IDVA Annual CVSO Conference July 11, 2018

1. IDVA Annual CVSO Conference July 11, 2018

2. Indianapolis VA Regional Office Indianapolis Regional Office Overview

3. SECVA Top 5 Priorities Indianapolis VA Regional Office Modernize Systems Greater Choice Focus Resources Improve Timeliness Suicide Prevention

4. Regional Office - Staffing Indianapolis VA Regional Office Director Mike Stephens IRM FCIO Betty Jugg FY17 Ceiling: 528 Assistant Director Mike Scheibel ISO Fazan “Rocky” Ali VR&E Officer Mike Buescher Chief Support Services Horace Jordan Human Resources Octavia Fitzgerald VSC Manager Teria Dowdy Fid Hub Manager Hillary Jedlicka Director’s Staff Lisa Goebel

5. Regional Office – Statewide Presence Indianapolis VA Regional Office Indianapolis – Regional Office Fort Wayne – VR&E and Comp Marion – VR&E and Comp Camp Atterbury – MSCs (Comp) Gary – VR&E South Bend/Mishawaka – VR&E Kokomo – VR&E Columbus – VR&E Scottsburg – VR&E Evansville – VR&E

6. Regional Office – Statewide Impact Indianapolis VA Regional Office 418,579 Veterans in the state 4th largest Army National Guard Over $1.5 billion paid annually in comp & VR&E benefits Over $125 million paid monthly in comp & VR&E benefits

7. Regional Office – Business Lines Indianapolis VA Regional Office • Indianapolis Business Lines: • Indianapolis Fiduciary Hub • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment • Veterans Service Center (Compensation)

8. Indy Fiduciary Hub Indianapolis VA Regional Office • The Regional Office (Service Center) proposes a competency status change. • The fiduciary process is triggered once the final competency rating is issued. • The Regional Office sends a request to the fiduciary unit for conduction of a field exam.   • The Field Examiner decides who will serve as the fiduciary. • The Veteran continues receiving the monthly benefit until a fiduciary is appointed. • Any retroactive benefits are released to the payee/fiduciary once the fiduciary is certified.

9. Indy Fiduciary Hub Indianapolis VA Regional Office Fiduciary Work Pending for Indiana • 52,810 beneficiaries over 14 states • 4,092 in Indiana • 10 Field Examiners • Initial Appointments (IA) • 84 pending • Average of 36 days • Target 45 days • Follow-up Examinations (FB) • 1213 pending • Average of 189 days • Target 120 days

10. Indy Vocational Rehabilitationand Employment Indianapolis VA Regional Office • 356 Positive Outcomes for Hoosier Veterans in FY17 • Including 228 jobs • Staff out-based throughout the State • Serving 1,752 Veterans in Indiana

11. Indy Veterans Service Center Indianapolis VA Regional Office • 343,511 rating claims pending • 72,676 pending over 125 days • Average pending age of rating claims is 89.5 days

12. AppealsOverview of Current Process Indianapolis VA Regional Office The current VA appeal process, which is set in law, is a complex, non-linear process that is unlikeother standard appeals processes across Federal agencies and judicial systems. • Process takes too long • On average Veterans are waiting 3 years for a resolution on their appeal. • For those appeals that were decided by the Board in FY16, on average, Veterans waited at least 6 years from filing of their NOD until the Board decision issued that year. • Process is too complex • Splits jurisdiction between VBA and the Board • Features an open record and ongoing duty to assist

13. AppealsOverview of Current Process Indianapolis VA Regional Office

14. Veterans AppealsImprovement and Modernization Act Indianapolis VA Regional Office “Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017” President Trump signed the law on August 23, 2017 • Understandable process • Multiple options for Veterans instead of one • Improved notice as to which option might be best • Early resolution of disagreements • Each lane with a clearly defined start/end point • Higher-Level Review and Appeal lanes provide quality feedback to VBA • Workload transparency for better workload/resource projections • VBA as claims agency, Board as appeals agency • Efficient use of resources for long-term savings

15. AppealsNew Framework Indianapolis VA Regional Office Evidence Only Docket Hearing Docket When this option is selected on the NOD, the appellant will be scheduled for a Board hearing. Additionally, the appellant may submit evidence within the 90 day window following the scheduled hearing. When this option is selected on the NOD, the appellant may submit evidence within the 90 day window following submission of the NOD. Direct Docket When this option is selected on the NOD, the appellant receives direct review by the Board of the evidence that was before the AOJ in the decision on appeal. VA has established a 365-day timeliness goal for the Direct Docket.

16. Legacy Appeals Inventory - RAMP Indianapolis VA Regional Office • The sizable inventory of appeals from decisions issued prior to the effective date of the new law must be completed under legacy procedures. • VA worked with VSOs and other stakeholders to design expanded opt-in opportunities in a Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP). • OPT in to RAMP!

17. Contact Information Indianapolis VA Regional Office Michael Stephens Director (317) 916-3400 Michael Scheibel Assistant Director (317) 916-3400 National Help Line 1-800-827-1000

18. Questions Indianapolis VA Regional Office