SSDI eHealth Exchange

SSDI Veterans Day Initiative Speeds Up Veterans Disability Insurance

SSDI eHealth Exchange

Called eHealth Exchange, a new program now expedites veterans’ Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims by allowing access to electronic health records.

The agreement between VA and Social Security is purported to speed up veterans’ claims for SSDI giving immediate health record access to adjudicators. It removes the old requirement of waiting months for VA to ship a paper file to the agency.

Historically, Social Security has relied on receiving medical records through manual processes like US Mail and fax to receive medical records. The eHealth Exchange replaces the manual process with an automated process that does not require human intervention.

SSDI eHealth Exchange Benefits

According to Dr. David Shulkin, VA Under Secretary of Health:

“Currently, when eligible veterans apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, the average wait time for Social Security to receive paper records from VA can take months; this partnership allows Social Security and VA to share the veteran’s health information electronically in minutes. The Social Security and VA partnership allows VA to continue to be a leader in interoperability efforts among federal partners while improving overall quality of life for our veteran patients.”

There are two other Social Security programs that offer expedited processing for veterans: 1) Wounded Warriors; and, 2) veterans with 100% Permanent and Total disability ratings. These two groups of veterans get expedited processing.

We have seen many initiatives like this remove the need for human interactions while adjudicating claims. My guess is process improvements like this will have dramatic impacts on claims adjudication speed.

But the little-discussed impact of such policies is also to remove the need for humans. As we see artificial intelligence programs like IBM Watson come online, the need for federal employees will be reduced over time.

This program is part of a broader program called The Sequoia Project. It is a nonprofit, public-private collaborative chartered to advanced greater integration between various records systems.

Sequoia Project SSDI eHealth Exchange Initiative

FULL PRESS RELEASE

(Vienna, VA – November 11, 2016) – The eHealth Exchange, an initiative of The Sequoia Project, celebrates Veterans Day powering the launch of a Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) health IT initiative to speed disability determinations for veterans by enabling all Social Security disability case processing sites to receive medical records electronically from all VA facilities.

“VA is currently improving quality of life by enabling Veterans to share their health information with federal partners and integrating their data into a safe and secure health-related consumer application,” said Dr. David Shulkin, Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  “Currently, when eligible Veterans apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits the average wait time for Social Security to receive paper records from VA can take months; this partnership allows Social Security and VA to share the Veteran’s health information electronically in minutes. The Social Security and VA partnership allows VA to continue to be a leader in interoperability efforts among federal partners while improving overall quality of life for our Veteran patients.”

Earlier this year, the Department of Defense’s Military Health System (MHS) and the eHealth Exchange expanded cooperation to enable electronic health data sharing for more than 9.4 million active duty service members, veterans, retirees, and families served by the MHS. This initiative provides medical professionals at partner healthcare organizations in the private sector with a secure view of health records for all TRICARE beneficiaries to support better care decisions, unless a patient chose to opt out. Additionally, MHS patients do not have to hand-carry copies of health records when seeking care from partner providers.

“The military population has unique care needs due to their types of injuries as well as the mobile nature of deployments,” stated Michael Matthews, eHealth Exchange Coordinating Committee Member and Board Chair for The Sequoia Project.  “Regardless of what a patient is being treated for or where they are being treated, collaboration with the private sector via the eHealth Exchange helps deliver effective care for veterans, servicemen and women as well as their families.”

The largest health data sharing network of its kind, the eHealth Exchange network includes participation from nearly 50% of all U.S. hospitals, four federal agencies, more than 31,000 medical groups, more than 3,400 dialysis centers, and more than 8,300 pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS MinuteClinic. The eHealth Exchange is already the principal way that private sector healthcare providers are able share health information with federal agencies to support patient care and increasingly between and among federal agencies.

