LZ:DC: AMVETS to Introduce Service Dog Bill, Tesify Before the House, Honor Congressional Leadership

This afternoon, AMVETS will once again be out in force on Capitol Hill when AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof appears alongside Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, AMVETS members Sue Downes and Kevin Stone, and other Congressional leaders to introduce the Veterans Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, or VETS Dogs Act, a critical piece of legislation that will permanently close a loophole in VA policy that has created hurdles to care for disabled veterans.

Carter and AMVETS will officially announce the bill during a press conference at the House Triangle, outside the U.S. Capitol Building at 3 p.m.

Both Downes and Stone are veterans utilize service dogs as VA-sanctioned prosthetic devices for physical injuries, but both have experienced barriers to care at VA facilities. Though VA issued a directive recently to ensure veterans and their service dogs will not be turned away, AMVETS and Congressional leaders continue to push for a policy change that will offer permanent equality in access.

Downes, a double amputee who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, was the first female combat veteran from the current conflicts to receive a service dog. Downes earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for her service and today she is a mother of two.

Stone, a former Army infantry light fighter who was injured in a training accident, is now a U.S. Paralympic medalist in archery who represented Team USA in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

Downes and her service dog, Lila, and Stone and his service dog, Mambo, will be available to explain what the legislation means for veterans and share some of their personal, inspiring experiences.

This afternoon, AMVETS National Communications Director Jay Agg will also appear before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs to discuss the proposed 2012 budget for VA's National Cemetery Administration, or NCA, and the Veterans Benefits Administration, or VBA.

The hearing will come to order at 1 p.m. in the House Veterans Affairs Committee chambers, Cannon 334. To view live video of the hearing, Click Here.

Agg will appear alongside Independent Budget partner Disabled American Veterans and VA officials, including VA Acting Under Secretary of Veterans Benefits Mike Walcoff. Agg's testimony will focus heavily on the mission of NCA, but will also touch on issues facing VBA, such as the ongoing claims backlog.

To view a full list of witnesses and to read their prepared remarks, Click Here.

Sons of AMVETS from around the country will also continue their visits with legislators, armed with the AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, and AMVETS Department of Ohio will commence its annual visits with the Ohio Congressional delegation.

Finally, tonight, AMVETS will honor Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., with the 2011 Congressional Silver Helmet Award during a special reception in the Cannon Caucus Room at 5:30 p.m. Roe, a former Army doctor and current member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, was chosen for the award for his sustained commitment to American veterans, which spans both his career as an Army surgeon and his current role as a veterans' advocate in Congress.

All events are open to the public and all members of the AMVETS family in Washington for LZ:DC are invited to attend. American Veteran will also be on hand throughout the day, bringing continuing coverage of AMVETS LZ:DC. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

(Image: Kevin Stone meets with Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, during visits to Capitol Hill last March when AMVETS and partner non-profit Paws With A Cause educated legislators on the benefits of service dogs for disabled veterans. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

AMVETS Reacts to "Hostile Work Environment" Allegations from VA Claims Processors

Last week, the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hosted a hearing on the state of the Veterans Benefits Administration, or VBA.

During the morning's testimony, American Federation of Government Employees representative Molly Ames accused the current VA administration of fostering a hostile work environment for VA's claims processors--a comment that stirred a reaction from AMVETS' leaders, in light of the current VA claims backlog.

Ames made vague allegations of individual discrimination against union members, but went on to say that the total workforce faced a "constant threat of termination" while struggling to comply with increases in production requirements.

AMVETS leaders attribute the new production requirements to the laissez-faire workplace attitude propagated throughout the last decade, which has led to a backlog of nearly 1 million claims and appeals.

"To AMVETS, it appears that the new administration has created an environment of accountability for VA claims processors in an effort to stave off a decade's worth of apathy within the workforce," said AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley. "Allegations about singling out workers must be taken seriously, but from what we've seen, the current administration has only asked VA claims processors to do their jobs or face consequences."

During her statement, Ames also called for VA to study the work credit and work management systems, which AMVETS supports. AMVETS leaders said that VA needs to focus more on quality of output, rather than volume of claims processed to measure success.

