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County veteran services reports steady caseload, cites claims-processing delays with private contractors
Summary
Veteran services staff told supervisors the office handled dozens of client appointments and hundreds of calls in May, completed a roof-repair grant case, and said denials on claims are generally appealed successfully though outsourced comp-and-pen processes cause delays.
Veteran services staff briefed the County Board on the department’s May activity, describing client appointments, outreach and issues veterans face when pursuing benefits.
The staff report listed 39 client appointments, six outreach welfare checks and 532 phone calls and emails during May, and noted staff attended a recertification conference in Superior, Wisconsin.
Staff said a roof-repair grant administered through Juneau County was approved and completed and that they distributed flags and replaced several bronze flag holders ahead of Memorial Day. "We provide excellent service to the veterans and their families and community," the veteran services staff said.
On federal claims, the staff described a pattern of standard denials followed by successful appeals. They said delays often stem from a private contractor the VA uses for compensation-and-pension examinations: if a veteran does not respond promptly to an appointment request from that contractor, the contractor may restart processing, forcing a refile and adding weeks. The staff said the new VA secretary has pushed to speed claims processing nationally and that they have not seen major reductions in benefits locally.
Supervisors asked about cancelled medical appointments at the VA and whether community care options were being used. Staff said the VA rule requires community care if the VA cannot see a patient within 30 days; veterans can choose to accept community care to get earlier treatment.
A supervisor asked about PTSD and mental-health caseloads; staff said the office files many claims related to mental-health issues and noted the office had recently responded to a veteran suicide but did not have an exact countywide count of PTSD or mental-health cases on hand.
No formal action was taken; the update was received by the board.
