Social Security Expands Outreach to Wounded Veterans

SSA Gov, Mar 14, 2008

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today highlighted the agency’s efforts to improve service and reach out to wounded veterans.  “On Sunday, we honor America’s veterans whose love of country, willingness to serve and sacrifice ensures the many freedoms we enjoy today,” Commissioner Astrue said.  “While we can never fully repay them for their sacrifices, we can be sure we provide them with the quality of service and the respect they so richly deserve.”

Commissioner Astrue highlighted a number of activities Social Security has undertaken in the last several months to improve service and expand outreach to wounded veterans and their families.  These include:

Expedited processing of disability claims for men and women serving in the U.S. military who become disabled while on active duty.  The expedited process is for military service members disabled on or after October 1, 2001, and is applicable regardless of where the disability occurs.  Social Security also expedites survivors claims.

An agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the VA to electronically provide Social Security with the medical records of veterans applying for disability benefits.  This agreement enables us to get medical records quicker and more efficiently and helps us expedite the disability determination.

Assigning Social Security liaisons throughout the country to work closely with VA’s Transition Patient Advocates (TPAs).  Social Security’s liaisons provide TPAs with Social Security information and ensure that the application for benefits is expedited.

Instructions and extensive training for our disability examiners -- the people who make the medical decisions on our disability claims  -- on how to properly identify and evaluate Traumatic Brain Injury, the signature injury of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.