Veterans Affairs Unveils New Website Platform

New VA Website

Benjamin KrauseVeterans Affairs sent out an email today proclaiming its new user interface and web design for veterans filing for benefits. I do not have a ton to say about it other than that the new Veterans Affairs website looks pretty fantastic. Let’s hope it works!

SEE IT: New Veterans Affairs Website

After reviewing it, the site looks pretty cool. VA is starting to create a data repository for information and help for veterans to better access their benefits. I suggested this platform a couple years ago and offered to lead a team at a total cost of less than $1 million to create and populate the platform. They took the idea and ran with it, and I am curious to find out how much more they paid and to what government contractor. $2 million? $5 million? $10 million?

Anyway, the platform looks like it could be fantastic if they do a great job curating content and ideas that really help.

Check it out: https://explore.va.gov/

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17 Comments

  1. Streamlining the claims process is a great idea, but shouldn’t you fix all of the claims, appeals, NOD’s and everything else before you start streamlining the new ones? If you have the same people doing the same job the same way at the same desk, at the end of the day all you have is a nice website. Which is nothing more than lipstick on a pig like so many others have pointed out.

  2. I, also, would like to know the cost of this new platform originally suggested by Ben Krause, Esq. From my limited experience with the huge Regional Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System , they are paranoid about Veterans having any insight into systems, policies, procedures, job descriptions, etc. On the up side, I had sent Secretary McDonald
    a suggestion several months ago to which I received a surprisingly quick and affirmative response that it will be implemented.

  3. AMERICA is allowing the V.A. to do, this to VETERANS. The Veterans Administration BREAKS FEDERAL LAWS, every TIME / every SECOND they condone “DEPRIVATION of RIGHTS UNDER the COLOR of the LAW” that includes all VETERANS, or all AMERICANS and is not based, on RACE.
    The V.A. denies us, they delay BENEFITS- and access to BENEFITS / PENSIONS, and even resources like school, for JOBS TRAININGS: “DEPRIVATION of RIGHTS UNDER the COLOR of the LAW”.
    COMPREHENSIVE Illegal IMMIGRATION benefits, budgets, priorities, agenda inclusions are far more valued, than getting VETERANS simple basics: such as, JOBS with live-able wages, housing, with UTILITIES, bus passes, or enough earnings form employment to be able to get around one’s own area, that they / we live in.
    TWO other factors in addition to the V.A. being allowed to break FEDERAL LAW, “DEPRIVATION of RIGHTS UNDER the COLOR of the LAW”: would be something called;
    STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE –
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_violence
    and
    SUBJUNCTIVE HISTORY-
    https://www.goodread.com/…/606824-it-is-s-subjunctive-histor….

    And thanks for allowing these communications attempts,

    Marvin S. Robinson, II
    Quindaro Ruins / Underground Railroad- Exercise 2015

  4. Now I am wondering if this is just “lipstick on a big pig”, because you can have a brand new web site, but what about the same idiots manipulating your data or just outright not utilizing it correctly?
    Sorry for my cynicism but I think at this point it’s well justified! It’s no different than exchanging the lowly pencil for an artfully crafted Parker Fountain Pen in the hands of someone that cannot write a complete sentence to begin with…I am calling it lipstick on a big pig, with the big pig of course being the VA.
    “These are not the droids you are looking for. Nothing to see here, carry on.”
    This is VA ‘window dressing’, nothing more.