Being able to share health records with non-military health facilities is critical to effectively care for military personnel and their families. This is illustrated by the fact that in 2015, roughly one-third of outpatient and 40% of inpatient care for MHS beneficiaries was provided by private, non-military care providers. Approximately one-third of MHS prescriptions were filled in the private sector as well.

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About eHealth Exchange

The eHealth Exchange is a rapidly growing health data sharing network for securely sharing clinical information over the Internet nationwide. The eHealth Exchange spans all 50 states and is the largest clinical health data sharing network of its kind in the US. Current eHealth Exchange participants include large provider networks, hospitals, pharmacies, regional health information exchanges and many federal agencies, representing more than half of all U.S. hospitals, tens of thousands of medical groups, more than 8,000 pharmacies and 109 million patients. For more information about the eHealth Exchange, visit www.ehealthexchange.com. Follow the eHealth Exchange on Twitter: @eHealthExchange.

About The Sequoia Project

The Sequoia Project is a non-profit, 501c3, public-private collaborative chartered to advance implementation of secure, interoperable nationwide health information exchange. The Sequoia Project supports multiple, independent health IT interoperability initiatives, most notably: the eHealth Exchange, a rapidly growing health data sharing community of exchange partners sharing under a common trust framework and a common set of rules; and Carequality, which is a national-level, consensus-built, common interoperability framework to interconnect and enable exchange between and among existing data sharing networks, much like the telecommunications industry did for linking cell phone networks. For more information about The Sequoia Project and its initiatives, visit www.sequoiaproject.org. Follow The Sequoia Project on Twitter: @SequoiaProject.

Public Relations Contact

Contact: Dawn Van Dyke
Phone: (571) 346-2439
Email: [email protected]

Source: https://www.dcmilitary.com/pentagram/news/local/partnership-means-faster-disability-decisions-for-veterans/article_7918b736-e2ac-5ea5-aba6-ea5f8d79a991.html

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34 Comments

  1. I hardly comment, but after reading a great deal of remarks
    here SSDI Veterans Day Initiative Speeds Up Veterans Disability Insurance.

    I do have a couple of questions for you if it’s allright.
    Could it be only me or does it seem like some of
    these responses come across as if they are written by brain dead people?
    😛 And, if you are writing on additional online social sites, I’d like to follow everything new you have
    to post. Would you list of every one of all your
    shared pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

  2. I know I’m not excited about any of it, especially, that I know that some VA providers outright lie, plus doubt it’s going to help vets. I haven’t figured out if my pcp is simply too lazy to type on her computer, or is there an ulterior reason, which I’m not privy to. Just today I went checking on myhealthevet for meds., appointments, and any updated medical notes. HA! I was seen, recently, for my medical pcp visit. One would think she’s writing about a whole another vet. Just one simple sentence…veteran has no complaints today (health wise, of course) which is an outright lie. Sure, I could get going to some bs privacy officer (that’s where one is sent in our area for note disagreements) and attempt to have that amended, but that’s not my question of the system, besides it gets tiring, not to mention that shit list that sits somewhere. Instead, why not just do it right and do the right thing? Hell no, I would not want any info. from VA sent to SSDI that is, surely, not correct info. No, I just go to medical appointments, so I can hang around VA facilities. HA! I find absolutely no validation there…

    1. The biggest single problem in my being miss diagnosed for 47 years is history taking by both physicians and intake personnel.

  3. So, as I understand it, the VA is going to be sending Social Security are medical files ? But Social Security isn’t sending the VA our medical files ? It’s a confusing one Ben. Didn’t the VA just commit billions of dollars for some kind of computerized crap ? I was put on Social Security disability right out of the national Center for PTSD . Instead of PTSD , they told Social Security I was bipolar . Over the years, and all the doctors I had, we all decided I don’t have bipolar disorder . So, I’m really not sure what good this does me . Hope it does a lot of y’all good .

