Veterans for Common Sense et al v. Nicholson et al

Filing 48

Veterans for Common Sense et al v. Nicholson et al

Doc. 48 Att. 3

VA BENEFITS ACTIVITY VETERANS DEPLOYED TO THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
June 2007 Update This report summarizes participation in VA benefits programs by veterans identified by the Department of Defense as having been deployed overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Information is included for the following VA programs: Compensation, Insurance, Home Loan Guaranty, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. This update provides data on VA program participation for 720,499 GWOT veterans separated from military service through February 2007. It is important to understand that because many GWOT veterans had earlier periods of service, the benefits activity identified in this report could have occurred either prior to or subsequent to their GWOT deployment (or both). Chart #1 GWOT Veterans by Branch of Service Reserve Branch of Service Guard Active Duty Air Force 78,437 54,420 Army 250,104 139,072 Coast Guard 314 448 Marine Corps 25,429 62,759 Navy 20,765 82,908 Other 4 14 Unknown 2,147 1,878 Total matched to VA systems 377,200 341,499 Unable to match to VA systems 918 882 Total 378,118 342,381

Total 132,857 389,176 762 88,188 103,673 18 4,025 718,699 1,800 720,499

Note: The veteran's branch of service was obtained from VA's BIRLS system, which stores information for up to three periods of service. The branch of service associated with the most recent service date was used for the chart above.

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Chart #2 Gender of GWOT Veterans Reserve Gender Guard Active Duty Female 39,426 38,500 Male 334,702 300,110 Unknown 3,072 2,889 Total matched to VA systems 377,200 341,499 Unable to match to VA systems 918 882 Total 378,118 342,381

Total 77,926 634,812 5,961 718,699 1,800 720,499

Chart #3 Age of GWOT Veterans Reserve Age Group Guard Active Duty Under 20 149 262 20 - 29 128,903 226,847 30 - 39 112,927 61,883 40 - 49 97,830 45,114 50 - 59 32,814 6,033 60 -69 3,797 223 Unknown 780 1,137 Total matched to VA systems 377,200 341,499 Unable to match to VA systems 918 882 Total 378,118 342,381

Total 411 355,750 174,810 142,944 38,847 4,020 1,917 718,699 1,800 720,499

Note: Veterans' ages are calculated as the number of whole years between the date of birth in the BIRLS system and February 28, 2007. Any veteran with a missing or invalid date of birth, or where the calculated age was under 17 years or over 69 years, was placed in the "Unknown" age group.

Chart #4 Average Age of GWOT Veterans Reserve Guard Active Duty Average Age 35.8 years 29.7 years

Chart #5 Average Length of Service for GWOT Veterans Reserve Guard Active Duty Average Length of Service 3.6 years 7.5 years

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Service-Connected Disability Compensation Program VBA's computer systems do not contain any data that would allow us to attribute veterans' disabilities to a specific period of service or deployment. We are therefore only able to identify GWOT veterans who filed a disability compensation claim at some point either prior to or following their GWOT deployment. We are not able to identify which of these veterans filed a claim for disabilities incurred during their actual overseas GWOT deployment. Many veterans file disability compensation claims for more than one condition. The table below provides information on individual GWOT veterans, not specific claimed disabilities. Individuals included in the category "Veterans Awarded Service-Connection" are those veterans who have at least one condition that meets eligibility requirements for service connection under VA statutes and regulations. For veterans who filed a claim for more than one condition, this category contains veterans with a full grant of all conditions as well as veterans with a combination of disabilities granted and denied. If none of a GWOT veteran's claimed conditions meet eligibility requirements under VA statutes and regulations, these individuals are included in the category "Veterans Denied Service-Connection."

Chart #6 C&P Activity Among GWOT Veterans (Includes claims filed both prior to and following GWOT deployment) Reserves Active Category Guard Duty Total Deployed Servicemembers 419,534 1,084,647 1,504,181 Total GWOT Veterans 378,118 342,381 720,499 Living GWOT Veterans 377,381 339,815 717,196 GWOT In-Service Deaths 737 2,566 3,303 Total GWOT Veterans with Claims Decisions 64,153 110,490 174,643 Veterans Awarded Service-Connection 54,166 103,172 157,338 Veterans Receiving Compensation 41,041 90,769 131,810 Veterans Denied Service-Connection 9,987 7,318 17,305 Veterans with Pending Claims (as of 5-31-07) 19,088 20,941 40,029 Veterans with Pending Reopened Claims 5,643 6,324 11,967 Pending from First-Time Claimants 13,445 14,617 28,062 Total GWOT Veterans Filing Disability Claims* 77,598 125,107 202,705 * Includes "Total GWOT Veterans with Claims Decisions" and "Pending from First-Time Claimants."

