OMB Submission Version
National VSO Survey
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VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS COMMISSION
SURVEY WEBSITE FOR NATIONAL VSO
ACCREDITED CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES
The Commission is conducting this survey to learn about your experiences with and insights into the disability claims process. You have been asked to participate because you are an accredited claims representative affiliated with a National VSO. The information you provide will help the Commission gain a better understanding of how best to compensate and assist our Nation’s disabled veterans and their survivors.
Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Refusal to participate involves no penalty or adverse consequences. If you consent to complete the survey, here are some things you should know:
You may stop at any time, and you may chose to not answer a question at any time.
Completion of this inventory poses few, if any, risks to you.
The information you provide will be kept confidential, and your name or any personal identifiers will not be associated with your responses.
There are no direct benefits to you for completing the survey. However, the information you provide will be of great use to the Commission.
Before proceeding, please read and indicate whether you agree with the following statement. Click the “Continue” box after indicating whether or not you agree.
I understand that if I participate in this survey, my responses will be sent electronically to The CNA Corporation (CNAC), which is conducting the survey for the Commission, and that only CNAC analysts will have access to my individual responses. I understand further that CNAC will keep my responses strictly confidential, will use them for research purposes only, and will only report aggregated results that will not permit the identification of individual respondents. PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: I understand that the information I provide is protected by the Federal Privacy Act Law. Finally, I understand that the survey should take me about 30 minutes to complete and will ask me questions about the VA disability claims process.
Given these understandings, I voluntarily agree to participate in this survey.
[ ] Yes control passes to first page of the survey
[ ] No control passes to a Sorry-You-Have-Decided-Not-To-Participate page
Continue
Thank you for agreeing to participate. You will now be asked to read and respond to a series of questions. Some questions will have response categories and you will click on the box associated with the category or categories that correspond to your answer. Here is an example of this kind of question.
To what extent do you feel adequately trained to be a certified VSO claims representative?
[ ] Totally
[ ] Almost totally
[] Somewhat
[ ] Only a little
[ ] Not at all
This respondent has indicated that he/she feels “somewhat” adequately trained.
Some questions will contain a response category of “other” and you will be asked to specify your response if you select that category. For example, you will be asked how useful it would be to be able to consult with people in various kinds of occupations as you assist veterans and survivors. The question lists several occupations and ends with “Other (specify ________________). If you click on that response category, please specify which other occupation you would find useful to consult.
Other questions will not have response categories, and you should answer them by typing a brief response into the text box following the question. The maximum number of characters that can be submitted as your response to such a question is 255 characters, or about 2½ - 3 lines of type. Please keep your responses brief and to the point so that they will not get cut off.
The survey is divided into several web “pages” each containing a series of questions. At the bottom of each “page” there will be a continue box that you will click on to electronically transmit all of your responses on that page to CNAC. You can change any of your answers on a survey page before you click continue; however, once you click continue your answers will be transmitted and you will no longer be able to change them. Please make certain that you are satisfied with your answers and do not want to change them before clicking continue.
Once you have completed a page and clicked continue, a new page will open. We recommend that you complete this new page right then, but you have the option of exiting out of the website and returning to it at a later time to continue completing the survey. If you do exit the survey before completing it, you can re-enter it by using your unique survey link contained in the email sent to you by CNAC. Please note that you must complete a page and click continue before exiting. Exiting a page before clicking continue will take you out of the survey but your responses to questions on that page will not be saved and will not be transmitted to CNAC. When you return to complete the survey at a later time, you will need to re-answer those questions.
Let’s begin the survey now.
SECTION 1: Information About You
(Note: We will only use this information to help us analyze how different types of VSO claims representatives respond to the survey, and not to identify you or link you to your responses)
1. Do both of the following two conditions apply to you?
a) You are a Department of Veterans Affairs-accredited representative of a National Veterans Service Organization who is recognized by the VA to assist beneficiaries in the preparation, presentation, and advocacy of disability claims or appeals, and
b) You are currently actively involved in assisting beneficiaries processing claims.
[ ] Yes (Continue with survey)
[ ] No (STOP. We’re sorry but you are not eligible to complete this survey; the Commission is only surveying VSO representatives who meet these criteria)
2. How long have you been accredited as a national VSO claims representative?
______ Years and _______ Months
3. Through which national Veterans Service Organization did you receive your accreditation?
4
______ Years and ______ Months
5
19 __ __
6. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
[ ] High School diploma
[ ] Some college or other post high school education but no degree
[ ] Community or Junior College (associate degree)
[ ] College (baccalaureate degree)
[ ] Some post-college education but no degree
[ ] Graduate degree (masters, doctorate, or other)
7. Are you a veteran?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No (Skip to Question 10)
8. Did any of your military service include serving in a combat zone?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
9. Do you have any service-connected disability for which you are receiving compensation?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Please Answer the Remainder of this Survey From the Perspective of a Claims Representative Working for Your Current National Veterans Service Organization in the Regional Office at which You Currently Work.
