Fund "up to 12 new veterans counselors to help the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) assist the VA to more quickly process benefits claims.”

 

The Office of the Governor provided the Texas Veterans Commission funding of $393,843  for 12 claims counselors to create new Claims Processing Assistance Teams (CPATs) to assist the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in processing the backlog of benefits claims at the Houston and Waco Regional Offices.  The Texas Veterans Commission used the funding to hire 12 counselors.

 

 

“Will reduce a state backlog of more than 38,000 pending veterans claims.”

 

As of June 13, 2011, the CPATs have presented 16,771 claims to the VA for final decision or award action thus reducing the backlog. 

Given the number of VA Claims presented to the VA for final decision or award action the Texas Veterans Commission considers the initiative a success. In its ongoing quest to improve processes the VA is considering the CPAT model as a possible solution.