VA Secretary Shinseki Working To Reduce Claims Backlog, Calls for ‘Timely’ Budget

In his first testimony before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Wednesday, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said that he is working to reduce the six-month delay in paying veterans' disability claims and wants to move quickly in adopting an all-electronic claims system, the AP/Kansas City Star reports.

Shinseki said VA is considering a major switch that would eliminate paper processing, possibly by 2012. The changeover will "ensure timely, accurate, consistent decision-making on behalf of our veterans," Shinseki said. Until the new system is in place, VA will hire 1,100 additional staff in 2009 to deal with the current backlog of cases. According to the AP/Star, VA is "scrambling to upgrade government technology systems before new legislation providing for millions of dollars in new GI benefits takes effect in August."

Shinseki also reiterated his promise to submit a "credible and adequate 2010 budget request" that will be cost-effective and address veterans' needs (Yen, AP/Kansas City Star, 2/4). During his confirmation hearing in January, Shinseki endorsed the idea of a two-year budget as a way to help alleviate long waits for treatment. On Wednesday, Shinseki, speaking about receiving approval for VA annual funding, said, "My preference would be for a timely budget." He added, "If that is not possible, I am sure there will be a discussion about other options."

Committee Chair Bob Filner (D-Calif.) said that -- based on conversations with President Obama -- he is confident that VA will move forward with the advance funding. According to Filner, the Obama administration is "just getting [itself] together." He added, "We'll have to work at their pace" (Johnson, CQ Today, 2/4).