SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Currently, a VA beneficiary's benefits will be suspended if a paper check is returned to us or if pertinent mail is returned due to an invalid address. At this time, I think elimnating paper notification is not prudent because a lot of the beneficiaries may not have the ability to access emails for electronic notification.

Therefore, eliminating paper checks would be a better way to cut down on mailing costs, fraud,... more »

VA benefits are currently paid based on the date of claim. Although there are different laws governing entitlement dates, most of the time benefits are paid based on the date that a claim was received, at least for original claims. For instance, if a claim is received June 15, 2011, the payment date will be July 1, 2011. Therefore, when the claim is finnally decided and a payment is going to be made, July 1, 2011 would... more »

Since we are already preparing the Veterans “Claim files” for copying when requested, why not scan the file instead. Scanned files can be put into virtual temporary folders then saved as a PDF on CD’s. The 2 directions you can use this is once the files has been scanned you can keep 1 disk in a protective envelope with the date scanned to keep in the “C-file”. File the CD down in date order for future use when d1bc... more »

When I began working for VA over 20 yrs ago we operated out of computer system under the (BDN) Benefits Delivery Network. This system was tied into all parts of VA. The main part we used was to pay deserving veterans benefits for their lost wages due to a slightly to completely debilitating disability. This disability being due to their service for their country. This system was in the DOS format and slightly cumbersome... more »

In the VA, every employee has access to at least 2 computer systems requiring separate unique passwords that must be changed frequently. These include a general log-on to access a computer terminal, VISTA (where vacation and sick leave must be entered), the Talent Management System (for required training at least annually). Additional systems include the travel management system, CPRS, VINCI, etc. If we could just... more »

Use an online system that allows employees to enter, request, and have approved all leave requests. This system could be tied into the current Vista, ETA, and MyPay systems.
Organizations could input top workload days in the calendar and block certain weeks/days to require employees to be present at the office/workstation.
Employee enters the system having limited access and reviews calendar for 'available' time periods... more »

Problem: The underlying problem is lack of Technology Utilization. Technology exists on every Government computer with functionalities, features, capabilities, and tools that are not being utilized and therefore the return on investments in Technology is low. Most end-users of technology are not technology experts and therefore do not realize the full capabilities in order to perform their functions efficiently with the... more »

Eliminate the VA as a separate entity, by rolling the Dept. of Veterans Affairs into the DOD, to provide care for all active duty forces, their families and Veterans.

Cost reductions include eliminating redundant department and services. Eliminating the VA central office in Washington DC.

Lower costs of supplies and pharmaceuticals due to the combined purchasing power of the VA and DOD.

Improved inefficiencies in... more »

Make every VBA service representative a rater that manages the case from start to finish. There is too much redundant work and not enough accountability in the VSR(veterans service representative) job. This is demonstrated by the fact that they review Service Treatment Records for screening etc and then the RVSR (rating VSR) does it again because their name is the one on the rating and they are held responsible for the... more »

Today, now, VA has networks and programs mature enough to POTENTIALLY ACHIEVE completely PAPERLESS PROCESSING for many COMPENSATION CLAIMS on the COST-AND-TIME-INTENSIVE FRONT END.
This can be done by PUTTING THE claims processor (VSR) and THE VETERAN claimant TOGETHER by phone, Internet, or face-to-face from the very beginning of the claim process, creating a REAL-TIME, TRANSPARENT COLLABORATION with TRUE TIMELY OUTCOMES..... more »

I just wasted an hour looking for the submission that I input several days ago because there is no search system to recall your message. I even used the keyword search. While looking through the pages, I saw hundreds of similar ideas. Instead of having that many ideas with a few “likes” If the site had a way to catalog similar ideas by keyword, the time wasted searching would be reduced, and a better count of feedback... more »

When a veteran's claim is proscessed for either in education or compensation benefits we have to print multiple documents that are already available in an electronic formate. Examples of this is that when developing a veteran's claim for compensation benefits we have to print documents from the Social Security Administration, medical treatment records from VA medical centers, and now private medical records as well.... more »

We use these tags one time and discard them in the trash after we have completed a rating decision for our veterans. I suggest that we print multiple stamps on the tag and instead of only being used once, we can get a minimum of 5 more usages out of them. Imagine the money we could save just by doing this. I know it is a small thing in our budget overall but we would really help our RO's budget. Just a thought. Thank... more »

Eliminate the wasted resources used by having veterans bounce back and forth between Ch 30, Ch 31 and Ch 33. Creating one educational program that is for all veterans with a set amount of money and/or a grade requirement would save millions! Some people have been "going to school" for twenty years.

I would suggest the Dept of VA, stop conducting centralized challenge training across the U.S. I would instead suggest each RO having a training dept to give out all new, and updated training. This department would be established with certified VSRs and RVSRS. I would suggest these individuals certified and have certain educational backgrounds. This way the cost associated with travel costs, per diem, hotel costs,... more »