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Insepction of VA Regional Office Boise, Idaho

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
12-03885-168
VISN
State
Idaho
District
VA Office
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Report Author
Office of Audits and Evaluations
Report Type
Review
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
We evaluated the Boise VARO to see how well it accomplishes this mission. VARO staff did not accurately process 16 (46 percent) of 35 disability claims we reviewed. Specifically, 14 of the 30 temporary 100 percent disability evaluations we reviewed were inaccurate, generally because VARO staff did not establish controls to request future medical reexaminations. VARO performance was generally effective in processing traumatic brain injury claims. Managers did not ensure staff completed Systematic Analyses of Operations or addressed Gulf War veterans’ entitlement to mental health treatment. Boise VARO staff provided adequate outreach to homeless veterans; however, VBA needs a measure to assess its outreach program. The VARO Director concurred with our recommendations.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommend the Boise VA Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to ensure staff include recommendations for identified problems in their Systematic Analyses of Operations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommend the Boise VA Regional Office Director develop and implement a plan to monitor the effectiveness of training and the local checklist to ensure staff follow current Veterans Benefits Administration policy regarding Gulf War veteransÂż entitlement to mental health treatment when previous decisions did not address this issue as required.