AMVETS' Independent Budget partner Disabled American Veterans appeared before the subcommittee and also discussed perceived issues within VBA that have exacerbated the claims backlog and the status of VA's pilot programs designed to remedy the situation.

To view a full list of witnesses from the hearing and to read their testimony, Click Here.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran we will recap AMVETS' posts and departments honoring Old Glory on Flag Day. We will also follow AMVETS National Legislative Department on Capitol Hill for two hearings on the state of the Veterans Benefits Administration and VA rural health care--one of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010.

We will also highlight the 235th Army birthday, AMVETS' Congressional letter calling for an update on VA's assistance dog study, AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin's visit to the Department of Maine, and the recent open house at Camp Hope.

We will also discuss recent changes VA has made to the claims process and the proposed increases in VA prescription drug costs for low priority group veterans.

As always, we're eager to hear from posts and departments around the country to highlight your work on this blog and in the print edition of American Veteran magazine. We also always invite your comments on the blog. Let us know what you think!

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will be wrapping up the spring print edition of American Veteran magazine. In the meantime, blog posts may continue to lag behind. We're still planning to bring you highlights of the AMVETS Riders' recent visit to Camp Hope for the wounded warrior retreat's open house. We will also highlight the San Diego Padres' 2010 military-support programs.

This week, AMVETS legislative team will also be out in force on Capitol Hill. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof continues to gather Congressional signatures in support of veterans' assistance dogs. Roof will also submit for the record this week on several key veterans' issues. This week, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs plans to tackle the health effects of the Vietnam War, VA's Vocational Rehab program, and Veterans Benefits Administration's work-credit program on claims-processing.

To view this week's hearings in the House, Click Here.

This week, the Senate will also discuss the invisible wounds of war--particularly traumatic brain injury--which AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin has made a top priority for 2010.

American Veteran will be following each of this week's key hearings closely. Check back regularly for updates.

Thank you to everyone who submitted content for the spring edition. If you have something you would like us to include in the summer issue of American Veteran magazine, it's never too early to start sending it in.

Live from Capitol Hill: Senate to Host G.I. Bill Hearing

This morning the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs will listen to testimony from VA administrators on the progress of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill implementation. The hearing will take place in Russell Senate Office Building Room 418 at 9:30 a.m.

Veteran Benefits Administration Director of Education Services Keith Wilson will testify on recent progress in developing a digital education benefits processing system, the ongoing recoupment of emergency living stipend checks, and status of the benefit roll-out, including the issues faced during the fall semester.

Yesterday, Military Times reported that living stipends for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill would not be adjusted to the 2010 rate until this summer. VA has acknowledged that technological limitations under the current system are to blame, but that all veterans entitled to back pay will receive it this summer and those whose living stipend rates would have decreased will not be required to pay back the difference.

VA said that it has been transparent about this potential shortcoming for months, as VA focused on delivering benefits to all enrolled veterans, rather than attempt to adjust the living stipends in the midst of the program's roll out.

From the time VA was tasked to deliver the new benefit, VA officials acknowledged that there could be technological hiccups until the final IT solution could be activated in December 2010, and that it was more important to ensure all enrolled student-veterans were processed into the system and receiving timely payments. To date, VA says that all claims have been processed for enrolled student-veterans and that all payments are up to date.

American Veteran will follow this morning's hearing closely. Check back later for updates.

Live from Capitol Hill: AMVETS to Testify on VA's STAR Program

This afternoon, AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley will appear before the House VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs to discuss VA's Systematic Technical Accuracy Review program, or STAR.

To view live video from the 2 p.m. hearing, Click Here.

While Kelley applauds VA's recent efforts to improve STAR, the next critical issue is what VA does with the data it collects. AMVETS suggests enhancing STAR to allow regional offices to easily identify error trends in claims-processing, encouraging the Veterans Benefits Administration, or VBA, to strive for accuracy in claims-processing, rather than timeliness, and VA's Office of the Inspector General must conduct periodic review of STAR to ensure a reasonable margin of error in the program's findings.

American Veteran will follow today's hearing. Check back later this afternoon for updates.

Post-9/11G.I. Bill Update: More payment issues

This morning, AMVETS took part in another discussion with the Veterans Benefits Administration to discuss issues with the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and widespread reports of missing payments and possible disenrollment of veterans.

