA medical center officials have received bonuses even in the wake of patient deaths linked to mismanagement. VA owes us all – especially the families of those who died – an explanation as to why the department awarded these bonuses and how they plan to eliminate similar payments in the future."

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Curt Cashour

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

curt.cashour@mail.house.gov

202.225.3527

    

 

Please click here to subscribe to the Committee's eNewsletter to stay up-to-date on issues affecting America's veterans.

 

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Soldiers Missing From Vietnam War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that a Navy pilot, missing from the Vietnam War, has been accounted for and will be buried with full military honors along with his crew.              Navy Lt. Dennis W. Peterson of Huntington Park, Calif., was the pilot of a SH-3A helicopter that crashed in Ha Nam Province, North Vietnam.  Peterson was accounted for on March 30, 2012.  Also, aboard the aircraft was Ensign Donald P. Frye of Los Angeles, Calif.; Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technicians William B. Jackson of Stockdale, Texas; and Donald P. McGrane of Waverly, Iowa.  The crew will be buried, as a group, on May 2 at Arlington National Cemetery.           On July 19, 1967, the four servicemen took off from the USS Hornet aboard an SH-3A Sea King helicopter, on a search and rescue mission looking for a downed pilot in Ha Nam Province, North Vietnam.  During the mission, an enemy concealed 37mm gun position targeted the helicopter as it flew in.  The helicopter was hit by the anti-aircraft gunfire, causing the aircraft to lose control, catch fire and crash, killing all four servicemen.              In October 1982, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) repatriated five boxes of remains to U.S. officials.  In 2009, the remains within the boxes were identified as Frye, Jackson, and McGrane.                          In 1993, a joint U.S./S.R.V. team, investigated a loss in Ha Nam Province.  The team interviewed local villagers who identified possible burial sites linked to the loss.  One local claimed to have buried two of the crewmen near the wreckage, but indicated that both graves had subsequently been exhumed.                  Between 1994 and 2000, three joint U.S./S.R.V. teams excavated the previous site and recovered human remains and aircraft wreckage that correlated to the crew's SH-3A helicopter.  In 2000, U.S. personnel excavated the crash site recovering additional remains.  Analysis from the Joint POW/MIA Command Central Identification Laboratory subsequently designated these additional remains as the co-mingled remains of all four crewmen, including Peterson.              DoD scientists used forensic tools and circumstantial evidence in the identification of the remains.               For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

BRAC 2015 what will be on the Chopping Block?

Official Makes Case for More Base Closures, Realignments

04/25/2013 09:39 AM CDT

Official Makes Case for More Base Closures, Realignments By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 25, 2013 - Recognizing congressional resistance to another round of base realignments and closures, a senior defense official told a Senate panel yesterday it would be irresponsible to cut the military's "tooth" without doing everything possible to eliminate excess within its "tail." John C. Conger, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, made the case for a 2015 BRAC round during testimony before the Senate Armed Service Committee's readiness and management support subcommittee. DOD is facing a serious problem in light of its declining budgets and force structure, but has limited flexibility to adjust its infrastructure accordingly, he told the panel. "We need to find a way to strike the right balance so infrastructure does not drain too many resources from the warfighter," he said. "We need to be cognizant that maintaining more infrastructure than we need taxes other resources that the warfighter needs -- from depot maintenance to training to bullets and bombs." Conger cited $8 billion in annual, recurring savings from the first four rounds of BRAC in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995. BRAC 2005 is producing another $4 billion in annual savings through avoided costs for base operating support, personnel and leasing costs, he reported. Meanwhile, BRAC 2005 eliminated 13,000 civilian positions -- an example of the kind of workforce efficiencies the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act requires, he said. Previous BRAC rounds averaged 36,000 eliminations per round. "Congress has already demanded these civilian personnel cuts, and if they are not made through BRAC, they will need to be made elsewhere," Conger argued. As the department seeks cost-saving measures, it also is undergoing a comprehensive review that kicked off in January to identify potential cases for closure or consolidation there, he noted. "There are other examples where we're driving towards efficiencies throughout the department, and we have to do that. Installations are just one piece of the puzzle," Conger said. "But as we cut down in force structure, it would be irresponsible of us not to ... propose ways to cut the tail as we cut the tooth." Conger acknowledged skepticism in Congress about the need for another round of BRAC, most likely, he said, because implementing the last round cost so much more than anticipated. "To be clear, BRAC 2015 will not look like BRAC 2005," he told the panel. The previous BRAC, he said, was conducted while the force structure and budgets were growing, and under leadership-directed transformations across the department. "Today, force structure is shrinking, the budget is shrinking, and we are firmly focused on reducing our future costs," he said, noting similar circumstances during the first four rounds of BRAC. "I can assert with confidence that a 2015 round will have far more in common with them than it would with the 2005 round," Conger said. The BRAC discussion came within the context of the Defense Department's fiscal 2014 budget proposal. It includes $11 billion for military construction, $10.9 billion for investments to sustain and restore DOD facilities and $3.8 billion for environmental measures. The request, Conger noted, is slightly higher than the fiscal 2013 appropriation. This is in part because all but the most critical projects and measures were curtailed this year due to sequestration. "While budgets are constrained and force structure shrinks, our infrastructure is being held constant," he told the senators, emphasizing that DOD must maintain its 550,000 buildings and structures that support military operations and readiness.