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Disabilities are evaluated according to VA regulations, and the extent of the disability is expressed as a percentage from zero percent to 100 percent disabling, in increments of 10 percent. Veterans with more than one service-connected disability receive a combined disability rating. The chart below includes GWOT veterans awarded combined service-connected disability ratings from zero percent to 100 percent, regardless of whether the veteran receives monetary compensation. Chart #7 GWOT Veterans Awarded Service-Connection (by Combined Degree of Disability) Combined Reserves Guard Degree Active Duty Total 0% 10,334 11,351 21,685 10% 14,895 20,950 35,845 20% 7,886 15,520 23,406 30% 5,958 15,213 21,171 40% 5,032 13,270 18,302 50% 2,644 7,693 10,337 60% 2,844 7,978 10,822 70% 1,755 4,823 6,578 80% 1,230 3,193 4,423 90% 530 1,254 1,784 100% 1,057 1,928 2,985 Total 54,165 103,173 157,338
Note: Includes corporate data. Previous reports included CPMR only.

Chart #8 Ten Most Frequent Service-Connected Disabilities for GWOT Veterans (Both Active Duty and Reserve/Guard)

BDN DATA ONLY
Diagnostic Diagnosis Description Code 6260 Tinnitus 5237 Lumbosacral or cervical strain 6100 Defective hearing Generalized, Elbow and Forearm, Wrist, Multiple Fingers, Hip 5299 and Thigh, Knee and Leg, Ankle, Foot, Spine, Skull, Ribs, Coccyx 9411 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 5271 Limited motion of the ankle 5260 Limitation of flexion of leg 5242 Degenerative arthritis of the spine 5010 Arthritis, due to trauma, substantiated by x-ray findings 7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (essential arterial hypertension) Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007 Count 40,325 34,774 29,104 23,078 19,015 17,240 16,960 13,345 12,417 12,394 4

Insurance Program Traumatic Injury Benefit Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) is a traumatic injury protection rider under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) that provides for payment to any member of the uniformed services covered by SGLI who sustains a traumatic injury that results in certain severe losses. Through May 31, 2007, 6,017 active duty servicemembers and veterans have applied for TSGLI. Of those, 3,352 applications were filed by GWOT veterans and of that total, 1,816 veterans received benefits. Chart #9a GWOT Veterans Who Applied for TSGLI Benefits (by Age) Reserve Age Group Guard Active Duty Total Under 20 1 1 20 - 29 547 1,248 1,795 30 - 39 508 343 851 40 - 49 456 69 525 50 - 59 160 2 162 60 -69 12 12 Unknown 6 6 Total 1,683 1,669 3,352
Note: The totals above reflect veterans whose claims have been approved, have been denied or are currently pending.

Chart #9b GWOT Veterans Who Received TSGLI Benefits (by Age) Reserve Age Group Guard Active Duty Total Under 20 1 1 20 ­ 29 303 848 1,151 30 - 39 221 228 449 40 - 49 131 43 174 50 - 59 37 37 60 -69 Unknown 4 4 Total 692 1,124 1,816

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Chart #10a GWOT Veterans Who Applied for TSGLI Benefits (by Gender) Reserve Gender Guard Active Duty Total Female 90 40 130 Male 1,585 1,621 3,206 Unknown 8 8 16 Total 1,683 1,669 3,352
Note: The totals above reflect veterans whose claims have been approved, have been denied or are currently pending.

Chart #10b GWOT Veterans Who Recieved TSGLI Benefits (by Gender) Reserve Gender Guard Active Duty Total Female 23 24 47 Male 667 1,094 1,761 Unknown 2 6 8 Total 692 1,124 1,816

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Home Loan Guaranty Program VA's home loan guaranty program has been helping veterans purchase homes for more than 60 years. VA guaranteed home loans are made by banks and mortgage companies to veterans, servicemembers and eligible reservists. With VA backing a portion of the loan, veterans can receive a competitive interest rate without a downpayment, making it easier to buy a home. This benefit can be used more than once if needed to 1) refinance an existing VA guaranteed loan at a lower interest rate or 2) to purchase a home that will again be used as the person's primary residence (eligible to do this normally after paying off any previous loans.)