AMVETS leaders who participated in the conversation said they were confused by the lack of information available from VBA on schools that had received payments and a hard number on outstanding Chapter 33 benefits claims.

Last week, AMVETS raised questions about the VBA's weekly report, which showed more than 236,000 education claims that still required action by the VA. At the time, VA explained that the alarming number did not represent the actual number of veterans that would experience delays in payment.

However, since Sept. 1, AMVETS and other leading veterans' organizations have heard reports from colleges and universities around the country of missing payments for both veterans and schools, with some schools threatening to disenroll veterans or charge late fees for outstanding bills.

The editor of American Veteran magazine, Isaac Pacheco, filed his claim for Chapter 33 benefits on May 1 for graduate classes this fall. However, as of this morning's call, Pacheco's book stipend remains MIA.

AMVETS wants to hear from veterans who are experiencing problems with their Chapter 33 G.I. Bill benefits particularly if:

- You did not receive your first month's living stipend for class time in August.

- Your school has not received your tuition payment for fall classes.

- You did not receive your book stipend for the academic year as of Aug. 3.

- You did not receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from VA and applied for benefits before Aug. 1, 2009.

-Your school is threatening disenrollment or late fees for missed payments.

If you meet any of these criteria above, please comment here on this blog, or contact AMVETS National Headquarters.

AMVETS will continue to look for a solution to these issues in an effort to stave off financial hardship and potential disenrollment, and American Veteran Online will continue to monitor this situation in the coming days.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Update: VBA presents figures on living stipends; AMVETS satisfied with tomorrow's projected delivery

This afternoon, AMVETS leaders took part in a conference call with Keith Wilson, Veterans Benefits Administration Director of Education Service and the primary representative responsible for implementing the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, to discuss AMVETS' concerns with purported delays in Chapter 33 living stipend payments.

Last week, AMVETS was concerned over a significant reported backlog in claims for the new Chapter 33 benefits, which VA documents confirmed could have been as high as 236,000. In response to this grim news, AMVETS devised a plan that could have helped veterans avoid financial hardship as a result, which was presented to VA and VBA officials on Friday.

After today's discussion, AMVETS concerns have been addressed and AMVETS leaders say they are satisfied with tomorrow's projected delivery of the first living stipend payments.

According to Wilson, the reported 236,000 claims outlined in the weekly VBA report represented the total number of claims that needed some kind of action--such as a letter to be mailed or a simple query for additional information on G.I. Bill benefits. Wilson reported that the actual number of claims that must still be processed for Chapter 33 was closer to 67,400, and that 168,600 claims should be paid out Sept. 1.

At first glance, the 67,400 figure is still a daunting shortfall. However, Wilson assured AMVETS that two-thirds to three-quarters of those claims were only filed within the last month, meaning that the last-minute influx made it impossible for VBA to process and deliver these particular claims on time.

AMVETS remains concerned that 20,000 veterans who did file their claims in a timely manner will still not receive their first living stipend payments by Sept. 1. However, Wilson assured AMVETS that the claims were being processed and that all accounts should be current by Oct. 1.

In recent testimony before Congress, VBA voiced concerns over a sudden influx of claims prior to the start of the fall semester, which appears to be the situation VBA faces today. From the beginning, VBA advised veterans and schools to file all claims as early as possible to ensure proper payment, noting that the complicated new benefit took a significant amount of time to process--roughly 30 days. A failure to submit a claim on time cannot be held against the VBA.

However, AMVETS will continue to monitor the situation closely and AMVETS Legislative Director Ray Kelley has asked Wilson for a follow-up call in two weeks to discuss progress on implementation and to ensure that everything has gone according to plan.

Though AMVETS leaders left the call optomistic about tomorrow's delivery, AMVETS will continue to monitor the situation closely, speaking with veterans and leaders within the academic community to ensure benefits are delivered on time as promised.

If you have an issue with Chapter 33 benefits delivery, please let us know about it by commenting on American Veteran Online or through an E-mail to AMVETS national communications department.

(Image: VA's official Post-9/11 G.I. Bill logo.)