Biographies: John C. Conger

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel visits the troops in South West Asia on 25 April 2013

Official: Action on Chem Weapons Requires Clearer Evidence

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 25, 2013 - There is evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its own people, but the world needs "clear evidentiary facts" before acting, a White House official said today. The official spoke to reporters on background after the release of a White House letter to Senate leaders saying that "our intelligence community does assess with varying degrees of confidence that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically the chemical agent sarin." For some time, President Barack Obama has been concerned that Bashar Assad's regime would use some of its significant chemical stockpile against the Syrian people, and he tasked intelligence agencies to monitor the country, the official said. The president has said any number of times that Syrian use of chemical weapons or transfer of chemical weapons to terror groups would cross a "red line." While intelligence indicates that sarin was used, more facts need to be ascertained, the White House official said. "The chain of custody is not clear, so we cannot confirm how the exposure occurred and under what conditions," he said. "If we reach a definitive determination that this red line has been crossed based on credible corroborated information, what we will be doing is consulting closely with our friends and allies and the international community more broadly, and the Syrian opposition, to determine what the best course of action is. "All options are on the table," he continued, "and it could run ... a broad spectrum of activity across ... various lines of activity in Syria." The president is calling on the United Nations to lead a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence and establish what exactly took place, the official said. While the U.N. investigation proceeds, he added, U.S. officials will work with friends, allies and the Syrian opposition to procure, share and evaluate additional information. "Given the stakes involved, given how serious the situation is and what we've learned from our own recent experience, intelligence assessments are not alone sufficient [for action]," the official said. "Only credible and corroborated facts that provide us with some degree of certainty can then guide our decision making." News reports have said that Syrian forces used chemical weapons in Aleppo, Damascus and Homs. The official would not comment on the areas where the "physiological evidence" came from. Typically physiological evidence comes from tissue, soil or water samples, officials said. The United States is aiding Syrians seeking to overthrow the Assad regime. America has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in nonlethal aid to the people of Syria and for training for opposition leaders.

Related Articles: Hagel: Intel Community Says Syria Has Used Chemical Weapons

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Addabbo Bill That Helps Veterans And Potential Employers Better Communicate About Job Skills Gets Approved by Veterans Committee

 

Long Island Press Releases —

(Queens, NY) – State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) announced that legislation he sponsors (S.4402) to help employment-seeking veterans and potential employers to better communicate about job skills earned in the military, was recently approved by the NYS Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

"Often, veterans who are looking for jobs, as well as the employers interviewing them, are not sure how to translate military titles and skills into civilian workforce terms," said Addabbo. "This difficulty in understanding how certain types of military experience can carry over to the civilian labor force sometimes means that former servicemen and servicewomen lose out on good jobs and employers miss out on great veteran employees. That's a shame for all involved."

Addabbo's legislation would require the State Division of Veterans' Affairs to provide an Internet connection on its Web site that is capable of translating military job titles and skills into civilian terms. The senator, who is the ranking Democratic member of the Veterans Committee, noted that this tool would be helpful to veterans and employers alike and could aid veterans in identifying open positions that are appropriate to their skills and experience.

"Unemployment among our returning servicemen and servicewomen is a big problem and a very serious concern on so many levels," said Addabbo. "In many cases, the positions may be there for these veterans, but neither the job-seekers nor the job-providers can figure out how to translate the details of military resumes into successful job offers."

