More than 3,800 toxic exposure claims have been approved for Gulf War Veterans, and McDonough noted that this is the first time Veterans from that era received presumptive status on claims for asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis. Veterans have received millions of dollars in benefits so far at about a 62% approval rate.
“We’re not going to wait on Congress to act on this,” he said. “We’re acting ourselves, and we’ll have more news on that front soon.”
The conditions in these new claims, along with those filed for conditions related to Blue Water Navy and Agent Orange exposures that were approved in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act, have led to a surge in the claims backlog, McDonough said.
To address the surge, McDonough said VA is hiring and training 2,000 new claims processors. Additionally, he said funding from the American Rescue Plan would cover overtime pay for claims processors, and VA will use more budget resources for claims processing. He said the goal is to reduce the claims backlog – currently at more than 200,000 – to 100,00 by 2024.
Homelessness
The secretary recently visited “Veterans Row” in Los Angeles, just outside the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Los Angeles has the largest number of homeless Veterans in the country. McDonough said a number of partners work to get those Veterans into housing. During his visit, he said he met a Veteran who needed housing and help. The partners had the Veteran in a hotel that night and at the West Los Angeles housing complex the next day.
While there, McDonough announced two steps addressing Veterans’ homelessness in Los Angeles: The first is to get everyone currently living on “Veterans Row” into housing by November, and the second is to get an additional 500 homeless Veterans in Los Angeles into housing by the end of this year – making sure they’re in a home for the holidays.
COVID-19 vaccinations
McDonough said Veterans have received more than 228,000 third shots and booster shots from VA. He said Veterans, their families and caregivers should stay in touch with their local VA facility to stay informed about availability.
He also spoke about the deadline for VA health care employees to meet vaccination status, which was Oct. 8. McDonough said supervisors started the discipline process, which begins with counseling an employee who refuses the vaccine. Overall, about 70% of VA’s work force has documented their vaccination status. He said the most important goal is to keep Veterans safe.
“Any time any Vet walks into any VA facility or any time any VA employee appears in a Veteran’s home, that Veteran needs to know that we have done everything in our power to keep them safe,” he said.
Watch the entire press conference
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Would the VA ever consider increasing the amount of Claims agents that solely help incarcerated Veterans? Also would the VA ever consider doing away with the Disability reduction when a Veteran goes to jail more than 60 day. Possibly extended the 60 days to 180?
Keep the SSVF program going! It is a great Program! Veterans if your not in Texas come to Texas! Texas takes care of its Veterans!
There is a backlog of legacy appeals that have already been prioritized. I have 94,000 legacy claim ahead of me, I have no idea how many hundreds of thousands are behind me. Forgive student loans? How about granting all outstanding appeals and claims. That will resolve the backlog. How about forgiving veterans loans, debt, defaulted VA housing loans and granting all appeals and claims? VA officials deny your claim and tell you “you can always appeal it,” knowing that it will take years and you could die waiting, which many veterans have. When VA officials wrongly deny you or retaliate against you there is no one to complain to. You cannot even find the chain of command. Their contact information is all hidden and they won’t give it out.
[Editor: The “legacy” appeals system has been closed to new appeals for a couple years now. That process was old, inefficient, and bad for Veterans and VA. For a resolution to your appeal sooner, please opt into the new system when you get the chance: https://news.va.gov/64856/appeals-modernization-opting-soc-ssoc/ ]
A mandate to “clean-up” the Claims Backlog only means MASS DENIALS. The claims are not read, or researched properly. I had a claim denied saying the problem was not listed in the medical record. When I resubmitted and pointed out all the places it was documented, it was denied again saying “It was not new evidence” and this would not be considered. Go Figure. There is SO MUCH INCOMPETENCE in the VA and they are supposed to side with the Veteran on claims. I think they get bonuses for clearing backlogs; no mater how it is accomplished. Military Supply Code for enlisted personal was XP3. It meant expendable personal. Sadly, It’s still true within the VA.
