VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION DIVISION 2009 Membership Workshop July 31, 2009

OBJECTIVES Overview of the National VA&R Commission and Division Overview of the National VA&R Commission and Division Outline of the Department of Veterans Affairs Outline of the Department of Veterans Affairs Digest of Major Commission Issues and Digest of Major Commission Issues andInitiatives Heroes to Hometowns Program Heroes to Hometowns Program American Legion VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program American Legion VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program

BACKGROUND Readjusting to civilian life Readjusting to civilian life Receiving VA benefits Receiving VA benefits Improving access to health care Improving access to health care Maintaining dignity and Maintaining dignity andself-respect Assuring the well-being of spouses and children Assuring the well-being of spouses and children Since its inception, The American Legion has assisted veterans in:

VA&R COMMISSION - STRUCTURE Executive Section & Regional Membership National Cemetery Committee Internal – Conference Committee on Recommendations Conference Committee on Recommendations Committee on Certificates of Appreciation Committee on Certificates of Appreciation VAVS Committee VAVS Committee Convention Screening Committee Convention Screening Committee

SERVICE FIRST VA&R emphasizes providing service first through: Direct Assistance – Division Staff & Department Service Officers (DSOs) Advocacy – Testimony, Working Relationship with VA, & Representation on Advisory Committees Development of Resource Material

VA&R DIVISION STRUCTURE n VA&R Director n Deputy Director for Claims Service –Board of Veterans Appeals, Appeals Management Center n Deputy Director for Health Care –National Field Service Representatives n Assistant Director for Claims Service- handles Claims Service area and National Cemetery Administration n Assistant Director for Program Management- VA Voluntary Service Program Manager and manages VA&R Resolution Portfolio

VA&R DIVISION STRUCTURE n Assistant Director for Health Policy- handles environmental exposures and their pertinence to illnesses suffered by veterans of past, present, and service members transitioning back into the community n Assistant Director of DOD Outreach- Program Manager for the Heroes to Hometowns Program

BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS n Legion Appeals & Special Claims Unit (14 appeals representatives & one medical consultant) –Represent appellants before BVA n Written Presentations n Personal Hearings –Medical Consultant reviews cases for purpose of providing medical nexus statement when warranted –Department Service Officer Intern Program –3 Appeals Management Center (AMC) Staff

BOARD OF VETERANS’ APPEALS n How are we doing? –FY 08 n Allowed—23% n Remanded—36.7% n Denied—37.6% –Total remand & allowance rate of 59.7% is above BVA average –7,819 appeals presented to BVA (20% of all represented appellants)

THE VA&R DIVISION National Field Service Representatives The System Worth Saving Task Force, accompanied by Field Service Representatives, conduct site visits of VA health care facilities and assess the state of VA health care as a system, as mandated by Resolution 206, “Annual State of VA Medical Facilities.”The System Worth Saving Task Force, accompanied by Field Service Representatives, conduct site visits of VA health care facilities and assess the state of VA health care as a system, as mandated by Resolution 206, “Annual State of VA Medical Facilities.” The American Legion has published six annual reports focusing on the medical centers in generalThe American Legion has published six annual reports focusing on the medical centers in general The 2009 report will focus on VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and Vet CentersThe 2009 report will focus on VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers

THE VA&R DIVISION VA Insurance Center – Philadelphia Services include representation, review of files, status reports and account assistance. Provides insurance information and guidance to field service officers. Debt Management Center – Minneapolis Representation in VA overpayment, medical debt

DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICERS Accredited, trained and knowledgeable professionals Accredited, trained and knowledgeable professionals DSO Association/Seminar DSO Association/Seminar DSO Schools twice per year DSO Schools twice per year Quality Reviews Quality Reviews

VA&R Bulletins VA&R Bulletins Publications-including pamphlets, Guides for women, Agent Orange benefits and about PTSD Publications-including pamphlets, Guides for women, Agent Orange benefits and about PTSD Upon request – staff presentation at Department functions Upon request – staff presentation at Department functions VA&R RESOURCES