      1. Unless that was changed, and that was indeed 9 years ago, when I was filing both claims, I had to do double/quadruple the work because neither would communicate with each other.
        Personally, I would not want the VA having any remote ability of tampering with Soc Sec records. If they can figure out how to manipulate wait times on a national scale, not just Phoenix, then the VA could easily change PTSD to ‘Adjustment Disorder’ or MS or say that from notes from Soc Sec raters show the Vet came from an incredibly broken family and disregard Active Duty Service Connected line items…anything that’s not compensable via VA.

        Paranoia? Maybe a little, but also OJT that’s from wrestling with both beasts.

  4. Obama right now is giving a ‘Post-Election News Conference” and I just heard Obama refer to the Scandals at the VA in a very PAST TENSE way, as if it was SOLVED!! (Obama said, am paraphrasing, “You may remember there were a few problems at the VA…but we brought in over a million more people getting VA healthcare…”!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF? Obama is clueless or conveniently blind or he totally believes what he is being fed to him from Sec. McDonald. WTF? Cleaned-up? Obama referenced Phoenix.

    I guess Obama is securing his legacy by reinventing the truth via oral tradition in speeches. WTF?

    1. namnibor, Obama knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s trying to make it look as though everything is wonderful in VA.
      He doesn’t want veterans upset more than what we are!

      On a side note.
      Down here in Tampa, Florida about 100 Marines, celebrating their birthday, ran across about 150 protesters.
      Nothing happened, just a bunch of yelling and cursing. Until local law enforcement showed up.
      But, as the owner of the Irish bar said, “It could have gotten worse!”
      Maybe it’s time for the National Guard to be introduced to the protesters! It would give them a chance to ‘practice crowd control’ as was done in Ancient Sparta!

  5. I would just say here that every idea they come out with at the VA is for the convenience of NEW and FUTURE cases entering the system and with a complete disregard for OLD and BACKLOGGED cases. If you design new forms for modern day troops, then design a VA website around the new forms, and then you design SSD filings around the VA website, then it makes perfect sense that only NEW cases will benefit from all this. Meanwhile back at the ranch, old and backlogged cases continue to be trapped in the abyss of obsoleted forms and obsoleted process. Just how, exactly, is this any kind of a real “fix” short of cutting off the head of the chicken and then saying the head is all that matters??
    —- Sue Frasier, Army 1970, national veterans activist.

  6. Rise and Shine VETERANS called your Senators and Representatives how to improve Veterans Benefits and Spread the word please i can’t do myself yes i am a Veteran.

    1. Even if you do not like or agree with Pres. Elect Trump, he did make an official website other day to give such ideas: “GreatAgain.gov”

  7. From: “Amicus Generis YT”
    Nov. 13, 2016 on Utube.
    (01:27 minutes)

    “Jason Chaffetz Harsh Warning To Democrats “You Guys Did Nothing!”

    In Obama’s first term, the Democrats held both houses AND the Presidency. Did they accomplish anything? Answer;
    Not only NO! BUT HELL NO!
    The did NOT do anything!
    They deserve everything that’s getting ready to fall right into their incompetent laps!

    1. I am wondering how DC transitions from a Chicago style politician to the very different value system of a man and family that worked their way up from the bottom in New York City under the thumb of a mafia that has a MUCH different regional accent? Will D.C. even understand the dialect? I suppose a man that bucked the mafia (turning run down properties into pillars of commerce) instead of getting elected by the Chicago mafia might just find a way to be understood that evaded the Nobel Laureate?

      1. Note to Vinnie and Frank from Chicago;
        When you come to break my knee caps, please bring me a chili dog from Eddies Place on 7th and Jason St, Ok? Those things are great!

  8. SSDI is an insurance program that you pay into when you are employed. The reaulting payout from SSDI is in like kind the same as an insurance policy elsewhere and is based on the premiums you paid. Those receiving SSDI are collecting on an insurance policy.