Continue
SECTION 2: Training, Preparation, and Needed Skills
10. Overall, to what extent do you feel adequately trained to be a VSO claims representative?
[ ] Totally
[ ] Almost totally
[ ] Somewhat
[ ] Only a little
[ ] Not at all
11. Indicate how useful or not useful each of the following types of training was for preparing you to be a VBA rating official.
Very Somewhat Not Very Not Did Not Receive
Useful Useful Useful Useful This Training
a. Formal training (e.g., training course or
instruction) offered by your VSO………. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. On job training supervised by your VSO.. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Training manual provided by your VSO.. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. TRIP training provided by VBA………... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. HIPPA, privacy and awareness, or sexual
harassment awareness training provided
by VBA…………………………………. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. How to use VBA computer systems or data….
data to assist clients, provided by VBA… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Other (specify ___________________)... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
12. List any training that you initiated, and indicate whether you would recommend it to other VSOs.
13. In your opinion, how useful or not useful are each of the following to a VSO representative assisting veterans or survivors to prepare and advocate claims?
Very Somewhat Not Very Not
Useful Useful Useful Useful
a. Clinical knowledge……………………...……… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Medical terminology……………….…………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Interpreting and applying medical evidence
in preparing or advocating claims…..………...… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Ability to interpret and apply statutes and
regulations in preparing or prosecuting claims…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Ability to use the VA Rating Schedule in
preparing or advocating claims.………………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Experience in the armed forces……………….… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Experience as a veteran………..…………….….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Experience as a VSR in the VBA.…………..….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Other (specify_______________________)…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
14. How would you rate your degree of proficiency regarding:
Excel Satis-
lent Good factory Fair Poor
a. Clinical knowledge…………………………...… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Medical terminology……………...………….…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Ability to interpret and apply medical evidence... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Ability to interpret and apply statutes and
regulations…………………………………...….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Ability to use the Rating Schedule …….……….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
15. How useful do you think it would be to be able to consult with people from the following occupations as you assist veterans or survivors prepare and prosecute claims?
Very Somewhat Not Very Not
Useful Useful Useful Useful
a. Physician of an appropriate specialty…...…...…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Medical paraprofessional (e.g., physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, advanced
practice nurse……………………………....….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Registered nurse……………………………...…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Licensed practical or vocational nurse………..... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Psychologist or psychiatric social worker…….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Lawyer/attorney…………………………...……. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Paralegal………………………….………..…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Rehabilitation specialist (e.g., vocational or
occupational rehabilitation)………….……...….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Medical records or health information
specialist………………………………….....….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
j. Health insurance claims specialist….……...…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
k. Other (specify________________________)….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
16. How useful do you think it would be if people from the following occupations were members of VBA rating teams?
Very Somewhat Not Very Not
Useful Useful Useful Useful
a. Physician of an appropriate specialty……......…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Medical paraprofessional (e.g., physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, advanced
practice nurse……………………………....….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Registered nurse……………………………...…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Licensed practical or vocational nurse………..... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Psychologist or psychiatric social worker…….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Lawyer/attorney…………………………...……. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Paralegal………………………….………..…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Rehabilitation specialist (e.g., vocational or
occupational rehabilitation)………….……...….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Medical records or health information
specialist………………………………….....….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
j. Health insurance claims specialist….……...…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
k. Other (specify________________________)….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
17. To what extent is the office space and facilities provided to you by the VBA adequate?
[ ] Very adequate
[ ] Somewhat adequate
[ ] Somewhat inadequate
[ ] Very inadequate
[ ] The VBA does not provide office space to me
Continue
SECTION 3. Your Experience with Assisting Veterans and Survivors
18. Based on your experience assisting veterans to prepare and advocate claims, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the claims process:
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Agree nor Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree
a. Usually arrives at the “right” or a “fair”
decision………………...………...………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Is understood by most veterans…….…......... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Is satisfactory to most veterans….................. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Is easy for most veterans to navigate..…....... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Allows you to adequately assist veterans…... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
19. And based on your experience assisting survivors to prepare and advocate claims, to what extent do you agree or disagree that the claims process:
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Agree nor Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree
a. Usually arrives at the “right” or a “fair”
decision………………………..…................ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Is understood by most survivors…................ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Is satisfactory to most survivors…................ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Is easy for most survivors to navigate............ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Allows you to adequately assist survivors.… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
20. Of the following choices, identify the top three challenges you face as a VSO claims representative in assisting veteran or survivor clients. First identify your greatest challenge, then your next greatest challenge, and finally your third greatest challenge.
