VA testing program for all-in-one medical exam

[unhappycamper]

VA testing program for all-in-one medical exam
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, December 2, 2007

WASHINGTON — Defense and Veterans Affairs officials last week launched a pilot program to simplify the disability ratings process for wounded troops, trimming it down to a single medical exam, a system that could lead to faster and more generous benefits.

The concept was one of several changes recommended by commissions examining the military health care system in the wake of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center controversy earlier this year.

Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary for military personnel policy, told reporters Friday that the pilot will be a single disability evaluation conducted by VA medical personnel for wounded troops. The idea, he said, is to provide a system that is “faster, more compassionate, less adversarial and by all means more efficient.”

The pilot will include all troops with serious injuries being treated in the national capital region, including those at Walter Reed in Washington; the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.; and the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Under the current process, wounded troops must undergo a complete physical evaluation to determine if they can remain in the military. Carr said depending on the results, they can return to duty, retire with a severance package or retire with a full pension.

Those troops who retire must undergo a second VA evaluation to determine the extent of their veterans benefits. Critics said the multiple exams and conflicting ratings often left wounded troops confused and frustrated.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50677