Wall Plaque Motto up @ the VA Adjudication Office at every VA Facility. “Delay-Deny- And hope They Die…”
Dear Secretary McDonough,
As I have with Acting Under Secretary (VBA) Tom Murphy, I offer up a challenge to beat me to national television and radio teaching the 50%+ of veterans and nearly all widow(or)s eligible for VA benefits. In 1976 VA’s own data shows over 31+ Mil veterans, today 8+ Mil of them are still alive. They are over 65, Vietnam, many non-tech, rural no access to VA or the internet, can’t afford the internet, or to ill due to the Presumptive Conditions they do not know exist to even ask about VA, after all it may be hours away. With 23+ Mil of these veterans having already past I am guessing there are 8 Million-ish widow(or)s who may be eligible for DIC or Wartime Veterans/Surviving Sposes Pension, but again why would someone ask about benefits they don’t know exist. After all VA provides DIC or Pension to less than 500,000 widow(or)s according to your own data.
I may be stuck on the web doing Livestreams, Podcast, and ClubHouse guest speaking but I am reaching to national media and Foundations to get the benefits info to platforms where ALL generations will hear it!!
Question for Content Moderator:
Is there going to be a response of some kind to these Veteran’s comments? There are many more Vet stories out there going unheard.
Every so often we get a chance to vent our frustrations with the VA but then nothing happens. As soon as the budget cutters take over Congress again, looking for ways to get tax cuts for the rich and more weapons contracts for the DOD (the Pentagon doesn’t want), the VA’s budget gets cut or frozen. Then the VA contracts, or hires administrators, with sweat shop efficiency experts to get more done (denied/delayed) with fewer staff.
I was medivac’d out of Vietnam in June 1971 after spending 3weeks in the hospital in country, and another week in Japan and USA. The reason used was an allergy to Chloroquine. A total misdiagnosis. I had malaria, or Tropical Disease, and my records show proof I had no reaction to the Chloroquine given while hospitalized, in fact I improved with it. The US Army withheld ALL my medical records intentionally for about 45 years, ignoring my requests from January 1972, while still on active duty, until Spring of 2016. The VA denied all assistance in helping me when I did file in April 1983. The VFW could not get any records in 1983 and the VA would not respond to the VFW’s Request and I have that request copy. I have the 1972 Request Copy, and dozens of FOIA’s and SF 180’s. My oldest son died at 47 years old needing help, but I was denied Service Connection, denied access to my medical treatment records, denied medical help, claims were denied, and C & P retropay is still withheld, along with it all going back to April 1972. The VA is waiting me out, knowing it owes me full pay for 50 yrs!
Another Vietnam vet here who has been waiting for 10 months for some update on my disability claim. After reading some of the comments here it would seem like I can’t expect any update for many more months, or possibly years. I am 76 yrs. old now and most likely will die before I get a rating from the VA. How sad that our government treats us veterans with such contempt. And I agree with other comments about the absurd fact that Vietnam vets are shoved to the back of the line. It seems the VA at least has a good PR group.
I am a Vietnam veteran exposed to Agent Orange. They told me it would take 3-4 months to process my claim for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, heart attack , and increased hearing loss. It is now over 5-1/2 months and not a peep from anyone.
I am a Vietnam Vet who was exposed to agent Orange in 1968. After years of submitting paperwork for my Prostate Cancer that resulted as my exposure to agent Orange, I was finally awarded a 60% disability claim. Having other complications I submitted my paperwork for a higher disability and after lengthy testing at numerous facilities I finally gave up. The VA took years to finally address my case and when they did the paperwork and bureaucracy was harassment in the way it was administered. I drove a long distance to two different appointments and when I got there they had no record of my appointment. The VA uses outside vendors for their testing and they show no consideration for where the testing site is and the veterans home. I had to reschedule for a later date. I was scheduled for some test multiple times in multiple locations. It was a nightmare keeping track of all the different tests and duplications. There were several approved vendor sites for these tests much closer to my home but the VA saw fit to send me to one out of my county. I later learned that the schedulers are from out of State and have no idea where the veteran lives or the vendors are located. All of the outside vendors the VA was using were disgusting filthy third grade facilities with less than qualified personnel. Typical Government screw up’s. The process took months and it finally beat me up to the point that I quit. Probably what the VA had in mind all along.