    SSA is not a program the recipient ever paid into and is not insurance. It is a society’s safety net in theory that was impemented in hopes of keeping people alive (and winning votes) who cannot obtain finances otherwise. Hence the ideology and reasoning for things is starkly different. Generally SSA is meant as the final option for financial asistance. I have MANY friends on both programs.

    People on SSA can afford rat infested, cockroach havens that smell like urine from three blocks away. Generally prescription narcotic drugs as well as non prescription narcotic drugs are available immediately in these places without a wait list. Hmmmmmm. thinking here… IDEA! Let’s move ALL VA medical clinics into public housing units! Once there the anchored tenants can teach VA how to get the drugs to those who want the drugs with ZERO wait times! The dealers could show the docs how to get a TON of patients out the door and HAPPY.

    We could call it, Tomah Care, and forever banish the word “pusher” from VA vernacular and implement one more Prohibited Personal Practice (PPP) to ensure the safety of vets in this environment!

    This is just one more example of my ideas that help, and not critisize the multinational force cooked up to provide medical services and assembled behind the Dept. Of Homeland Sec. that is there to make me feel secure. Since only vets and those who serve them go to VHA, I am thinking all the guns involved are for the people who violate the PPPs. Of course there are guns involved in public housing project. but they would pnly be used on people that actually pose a threat because outside of VHA it is just bad business to force customers around at gunpoint.

    1. In those places they do not need a DBC – they have Frank. Frank is persuasive and only corrects the patients who violate the mafia PPPs. Truly disruptive patients are warned by placing a fresh horse head in your bed… VA could learn so much from these people to improve the care!

  9. Note that the only way a Veteran can concurrently receive, with no offset, SSDI and VA Compensation is if the Veteran is 100% Service Connected and fully “vested” in SSA.
    How I know this is from my own journey and it gets hairy, but why this is a good thing to have is when a Veteran has multiple chronic health issues but say only 1/2 of them are actually Military Service Connected and others are just “life happens”, that means if you went the the VA and tried to get treatment for the non-svc issues and the VA pay for it, the VA will take care of the Svc. Connected and medications, but for all non-service connected your Medicare is then billed as well as Medicare Pt. D Drug Plan is billed, and you, the Veteran are still stuck with that 20% and all copays related to your non-service connected crap.

    This co-qualifying is not that common I was told. I am a rarity, but this is in place as a safety-net for the very reasons of way differentiation between Service-Connected and Non-Svc. Connection health crap.
    I wanted to clarify this best I could so people potentially did no get the idea every Vet can get qualify for both because if you are say a 30% Svc. Connected and you won your claim with SSA, you would only get SSI, which does provide State Medicaid, but having lived that in my state for 3 years while filing both claims, and being on welfare, housing food stamps, all the appointments with highly inefficient system…can be disparaging to anxieties and PTSD and even your health…not fun.

    I probably made little sense but most Americans do not even know the difference between SSI and SSDI, let alone when you mix with VA Disability. I do not really wish any Veteran to have to live with so many health issues to have to navigate two entirely different systems…and in the end, if you continue to utilize the VA, expect the VA to try (and they will) bill your Medicare/Medicaid for your Service Connected Healthcare, and screwing it all up. They did me 3x. I use only Medicare now, and I wish all Vets had this option. I have written Pres. Elect Trump about this very issue.

    Also, since the VA loves to only give %’s of disability and SSDI is 100% or your not disabled, what’s going to happen when SSA sees the 30% from the VA? Automatically deny because it’s not 100%?

    1. Note that SSA DOES take your VA Service Connected issues into consideration along with your submitted to SSA non-service health stuff, and there’s often to be overlap, it’s why it gets really hairy and no one case is exactly the same because, life happens.

      1. Namnibor,
        Let me get this straight. I’m also on Social Security, since I turned 62. I’m also 100% P&T from VA with multiple service connected disabilities.
        Does this mean I’m also eligible for SSDI?