Next Third
Greatest Greatest Greatest
Challenge Challenge Challenge
a. Assisting clients to understand the claims process…….…… [ ] [ ] [ ]
b Assisting clients to understand what evidence they need
for presenting their claim……………..……….……………. [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Assisting clients to gather the evidence they need to
present their claim…………….……………………………. [ ] [ ] [ ]
d Getting claims decided in a timely manner………………… [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Getting access to examiners, raters, or VA data………….… [ ] [ ] [ ]
f Managing my case load…………………………………..… [ ] [ ] [ ]
g Finding misplaced folders or documents ………..……….… [ ] [ ] [ ]
i Other (specify__________________________________)… [ ] [ ] [ ]
21. What do you think could be done to overcome these challenges?
22. Rate the relative degree of difficulty you typically experience in assisting in the preparation or presentation of claims involving:
Neither
Easy
Very Somewhat Nor Somewhat Very
Easy Easy Hard Hard Hard
a. Older veterans (age 70 or older)…...…………..…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Service connected injuries or incidents that
occurred before 1973….………...…………………. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Private physician medical exams…………………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. QTC physician medical exams (if used at this RO)… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. VA physician medical exams………….…………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Original claims……………………………….…….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Requests for re-evaluating decided claims due to
a change in the veteran’s disability condition…..….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Presumptive diagnoses……………………………... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Special issues (e.g., SHAD, mustard gas)………….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Continue
SECTION 4. Your Experience with the Regional Office at which You Currently Work
23. Based on your experience working with the VBA rating officials (RVSRs and DROs) at the Regional Office at which you currently work, to what extent do you agree or disagree that they generally:
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Agree nor Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree
a. Correctly interpret and take into account
the available evidence in deciding a claim.... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Correctly apply the regulations and rating
schedule in deciding a claim…………....….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Adequately assist veterans.…........................ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Adequately assist survivors…....................... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Adequately assist you to assist veterans........ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Adequately assist you to assist survivors...... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Correctly use the information, evidence,
and assistance you provide to them………... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
24. How would you rate the typical performance of rating officials at this office in rating or otherwise deciding claims involving:
Excel Satis-
lent Good factory Fair Poor
a. Older veterans (age 70 or older)…….………..…..… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Service connected injuries or incidents that
occurred before 1973 …………….………….…...... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Private physician medical exams……………….…... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. VA physician medical exams……………………….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. QTC physician medical exams (if used at this RO).... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Original claims…………………………………..….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Requests for re-evaluating claims due to a
change in the veteran’s condition………………..…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Presumptive claims……………………………..…... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Special issues (e.g., SHAD, mustard gas).…...……... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
25. Please indicate the amount of judgement and subjectivity that raters in this Regional Office typically exercise in rating claims involving each of the body systems listed below. For each body system, would you say that raters typically exercise more judgement and subjectivity than average, about as much judgement and subjectivity as average, or less judgement and subjectivity than average?
Amount of Judgement and Subjectivity
More Than About Less Than
Average Average Average
a. Musculoskeletal (codes 5000-5399)…….…………………… [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Organs of special sense (codes 6000 -6299)….………..…….. [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Systemic diseases (codes 6300-6399)………………………... [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Respiratory (codes 6500-6899)..………………...………..….. [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Cardiovascular (codes 7000-7199)…..………………………. [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Digestive (codes 7200-7399)……..………………………..… [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Genitourinary (codes 7500-7599)…..……………………..…. [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Gynecological conditions (codes 7610 -7699)……………..... [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Hemic and lymphatic (codes 7700-7799)………………….… [ ] [ ] [ ]
j. Skin (codes 7800-7899)………………………………..…….. [ ] [ ] [ ]
k. Endocrine (codes 7900-7999)……..……………………...….. [ ] [ ] [ ]
l. Neurological and convulsive disorders(codes 8000-8999)..…. [ ] [ ] [ ]
m. Mental disorders (codes 9200-9599)……………………….... [ ] [ ] [ ]
n. Post traumatic stress disorder in particular………………….. [ ] [ ] [ ]
o. Dental and oral conditions (codes 9900-9999)………………. [ ] [ ] [ ]
26. In your opinion, if different rating officials at this Regional Office each individually rated the same claim for a condition in each of the following body systems, how likely or unlikely would it be that they each arrived at essentially the same rating for that condition?
