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Return to Article: VA urged to use advanced technology to cut backlog of benefit claims

• 42844
  

  Artificial Intelegence versus human vet reps that quit their positions and neglect to generate a letter that states exactly that: they have quit their jobs. It just happened to me, I'm in the middle of filing a claim, called to find out the status, and was told that he no longer works there. Can't tell you the issues that ensued just to find out who will be helping me out in the next stage of having my claim worked. Artificial intelligence may be the answer that we have been looking for. I'm in total agreement with the others that voiced similar concerns.

  Desert Rat Posted February 1, 2008 3:43 PM
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  I believe that the Artifical Intellignece or the Electronic Decision support tools should be put in affect as soon as possible. This will be better for the veterans, so they won't have to worry about VA employees basing theirs personal opinion on whether or not a veteran should agranted benefits.

  Tommy Posted January 31, 2008 4:20 PM
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  I completely agree with the suggestion that the VA should "presume that a veteran has a valid claim and is entitled to benefits for a period of a year until it completes the processing of that claim, with payment starting in 30 days of the date the claim is filed." However, it should include the following caveats. The presumption should continue until the completion of the evaulation process -- this would be a major incentive for VA to quickly improve its claims processing; and on the other side, when it is eventually determined that a claim should be denied, the recipient or his/her heirs should be required to repay VA all monies received in error -- repayments should be allowed in increments that would not cause undue financial hardship unless it is shown that the claim was knowingly filed fraudulently.

  Desert Dweller Posted January 31, 2008 11:41 AM
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  I am a Vietnam Era Vet who assists other vets in obtaing their evidence for their VA claims. The backlog has always been a problem, but our company has been successful in cutting that time in half. The VA though does lose paperwork,they lost a W.W.II, VET/CLIENTS paperwork.As far as artificial intelligence,it is only as good as the person being guided through it.

  My case alone has been in the system going on 5 years. I am sure because I have had vets win their benefits,they know who I am.

  But really, I am willing to be the sacrificial lamb so to speak if it helps other veterans. We are being disrespected by the system with claims that sit in a paper parking lot.

  All of them should be fired and replaced with nothing but veterans!Artificial intelligence, but I already knew the VA was that.

  James McElfresh Posted January 31, 2008 10:38 AM
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  Every year this issue comes up with no workable real solutions. The VA uses quick fixes to smooth over their long backlogs. Our service warriors should be compensation in a timely manner. There is no reason why former member's must continue to fight after leaving the battle field. AI software will greatly decrease claim processing time. It's time to move forward with new techology. We owes a great deal to help our military personnels during trying times.

  J Briggs Posted January 31, 2008 10:24 AM
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  As a veteran myself, I notice that employers don't seem to honor military service as much as they used to. Many of us put yellow ribbons on our cars, but how many of us hire them when they return (especially with disabilities)? Maybe if society started with the employment part of the veteran's return to society, we could minimize the amount of claims (1 million) that are pending? Often, veterans can't provide for their families, forcing them to file claims they otherwise wouldn't pursue. I know, I'm a vet with an MBA, Aircraft Maintenance background, Hazmat experience, and flustered by how little my experience means to society.

  Andrew Posted January 31, 2008 10:11 AM