Got medically discharged in 08 because of back, can’t sit long enough or stand long enough to any type of enployment. VA keeps denying or remanding unemployable while I’m slowly dying. My last appeal has been sitting waiting to be be sent to a judge for 11 months despite a monetary hardship. These pencil pushes could not careless about us actual people unless there is a political motivation.
I wanna know why is it so hard after we served our country do you get disability benefits from VA I’m writing this letter because I don’t understand you’re waiting for us to die instead of helping us about for this billSo many times can I keep you can denied I am totally disabled how do I do you think for the VA for all the medical treatment that I get from now I have no complaints I was the treatment that I receive it to PA I don’t know why VA has meIt’s 100% disabled but only collect 10% for being disabled if you can find a way to help me please do
What is going to be done for the rest of California’s, and America’s, un-housed Veterans. We can’t park or camp anywhere without risk of being rousted, fined, jailed, or our vehicles towed. HUD-VASH only helps if you can find a place with low enough rent and have money for the security deposit and can pass a credit check. If you make 51% to 80% of a county’s average income you out of luck for ANY help like SSVF. If you lost your job because of COVID you got help, but not if your retired on Social Security and a Disabled Veteran with no taxable income in California. The Fed Stimulus just covered the utility bills for an old an shack of a home.
For Vietnam Vets this has being going on for 50 years, always last in line for help, always having to get by on our own because the rich and the very poor is all that matters to the politicians. Serving your country is also volunteering to be a 3rd Class citizen afterwards. We are America’s Expendables who would have been better off coming home in a body bag. The only thing the VA has been fairly good at is burying us, if you can get your DD214 and make arrangements in advance.
Seriously! We haven’t heard from the VA regarding my husband’s hearing in 18 months. Not one ounce of communication. With virtual meetings everywhere, you would think the VA could have stayed caught up in this area. If you call, you get non-answer answers. Very frustrating!!
I would like to know why an 85 year old female army veteran who had her basic training at the toxic chemical base now closed, cannot get her supportive documents showing she was at the base in 1959. Enlistment 1959-1963. Ft. McClellan, Alabama. She has been treated at the Manhattan NYC VA Medical Center for decades for disability conditions and claims filed well over decade’s and denied, because VA is continously asking her for the same thing she is asking them for. Records showing her basic training in the Women Army Air Corps. All attempts have been and continue to be futile at her receiving the records she asked for. Plus she is legally blind. Request also has been made through the FOIA Freedom of Information Act to the VA, but VA still acknowledged with the same answer, they want copies of records showing she took training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Dam! They should at leased give her presumptive for the disabilities she is treated for. Yet other people from different countries come to America and reap awarded benefits that veterans should be receiving for serving in the military whether at home or abroad for service connected disabilities acquired as the result of their honored military service, why should we as Veteran’s have to fight the system for VA earned entitlement benefits. I am sure Abraham Lincoln, would not be a happy camper, as referred to his inaugural address of 1865, 156 year’s ago, now 2021. You see this on the wall at the medical center…
to care for him who have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan…
In today’s time it is him and her who have borne the battle and for their widow and orphan.
A HARD DECISION gives insight to the family and lives of those who return from war, and how the effects can change them forever.
Thank you for your service.
Semper fi!
USMC / Vietnam 1966-1968
The presumptive list regarding Agent Orange has been expanded. Many of us Vietnam Vets have filed and been denied in the past for these “NOW” presumptive ailments. It certainly is disheartning to learn that while still deserving, recently returning vets are receiving what appears to be priority concideration over the aging Vietnam vets. How many times have the powers to be stood up and declared hat “These vets have waited long enough” It’s so frustrating to open the VA site and check to see if there is any change in your claim status and there is no change, nadda, zip, zero, updates. The Vietnam vets were never welcomed home and today we still seem the only ones that welcome each other. It was over 5 years ago that I signed up for the Agent Orange registry (I was persuaded to do so after joing the VFW). At that time I was asked if I had any ailment that may have been the result of AO exposure. I disclosed my history of bladder cancer. The Dr. said it wasn’t presumptive so dont bother making a claim.. Some time after that there was more information that surfaced relating the two. I filed a claim (about 4.5 years ago). It was denied (not presumptive). More information surfaced shortly after that supporting my claim (VA articles). I appealed and once again it was denied as it was not presumptive. In January of this year bladder cancer was added to the presumptive list. I refiled on 01/15/2021. All i’s dotted and t’s crossed. Last update was in March. The frustration is insane. If you call to speak to a human the same script is read regarding the workload and backlog. I only wish that someone in power had an opportunity to walk in our shoes.. The Vietnam vets are now the seniors that are beginning to pass at an alarming rate. At least welcome us home by acknowledging our presense and needs resulting from our AO exposure while serving our country.