Chart #11 Home Loan Guaranty Program Participation by GWOT Veterans Reserve Guard Active Duty Total GWOT Veterans with VA 66,760 162,638 Loan 95,878 Total Loans Made to 99,301 247,936 GWOT Veterans 148,635 Dollar Amount of All Loans to GWOT Veterans $16,617,160,229 $12,205,879,366 $28,823,039,595

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Education Programs The chart below reflects participation by GWOT veterans in VA education benefit programs since September 11, 2001. Participants may have been entitled to more than one benefit. For example, a reservist may have received Chapter 1606 benefits until he or she became eligible to receive Chapter 1607 benefits. This participant would be reported in both columns in the chart below.

Chart #12 Education Program Participation Among GWOT Veterans Since September 11, 2001 Type of Training Chapter 30 Chapter 1606 Chapter 1607 TOTAL Graduate 5,253 5,465 2,485 13,203 Under Graduate 51,020 68,184 19,608 138,812 Junior College 65,488 45,570 10,648 121,706 NCD 14,957 6,568 1,985 23,510 Total 136,718 125,787 34,726 297,231 Montgomery GI Bill Active-Duty (Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of education benefits for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty. Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the reserve elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and members of the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses. Benefits generally end the day a member separates from the Selected Reserve or National Guard. For those who are activated, eligibility is extended beyond separation for a period of time equal to time served on active duty plus four months. Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607) provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program (Chapter 31 Chart #13 VR&E Activity Among GWOT Veterans (Includes participation either prior to and following GWOT deployment) Reserve Active Current Case Status Guard Duty Total Applicant 377 990 1,367 Employment Services 116 294 410 Evaluation and Planning 816 1,884 2,700 Extended Evaluation 126 279 405 Independent Living 41 48 89 Interrupted 238 621 859 Rehabilitation to Employability 1,512 4,884 6,396 Unknown 81 17 98 Current Participants 3,307 9,017 12,324 Rehabilitated 606 540 1,146 Discontinued 269 234 503 Total VR&E Participants 4,182 9,791 13,973
Applicant: A veteran's case is assigned to applicant status when the VA receives an application (VAF-1900) for services under Chapter 31. Evaluation and Planning: Determination of feasibility of a vocational goal and/or evaluation the veteran's ability to function independently within the veteran's family and community. Extended Evaluation: Determine the current feasibility of the veteran with a serious employment handicap to achieve a vocational goal. Rehabilitation to Employability: Services and training necessary for entry into employment in an identified suitable occupational objective. Independent Living Program: Services that are needed to enable a veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living, including home accommodations, counseling, and educational services, as determined necessary. Employment Services: Services to assist in obtaining and/or maintaining suitable employment. Rehabilitated: The goals of a rehabilitation/employment/independent living program have been substantially achieved. Interrupted: Temporary suspension of the program warranted due to a veteran's individual circumstances. Discontinued: All services and benefits are terminated. Serious Employment Handicap: A significant impairment of a veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment, as determined by a VA counselor.

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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Sources
DoD: · Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) East, cumulative count of servicemembers deployed to OEF/OIF, from September 11, 2001 through February 2007. · DMDC West, extract of OEF/OIF servicemembers discharged to civilian status from September 2001 through February 2007. · The DMDC list of 720,499 deployed GWOT veterans represents 48% of the cumulative deployed GWOT servicemember population of 1,504,181 through February 2007.

VBA: · Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS), as of the end of the month May 2007 · Compensation and Pension Master Record (CPMR), active records ("A" type) as of the end of the month May 2007 · CPMR, terminated records ("E" type) as of the end of the month March 2007 · Corporate records as of June 6, 2007 · Pending Issue File (PIF), as of the close of business on May 31, 2007 · Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service Chapter 31 file, as of the end of the month May 2007 · Loan Guaranty data, as of June 10, 2007 · TSGLI file, as of May 31, 2007 · Education Service data, as of May 18, 2007* (Education Service compared data to the OEF/OIF deployed GWOT servicemember population through January 2007)

Questions
Questions may be referred to the Office of Performance Analysis and Integrity at [phone].

Prepared by VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity June 25, 2007

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