Addabbo pointed out that a 2007 study by Military.com, a Web site that seeks to address the needs and concerns of veterans and active duty military personnel, found that 61 percent of employers surveyed felt that they did not have a complete understanding of the qualifications offered by former servicemen. A similar percentage of employers suggested that veterans need additional assistance in making a transition into the civilian job market.

The same study found that 81 percent of the returning veterans did not feel prepared to enter the job market, with 76 percent saying that they felt an inability to effectively translate their military skills to civilian terms.

"By having the State Division of Veterans Affairs provide easily accessible information to help breach this gap in understanding, we may be able to help more veterans find good jobs and help more employers find good workers," said Addabbo. The legislation he is sponsoring is now under consideration by the Senate Finance Committee, and its State Assembly counterpart (A.4168) has been approved by the Veterans Committee and is being reviewed by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Veterans who would like to get an idea of how this job translation tool could work may wish to visit Military.com and look into the Web site's "Veteran Jobs" section. This part of the site offers not only military-friendly job listings, but a link to a "Military Skills Translator" tool similar to that proposed in Addabbo's legislation. The link to this innovative job search tool can be found at: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/


http://www.longislandexchange.com/press/2013/04/23/addabbo-bill-that-helps-veterans-and-potential-employers-better-communicate-about-job-skills-gets-approved-by-veterans-committee/

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
Web: http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog: Cold War Veterans Blog
Email: Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:  716 720-4000
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile

HVAC Hearing to Examine Obamacare’s Impact on VA Healthcare System

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 10:15 a.m. in room
334 of Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs will hold a hearing examining what effects implementation of
the Affordable Care Act – commonly known as Obamacare – may have on
the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).



VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States,
and Obamacare's implementation could potentially affect millions of
veterans nationwide. VA officials have said Obamacare could affect
several aspects of VHA operations, including enrollment and
utilization, outreach and communications, and staffing and retention.
The purpose of this hearing will be to determine what those specific
effects could be and how they will impact VHA and the millions of
veterans currently enrolled in VA's health care system.



The following event is open to the press:



WHO: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

WHAT: Hearing: "Examining the Implications of the Affordable
Care Act on VA Healthcare"

WHEN: 10:15 A.M., Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WHERE: Room 334, Cannon House Office Building and streaming at
veterans.house.gov





The witness list is as follows:



Panel 1

The Honorable Robert A. Petzel M.D.

Under Secretary for Health

Veterans Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs



Accompanied by:



Patricia Vandenberg MHA, BSN

Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Planning

Veterans Health Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs



Lynne Harbin

Deputy Chief Business Officer

Member Services, Chief Business Office

Veterans Health Administration

U.S Department of Veterans Affairs





Lisa Zarlenga

Tax Legislative Counsel

U.S. Department of the Treasury



Accompanied by:



Jason Levitis

Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy

U.S. Department of the Treasury

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
Web: http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog: Cold War Veterans Blog
Email: Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone: 716 720-4000
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile

White House Petition and help us fix the #MillionVetBacklog.

ARLINGTON, VA -- It has been nearly four years since both President Obama and VA Secretary Shinseki vowed to fix the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since that promise, the VA backlog has increased by 2,000% -- and is projected soon projected to reach one million claims. A tragic milestone.

It is time for the White House to stop making excuses and start delivering results. Join thousands of Americans who have signed our White House Petition and help us fix the #MillionVetBacklog.

We need your help. Visit www.MILLIONVETBACKLOG.com to sign and share our White House petition.

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO


|| Stay Connected with Concerned Veterans for America ||

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
Web: http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog: Cold War Veterans Blog
Email: Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:  716 720-4000
Network: My Fast Pitch! Profile

Official Urges Troops, Vets to Tap VA Services, Benefits

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 - Former Army Maj. Tommy Sowers understands firsthand that the last thing many service members preparing to transition out of the military want to do is attend more briefings or fill out more forms than they already do.

But Sowers, now an assistant secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, urges those headed for the door to take advantage of what VA has to offer. And he's calling on junior officers and noncommissioned officers -- and veterans already benefitting from VA programs and services -- to encourage them to do so.

Sowers acknowledged during an interview with American Forces Press Service that he knew little about VA during his 11 years of military service. His first exposure to VA, he said, came when a fellow officer encouraged him to apply for a VA home loan.

He went on to realize more VA benefits. A former Special Forces officer with back injuries, he qualified for VA health care and disability compensation. He also received educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, earning his doctoral degree at the prestigious London School of Economics.

