DoD and VA: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Health Care and Disability Evaluations for Returning Servicemembers

DoD and VA: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Health Care and Disability Evaluations for Returning Servicemembers
Author: John H. Pendleton
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2009-03-01
Genre:
ISBN: 1437909833

In Feb. 2007, a series of Wash. Post articles disclosed deficiencies in the provision of outpatient services at Walter Reed Army Med. Center, raising concerns about the care for returning servicemembers. These deficiencies included a confusing disability evaluation system and servicemembers in outpatient status for years without a clear understanding about their plan of care. In response, the Army took a number of actions and DoD formed a joint DoD-VA Senior Oversight Comm. This statement provides info. on the near-term actions being taken by the Army and the broader efforts of the Senior Oversight Comm. to address longer-term systemic problems that impact health care and disability evaluations for returning servicemembers. Illustrations.

Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Health Care and Disability Evaluations for Returning Servicemembers

Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Health Care and Disability Evaluations for Returning Servicemembers
Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing Inc.
Total Pages: 30
Release: 2008
Genre:
ISBN: 9781422397862

Why GAO Did This Study. In February 2007, a series of Washington Post articles about conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center highlighted problems in the Army's case management of injured servicemembers and in the military's disability evaluation system. These deficiencies included a confusing disability evaluation process and servicemembers in outpatient status for months and sometimes years without a clear understanding about their plan of care. These reported problems prompted various reviews and commissions to examine the care and services to servicemembers. In response to problems at Walter Reed and subsequent recommendations, the Army took a number of actions and DOD formed a joint DOD-VA Senior Oversight Committee. This statement updates GAO's September 2007 testimony and is based on ongoing work to (1) assess actions taken by the Army to help ill and injured soldiers obtain health care and navigate its disability evaluation process; and to (2) describe the status, plans, and challenges of DOD and VA efforts to implement a joint disability evaluation system. GAO's observations are based largely on documents obtained from and interviews with Army, DOD, and VA officials. The facts contained in this statement were discussed with representatives from the Army, DOD, and VA.

Upcoming Transition: Efforts to Assist the 111th Congress and the Next Administration

Upcoming Transition: Efforts to Assist the 111th Congress and the Next Administration
Author: Gene L. Dodaro
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2009-02
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1437909744

The next admin. will fill thousands of positions across gov¿t.; there will be a number of new faces in Congress as well. Making these transitions as seamlessly as possible is pivotal to effectively and efficiently help accomplish the fed. govt¿s. many essential missions. The Presidential Transition Act points to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) as a resource to incoming admin. The GAO is a source of briefings and other materials to help presidential appointees make the leap from campaigning to governing by informing them of the major mgmt. issues, risks, and challenges they will face. This testimony provides an overview of GAO¿s objectives for assisting the 111th Congress and the next admin. in their transition efforts.

Upcoming Transition: GAO¿s Efforts to Assist the 111th Congress and the Next Administration

Upcoming Transition: GAO¿s Efforts to Assist the 111th Congress and the Next Administration
Author: Gene L. Dodaro
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 27
Release: 2009-05
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1437910521

The upcoming 2009 transition marks the first wartime presidential transition in 40 years. The next admin. will fill thousands of positions across gov¿t.; there will be a number of new faces in Congress as well. Making these transitions as seamlessly as possible is pivotal to effectively and efficiently help accomplish the fed. govt¿s. many essential missions. The Presidential Transition Act specifically identifies GAO as a source of briefings and other materials to help inform presidential appointees of the major mgmt. issues, risks, and challenges they will face. This testimony provides an overview of GAO¿s objectives for assisting the 111th Congress and the next admin. in their all-important transition efforts. Charts and tables.

Veterans' Disability Benefits: Opportunities Remain for Improving Accountability for and Access to Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program

Veterans' Disability Benefits: Opportunities Remain for Improving Accountability for and Access to Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program
Author: Daniel Bertoni
Publisher: DIANE Publishing Inc.
Total Pages: 20
Release: 2011
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1437930484

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, the VA collaborates with DoD to streamline access to vets' disability benefits by allowing some servicemembers to file a claim and undergo a single exam process prior to discharge. BDD is designed for servicemembers with conditions that, while disabling, do not generally prevent them from performing their military duties. This program can shorten the time it takes for vets to receive benefits by several months. This statement identifies ways VA and DoD could improve these programs for transitioning servicemembers. It examined: (1) VA efforts to manage the BDD program; and (2) how VA and DoD are addressing challenges servicemembers face in accessing the BDD program. Illus.

Third Walter Reed Oversight Hearing

Third Walter Reed Oversight Hearing
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
Publisher:
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2008
Genre: Electronic government information
ISBN: