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Office of Budget

Fiscal Year 2005 Performance and Accountability Report
Published November 15, 2005

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Strategic Goal One: Restoration and Improved Quality of Life for Disabled Veterans

Strategic Objective 1.4: Improved Standard of Living for Eligible Survivors

Improve the standard of living and income status of eligible survivors of service-disabled veterans through compensation, education, and insurance benefits.

Performance Trend and Impact of FY 2005 Result

Performance Trend FY 2005 Impact
Key Measure: Average Days to Process Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) actions
2001 133
2002 172
2003 153
2004 125
2005 Result 124
2005 Plan 120
2006 Plan 100
Strategic Target 90
The 2005 result was slightly above target for 2005 (124 average days vs. a target of 120 average days). However, the dramatic progress made since 2002 when actions took 172 days to process means that veterans' dependents are receiving payments more quickly.

Related Information

Major Management Challenges

The following major management challenges have been identified for this strategic objective:

OIG
GAO

Program Evaluations

The Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, established under Public Law 108-136, is conducting a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of benefits provided under current federal laws to compensate veterans and their survivors for disability or death attributable to military service. The Commission will make recommendations concerning the appropriateness of such benefits under existing laws, the appropriateness of the level of such benefits, and the appropriate standards for determining whether a veteran's disability or death should be compensated. The Commission began the study in May 2005 and expects to issue its report within 15 months.

Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) Evaluation

In relation to this strategic objective, the Administration conducted a PART evaluation of VA's Compensation program during 2002, which resulted in a rating of "Results Not Demonstrated." Please see Summary Table 3 for more information.

New Policies and Procedures

The Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 has significantly increased both the length and complexity of claims development. VA's notification and development duties increased, adding more steps to the claims process and lengthening the time it takes to develop and decide a claim.

Other Important Results

The total number of DIC claims completed during 2005 is 27,740, which is 2 percent more than the 27,191 completed in 2004.