"My time in the service made me strong, and the VA has made me stronger," Sowers said of his military and post-military experiences. His concern, he said, is that many service members and veterans don't realize VA can do the same for them.

For a 25-year-old enlisted service member preparing to leave the military, the draw is likely to be educational benefits, he said. More senior members probably are most interested in health care. Retirees may have started thinking about being buried with honor at a VA cemetery.

"At each of these moments, VA is there to help make those veterans stronger," Sowers said. "But we have to increase the awareness of it."

Sowers called the close and strengthening VA-Defense Department partnership an important step.

The Transition Assistance Program, for example, now includes mandatory briefings on VA benefits and services. This helps to create a smooth transition, Sowers said, ensuring those leaving the military recognize what's available to help them successfully move into the next phase in their lives and careers.

VA has made broad strides in increasing awareness of its programs and services and making them accessible for more veterans, Sowers said. Fifty-six percent of the 1.5 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have used VA health care, compared to 35 percent of the veteran population, he reported. In addition, almost 1 million veterans are taking advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

"One thing we are finding is that people like our product," Sowers said.

VA is counting on these veterans to share what they've discovered, he said.

"Those 800,000 additional [Iraq and Afghanistan] veterans using VA health care, the 900,000 using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the hundreds of thousands being compensated and treated for mental injuries, those folks who are benefitting have an obligation to tell other veterans about it," he said. "That is how we are going to expand our access."
 

Biographies:
Tommy Sowers
Related Sites:
Department of Veterans Affairs
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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Radar System Meads put through missile defense test in skies over Central New York

Pentagon, NATO allies witness missile defense test in skies over Central New York

By Mark Weiner

====

MEADS and Lockheed Martin officials said they could not release photos or videos of the test because of the classified nature, nor could they disclose the names of the NATO officials who witnessed the demonstration.

[T]he test in Central New York was among the last big milestones before a full missile intercept test for MEADS planned this fall at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

In March, Congress approved spending $380 million to pay for the final year of MEADS development.

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MEADS surveillance radar prototype

Washington:Military leaders from the Pentagon, Italy and Germany were in Central New York this week to witness a classified test of a missile defense system.

As part of the test, a small plane and a simulated tactical ballistic missile were detected and tracked by the Medium Extended Air Defense System, or MEADS, its developers said today.

MEADS, developed in part by Lockheed Martin with partners in Italy and Germany, was tested using radars placed at Lockheed's test range in Cazenovia and on its campus at Electronics Park in Salina.

Marty Coyne, business development director for MEADS International, said the test conducted Wednesday was a success by all measures.

MEADS and Lockheed Martin officials said they could not release photos or videos of the test because of the classified nature, nor could they disclose the names of the NATO officials who witnessed the demonstration.

"We had visitors from all three nations," Coyne said today. "By all accounts, all of the parties came out quite impressed with both the capability and maturity of those radar assets."

The MEADS 360-degree surveillance radar, developed at Lockheed's campus in Salina, was placed at a testing range in Cazenovia for the demonstration, Coyne said.

The radar in Cazenovia simultaneously tracked and relayed the location of the simulated missile and test aircraft that took off from Syracuse's Hancock International Airport to the MEADS battle manager.

In turn, the system cued a fire-control radar located more than 10 miles away in Salina to acquire and track the target aircraft, Coyne said. In the battlefield, an interceptor missile would have been fired to destroy the target.

Coyne said the test in Central New York was among the last big milestones before a full missile intercept test for MEADS planned this fall at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

In March, Congress approved spending $380 million to pay for the final year of MEADS development.

The Pentagon says it has no intention to deploy MEADS, originally designed as a successor to the Patriot missile defense system, because of cost overruns and early development problems. The United States, Germany and Italy have spent a combined $4 billion on the program.

...

Pentagon officials have said they intend to "harvest" promising technologies developed as part of the MEADS project, including the 360-degree surveillance radar developed by Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians in Central New York.

Coyne said the purpose of Wednesday's test was to demonstrate the capabilities of MEADS. "All three nations are looking to harvest this investment in MEADS in future modernization plans," he said.

The MEADS project is the largest radar contract in the history of the Lockheed Martin facility at Electronics Park in Salina, which has about 1,900 employees. Lockheed is the major partner in the United States for MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla.

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VA Expedites Decisions for Long-standing Claims .

Will this Relieve the Backlog?