Very Somewhat Not Somewhat Very
Likely Likely Sure Unlikely Unlikely
a. Musculoskeletal (codes 5000-5399)…...…... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Organs of special sense (codes 6000-6299)... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Systemic diseases (codes 6300-6399)…...…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Respiratory (codes 6500-6899)..…...…...….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Cardiovascular (codes 7000-7199)….......…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Digestive (codes 7200-7399)……..…...…… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Genitourinary (codes 7500-7599)…..…...…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
h. Gynecological conditions (codes 7610 -
7699)……………………………………….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
i. Hemic and lymphatic (codes 7700-7799)..… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
j. Skin (codes 7800-7899)…………...……….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
k. Endocrine (codes 7900-7999)……….….….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
l. Neurological and convulsive disorders
(codes 8000-8999)………….………...……. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
m. Mental disorders (codes 9200-9599)…......... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
n. Post traumatic stress disorder in particular... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
o. Dental and oral conditions (codes 9900 -
9999)……………………….…….………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
27. If you answered somewhat or very unlikely to any of the body systems above, why do you feel that different rating officials might be unlikely to arrive at the same rating for the same condition?
28. When you are assisting a client with a claim, do you have any preferences for which rating official at this Regional Office rates the claim?
[ ] No, it doesn’t matter which official rates a claim (they’re all pretty much the same)
[ ] Yes, I prefer some officials rather than others rate the claim
29. If yes, why do you prefer some rating officials over others?
30. Are there some VA physicians who provide medical examinations for veterans served by this Regional Office that you prefer do an exam for a claim that you are assisting?
[ ] No, it doesn’t matter which VA physician conducts the examination (they’re all pretty much the same)
[ ] Yes, I prefer some VA physicians rather than others to do the exam
31. And are there some QTC physicians who provide medical examinations for veterans served by this Regional Office that you prefer do an exam for a claim that you are assisting?
[ ] No, it doesn’t matter which QTC physician conducts the examination (they’re all pretty much the same)
[ ] Yes, I prefer some QTC physicians rather than others to do the exam
[ ] There are no QTC physicians providing medical exams at this Regional Office
32. If yes to either question 34 or 35, why do you prefer some VA or QTC physicians over others?
33. How would you rate the performance of this VBA Regional Office in carrying out the “duty to assist” for veteran and survivor claims?
[ ] Excellent
[ ] Good
[ ] Satisfactory
[ ] Fair
[ ] Poor
34. How might its performance be improved?
35. How would you rate the coordination between this VBA Regional Office and the military during the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims process for claims involving either service members in the process of being discharged or recently discharged veterans?
[ ] Excellent
[ ] Good
[ ] Satisfactory
[ ] Fair
[ ] Poor
[ ] No BDD at this Regional Office
36. And how would you rate the coordination between this VBA Regional Office and the National Personnel Records Center during the claims process for claims involving veterans who were discharged at least several years ago?
[ ] Excellent
[ ] Good
[ ] Satisfactory
[ ] Fair
[ ] Poor
37. In your opinion, what is the emphasis on accuracy of deciding claims at this Regional Office?
[ ] There is too much emphasis on accuracy
[ ] There is somewhat too much emphasis on accuracy
[ ] There is about the right amount of emphasis on accuracy
[ ] There is somewhat not enough emphasis on accuracy
[ ] There is not enough emphasis on accuracy
[ ] No opinion; Not sure; Don’t know
38. And, in your opinion, what is the emphasis on speed or productivity in deciding claims at this Regional Office?
[ ] There is too much emphasis on speed
[ ] There is somewhat too much emphasis on speed
[ ] There is about the right amount of emphasis on speed
[ ] There is somewhat not enough emphasis on speed
[ ] There is not enough emphasis on speed
[ ] No opinion; Not sure; Don’t know
39. Again, in your opinion, what is the relative emphasis on accuracy vs speed at this Regional Office?
[ ] Speed is much more important than accuracy
[ ] Speed is somewhat more important than accuracy
[ ] Speed is about as important as accuracy
[ ] Accuracy is somewhat more important than speed
[ ] Accuracy is much more important than speed
[ ] No opinion; Not sure; Don’t know
40. Are you familiar with the brokering of a claim from one Regional Office to another Regional Office?
[ ] Yes (Answer the next question)
[ ] No (Skip to question 42)
41. In general, to what extent do you agree or disagree that brokering typically:
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Agree nor Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree
a. Shortens the time required for a rating or
otherwise deciding a claim………………….…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Results in more accurate ratings or other
claims decisions………………………….……. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Makes your job as a VSO representative
easier…………………………………….…….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Makes the claims process easier for veterans…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
e. Makes the claims process easier for survivors… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
f. Is perceived as more satisfactory by veterans..... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
g. Is perceived as more satisfactory by survivors... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
42. In general, how do you rate the performance of this Regional Office at each of the following points in deciding claims involving physical conditions?