  5. My claim / appeal is said to be of have been received by the Board of Veterans Appeal (board). My claim / appeal on the Board of Veteran Appeal Form 9 is to have my claim / appeal processed to The Nehmer Court Order: The Nehmer Training Guide (211A) February 2011 Revised. The Nehmer Court Order commands priority for Nehmer Claims. Yet, of the 1-800-number for information about my claim / appeal is:
    The Board of Veterans Appeal (board) is backed logged to 2012. My claim is not docketed a Nehmer claim; and that to have my claim docketed a Nehmer claim, I was told that I have to write a letter. Nonetheless, after the April 2014 Buffalo DVA’s Examination and Medical Records “review” at Bath Hospital Bath New York, the Buffalo DVA June 05, 2014 Decision includes the Buffalo DVA Examiner made the diagnosis of my ischemic heart disease as early as 2000. The Nehmer Court Order clearly indicates : A claim meeting the eligibility requirements of Nehmer can be : a claim inferred by …the VA during review… Yes, The Nehmer Court order states : The claimant need not file a new claim or a claim for earlier effective date when new presumptive condition is added. “VA” must search its records to find eligible claimants and award benefits, without action on the claimants part. Medical records noting the existence of a condition later made presumptively service-connected can in some instances, result in an award without a formal claim ever being filed. And, the Nehmer Court Order clearly orders the award of compensation, to include Retro Compensation, within 21 days following eligibility requirements met. Of the Buffalo DVA, Of the DVA Compensation & Pension Service (211A) Attn: Nehmer Working Group, Washington DC, instead of taking care to properly address loose ends and paying compensation (including RETRO compensation) according to The Nehmer Court Order, my claim(s) / appeal has been delayed / denied for what appears to be for years to come. The obvious to me is that the merciless mercenaries machine reaps getting yearly incentive pay, yearly bonuses, and/or yearly promotions of to the suffering (s) of U.S. Veterans. Let’s not forget of NO BOOTS ON GROUND, the DVA January 2010 Compensation & Pension Bulletin Policy (211) Information on Vietnam Naval Operations …provides presumption of exposure…to the crew of ships operation(s): “rivers” and “deltas” …even though not of the immediate ships list: for example, the history of the USS Newport News includes operations in the Vinh Binh Province in the Mekong “DELTA” December 1968. And, The DVA June 2010 Compensation & Pension Bulletin Policy (211) ADDITIONAL Information on Vietnam Naval Operations …ships list…Received by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs…lists the USS Newport News for: Cua Viet River April 1969. The June 2010 C&P Bulletin includes itself as part of the January 2010 Bulletin; The January 2010 C&P Bulletin Policy(211) clearly states : There is no reason for the DVA to hold the claims of anyone who served on the above listed vessels during the indicated time frames. I was separated of active duty July 3, 1969. Yet, as late as December 2013, the Buffalo DVA denied my claims for compensation. Yet, The Nehmer Court Order states: VA compensates class counsel for all of it’s work on Nehmer claims. Yes, The additive inverse of “monetary sanctions” should also apply. Congressional Research Services / Statutory Presumptions clearly defines that I am a “VETERAN” (etc.). The CRS / Statutory Presumptions ( by law clerk Nichols October 2010) clearly infers compensation for incubation period(s). I sent several letters over the past year to DVA Compensation & PENSION SERVICE (211A) Attn: (the) Nehmer Working Group Lawyers via certified mail. I have not received a direct reply. And, OF not receiving the signed delivery receipt, I made record of delivery via USPS internet and confirmation through my local post office. What also gives with Post Office 20420 ? Yes, I also sent a copy of Congressional Research Services / Statutory Presumptions (by law clerk Nichols October 2010) to DVA-Compensation & Pension Service (211A) – Attn: Nehmer Working Group – Washington DC 20420 : of the information that I sent via certified mail. Yes, of the Buffalo DVA June 2014 Decision and Examiner’s diagnosis of my ischemic heart disease as early as 2000, the Buffalo DVA and the Nehmer Working Group to include the Board of Veterans Appeal (board) and nexus connected government offices, all are in contempt of The Nehmer Court Order ( the Nehmer Training Guide (211A) February 2011 Revised) and are in contempt of Congressional Research Services / Statutory Presumptions. If I am of class counsel (VA compensates class counsel for all of its work on Nehmer claims), I seek “100% sanction / compensation”… to one year prior my release from active duty July 3, 1969. Nevertheless, Remember: Congressional Research Services / Statutory Presumptions(by law clerk Nichols October 2010) is for ALL Veterans. Yet, the DVA has become a publishers clearing house: Lottery regulations require that tickets are purchased in a member state “AND” from a licensed retail location. Hence, the lottery ticket is a bearer instrument; “AND” the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is a (the other required) bearer instrument. Yes, the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is the means to control all pay outs; the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is the means to Jack the Pot. Hence, the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is the JACKPOT TICKET. IT is said that the best way to hide (bank) something “(perhaps offshore” ) is to make IT seem insignificant of to placing IT into public view: such as, the sleight of hand…Personal Identification Numbers (DRAWING” …(show) in Florida. Yet, imagine, of purchasing 3 Power Ball lottery tickets, the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT, free for the asking to all, validates… my Personal Identification Numbers… the Jackpot Ticket. Yes, of 44+ states, of the odds of approx. 1 out of 176,000,000 to “getting” .. the Personal Identification Numbers … JACKPOT TICKET, I sent copy of 7-Eleven Elmira, NY licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT / Jackpot Ticket via certified mail to NY lottery/ NY lottery signed for 2-17- 2015. Today is 3-19-2015. The licensed retail location (low tech) CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is substantive evidence of E. Pluribus Unum : ” I “. Yes, If the Power Ball lottery AWARDED (anything) to THOSE(to anyone) that did not “get” the licensed retail location CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT is identity theft and “TAX EVASION” : Yes, IT is lottery regulations that require tickets are purchased in a member state “AND” from a licensed retail location. Yes, again, imagine, of purchasing a lottery ticket, the licensed retail location (low tech) CASH REGISTER machine RECEIPT / Jackpot Ticket …free for the asking (to all): please pay up now.

