by David Morgan, Lawrence County Executive
A new claims management system adopted by the Tennessee Veterans Administration means local Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can help veterans and their widows submit claim reports and get benefits more quickly.
Advantages of the new system include:
Streamlined claims filing including e-signature capability, offering more convenience to Veterans;
Enhanced data visibility through monthly performance reports;
Reduced administrative burden, allowing VSOs to focus more on Veteran service;User-friendly interface that simplifies navigation and claim tracking; andReduced county expenses for licensing implementation.
Lawrence County VSO Donnie Morris said the new system also allows his office access to the National Military Personnel Archives in St. Louis. That information can make reports more accurate and complete the first time they’re filed and save time for people waiting for benefits. Some veterans, for instance, don’t have a copy of their DD214, which Morris calls “the birth certificate of the military” and a crucial element for benefit claims.
Morris and fellow VSO Jared Belew started using the new system the second week of May, after several training sessions with other officers across the state. This October, more training is planned along with adjustments to the system based on feedback from VSOs.
Retired General Tommy Baker, Commissioner for Tennessee’s Department of Veteran Services, is responsible for this positive shift, Morris said. “He’s is holding people accountable” to the people they serve.
Morris and his staff already have a great reputation for getting deserving people the benefits they’re entitled to. With retired VSO Shelia Peppers, and Belew, who was hired to fill her position, Morris has brought millions of dollars to our county in the form of veteran and widow benefits. It’s good for those families and our economy.
That reputation brings veterans from outside Lawrence County to our Veterans Service Office for help. Just one example is a Captain that Morris served under at Ft. Benning, Georgia – prior to joining Lawrence County Government in 2014 – who sought out Morris to file his retirement claim. “He came up and stayed at David Crockett State Park a couple of days while I was working on it,” he said.
Morris plans to host a local “Town Hall” this year where veterans can speak to VA raters, doctors, hospital administrators, attorneys, and others. He’s attended similar events in Linden and Memphis and saw the value of these officials “seeing problems in person.” The one-day Memphis event was extended to three and had to be expanded outside its indoor venue.
Morris and Belew ordered 8,100 flags that Veterans groups, Scouts, and other volunteers placed on local veterans’ graves Memorial Day weekend. Sadly, we lose 100-130 veterans each year, Morris said.
Read MoreLawrence County TN, Government
0 Comments