I am a 76 year old Vietnam (1966-1967) veteran awaiting decision on bladder cancer Agent Orange claim. I was in Cu Chi, Vietnam where Charlie trained their tunnel rats. According to military information, Cu Chi had the highest concentration of Agent Orange. It seems they are waiting for the Vietnam veterans to die and not have to pay their claims. I was there fifty-five years ago!!!
You are absolutely correct!! Tay Ninh, Vietnam- 3/22nd 25th Infantry Division– Infantryman -Hang in there…I’m proud that you made it home Brother!
I was wounded in combat in 1968 in Viet Nam. on rls back home they made me sign a paper and told me I would not go home without it. what should I do in trying to get some kind of compensation.
I was wounded during the battle for Dong Ha In June of 1968. On the return home they made me sign rls papers and told me if i did not sign it i would not go home. what should i do to get some kink of compensation …..
I am rated at 70%. I’ve been waiting, it seems forever, regarding my additional aims. I served in Thailand near the Laotian border. I have prostate cancer and filed a claim for Agent Orange. I’m sure it won’t get approved. I have also been fighting them for a back injury claim for over 4 years. Each disapproval was different, like they were looking for reasons to deny my claims. One ridiculous denial said I didn’t complain enough between the initial injury in 1984 and 1989, while still on active duty. We all know the mission is first and you do not report to Sick Call every time something hurts. That’s a bad look for any military member.
Three years to process 100,00 claims? There are about 1850 hours in a Federal work week. Over 3 years, that comes out to 5,550 hours per employee. For 2,000 new employees, that is 11, 100,000 hours. That means that it would take each employee 111 hours to process one claim, That is over 2 1/2 weeks to process one claim. For those of us getting care at the VA, the records are already there. Why does it take so long?
For us Vietnam veterans, with Hypothyroidism and prostate cancer, we may be dead by the time they complete these claims.
So I got this email on 10/20/21 and I checked on the job postings only to find that:
“Due to the urgent nature of these positions, these 4 job announcements will close on Sept. 27, 2021:
Rating Veterans Service Representative (open to the public)
Rating Veterans Service Representative (status candidates)
Veterans Service Representative (open to the public)
Veterans Service Representative (status candidates)
So tell me again, How is this supposed to help??? It would have been nice to let me know while the jobs were still open?????
As a NSO for the CWV I believe that I hold the track record for a claim that is now on appeal with the BVA. it was started in 1965 for a Navy “Wave” that was boarded out with no comp. No joke – 1965.
Understand. I am a Viet Nam Veteran. I am retired military personnel certified program manager with a record making it happen. VA needs a Backlog Program Manager with the mission to make things happen regardless of who is Secretary of VA. VA has too managers in place that are there for the check and government job and not to get good results for veteran. I have several calls in to VA and listen to people tell me what the VA policy is but with no results. YOU NEED A PROGRAM MANAGER THAT REPORTS TO SECRETARY and CAN BY PASS ALL THESE POLICY MANAGERS AND MAKE A FINAL DECISION THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE VETERAN. AT 73 years old, I have watched veteran relatives and friends die pending decisions from VA MANAGERS. THIS IS TOTAL MISMANAGEMENT AND BORDERLINE DERELICT and these folks are still getting paid every two weeks while Veteran are waiting on a simple response of yes or no and if no why not or I AM THE ONE THAT WAS IN COMBAT and is now suffering while you go through your policy review, after review, after review, after review, after review, after review. WHEN WILL VA HIRE DECISION MAKERS INSTEAD OF POLICY MAKERS.