    1. My husband has been waiting 8 years as of date to go in front of the BVA for his neck. It is still sitting in the RO and hasn’t been assigned a time frame yet.
      Finally thing is the doctor who did his C&P said he never went to the doctor for his problem and never reported any problem when he was in the service.
      Both are not true and now we wait and wait. We finally hired an attorney to represent us to make it easier on us.

  6. As I know you received other legal opinion on the new forms, what have you to say about said opinion Ben?

  7. I hope it makes it easier.
    However the next thing they need to fix is to find doctors who actually tell the truth when they do C&p examinations.
    And that they also follow the rule on how examinations are supposed to be done.

    1. Sharon, no worries. The Disney people will take care of the C&P exams and everything else that is goofy with the VA. Just kidding, I am with you on this. I hope that it does make things better; however, namnibor makes a good point so I guess we will have to see.

      1. Yes we do have to wait and see.
        I have to say today has been a blessed day for my husband he finally got awarded 70% up from his 60%.
        He does have more claims pending and hopefully they turn out as good.
        We are still waiting on his social security decision.
        I am so happy that I can take a break from all the stress finally from the V.A.

      2. Congrats, I always like to hear of someone finally getting what is deserved to them. Hopefully the Social Security and the other claims will go in your favor as well. Enjoy your break.

    2. I’ve learned over the years that you have to ‘increment’ your way up in ratings sort of like a snowball. Don’t be afraid to locate a really good vet service officer to help you. I did. He was a real angry guy, but had great connections at the regional office. Within one month my ratings zoomed all the way. Almost immediately. I owe him a lot. He did this for many people stuck in limbo. I was told to ‘see him’. And he produced results. Bang!

  8. Yes, noticed this as well early this morning and it indeed looks great. It’s change, and in a positive way so I certainly hope this makes it easier for Veterans still filing, appeals, and future clams to be more better managed…HOWEVER….always keep hard copies of *everything* and you will have to ask because so much is done on the computer, iPads, etc, and just ask…digital data can be manipulated and I am not being paranoid whatsoever.

    I want to know what I expect to see as extremely well-protected data firewalls and anti-virus for the VA systems due to the recent spotty hacks, and worry rightfully about the VA’s foresight.
    Website is definitely easy on the eyes but am sitting this out and playing wait and see.

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