U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation System Overview U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation System Overview Thomas Pamperin Deputy Director Compensation& Pension Service

Compensation and Pension Service 2 September 25, 2008 VA Benefits in Brief Health Care Disability Compensation Pension Education & Training Home Loan Guaranty Life Insurance Burial & Memorial Benefits

Compensation and Pension Service 3 September 25, 2008 VA Benefits in Brief Injuries/diseases incurred in, or aggravated by, military service Based on Average Impairment of Earning Capacity Service Connected Disability Compensation

Compensation and Pension Service 4 September 25, 2008 VA Benefits in Brief Determining 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

Compensation and Pension Service 5 September 25, 2008 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 6 September 25, 2008 Compensation & Pension Benefits 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 7 September 25, 2008 The Claims Process Claim Received Evidence Gathered Claim Decided Veteran Notified  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

Compensation and Pension Service 8 September 25, 2008 Disability Evaluation System (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 9 September 25, 2008 Disability Evaluation System (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

Compensation and Pension Service 10 September 25, 2008 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

Compensation and Pension Service 11 September 25, 2008 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Change in Policy regarding In-Service Diagnosis of PTSD Fast Letter 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

Compensation and Pension Service 12 September 25, 2008 Who 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

Compensation and Pension Service 13 September 25, 2008 Who 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

Compensation and Pension Service 14 September 25, 2008 Who 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

Compensation and Pension Service 15 September 25, 2008 Who 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, %9,144

Compensation and Pension Service 16 September 25, 2008 Questions