Meanwhile we wait for benefits owed our quite of life is reduced and you are proud of 62% approval and reduced backlog to 100k by 2024. Great job
I had filed for disability due to agent orange 2 years ago and of course it was denied. My advocate refiled the day after the Defense Authorization Act passed last year. I have been told it could be 2 more years before I receive a determination. Much, much too long. I hope I’m still alive!
Eric I am in the same status. Every time I speak to someone or go on line to get the status of my claim I receive the same result. NO STATUS. STILL GATHERING RECORDS.
I Had Vet Comp & Pension help and I sent in all necessary paperwork. Same result. Agent Orange claims by airforce personal whos service in southeast Asia just are forgotten.
I have a request for VA Secretary Denis McDonough – I am a retired veteran with TriCare and just signed up my wife for the Covid-19 booster. It is time to receive a vaccine for flu season and asked if my wife could receive the flu vaccine from VA. Administration said Congress has not authorized VA to give spouses health services even if they are covered under TriCare. Is there a way to get authorization with a bill through Congress to allow retired military veterans spouses to receive care at VA?
[Editor: We announced in late March that every Veteran, spouse and caregiver was eligible for the vaccine: https://news.va.gov/86884/every-veteran-spouse-caregiver-eligible-covid19-vaccine/ In late September, we announced additional information on booster shots, here: https://news.va.gov/95312/veterans-can-receive-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-booster/ ]
VA Sec. McDonough is not the man to lead the VA! He is just another political hack screwing veterans over yet again. I am very concerned by the vaccine mandate he issued and the presidents push for a mandate. It tells me it is not at all about our health and welfare but about control.
Talk is cheap, prove it. How about closing out some of the Vietnam Veterans files that have been open for 6 or 7 years, or more, many for presumptive issues? Tell the Claims Processors to quit with the “Supply to Deny” efforts, actually review the files. We all know the VA will out live the Veterans they are supposed to be helping. It’s a sorry situation that Vets die waiting or feel the best way is to take the situation into their own hands so as to save their families the stress and problems.
Same old song about backlog claims!!!!!!!
I’ve been waiting since 2012!!!!!!!!!!!
If the Secretary of teh VA believes in helping veterans why iis the VA allowed to withhold perscriptions like Insulan. There is no cure cure for Type One Diabetes, yet the Northhampton VA is withholding insulan from me.
va claim since 2015
Me too Mike
I’m a gulf War era vet with gulf War syndrome. This is flat out lie that presumptive status is given
[EDITOR NOTE. VA started processing claims Aug. 2: https://news.va.gov/92772/va-to-start-processing-disability-claims-for-certain-conditions-related-to-particulate-matter/%5D
So, if the Secretary is so proud of the presumptive status being approved for veterans, then tell me why it is that I, a 100% disabled veteran, with 100% service connection just for triple lung disease (yes, I’m dying from it), keep getting denied an earlier effective date. I rotted away for six years and lost everything while I played VA games. I’m a multi-tour twenty year man, but some one-hit-wonder that did a cute little six month deployment and got home last month, will get his right then because it’s now presumptive! Way to go Mr. Secretary!
How many of the claims backlogs are Viet Nam vets and agent orange? How about the burning of outhouse barrels with diesel fuel and having to breathe that black smoke as inhalation and lung damage? Aint war fun?
I would like to help with claims on a part time basis in High Point NC. What would I need to do
Much as we all want to be “safe”, requiring VA employees who have a legitimate objection to taking the vaccine to choose between a shot and their job is morally wrong.
I guess “my body, my choice” applies only to murdering innocents.
Policy created by political appointees at its finest. I’m appalled.
So, more publicity stunts. I could probably dig up statements, news releases, etc. of the VA Secretary from over 10 years ago, when I was working with homeless veterans, saying the SAME things. What?! You guys white out the name of the previous VA Secretary and just add the new ones? AND NO MENTION OF WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH COMMUNITY CARE?!