      2. and my understanding is that once I reach retirement age it converts into social security but I am 52 -with a body of an 82 yo man….so I never really looked into what happens when I fet that age because I do not figure I’ll make it (don’t release that last part to VHA – they have sent police seven times to my home on “safety checks” when I complain in writing like this). Street dealer NEVER send police on safety checks. Just saying.

      3. Dennis- I am 53 going on 82 body as well. Yes, the SSDI converts upon retirement age to regular social security, at the same pay-out rate currently receiving.

        Crazy elf- Dennis answered those SSA/SSDI questions very well. I suggest people conduct google searches on SSA/SSDI/SSI and VA Benefits as to know the differences and similarities and various requirements. It’s Federal, so it’s one huge ball of sticky red tape but if a Vet is going through applying for benefits at the VA, and health is dire, it’s pretty much up to a person to know what those SSA benefits are because I know from experience, the VA will not volunteer the info and it’s complicated enough that I would read the SSA regs.

  10. Here are a few articles out this morning.
    1.)
    From: “Military.com”

    “Veterans Group Seeks To Delay Passage of Reform Bill”

    13 Nov 2016 | Stars & Stripes | by Nikki Wentling
    (There’s two stories in this article. The second one is about a WWII Marine’s remains being found and identified. All due to a “Boy Scout’s Knife”! Interesting story!)
    In my opinion, Congress needs to NOT pass any bills. Until the new administration takes over!

    2.)
    from: “Military.com”

    “Trump’s VA Chief To Decide on New Agent Orange Ailments”

    Posted by: Tom Philpott
    Nov. 10, 2016
    This is a “Military Update”.
    Well worth the read?

    3.)
    From: “Another Day In The Empire”
    Nov. 13, 2016

    “Gingrich Wants New House Committee On Un-American Activities”

    by: Kurt Nimmo
    Maybe Newt is right on this issue!

    4.)
    From: A “WND EXCLUSIVE”

    “Does Obama Have ‘December Surprise’ Ready To Pounce”

    published: 18 hours ago.
    by: Leo Hohmann

    This one is really about Obama’s belief he’s above the law. And, he isn’t ready to follow the Constitution!
    Until Obama is out of office, we’re in for a rocky 60+ days!

  11. Let’s see, “less government employees”! I like that.

    A 501(c)3. I wonder how much of the taxpayers monies will be utilized vs how much will disappear. As is the case with most nonprofits. We’ve seen this occur time and time again!

    “Cyber attacks” have increased dramatically within the past few years. When will we know its happening to this VHA/SSDI computer system?

    Will VHA employees, as namnibor pointed out, be more adversarial over this? Basically complaining they’re having to do more work? Even though that might not be the case!
    I think this will raise more animosity against veterans by all concerned. Unless the VA has a complete turnaround in its structuring of incompetent leadership. Starting at the local VHA’s, and VBA’s, and working up to the Secretary’s office!

  12. Let me share a copied portion of the text that explains what constittutes a “no no” to a VA employee currently (from OSC dot gov);

    “Prohibited personnel practices (PPPs) are employment-related activities that are banne​​d in the federal workforce because they violate the merit system through some form of employment discrimination, retaliation, improper hiring practices, or failure to adhere to laws, rules, or regulations that directly concern the merit system principles.

    OSC has the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of the 13 PPPs.”

    Ok, so VA has redefined the words “against the law (ATL)” and replaced them with 13 PPPs! My God, now we are talking about federal servants who do not break the law, the violate a PPP! On craiglist in personal the section (all) I bet that means something like “adult book store” (ABS) or “down low and do not tell anyone (DL) or “transgendered looking for man” (t4m), but tell me honestly that any one VA employee even knows what PPP means! Ask at your next visit what PPP number two is and they will likely lead you to a bathroom – and then enter into your record that you threatened to throw shit.