Excel Satis-
lent Good factory Fair Poor
a. Identifying a service-related injury or aggravation of injury .… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Identifying a current disability………………………………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Establishing a nexus (connection) between the service
related event and the current disability…………………..……. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Determining a disability percentage evaluation……………….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
43. In general, how do you rate the performance of this Regional Office at each of the following points in deciding claims involving mental health conditions?
Excel Satis-
lent Good factory Fair Poor
a. Identifying a service-related injury or aggravation of injury .… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Identifying a current disability………………………………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Establishing a nexus (connection) between the service
related event and the current disability……………………..…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. Determining a disability percentage evaluation……………….. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Continue
SECTION 5. Two Specific Issues for You to Consider
44. Disability compensation is intended to compensate veterans for average impairment in earning capacity and impact on quality of life. Based on your experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, do you think that separately rating a disability’s impact on reduced quality of life and lost earnings capacity would likely improve, have no impact on, or worsen each of the following:
Greatly Somewhat No Somewhat Greatly
Improve Improve Impact Worsen Worsen
a. The complexity of deciding a claim……….…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. The time required to decide a claim…….….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. The benefit awarded to veterans……….….…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
d. The benefit awarded to survivors…...….….…. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
45. The total compensation and benefit package available to disabled veterans includes more than just disability compensation (e.g., health care, vocational rehabilitation, grants for adapting an automobile or home, etc). Taking into account disabled veterans’ changing needs in today’s society. to what extent do you agree or disagree that the current total benefit package:
Neither
Strongly Somewhat Agree nor Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree
a. Is fair and adequate and doesn’t require
revising…………………...………………… [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. Has the right elements…………………….... [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
c. Needs to be modified to add additional bene-
fits needed to take part in today’s society
(Specify____________________________
___________________________________
__________________________________).. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Continue
SECTION 6. Your Overall Assessment Of The Rating Process
46. The claims rating process is often said to be a mixture of medical (clinical) and legal (statutory or regulatory) considerations. Based on your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, which type of consideration do you feel is typically the most difficult to satisfactorily resolve?
[ ] Medical
[ ] Legal
[ ] They are equally difficult to resolve
47. In your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, would you say that over the past several years it has been getting more difficult or less difficult to establish original service connection for a typical claim involving a physical issue?
[ ] Definitely more difficult
[ ] Somewhat more difficult
[ ] No significant change
[ ] Somewhat less difficult
[ ] Definitely less difficult
48. Again in your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, would you say that over the past several years it has been getting more difficult or less difficult to achieve a satisfactory rating in a claim for an increased evaluation involving a physical issue?
[ ] Definitely more difficult
[ ] Somewhat more difficult
[ ] No significant change
[ ] Somewhat less difficult
[ ] Definitely less difficult
49. In your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, would you say that over the past several years it has been getting more difficult or less difficult to establish original service connection for a typical claim involving a mental health issue?
[ ] Definitely more difficult
[ ] Somewhat more difficult
[ ] No significant change
[ ] Somewhat less difficult
[ ] Definitely less difficult
50. Again in your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, would you say that over the past several years it has been getting more difficult or less difficult to achieve a satisfactory rating in a claim for an increased evaluation involving a mental health issue?
[ ] Definitely more difficult
[ ] Somewhat more difficult
[ ] No significant change
[ ] Somewhat less difficult
[ ] Definitely less difficult
51. In your overall experience as an accredited VSO claims representative, would you say that veterans typically have realistic or unrealistic expectations of:
Neither
Very Somewhat Realistic nor Somewhat Very
Realistic Realistic Unrealistic Unrealistic Unrealistic
a. The disability rating process………..[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
b. The disability benefit they should
receive……………………………...[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
52. Finally, is there anything else you would like to say regarding the claims rating and decision process in general or at your current Regional Office in particular?
Thank you for your participation in this survey! The Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission greatly appreciates it.
Submit Your Responses
VSO Survey OMB
Submission Version, 21 Aug 2006 Page
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Technology Center |
| Last Modified By | Denise McLamb |
| File Modified | 2006-09-18 |
| File Created | 2006-09-18 |