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Executive Director of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) Appeals Management Office (AMO) and Army Veteran David McLenachen talks about the appeals modernization process.
McLenachen briefly discussed his service in the Army with counterintelligence. He later left the Army to pursue a career in law. He worked as law clerk for a federal judge before he eventually came to work at the VA.
Before becoming executive director of the VBA’s AMO, McLenachen acted as deputy under secretary for disability assistance. While in this position, he began helping the VBA improve their appeals system in order to better assist Veterans.
The Appeals Modernization Act took effect Feb. 19, 2019. Congress created the act in 2017 to help solve problems VBA had with appeals and claims. The act created three new ways to help Veterans submit appeals and get their results at a quicker pace:
Higher-level reviewSupplemental claimBoard of Veterans’ AppealsMcLenachen and the VBA continue to strive to find ways to improve the appeals process. You can reach them through Ask a Question on the Veterans Affairs website. Additional Helpful Links:
https://www.va.gov/disability/file-an-appeal/https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5207 https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/62997/four-important-things-know-appeals-modernization/ https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/appeals/Appeals-Brochure.pdfhttps://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asphttps://www.cencstudy.org/https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/homehttps://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/#BtBattle Veteran of the Week: Air Force Veteran Mary Weiss Hester -
Congress has provided $300 million through the CARES Act this year to help the VA address the problems faced by homeless and at-risk veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. John Kuhn, National Director of the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, explains on this episode how the VA is using that funding to support veterans and their families.
The Supportive Services for Veterans Families, or SSVF, was founded in 2011 to help veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The SSVF transfers its funds to nonprofit organizations that are close to their communities, and these grantees ensure that money is directed to wherever it is needed most. The SSVF provides money for rent to veterans who have homes but are struggling and helps veterans and their families who are homeless to find housing.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2020 SSVF PROVIDER LIST
While the SSVF is dedicated to helping veterans and their families find long-term housing, the Grant and Per Diem Program focuses on helping veterans and families find housing in the short term. The GPD provides funds to programs that provide housing and important services to veterans in need. The Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program helps to connect veterans and their families with shelter and provides a higher level of care than SSVF.
Those who are interested in donating to help address the crisis of veteran homeless can call their local VA medical center or visit the VA Voluntary Service to make an e-donation.1-877-424-3838 is the 24-hour phone number for veterans who must access the VA medical center for assistance.
#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:
Army Veteran Kathleen CashawAdditional Links:
VA reaches 1 million Veterans and family members through tele-town hall meetingsPREVENTS roadmap, a nationwide plan for ending suicide among Veterans and all AmericansJohn Deere donates thousands of face shields to VA hospitals to fight COVID-19Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program changes it's name