    The issue at hand is shaving months off of what likely will be the most important decision made to you life. Go to non VA doctors to document medical problems for SSDI. We are talking about the rest of your life! Take it in the gut and hold on for a few more months instead of trusting your fate to some random jerkwad beholden to 13 PPPs.

    In America we call violating PPP breaking the law. What country doesn’t?

  13. Please excuse my cynicism but I am certain that this system will be hacked as well. It’s a train wreck waiting to happen.

  14. I applied for and received SSDI on the basis of PTSD alone though ambulatory problems would likely have done it as well.

    I DID NOT include any VA medical records. I asked for, and obtained personal letters from my LCSW at VHA that was designated as my point of contact. He said simply that I was a patient of his that suffered from PTSD to the extent that it I am unable to maintain employment. He signed it on VHA letterhead and it was this letter alone that was included by my SSDI attorney. I have visible scars as well that illustrate graphically the extent of injury, which my attorney instructed me to show the judge during the hearing.

    Awarded. No appeal necessary.

    In terms of this record sharing business, I would surely tell you that the knife cuts both ways. If VHA sends a copy of ANYTHING written by a VHA employee and does so electronically, can you REALLY prepare properly for the questions the judge might ask? My job was to present evidence that I am unable to maintain gainful employment. It is not my duty to to present evidence that erodes that argument, unless the judge asks me a question that has that result. The VHA on the other hand is free at ANY time to input ANY sentence that floats into their cubical on fairey dust into your VA medical record.

    EXAMPLE:

    One LCSW diagnosed me, and entered into my medical record an official VHA diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury based on a thiry minute meeting that she and I had. She left the office for a biology break and I glanced at hte reference on her desk – she had been reading references on the topic meant for nurses and doctors lolz! However, the entry was made. Is it my duty to inform the judge that she is full of shit? Nope, unless he asks, and then is he going to believe me?

    Now look at the possible flip side to that – what if the same LCSW and entered an official VHA medical opinion that PTSD was not indicated? What if she had entered into my records that crutches in her opinion are not needed. What if she entered that I threatened her if she did not write a letter?

    If you want a real shock, write a FOIA request for a paper copy of your entire record including known referals to the DBC. In that same request send a request for information about how to initiate mandatory record disclosure tracking on your electronic file. This will initiate a log that tracks who has accessed your health record. They will likely hate you if you do this lolz, at least if you are tagged by the DBC but do it anywyay. See what happens lolz.

    Read your record while sitting down…and hang on tight. It might blow your mind what they enter. I am compiling individual entries from mine that are astounding insofar as they are part of a government held record that extensively documents my use of the First Ammendment which is specifically prohibitted and the initial reason for enactment of The Privacy Act of 1972. VHA is a rogue organization and you my brothers and sisters have been targetted for a dismantling of your First Ammendment rights as well as the the next nine ammendments to our Constitution.

    The paper record that make your case should be included to SSDI by your attorney only in my opinion. DO NOT let VHA send them your record – YOU send what they ask for yourself after YOU read it nefore sending it.

    If they do not ask for something and your lawyer doesn’t need it, then for Gods sake do not send it! Your duty is to present your case honestly as it exists in the moment that you present yourself to the judge at SSDI. My own VHA medical record from the moment the DBC flagged me is hundreds of pages long documenting things like what my answering machine at home says! (It says if you are a gov worker calling that this message will be forwarded for media and police scrutiny lolz) The document reads like a junior high school election for student counsel that got dirty hehe! Scores of disgruntled VHA entries lamenting me involving the press and others have been made and spells out why new VHA readers of my medical record should hate me.

    I guess I just will not make VHA Patient Of The Year this life around.