VA&R RESOLUTIONS Approximately 60+ mandates (many with legislative intent) involving: Claims and Ratings Claims and Ratings Medical and Hospital Medical and Hospital National Cemetery Administration National Cemetery Administration

2009 PRIORITY RESOLUTIONS The American Legion Policy on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Consolidation Efforts The American Legion Policy on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Consolidation Efforts Creation of Ad Hoc Committee to Ensure Proper Representation of Claims Adjudicated by VA Pension Maintenance (Management) Centers Creation of Ad Hoc Committee to Ensure Proper Representation of Claims Adjudicated by VA Pension Maintenance (Management) Centers The American Legion Policy on VA Billing of Private Insurance The American Legion Policy on VA Billing of Private Insurance Support Budget Reform of Annual Appropriations for VA Health Care Funding Support Budget Reform of Annual Appropriations for VA Health Care Funding

VA STRUCTURE The Department of Veterans Affairs has three Administrations: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

VA IN BRIEF Congressionally Funded Congressionally Funded Field Operations - local delivery Regional supervision and State operations Field Operations - local delivery Regional supervision and State operations Policy is centrally administered Management is decentralized

GUIDING PRINCIPLES The National VA&R Commission seeks from VA: Improved timeliness and quality decisions on benefit claims (VBA) Improved timeliness and quality decisions on benefit claims (VBA) Improved access to and timeliness of veterans’ health care (VHA) Improved access to and timeliness of veterans’ health care (VHA) Enhanced access to national and state cemeteries (NCA) Enhanced access to national and state cemeteries (NCA)

HEROES TO HOMETOWNS “-Care for our wounded must be our highest priority.” Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense Helping severely injured Service members and their families connect with their hometown or new community Mission: In 2007, The American Legion and the Department of Defense (DoD) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Heroes to Hometowns Program in which DoD provides information of transitioning severely injured service members with The American Legion which will provide outreach assistance. Mission: In 2007, The American Legion and the Department of Defense (DoD) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Heroes to Hometowns Program in which DoD provides information of transitioning severely injured service members with The American Legion which will provide outreach assistance. Goal: Facilitate reintegration into the community Goal: Facilitate reintegration into the community - Restore highest functioning quality of life - Assist in meeting long-term needs - Educate the community; ease transition home - Educate the community; ease transition home Objective: Coordinate Local, State and National organizations to match potential needs with resources. Objective: Coordinate Local, State and National organizations to match potential needs with resources.

HEROES TO HOMETOWNS Tasks: Complement federal & state entitlements and programs with non-governmental support to - Welcome home celebrations - Assistance securing housing - Temporary Financial Assistance - Adaptations to vehicles and housing - Adaptive Sports - Employment Assistance - Educational Assistance - Family Support & childcare - Advocacy - Transportation Assistance

HEROES TO HOMETOWNS Key Committee Members -The American Legion -National Guard Bureau -National Association State Directors of VA Additional Members at Committee’s discretion Other VSOs State Parks & Recreation Societies US Paralympics Committee State Dept of Labor State Dept of Rehabilitation State Dept of Rehabilitation Plus other Governmental & Non-governmental organizations

HEROES TO HOMETOWNS Heroes to Hometowns Volunteer Coordinators Pilot Program: Pilot Program: The American Legion & The American Legion & Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Voluntary Service Coordinator works with VA Social Work office Coordinator works with VA Social Work office to identify needs of transitioning service to identify needs of transitioning service members. members. Coordinator creates a Community Resource Coordinator creates a Community Resource Directory to match needs with resources. Directory to match needs with resources.

