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Inspection of VA Regional Office Lincoln, Nebraska

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
15-02614-434
VISN
State
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
Overall, VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) benefits inspectors determined Lincoln VA Regional Office (VARO) claims processing staff incorrectly processed 8 of the 66 disability claims (12 percent) selected for review. One of the claims processing errors resulted in improper benefits payments of $12,650 to one veteran over a 1-year period. The OIG benefits inspectors sample disability claims considered at increased risk of processing errors, so inspection results do not represent the accuracy of all disability claims processed at the Lincoln VARO. OIG staff found VARO staff incorrectly processed 7 of 30 claims related to temporary 100 percent disability evaluations but correctly processed all 30 of the traumatic brain injury claims we sampled. One of the sample cases relating to Special Monthly Compensation and ancillary benefits was processed incorrectly. Lincoln VARO staff followed policy and accurately established claims in an electronic system of records using correct dates of claims for the 30 claims sampled. Inspectors also determined VARO staff delayed processing actions for 7 of the 30 benefits reduction cases which resulted in approximately $6,000 in improper benefit payments from August 2014 until March 2015. Generally, the errors we identified during our 2015 inspection related to prioritization of workload. But for the workload restrictions imposed by VBA’s Central Office and the Central Area, the Lincoln VARO had the potential to be compliant in all areas we inspected. The Director of the Lincoln VARO concurred with all recommendations and the planned corrective actions are responsive. OIG has plans to follow up on corrective actions as required.

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 recommended the Lincoln VA Regional Office Director conduct a review of the 81 temporary 100 percent disability evaluations remaining from our inspection universe as of March 5, 2015, and take appropriate action.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Lincoln VA Regional Office Director implement a plan to ensure claims processing staff prioritize actions related to benefits reductions to minimize improper payments to veterans.