VA benefits nominee would prep for change

[unhappycamper]

VA benefits nominee would prep for change
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Sep 18, 2008 11:45:44 EDT

In the remaining 3½ months of the Bush administration, the nominee to head the Veterans’ Benefits Administration knows he cannot put much of a dent in the backlog of benefits claims, nor significantly reduce the time it takes for claims to be processed.

But retired Rear Adm. Patrick Dunne, nominated to be VA’s undersecretary of benefits, said Wednesday he will concentrate on setting the stage so things work more smoothly for the next administration.

Getting VA ready to pay Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits when that program takes effect on Aug. 1, 2009, is a top priority, Dunne said. Continuing to prepare for a future paperless claims system and completing a review of disability ratings issues so the next administration could reform benefits are two other things he’d like to get done in the remaining months of the Bush presidency.

Dunne, currently VA’s acting benefits director, appears to have strong support among members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. But congressional aides, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said getting a full Senate vote on the nomination could be difficult because of concerns among some senators about veterans’ issues not directly related to Dunne.

The aides would not name the senators.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/military_veterans_benefitschief_091708w/%2e