Issue:
Service men and women must be assured that their transition from active service to the VA will be as seamless as possible and that their veterans benefits will enable them to successfully achieve their post-service goals with the highest quality of life possible.
Background:
MOAA hails the final passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008, the greatest GI Bill since World War II. The program was implemented on 1 August 2009. However, the growing backlog of GI Bill and the mountain of unprocessed disability claims indicate that the VA must do much more to assure earned benefits are delivered in a timely manner.
VA Disability Claims System
The VA Budget request for FY2009 projects 872,000 claims working in the system in 2009. From 2000 to 2007 annual claims receipts grew 45%. Increased workload, coupled with more complex claims and the nature of disability claims for PTSD, complex combat injuries, environmental diseases and other factors have contributed to the spiraling workload. MOAA appreciates that Congress has authorized 2000 additional claims-worker positions for FY 2009. An expanded workforce for claims will help, but only in the context of a comprehensive, long-term strategy on claims management, training upgrades, reduced manpower turnover at the entry level, IT support, and quality-control. MOAA goals include:
- Hiring and training the 2000 additional claims workers approved by Congress as soon as possible.
- Continuing investment in state-of-the-art technology and information management support
- Compensating adjudicators at a level that will reduce chronic staff turnover.
- Establishing uniform standards and procedures for rating claims
Educational programs coordination and consolidation
The co-existence of the Montgomery GI Bill (Chap 30, 38 USC) alongside the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chap 33, 38 USC) is causing confusion and uncertainty with the troops in addition to making implementation of the New GI Bill difficult at best. Moreover, benefits available in the MGIB such as job-related training that does not lead to a degree – vocational, apprenticeship, OJT, and flight training – are not authorized under the Post-9/11 Conversely, a tuition reimbursement indexing mechanism, housing benefits, and a book stipend are available in the Webb GI Bill but not the MGIB. In addition, USPHS and NOAA Corps service members may not transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their family members as can members of the Armed Forces.
Full-time active duty Guard members serving under Title 32 orders should be entitled to the Post-9/11 program.
MOAA continues to support restoring basic Selected Reserve MGIB benefits to the historic benchmark of 47-50% of active duty benefits. That would raise current Guard/Reserve rates from $329 per month to between $621 - $660 for full-time study. To ensure coordinated adjustments of Reserve and Regular GI Bill benefits in the future, MOAA supports consolidation of both statutory authorities under veterans’ benefit laws.
Training and Rehabilitation for Wounded Warriors
The purpose of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program is to enable veterans with service-connected disabilities to achieve maximum independence in daily living and, to the maximum extent feasible, to become meaningfully employed. MOAA goals are to:
- Increase the monthly stipend of VR&E to at least the same level as the housing payments under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Eliminate any impediments to reentry into VR&E, regardless of the veteran’s age or date of claim of service-connection.
MOAA Position: Support VA program upgrades to ensure wounded warriors and other veterans of active service have maximum opportunity to transition to productive post-service careers.
