Comment on Proposed Information Collection (Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension) Activity: Comment Request; OMB No. 0001; FR Doc. #2012-22490; Hill, Edward A.

We need a better way to submit information electronically. VONAPP currently does not expedite any processes, as us veterans still need to submit documentation by mail. I have had instances where even electronic application was filed and veteran records are still somehow "not in the system". Often times, there are multiple "additional forms" requested to fully substantiate a claim. It seems that there should be multiple checklists provided to service organizations, accredited representatives, and individual claimants based on types of applications and "common claims" The "Virtual VA" also needs to be implemented asap so that we can get each department on the same page. I outline our thoughts here>> An excerpt from http://veteranltc.com/the_application_process.html : "A case management system where only one person handles the claim from inception to award or denial is much more efficient for time-in-process but would be extremely costly and cumbersome to VA. Rating Veterans Service Representatives, near the end of the chain, require extensive training and knowledge in order to make accurate award decisions for claims. Making all VSR's case managers would require extensive training and higher salaries to acquire the expertise as a Rating VSR. By using the assembly line, VA can use cheaper workers with much less training to prepare claims for the final decision made by the rating activity. A paperless process would also be extremely beneficial and much more efficient, even with the assembly line, but that would require a costly and disruptive effort by VA to convert. There are over 300,000 claims left in process at the end of each year and any glitch in the current system would only increase that backlog. Also, being a federal agency and relying on Congress for funding typically means chronic underfunding for desired projects. There is never enough money to do it right."