    On the other hand, if you trust the VHA to comply with medical record standards, federal law, and VA directive, and to do so honestly and with the best intentions of the veteran in mind then by all means trust in the VA to do the right thing…

    Semper Fi

    1. My experience was I was filing simultaneously my VA claim and SSDI because of collective severity of health crap and I know my experience may be quite different from others but my SSDI claim was *much* harder to get through than my VA Service Connected P&T 100% claim.
      I was denied 3x and then sent to an Administrative Judge, whom in my State of Ohio, had a 3 year backlog before that judge would ever look at it…it took my Senator to intervene in-part because the VA refused, outright REFUSED to communicate with SSA.
      The SSA people told me that the VA simply would not communicate and that was going the other way as well because SSA’s experience over much time had proven anything the SSA would send the VA would most likely be either lost or tossed.
      There’s a very good reason why sending everything to the VA via certified/registered U.S. Postal Service is key because YOU now have evidence it’s been actually received. Electronically, not so much.

      I guess what I am saying is that SSDI is also a draw of luck, if you will, because if you get a SSA Judge that has a reputation for denying claims more so than granting claims, you end-up STUCK with that same judge’s personal bias…not a great system but definitely more efficient than the VA’s but know this, with SSDI you are either 100% Disabled or NOT…no %’s like the VA. Also, a Vet or USA citizen must be what’s called “Fully Vested” in SSA in order to qualify for SSDI or else it reverts to SSI. There’s a huge difference. Fully Vested in SSA System means you must have 10 years solid work history and if a given Vet has been battling chronic health issues for a while, and not working FT or at all, it can be quite a hairy ball of wax to go through.

      I know I only made it through those years by treating my claims as a full-time job while knocking on death’s door…not fun. I care not to go through any of that ever again as I no longer have the energy to do so.

    2. I have the opposite problem. The I am already in SSDI and the VA snatched my SSA records without my consent and without my knowledge when I filed a disability claim. Well Unknown to me the SSA records contained inaccurate and incomplete doctors statements about the etiology if my disability. So instead if my claim that my disability is from the military, the contracted doctor the state furnished to evaluate me for SSDI rather invited the military and his records state my disability was incurred from childhood trauma. So I was awarded SSDI but now that very record is used against me for my VA claim. Point is VA never had my permission to access my SSA records without my authorization via a release of information which I never signed. And before anyone goes and thinks that they can just automatically get your records from the Social Security Administration they absolutely cannot for claims adjudication. They only can after you’ve been awarded your claim and they need to tie into the Social Security Administration database to manage processing of funds and for a few other reasons. The VA is not allowed to use your SSA medical records to adjudicate your claim for disability compensation and pension without your consent. It’s written right in the Privacy Act and I’ll be filing a complaint that violated my privacy and is now cause me a damage.

  15. This is all well and good but:
    1) Still must depend upon humans at the VA to fill-out required SSA documents that the VA Dr.’s have up to this point refused to even look at, let alone fill-out for a Veteran because the adversarial human part still remains; the VA employees.
    2) Will this require that the VA’s databases to work the other way in which the VA cannot outright refuse to acknowledge a given Vet’s Independent Medical Opinion, which may very well come from Dr.’s seen to support a SSDI Claim?
    3) What about information security on the VA’s side of things? You know, the big shredder in the sky?
    4) Is this a prelude to ‘SkyNet’ of ‘Cyberdyne Systems’ in Terminator movie series? If so, at least we know if it becomes self-aware, the system is already infected with the virus of VA employees. 🙂
    5) Is this included in the massive IT $$$$ contract or will this be a side order?
    6) Does this not still depend highly on the VA digitizing all their records and how many attempts have failed miserably in recent past? Xerox, anyone? ACS?
    7) Again, you can place the most advanced shiny tech at the VA’s doorstep but you are still dealing with highly adversarial humans at the VA…can they be replaced with Terminators, err, robots as well?

    1. VETS FAKE RANGER BOB MC DUCK @ ALL HIS VA THUG RATS ARE TO BE FIRED BY POTUS TRUMP ASAP BUT THE RATS ARE JUMPING ship ASAP WORD REP JEFF MILLER FOR SEC OF VA ////////////////////////???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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