VA Expedites Decisions for Long-standing Claims

From a Department of Veterans Affairs News Release

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 - The Veterans Affairs Department is expediting compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer, VA officials announced today.

Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims on hand, officials said, which will allow veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible.

Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision.

"Too many veterans wait too long for a decision, and this has never been acceptable," VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said. "That is why we are implementing an aggressive plan to eliminate the backlog in 2015. This initiative is the right thing to do now for veterans who have waited the longest."

Provisional decisions will be based on all evidence provided to date by the veteran or obtained on their behalf by VA. If a VA medical examination is needed to decide the claim, it will be ordered and expedited.

"Issuing provisional decisions not only provides veterans with applicable benefits much more quickly, but also gives them an additional one-year safety net to submit further evidence should it become available," said Allison Hickey, VA's undersecretary for benefits. "Our door will remain open, and if a veteran has additional evidence, their case will be fast-tracked."

If any increase is determined to be warranted based on the additional evidence received, benefits will be retroactive to the date the claim was initially filed. The initiative protects the veteran's right to appeal the decision. If no further evidence is received within that year, VA's Veterans Benefits Administration will inform the veteran that the rating is final and will provide information on the standard appeals process.

VA will continue to prioritize claims for homeless veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former prisoners of war, Medal of Honor recipients and veterans filing fully developed claims.

Claims for wounded warriors separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately and on a priority basis with the Defense Department through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. Wounded Warriors separating through IDES currently receive VA compensation benefits in an average of 61 days following their separation from service.

As a result of this initiative, metrics used to track benefits claims will experience significant fluctuations, officials said. The focus on processing the oldest claims will cause the overall measure of the average length of time to complete a claim -- currently 286 days -- to skew, rising significantly in the near term because of the number of old claims that will be completed, they explained.

Over time, they added, as the backlog of oldest claims is cleared and more of the incoming claims are processed electronically through VA's new paperless processing system, VA's average time to complete claims will improve significantly. In addition, the "average days pending" metric -- or the average age of a claim in the inventory -- will decrease, since the oldest claims will no longer be part of the inventory.

While compensation claims are pending, eligible veterans are able to receive health care and other benefits from VA. Veterans who have served in recent conflicts are eligible for five years of free health care from VA. More than 55 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are using VA health care, officials said, a rate greater than that of previous generations of veterans.
 

Biographies:
Eric K. Shinseki
Related Sites:
Department of Veterans Affairs
DOD-VA eBenefits Web Portal

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VFW Statement on Boston Bombing

VFW Statement on Boston Bombing

"Most folks will never experience the euphoria of crossing a finish line, but we can all share in the grief and anger that yesterday's tragic terror bombing of the Boston Marathon produced. Our hearts and prayers are with Boston and our friends, families and visitors who came to celebrate Patriots' Day and tremendous human achievement, but who now leave wounded inside and out, or worse. As a nation, we cannot allow our great ability to heal to also become a liability. Our resiliency must not turn into complacency, because America's enemies will neither forgive, forget or stop. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States fully supports our nation's law enforcement officials who will bring those responsible for this senseless and cowardly act to justice."

John E. Hamilton
Commander-in-Chief

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Cold War memories

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/8566660/Cold-war-memories

The bitterly cold weather is what veteran Keith Hall recalls most vividly about the time he served in the Korean War.

There were nights in the army tents when the temperature dropped so low that his moustache became stiff with ice.

A bottle of beer tucked under his stretcher once froze solid.

The Mt Wellington resident is one of 12 veterans to share their experiences in the 2013 book by Pip Desmond: The War That Never Ended. New Zealand Veterans Remember Korea.

More than 5000 New Zealanders served in Korea.

A book like this highlights their effort, which has tended to be overshadowed by larger wars, Mr Hall says.

"There is a lack of knowledge about the Korean War and people don't really understand what it was like."

It was the desire to travel and experience the world, not political beliefs, that led him to war.

He was one year away from finishing his six-year plumbing apprenticeship when he and his friends enlisted for Kayforce.

"I think it was a case of getting away from the humdrum existence we were leading."

But the 22-year-old was confronted with a "miserable, filthy-looking place" when he arrived in the port city of Pusan in December 1950, he says.

He was posted to the New Zealand Base Engineer Section and rose through the ranks to second lieutenant.

Mr Hall spent most of his time working in the minefields but removed a lot more than he laid.

It was not something he ever took lightly.

"You were always conscious of the danger because every mine had a large bang in it.