This is deja vu all over again.
Less Talk, Promises, and Rhetoric and More Actions, Successes, and Accomplishments from the Veterans Health Administration would be an Extremely Helpful Agenda for All Veterans? Benefit of the Doubt You Got. Yet, So Much Political Puppet Sting Manipulation Has Seriously Tainted Any Trust in The VA Systems to Resolve Any Problems Effecting Any Veterans. O’ The Bureaucracy and Red-Tape Seems to Continue on Forever…………………..
Vets need help:
for the notice to ask questions for the secretary to answer during his on line conference was a real waste of time for the vet. i listened to the conference and not one question was being ask by a vet for a problem the vet hat suffered from thru the lack of VA care. i do wish there were some way to contact the secretary personally thru a conference with the vets. open line so we could ask particular questions concerneing problems we as Vets have . not a general media op that will not effect a single vet and his problem. what a waste of time. almost an hour and nothing really covered. ever wonder why you are always toldif you have thoughts of commiting suicide call this number or do this. well you get that same robo message every time you call the VA . too bad you cant push a number and bypass that BS statement.
[EDITOR NOTE: These are two different events. The Q&A with the secretary is on Nov. 11. Questions go through RallyPoint at https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-would-you-ask-the-secretary-of-veterans-affairs?utm_source=dept_of_va&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SECVA%5D
It’s a numbers “GAME “ for these people Dems , Rebs and other Money Grabber’s. They don’t care about veterans and never will. They just continue to talk and play the game because Non of Them CARE. Been waiting YEARS on a claim, They can care less if they cared at all.
The VA needs to settle Vietnam veterans Agent Orange claims and for those that got exposed in the United States doing experimentation and VA experimentation and VA recognizes at Ford Oregon California and hunter legate military reservation in California Chanel California I got sprayed 1974 75 during experiments working on our laser I got out 16 months had cancer turned 20 in the VA in San Diego The VA set on my records and still haven’t settled nothing I was only out 16 months under the 2 year mark the VA impairment rating doctor at VA Dallas ask why I haven’t been drawing 100% for over 40 years in his report..VA is Guilty of Negligence and Malicious intent to defraud Compensation.
How about providing a Section 8 Type Housing Voucher through HUD providing ‘Income Based Housing’ at 30% to every Veteran on a Veteran’s Administration Pension or living at or below Poverty.
A REAL PROGRAM intended to end Homelessness.
I just spent 15 minutes typing a message to y’all about how it is wrong to force or coerce any American citizen to inject anything into their body. It is against the basic principles this country was founded on. Then when it came time I went to send it and found out I had to figure out what the crud 9/1= meant. If I’d have known there was going to be a test I would have studied. 9÷1 is 9. I don’t know where y’all went to school. / Is not division.
I am a veteran who has endured years of pain, sleeplessness and health issues. Until recently I had no idea experimental shots we were given may have caused these issues. Or possible health issues in my son born at Camp Lejeune 1992.
What was in the toxic jabs in the House Report below? Why are we veterans having to fight for disability percentages even if we are unemployable? Will the VA corporation Secretary please answer the below questions.
105th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – House Report 105-388
GULF WAR VETERANS’ ILLNESSES: VA, DOD CONTINUE TO RESIST STRONG
EVIDENCE LINKING TOXIC CAUSES TO CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS
The FDA meekly chastises
the Defense Department for the failure to observe agreed-upon
rules for the humane use of experimental drugs.
4. Pyridostigmine bromide [PB] can have serious side
effects and interactions when taken in combination with other
drugs, vaccines, chemical exposures, heat and/or physical
exercise.
Respectfully, submitted
You are processing claims from Gulf War vets, while Vietnam vets are waiting in line. I filed my case in April, 2017. for bladder cancer, which is now presumptive as of Jan. 2021. When do the Vietnam Vets get some attention?
Why has it taken so long for me to receive payment for my approved disability claim??
My husband has been waiting 9 months for bladder cancer approval and compensation! How much longer does he have to wait? This is insane records have been updated for months. Still no word.