ldh: Interesting that during my time with VBA, about 20 years ago, all they would hire were "outstanding scholars" as claims examiners, essentially ignoring Veteran's who may have had to had to work jobs and support families while going to college. Those same Veterans who, like yourself, would feel more of a calling to help our own. Twenty years later and there are still huge backlogs on claims and fewer VA employees who have worn our Nation's uniform.

I have been a private sector claims manager and consultant since 1985 and am a veteran. I have applied with scores of 100 for several rating claims positions in several regional offices over the last year. I have been told several times by claims examiners with the VBA that I am not hired because I do not have a service connected disability. It allegedly takes two years to "train" new-hire examiners to do the job they are hired for. I greatly desire to assist my fellow vets with the backlog of claims by using my experience. However, disabled vets with NO experience get preference. The VBA is literally shooting themselves in the foot with that type of hiring poicy.

I hope that when the position is permanently filled that Mr. Walcoff has the service-connected veteran's in mind and considers an monetary increase in disability compensation rates. I have been receiving said compensation for wounds received in Nam since 1968, and the only increase(s) has been the annual paltry COLA amounts. We, the SC veteran's who cannot work due to our disabilities, deserve to be able to a "decent" quality of life....don't we ? Semper Fi !