JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
VA backlog Attacked - VA is on track toward meeting one of its top priorities: breaking the back of the disability claims backlog, according to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "Our intent is to have no claim over 125 days." VA has been testing a new electronic system in Providence, R.I., and Salt Lake City. The department expects to take the system to 16 regional offices in September, with all 56 regional offices to receive it by the end of fiscal 2013. During 2009, VA produced 900,000 claims decisions, but received 1 million new claims. The next year, VA increased its claims decisions to 1 million, but received 1.2 million new claims. "Last year, we produced another 1 million claims decisions and got 1.3 million claims in," Shinseki said. With the process now automated, VA is able to process more than 600,000 Post-9/11 GI Bill claims faster, and with fewer mistakes, the secretary said. That experience demonstrated the importance of keeping manual processing going as automation is being rolled in, then gradually moving all the processes toward automation, he added.
'Pink Slime' ruled out - Following news reports on ground beef additives (pink slime), the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) heard from many patrons suggesting that such products be banned from the commissaries. "Although the USDA continues to assure us this approved process is safe, your concerns are important to us," a DeCA spokesman said. "We will be modifying our contracts to phase out these products and require that our ground beef suppliers only sell us products not treated with this process," he added.
Erroneous Letter Reported - Some military retirees in Maryland report receipt of a letter alleging an improper retirement exclusion on 2008 taxes. The letter also shows a balance due, usually several thousand dollars. A state representative said some letters were sent to retirees who had, in fact, properly reported their retirement income on their 2008 Maryland Income Tax Return. If you receive such a letter, call the Comptroller of Maryland at 1 800 648-9638 to verify whether or not you improperly reported your retirement income. Do not submit payment until your case has been reviewed.
Keep Address Current - Since military retiree and/or annuitant pay is sent Direct Deposit, some documents never reach those who have moved and failed to notify the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The address on record at DFAS is the one your parent service uses to contact you. It is important to verify the correct address on file at DFAS. Take care of it now or you may be scrambling around at tax time, wondering why you never received your payroll data. Addresses can be changed on MyPay. If you do not have an account, write to DFAS, US Military Retirement Pay, PO Box 7130, London KY 40742-7130; by fax to 1 800 469-6559; or call 1 800-321-1080. Include your Social Security number.