FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Veterans’ Service Program October 18, 2011.

FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Veterans’ Service ProgramOctober 18, 2011

• Veterans’ Service Program

• Veterans’ Service Challenges

• Response to Challenges

PRESENTATION OUTLINE


• Established by Florida Statute in 1945 to advocate for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) benefits claims.

• Assist veterans in obtaining pension, disability, medical and educational benefits from the VA.

• Three service locations:– Mable Butler Building– Apopka Service Center– VA Medical Center

Veterans’ Service Program


• Eligibility by Section 38 Code of Federal Regulations

• Dependents may qualify for health care, compensation and education

• Disability claims process:– 12 to 18 months for first decision– > 60k claims pending at Regional Office (RO)– From 3 to 10 years for appeals– Nationwide, 70% of Appeals are granted or

remanded to RO


Medical VA RegionalOffice

Adjudicator (Opinion / Ruling)

Service Medical Records –Obtained / Used

Proper Claim Development

Application of 38 C.F.R.

Private Medical Records

VA Medical Records

Military Hospital Records

File ClaimDecision

C & PExam

Client

Medical Opinion

Return for Follow-up

Supporting Documents

Vet's Input

C & P Doctors Opinion

Good ExamIAW 38 C.F.R.

VA BENEFITSCLAIM

Get Medical EvidenceCompensation &

Pension Exam

CLAIMAPPROVAL

Notice of Disagreement

FORM9

1-2 Years

12 -18 Months

3 Years

Statement of The Case

RatingDecision

Board ofVeterans’ Appeals

NO

YES

FileClaim

NO

NO

NO

FLOWCHARTFOR

APPELLATEPROCEDURE



Fiscal Year

Veteran Benefits Generated

$Millions

PRESENTATION OUTLINEVeterans’ Service Challenges

Florida Statistics :

• Number 3 in total Veterans population

• Number 1 for Vets over 65 years of age • Number 1 for Vets > 50% Service Connected (SC) disabled

• Florida is 35th when it comes to VA Health Care Funding Dollars!


• VA Medical Center:

– 111,000 One Time visits, 2010

– Busiest in Nation

– To remain open as Clinic in 2012

Veterans’ Service Challenges


New VA Hospital:

• Starts stage staffing Fall 2011

• Target opening October 2012

• Two Veterans Service offices




Fiscal Year

Veteran Clients Served

PRESENTATION OUTLINEVeterans’ Service Challenges

• 76,000 Veterans (6th in state)

• 60,000 eligible wives & widows

• 2010 census grew 28%

• High number Local Guard & Reserves

• New Hospital

• With current staffing can effectively serve 9,500 (7%)

Response to Challenges

Immediate Response• Reclassify vacant position on manning table to a

Veterans’ Counselor

Future Response• When new VA Hospital opens, request to add two

positions to the manning table

FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Veterans’ Service ProgramOctober 18, 2011

FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Veterans’ Service Program October 18, 2011.

Documents

Transcript of FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Veterans’ Service Program October 18, 2011.