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