Veteran Services Transparency

PLAN OF ACTION (Short Term – Through December 31, 2009)

1. – Complete research of available documents regarding the Department of Veteran Administration’s (VA) processing of claims, handling of documents, including medical and military records, and results. (Task is completed.)

2. – Based on the analysis above, identify the principle problems and those with primary accountability within the VA system. (Task Completed.)

3. – Complete and launch the website that publicly identifies the problems, those responsible, provides supporting documents and proposed solutions.(Task Completed.) Start Educational campaign to build support and raise $50,000 by February 15, 2010. Then extend campaign to increase donations the $5,000,000

4. – In concert with our attorneys, DLA Piper, write a demand letter to Secretary of Department of Veteran Affairs - outlining the problems, those responsible and the corrective actions needed to eliminate the identified problems. The letter shall also demand that those who destroyed veteran claims be held accountable, and those who allowed such conduct be terminated. VST will volunteer to meet with the Secretary to help resolve specifically defined problems and implement corrective action. (Deadline – December 1, 2009 - Letter received by the Secretary on December 29, 2009)

5. – If an acceptable response is not received within 30 business days, conference with DLA Piper to implement the next series of steps, ending in legal action if the VA refuses to respond and take required actions to fix the problem. At the same time, launch a communications campaign to educate the families of soldiers and the veteran community on the facts regarding what the VA is doing to our returning soldiers.

PLAN OF ACTION (Long Term – 2010 and Beyond)

1. – Continue Legal action as required throughout 2010 and beyond to put a stop to the destruction of documents and automatic denial of benefit claims, now approaching 1,000,000.

2. – Based on the VA’s response, retain a qualified team of computer programming experts to ensure the computerization of all VA medical records. Work with the DOD and VA to develop a program whereby the DOD electronically transmits all medical and personal records to the VA upon a soldiers release from active duty. (The deadline is April 1, 2010 for Team formation. Deadline for program completion and implementation is June 1, 2010. These deadlines will move based on the VA’s response.)

3. – Develop a Medical Team to review veteran medical records, target needed research and assist in streamlining the medical review and approval of veteran claims. (Deadline April 1, 2010. Operational by June 1, 2010. These deadlines will move based on the VA’s response.)

4. – Develop a new Simplified Review Process (SRP) team headed by a recognized expert in applied budgeting and process management. Team members will consist of Veteran Service Officers from the major veteran service organizations (American Legion, VVA, VFW, military specific organizations, etc.). The team’s task will be to develop a Simplified Review Process that can be computerized; creating an on-line processing system for all veteran claims. (Deadline April 1, 2010 for formation of Team. Deadline for program completion and implementation September 1, 2010.) These deadlines will move based on the VA’s response.

5. – Develop an Operational Readiness Inspection Team (“ORI”) to visit VA offices throughout the U.S.. The objective being to ensure that procedures are being followed, veteran claim approvals are the rule instead of the exception and that records are no longer being destroyed. Ethics and Accountability will be the words-of-the-day. (Deadline October 1, 2010. These deadlines will move based on the VA’s response.)

6. – Continue fund raising to generate $10,000,000 by the end of 2011, with a target of $100,000,000 in three years. If 50% of living veterans contributed just $10 each, we would exceed our goal. (Deadline – on going.)

7. – Once contribution targets are met, develop and fund a division of VST that focuses on providing quality housing for homeless veterans; housing that encompasses sleeping accommodations, dining, showers, clothing, counseling services, medical and dental services, job placement services.

We are indebted to DLA Piper, our law firm of record.

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