"It can be difficult finding mines, particularly when shellfire has gone through. The trip wires get cut so you get left with a live mine."

One of his responsibilities was to teach replacement troops how to remove mines.

One soldier in particular made an impression.

Despite being given instructions, the man picked up a mine without putting the safety pin in. He turned to Mr Hall and said: "What'll I do with this?"

Mr Hall took it out of the soldier's hand and put the pin in.

"I gave vent to a bit of language. It could have been the end of us," he says.

His dedication and ability to work under pressure in support of the Australian infantry battalion was Mentioned in Despatches.

Mr Hall left Korea on July 27, 1953 - the day the truce was signed. He went back in 2010 with the Korean Veterans Association to mark the 60th anniversary of the war.

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He was amazed how much the country had changed.

Korea is still divided today but the war effort protected South Korea, the 84-year-old says.

"It's certainly done the country good.

"They wouldn't be where they were today if it hadn't been for the effort made by the United Nations," he says.

Mr Hall does not talk about his war experiences much but celebrates Anzac Day every year.

It gives people an opportunity to reflect on the participation of New Zealanders in war, he says.

"I tend to remember my Dad who fought in the Second World War.

"He comes back to mind very occasionally otherwise," he says.

The day tends to get me a bit emotional."

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

VA budget: care and benefits for veterans strengthened

http://www.charkoosta.com/2013/2013_04_18/VA_budget-Care_and_benefits_for_vets_strengthened.html

WASHINGTON — Continuing the transformation of the Department of Veterans Affairs into a 21st century organization, President Barack Obama has proposed a $152.7 billion budget, a 10.2 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2013. The increased budget will support VA's goals to expand access to health care and other benefits, eliminate the disability claims backlog, and end homelessness among veterans.

The FY 2014 budget includes $66.5 billion in discretionary spending, largely for health care, and $86.1 billion for mandatory programs — mostly disability compensation and pensions for veterans.

"This budget will have a positive impact on the lives of veterans, their families and survivors for generations to come," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The President believes in veterans and their families and believes in providing them the care and benefits they've earned and deserve."

The $66.5 billion total in discretionary spending includes approximately $3.1 billion in collections from health insurers and veteran copayments in addition to the $63.5 billion in discretionary funding announced last week.

"VA's commitment to veterans spans generations," Shinseki added. "From the men and women of 'the greatest generation' to the veterans who have returned from Iraq and those returning from Afghanistan, VA will make sure our benefits are useful and accessible."

VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the country with nearly nine million enrollees; the eighth largest life insurance program; monthly disability pay, pensions and survivors payments to more than four million people; education assistance to one million students; mortgage guarantees to 1.5 million homeowners; and the largest cemetery system in the nation.

Highlights from the President Obama's FY 2014 budget request for VA

Health Care
With a medical care budget of $54.6 billion, VA is positioned to provide care to 6.5 million veterans in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2014. The patient total includes 675,000 people whose military service began after Sept. 11, 2001.

• Major spending categories within the health care budget are:
$6.9 billion for mental health; $4.1 billion for health care for veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn; $2.5 billion for prosthetics; $601 million for spinal cord injuries; $246 million for traumatic brain injuries; $230 million for readjustment counseling; and $7.6 billion for long-term care.

Expanding Access
Obama's proposed budget would ensure that care and other benefits are available to veterans when and where they need them.

Among the programs that will expand access under the proposed budget are: $460 million in home tele-health funding, which helps patients monitor chronic health care problems through innovative uses of the telephone, a 4.4 percent increase over the current year; $422 million for women-specific medical care, an increase of nearly 14 percent over the present level; $799 million for the activation of new and enhanced health care facilities; $116 million for the construction of three new national cemeteries; and $8.8 million for "VetSuccess on Campus" at 84 facilities, a program that helps veterans transition to college life.

Eliminating Claims Backlog
Obama's proposed budget provides for full implementation of VA's robust Transformation Plan — a series of people, process and technology initiatives — in FY14. This plan will systematically reduce the backlog and reach Shinseki's 2015 goal to eliminate the claims backlog and process all claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy.

Major transformation initiatives in the budget proposal invest $291 million to bring leading-edge technology to the claims backlog, including: $136 million for Veterans Claims Intake Program (VCIP); and $155 million for the next generation of the electronic claims processing system Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS).

