U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability Compensation System Disability Compensation System OverviewOverview

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Disability Compensation System Disability Compensation System OverviewOverview

Thomas Thomas PamperinPamperin

Deputy DirectorDeputy DirectorCompensationCompensation

& & Pension ServicePension Service

Compensation and Pension Service Compensation and Pension Service 22 September 25, 2008September 25, 2008

VA Benefits in Brief

Health Care

DisabilityCompensation

Pension

Education &Training

Home LoanGuaranty

Life Insurance

Burial & MemorialBenefits

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VA Benefits in Brief

• Injuries/diseases incurred in, or aggravated by, military service

• Based on Average Impairment of Earning Capacity

Service Connected Disability Compensation

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VA Benefits in Brief

Determining Degree of DisabilityDetermining Degree of Disability

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities - Statutory Authority in Title 38 USC § 1155

• Ten Grades of Disability ranging from 10% to 100%

• Monthly Rate of Payment for Veteran with no Dependents ranges from $117 to $2,527

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VA Benefits in Brief

• Wartime service• Permanent and Total Disability

or Age 65 and Older• Means-based with income Limits set by Congress• Maximum Annual Payment Rate

for a veteran with no dependents is $11,181

Non-Service Connected Pension Program

Compensation and Pension Service Compensation and Pension Service 66 September 25, 2008September 25, 2008

Compensation & Pension Compensation & Pension BenefitsBenefits

216,957 – Receiving Pension

2.9 Million – Receiving Compensation Benefits

• $29.1 Billion Compensation Benefits Paid

• $2.8 Billion – Pension Benefits paid

Compensation and Pension Service Compensation and Pension Service 77 September 25, 2008September 25, 2008

The Claims ProcessThe Claims Process

ClaimReceived

EvidenceGathered

ClaimDecided

VeteranNotified

Quick Start Benefit Delivery at Discharge After Discharge

Process averages 147 days

Legal Requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act Process averages 14 days

Rating decision obligates government for compensation

Process averages 13 days Appeal period begins with

notification

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Disability Evaluation System Disability Evaluation System (DES)(DES)

DES Pilot was authorized by Presidential Directive,

and commenced on November 26, 2007 in the National Capital Region

The pilot has three principal concepts:• Single disability examination based upon VA examination

templates and worksheets that will be utilized by DoD in the Medical Evaluation/ Physical Evaluation Board process and by VA in the disability evaluation process

• A single disability rating by VA that is binding upon both agencies

• Expeditious payment of VA benefits on the first day allowed by law after a member is separated from service.

Single examination MOA signed by VA and DoD on

November 6, 2007

Compensation and Pension Service Compensation and Pension Service 99 September 25, 2008September 25, 2008

Disability Evaluation System Disability Evaluation System (DES)(DES)

All examinations in the National Capital Region

are performed at the VAMC Washington, DC.

To date:• Servicemembers enrolled in the pilot = 666• Servicemembers referred to VA = 585• Proposed disability ratings completed = 157• Servicemembers separated and in receipt of VA

compensation benefits = 27• Average number of examinations per service member

= 4

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Proposed Rule Published on January 3, 2008

Two TBI Roundtable Meetings were Held with DoD

• Title 10 USC Requires DoD to Utilize the VASRD

• Participants Included: VBA, VHA, OGC, and DoD

Final Rule in OMB

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Change in Policy regarding In-Service Diagnosis of PTSD

• Fast Letter 08-08 issued April 7, 2008

• Immediate Exam When PTSD Diagnosed In-Service

• If VAE Consistent with In-Service Diagnosis, No Further Verification of Stressor Required

Mandatory RVSR and DRO Training for Handling PTSD Claims

• PTSD TPSS Training Module II Consists of 33 Hours of Practical Training, which Includes the Post-test

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Who We ServeWho We Serve

919,516 GWOT Veterans Discharged thru Feb 2008

Over 1.5 million GWOT Service Members Deployed since Hostilities began More than 1.6 million Active Duty

More than 468,000 Guard and Reserve

484,999 Active Duty

434,517 Guard and Reserve

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Who We ServeWho We Serve

274,840 VA Claims Decisions Completed for GWOT Veterans

258,193 Veterans awarded Service Connection

16,647 Veterans denied Service Connection

50,528 Claims pending

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Who We ServeWho We Serve

Ten Most Frequent Service Connected Disabilities for GWOT Veterans

Tinnitus Lumbosacral or

Cervical Strain Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder Degenerative

Arthritis of the Spine Limitation of Flexion

of the Leg

Defective Hearing Tenosynovitis Limited Motion of the

Ankle Hypertensive Vascular

Disease (Essential Arterial Hypertension)

Scars, Other

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Who We ServeWho We Serve

Average Combined Degree of Disability for GWOT Veterans Awarded Service Connection

0%33,002

10%50,770

20%34,774

30%33,400

40%30,235

50%18,144

60% 20,852

70% 13,554

80%9,917

90%4,401

100%9,144

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QuestionsQuestions