VA Official Discusses Streamlining Veteran Disability Claims and Training

Streamlining Disability Claims

• 💡 MDO (Medical Disability Examination Office) is exploring advanced clinical and evidence review tools to reduce in-person examinations.
• 🎯 The goal is to make decisions based on existing submitted evidence, thereby accelerating outcomes for veterans.
• 🚀 Technology is being pursued to best achieve this, with active exploration of various options and expert consultations.

Contracting Models for MDO

• 📌 VSOs (Veterans Service Organizations) suggest that longer-term MDO contracts could save money and improve outcomes.
• 💰 This is due to reduced contractor turnover and incentivized investment in technology and workforce development.
• ✅ VA is already working on a multi-year contract, potentially for 10 years, to address these concerns.

Ensuring Examiner Training and Claim Accuracy

• ⚠️ An inspector general report found that some VHA medical opinions were provided before examiners completed PACDAC training.
• 🔬 VBA reviews all contract examiners' training monthly, requiring vendors to submit lists of active examiners.
• 📊 This list is cross-referenced with the learning management system to ensure all examiners have completed their training before conducting exams.