Eliminating Veterans Homelessness
A major strategic goal for the Department is to end homelessness among veterans in 2015. The budget request targets $1.4 billion for programs to prevent or reduce homelessness, which includes: $300 million for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) to promote housing stability; $278 million for the HUD-VASH program wherein VA provides case management services for at-risk veterans and their families and HUD provides permanent housing through its Housing Choice Voucher program; and $250 million in grant and per diem payments that support temporary housing provided by community-based organizations.

Veterans Job Corps
Too many veterans take off their uniforms only to join the ranks of the unemployed. In March 2013, about 783,000 veterans were unemployed, a figure that includes 207,000 unemployed post-9/11 veterans.

This budget proposes a Veterans Job Corps, focused on investing in veterans' skills and experience, putting tens of thousands of veterans into civilian jobs.

Budget features of this initiative include: $1 billion in mandatory funds to help unemployed veterans; A target of putting 20,000 veterans to work within the next five years in conservation, law enforcement and infrastructure jobs on public lands; Developing back-to-work programs for veterans with other federal agencies, including the departments of the Interior and Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Army Corps of Engineers; and

Supporting job-producing projects with contracts and grants with non-federal organizations, such as states, nonprofits and private businesses.

Other Services for Veterans
Other features of the administration's FY 2014 budget request for the department are: $250 million to administer the VA-run system of national cemeteries; $3.7 billion for information technology; and $1.2 billion in construction, cemetery grants and extended care grants.

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile

Hagel promises plan in 30 days for DOD-VA health records sharing

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks at a Pentagon press briefing on March 15, 2013.

ERIN A. KIRK-CUOMO/DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON — Faced with tough questions from legislators, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday said he would decide on a plan within 30 days to work through the tangled process to seamlessly share medical records between the Department of Defense and the VA.

At a hearing with members of the House Appropriations Committee, Hagel admitted the process has bogged down, and promised quick action.

"I'm going to acknowledge that we're way behind," said Hagel, who took over as defense secretary in February, and previously served as an official at the VA in the 1980s. "We will do better."

In recent weeks, the collaboration between the Pentagon and VA on lifelong electronic medical records has become a sore spot for lawmakers and veterans advocates, who have accused officials of abandoning their goal of seamless records sharing by 2017.

In a letter to Hagel sent Tuesday, members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs urged him to speed the transfer of servicemembers' records to VA, and institute electronic transfer capabilities by Dec. 31.

"Veterans' disability benefits claims must be adjudicated in a timely and accurate manner and veterans must receive the benefits to which they are entitled," committee members wrote, noting that veterans wait an average of more 250 days for decision on a disability benefits claim.

Veterans frequently complain of repeated blood tests, missing diagnoses from previous visits, paperwork problems that delay appointments and the frustration of starting anew with every doctor's visit.

In February, then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the departments would begin some file-sharing processes this year, "rather than building a single integrated system from scratch."

Officials from both departments said that move would produce immediate dividends for ailing veterans by allowing basic information to be shared across military and VA computer systems.

But critics saw it as an abandonment of the single seamless health record promised for military personnel. Backtracking statements from the departments have done little to convince them that 2017 is still a realistic goal.

At the heart of the argument are the departments' respective legacy systems. VA is spending billions to upgrade VISTA, its current health records system, and defense officials are looking at pricey replacements for AHLTA, its current system.

Defense officials thus far have been unwilling to commit to switching to the VISTA system, saying it's just one among many new options being considered.

At the hearing, Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said servicemembers must wait months for medical claims processing, while members of her staff attempting to help veterans with health care issues have to dig through boxes of papers to track down information.

"I can't believe it is still in boxes of records that haven't been dealt with," she said. "It's hard to believe that our military, our distinguished military that serves us all over the world, can't fix this system so that our veterans can be taken care of."

Hagel said he couldn't defend DOD's past performance on records sharing. In recent days, he said, he has stopped further spending on the process and has restructured program oversight. A plan would be forthcoming soon, he said.

"I want it to work, and until I get my arms around this, I'm not going to spend any more money on this," Hagel said. "We will have it shortly. Can I tell you in a week or two? We will have something decided within 30 days, I'll tell you that. I can't defend it."

Carroll.chris@stripes.com

Twitter: @ChrisCarroll_

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Sean Eagan
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Web:	http://americancoldwarvets.org/
Blog:	Cold War Veterans Blog
Email:	Sean.Eagan@gmail.com
Phone:	716 720-4000
Network:	My Fast Pitch! Profile