The advocate group Veterans for Common Sense (which called for Cooper’s removal two weeks ago) has collected information they say outlines the growing problem. According to VCS executive director Paul Sullivan, the VA has a backlog of 404,999 disability claims (as of February 16). Claims by veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan make up 38,693 of those pending cases. But the VA also faces a total of 245,034 claims filed by Iraq and Afghanistan war vets that were not anticipated. Sullivan says “veterans wait an average 183 days to get a preliminary decision from VA – that’s more than six months without money.”
February 29, 2008 (CBS News) – The man in charge of overseeing benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs – Retired Vice Admiral Daniel Cooper – is stepping down after 6 years on the job.
The VA announced late yesterday that Cooper’s last day as Under Secretary for Benefits will be April 1. VA Secretary James Peake said in a statement that Cooper’s “leadership, management savvy and personable touch were indispensable.”
But, his resignation comes on the heels of much criticism that the VA has failed to reduce the enormous backlog of veteran claims. One veteran told CBS News some frustrated vets call it the “delay, deny and wait until I die” system.
The advocate group Veterans for Common Sense (which called for Cooper’s removal two weeks ago) has collected information they say outlines the growing problem.
According to VCS executive director Paul Sullivan, the VA has a backlog of 404,999 disability claims (as of February 16). Claims by veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan make up 38,693 of those pending cases. But the VA also faces a total of 245,034 claims filed by Iraq and Afghanistan war vets that were not anticipated.
Sullivan says “veterans wait an average 183 days to get a preliminary decision from VA – that’s more than six months without money.”
In the VA’s announcement of Cooper’s resignation he was quoted from a 2003 interview in which he said “we’re going to make sure [those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan] receive the best possible service when they come home.” The VA credits Cooper with helping guide VA benefit programs onto the internet.
