By Treto Garza*
HARLINGEN — According to an editorial on the Waco Tribune (12/04/09) Governor Rick Perry, stopped off at the Veterans of Foreign Warspost in Hewitt last week, and said the state is allocating $393,000 through 2011 to pay for its 12 claims adjudicators to help clear the VA claims backlog. They’ll be divided equally between Waco and Houston. Carl Lowe of the Waco Veterans AffairsRegional Office states that all 12 members of the claims-processing assistance team being assembled — including the six who will be based right here in Waco — will work specifically on cases handled by the Houston VA Regional Office, not the Waco office.
What does this mean to valley veterans who have recently filed a claim? It will help local veterans that have cases pending with the Houston VA Regional Office. It is hoped that with these 12 additional adjudicators that the load will be relived somewhat. At least bring it down to a workable level. Many veterans have long complained of the time it takes to issue a decision on their claims. Once the decision is made, the veteran will know whether to appeal or accept the decision. If he appeals, it will take more time, up to 18 months to 2 years. Veterans are recommended to utilize the services of their local county veterans officers or some other Veterans Service Organizations that provide such service. Here in the Valley, the Disabled American Veterans help out of the Vet Center. And both VA clinics have a Texas Veterans Commission staff at the facility. There is help out there. All veterans should take heed of this notice and ask how they can expedite their claims.
“Almost everybody has praised Gov. Rick Perry’s recent decision to use state funds to assemble a claims-processing assistance team to help clear a backlog of cases plaguing Veterans Affairs Regional Office processing centers in Waco and Houston.” But that doesn’t’t mean some hurtful things haven’t been said.” reads the editorial. The name of retired Brig. Gen. Karen S. Rankin, chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission, is quoted as saying that the regional veterans office “routinely denies a claim on the first submission.”
This tactic used by Texas can serve as an example of how the state and the government can work together regarding the many problems faced by Veterans upon their return from combat and leaving the military. With the passing of Proposition 8, it will also allow the state to partner with the VA to bring a much needed VA hospital to the Rio Grande Valley. At least that is what members of the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley are hoping for. So their eyes will be on the success or failure of such a venture.
We are on the right track, we have managed to change the mentality of some of elected officials in our efforts to bring better health and compensation benefits for our Veterans to they can improve their quality of life.
*Arturo Treto Garza is the Co-Chair of the Veterans Alliance.
