Veterans Affairs Department Tries to Improve Claim Processes

Everyone knows that the VA process for disability claims is a mess. The VA is not using new technologies, they are still using a paper environment and they are using systems set in place in the 1940’s. If you’ve dealt with the VA, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The department received over 800,000 disability claims in 2007 and is backlogged with almost 400,000 claims.

Fortunately, they have plans to update, with the help of IBM Global Business Services.

Last September, IBM was hired to analyze the VA’s benefits processes and make recommendations for improving productivity.

The results are in and they have recommended:

1) a paperless environment

2) electronic signatures

3) e-authentication

4) electronic workflow management

5) electronic content management

6) a secure online portal for claims and online transactions

7) hiring more employees

Government officials say this upgrade is not enough. They would also like to see improvements with disability claims processing, adjustments to the program’s design, new structure and divisions of labor and most importantly, an update to the disability rating schedule which has not been corrected since 1945.








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