HEROES TO HOMETOWNS Heroes to Hometowns Volunteer Coordinators Pilot Sites: Pilot Sites: Boston Louisville Boston Louisville Dayton Phoenix Dayton Phoenix Providence Richmond Providence Richmond St. Louis San Diego St. Louis San Diego Washington DC West Haven Washington DC West Haven

VAVS PROGRAM The American Legion supports the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program The American Legion supports the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program In FY 08, The American Legion was represented at 153 VA Medical Center Facilities and had 6,105 volunteers that contributed 909,480 hours In FY 08, The American Legion was represented at 153 VA Medical Center Facilities and had 6,105 volunteers that contributed 909,480 hours Based on an independent volunteer sector rate of $18.77/hr, the total volunteer cost savings to VA is $17 million dollars Based on an independent volunteer sector rate of $18.77/hr, the total volunteer cost savings to VA is $17 million dollars For the first time since 2003, volunteer hours in FY 2008 increased by 343 hours, despite losing 397 volunteers For the first time since 2003, volunteer hours in FY 2008 increased by 343 hours, despite losing 397 volunteers Average age of volunteer is 75; support is needed at National, Department, Staff and local levels to recruit Vietnam, Gulf War and OIF/OEF veterans to lower median age group Average age of volunteer is 75; support is needed at National, Department, Staff and local levels to recruit Vietnam, Gulf War and OIF/OEF veterans to lower median age group

VAVS PROGRAM IN 2008 VAVS Handbook was revised and distributed to all VAVS Reps/Deps VAVS Handbook was revised and distributed to all VAVS Reps/Deps System Worth Saving Site Visits began including field data on System Worth Saving Site Visits began including field data on Legion volunteering Legion Magazine did a PR story on a volunteer, citing the personal Legion Magazine did a PR story on a volunteer, citing the personal fulfillment of volunteering and tying in national statistics Dispatch ran story on VA Welcome Home Celebrations, a program Dispatch ran story on VA Welcome Home Celebrations, a program to increase awareness and support of transitioning veterans accessing their benefits and enrolling with VA New volunteer portal launched on national website, site below: New volunteer portal launched on national website, site below:

VAVS PROGRAM GOALS IN 2009 Encourage VA streamline volunteer application and training process to be completed online (paperless) Encourage VA streamline volunteer application and training process to be completed online (paperless) Create Volunteer Toolkit (Flyer, Poster, Training PowerPoint) Create Volunteer Toolkit (Flyer, Poster, Training PowerPoint) Create Volunteer Online Center (All Legion Volunteer Programs) Create Volunteer Online Center (All Legion Volunteer Programs) The American Legion Magazine dedicate an issue/cover flap to Legion Volunteering The American Legion Magazine dedicate an issue/cover flap to Legion Volunteering National Commander Register as a VAVS Volunteer National Commander Register as a VAVS Volunteer Promote Department Training and Recruitment Fairs Promote Department Training and Recruitment Fairs 2009 Department Recruitment goal of 22 new volunteers 2009 Department Recruitment goal of 22 new volunteers Support the Ride to Recovery Program Support the Ride to Recovery Program

Ride to Recovery Program The American Legion approved Res. 19, The American Legion Support the Ride to Recovery Program at 2009 Spring NEC The American Legion approved Res. 19, The American Legion Support the Ride to Recovery Program at 2009 Spring NEC Ride to Recovery program conducts week-long cycling trips for military, veteran and civilian personnel to assist them during their time of recovery and rehabilitation Ride to Recovery program conducts week-long cycling trips for military, veteran and civilian personnel to assist them during their time of recovery and rehabilitation Ride to Recovery has East/West Coast, Texas and Florida rides with hundreds of injured troops, celebrities, athletes and elected officials Ride to Recovery has East/West Coast, Texas and Florida rides with hundreds of injured troops, celebrities, athletes and elected officials Next cycling trip will be December from Tampa to Jacksonville; invite National Commander to participate in the ride Next cycling trip will be December from Tampa to Jacksonville; invite National Commander to participate in the ride Ride to Recovery’s website is: Ride to Recovery’s website is:

VA&R DIVISION QUESTIONS?