Battling the Backlog: Challenges facing the VA claims adjudication and appeal process

administrative Admiral Cooper agency of original Agent Orange Answer Appeals for Veterans appeals process attorney average impairments award backlog believe Board of Veterans CAVC Chairman CRAIG Chisholm claimant claims adjudication Committee compensation and pension compensation program Congress consistency COPPER Court of Appeals decisionmaking decisions delay develop disability compensation disability programs earning capacity employees ensure erans evidence Federal Circuit field office filing fiscal year 2004 goal hearing improve increase individual unemployability initial issues Judge Kramer judicial review KEN SALAZAR Law Judges military discharge NAPA original jurisdiction pending percent problem PTSD question rating schedule recommendations remand result Robert Chisholm Secretary Senator AKAKA Senator BURR Senator SALAZAR service members service-connected specific staff staffing substantive appeal SURRATT Task Force Report testimony Thank timeliness tion U.S. Court U.S. SENATOR United States Code VA's VA's disability VBA's VSOS workload