Arizona’s veterans deserve more than the current VA backlog
Arizona’s Veterans Deserve Better than the Current VA Backlog
Unfortunately, too many of America’s heroes are facing difficulties when transitioning to civilian life, specifically with regard to securing the Veterans Affairs disability benefits to which they are entitled.
According to the most recent survey from the VA, veterans in Arizona trail the national average when receiving disability compensation by several percentage points, exposing issues with the current claims system that need to be corrected.
A significant impediment that veterans face when trying to secure VA disability benefits is the claims system itself. A maze of bureaucratic red tape, many veterans find it overwhelming, if not impossible, to navigate the process themselves.
As such, they have turned to veterans service organizations (VSOs) and VA-accredited attorneys for assistance.
But while these entities can provide some important help, VSOs are staffed predominantly by volunteers who also handle a myriad of other tasks, from medical transportation services to home loan help, and as such lack the manpower and expertise to assist all of Arizona’s veterans with their claims.
In fact, a quick scan of the VA website shows that only a little over half of the VSO representatives in Arizona even have a phone number listed, leaving approximately one reachable VSO officer for every 7,900 veterans in the state. Attorneys, meanwhile, only step in upon appeal of a claims decision, causing further delays in the process.
While Congress is evaluating legislative solutions to address these shortcomings, they must choose their path wisely, as with government it is too often the case that the cure is worse than the problem.
A bill known as the GUARD VA Benefits Act, while well-intentioned, could limit veteran choice in the ways they could seek assistance throughout the process and make it harder to secure benefits.
Fortunately, a better path forward exists in the form of the PLUS for the Veterans Act, which would provide a pathway for the private sector to take a more active role in helping veterans navigate the VA disability claims process.
In recent years, as the VA backlog has ballooned to over 300,000 claims, private consulting agents have started offering their services to help streamline the process. These companies, which can leverage marketplace forces and staff expertise to efficiently process claims, work on a contingency basis, which means that they do not get paid unless they increase the benefit payment for a veteran.
Unfortunately, the current VA accreditation process does not allow a pathway for these private actors to gain formal VA recognition — an oversight that needs to be fixed. But instead of providing such a pathway, supporters of the GUARD Act would like to criminalize this business model altogether.
The PLUS Act, by contrast, would reform the accreditation regime to include private consultants while increasing the VA’s capability to enforce laws against exploitation of veterans by bad actors. This legislation would empower veterans to decide their best course of action for themselves when seeking assistance by offering a much broader pool of VA-accredited firms, providing more options in maneuvering a very complicated bureaucratic process.
When I sat as a member of the Arizona state Senate, I fielded hundreds of inquiries from veterans pertaining to their health care and disability claims and have seen firsthand the difficulties these individuals face in navigating this system.
I can only hope that all the stakeholders in Washington who have been entrusted with protecting our veterans can pass the PLUS Act or come to the table to craft a compromise that will benefit those who served our country.
Given how much these men and women have sacrificed, the least we can do is give them the tools and choices to get the help and assistance they need and deserve.
The post Op-Ed: Arizona’s Veterans Deserve Better than the Current VA Backlog appeared first on The Western Journal.
How can involving the private sector in the claims process under the PLUS for Veterans Act help streamline processes and reduce the backlog, ultimately providing Arizona’s veterans with better support and faster claim resolution
Ss for veterans. These agents are experienced in navigating the complexities of the VA system and can provide personalized assistance to veterans in Arizona.
The PLUS for Veterans Act would allow veterans to choose private consulting agents to help them with their VA disability claims. This would provide veterans with more options and increase competition, leading to improved services and faster claim resolution. It would also alleviate the burden on VSOs and VA-accredited attorneys, allowing them to focus on other important tasks and appeals.
Critics argue that involving the private sector in the claims process may lead to exploitation and fraud. However, the PLUS for Veterans Act includes strict regulations and oversight measures to prevent such abuses. Consulting agents would be required to meet specific qualifications and adhere to ethical standards set by the VA. This would ensure that veterans receive high-quality assistance without being taken advantage of.
Furthermore, the private sector has already shown its effectiveness in streamlining processes in other areas. Companies and organizations in various industries have successfully implemented technology and efficient practices to improve customer service and responsiveness. Applying these principles to the VA claims process could significantly reduce the backlog and provide veterans with the support they need and deserve.
In conclusion, Arizona’s veterans deserve better than the current VA backlog. The existing claims system is overwhelmed and in need of reform. The GUARD VA Benefits Act, while well-intentioned, may limit veteran choice and make it harder to secure benefits. The PLUS for Veterans Act offers a better path forward by involving the private sector and allowing veterans to choose consulting agents to assist them. With proper regulations and oversight, this approach can streamline the claims process and provide Arizona’s veterans with the support they deserve in a more efficient and timely manner. It is crucial for Congress to carefully consider and support this legislation to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits and assistance they so rightly deserve.
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