VA Secretary continues work to prevent veteran suicide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 21, 2019 VA makes progress on resolution of legacy appeals WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Appeals Management Office (AMO) significantly reduced disability compensation legacy appeals inventory during the last nine months as part of the department’s long-term legacy resolution plan. This inventory includes Notices of Disagreement (NOD) and substantive appeals filed in the “legacy” system – the appeals process in place prior to implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA) . VBA lowered this inventory from a high of 292,452 in March 2016, to 96,350 on Dec. 31, 2019, despite receiving 770,571 new NOD and substantive appeals during that period. “Veterans who have been waiting for their decisions can trust that VA is working towards getting them the benefits and services they deserve,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Completing legacy Notices of Disagreement and substantive appeals will be an important step in meeting this obligation.” VBA is on track to eliminate its NOD and substantive appeals inventory by July 4. Information on the VA appeals process can be found at https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asp . For questions related to this news release, please contact the following individuals: Susan Carter - Susan.carter2@va.gov Randy Noller - Randal.noller@va.gov Tatjana Christian - Tatjana.christian@va.gov Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs 810 Vermont Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20420 https://www.va.gov/ VA on Facebook . Twitter . YouTube . Flickr . Blog � �

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ new electronic health record system is expected to go “live” at the first sites in Washington State in just a couple of months?  On Tuesday, January 21st, John H. Windom, executive director of VA’s Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization (OEHRM), will host a VSO Town Hall to provide updates on this nationwide effort and answer any questions you may have. Why:  VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) will affect Veterans across the country and improve their overall healthcare experience.  Learn more about EHRM, its expected impact, and how to stay engaged with OEHRM in order to effectively communicate with Veterans on the upcoming changes. What :  This Quarterly Town Hall will provide EHRM updates to VSOs and discuss topics such as new Veteran resources, and how their records are captured and stored. Who :  John H. Windom, executive director of OEHRM, will be presenting to VSO leaders. When :  1-2 p.m. EST, Jan. 21, 2020 Where :  Join via Webex to follow the presentation and via phone for audio. To join the Webex meeting: https://bahmeet.webex.com/bahmeet/j.php?MTID=m9ebf18d9b92cf1a21a8d2105faae8f62 Meeting number: 646 725 566 Password: OEHRM0120 If you do not have the desktop app, you can go to the option at the bottom of your browser that indicates, “Having trouble opening the desktop app?  Join from your browser.” To join by phone: (540) 443-6236 (800) 300-3070 (toll free) Access code: 646 725 566 Please reach out to OEHRMCommunications@va.gov if you have any questions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 6, 2019 Registration opens for 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games 40th anniversary of sports and rehabilitative event July 3-8 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) announced Jan. 6, registration is open for the 2020 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Eligible Veterans may register through April 1 for the sports and rehabilitative event which runs July 3-8 in Portland, Oregon. “The National Veterans Wheelchair Games serves as a premier adaptive sports medicine model demonstrating the unwavering pledge Veterans make to show nothing is impossible,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The last four decades, this life-changing competition has provided thousands of Veterans with disabilities, a national stage to celebrate their strength and willpower and open new doors with each challenge.” The National Veterans Wheelchair Games debuted with seven events and 77 athletes. This year will feature more than 20 events and more than 650 athletes. The games are designed for Veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or other neurological conditions. Each year Veterans travel from around the country to compete in the world’s largest annual multi-sport wheelchair competition. “For this landmark 40th year we’re offering new and exciting opportunities for Veterans with disabilities, including adaptive e-sports, adaptive fitness competition and disc golf,” said David Zurfluh, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America and an Air Force Veteran who will compete at the event. “These novel sports, in addition to our annual adaptive sports competitions, will provide athletes with a great opportunity to gain skills, confidence and experience to take on challenges in their daily lives.” Competitive events include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field games, hand cycling, nine-ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting. Veterans compete against other former service members with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age. For event updates, follow VA Adaptive Sports4Vets on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and through PVA on PVA Facebook , PVA Twitter and PVA Instagram .