TechForJustice
VA C-File (Claims Folder) Acquisition Tool
Develop platform that generates filing documents (by mail or electronically) for a veteran to obtain their VA C-File used in determining service-connected injury compensation awards. A member’s C-File is a difficult record to obtain and often requires a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or attorney assistance to do so. Technology can aid and simplify the C-File acquisition process.
Next steps:
- Determine the need and verify the facts
- Create a working demo
- Build a marketing strategy and campaign for getting this into motion
The process for obtaining one's C-File is simply to write a letter to the regional VA office, or submit a FOIA request.
So, what kind of facts are you looking to verify? Like, whether veterans who are trying to obtain their VA C-File would benefit from this? What kind of questions do you want to ask a veteran about this?
The reason why I'm asking is because I'm assuming that we need to verify that veterans wanting to obtain their VA C-File would benefit from this. So, to me it sounds like we need to formulate the survey and then find the relevant veterans? Is that agreeable?
The process for the veteran to obtain their C-File is to write their Veterans Affairs Regional Benefits Office, of which there are nearly 60. The problem is that the request go unfulfilled. It is prevalent enough that one attorney wrote a book Take Back the Power!: How to Get Your VA C-File, but we do not have data on how many or by which regional offices. The possibility of mail being a contributing element to unfulfilled C-File request could be eliminated if an electronic tool was developed and accepted by the VA so the veteran could request it electronically, such as how eBenefits allows. The tool should include the information the VA needs, in the the format they need, to best support their processes for fulfilling the request. It's a win for both the veteran and the VA.
The accuracy of the C-File is critical to the veterans claim. Here is a $125 video: VIDEO Training: The VA C-File: How to Get It & How to Use It!
I'm trying to understand your explanation.
So, a veteran must request their C-File from the Veteran Affairs Regional Benefits Office that is closest to them? If that's true, then would one function of the web app be to request the location of the veteran making the request and then show them which office is inside their region, so that they could make their request accordingly?
Also, you said, we don't have data on "how many." How many what? Like, how many requests veterans put in for their C-File?
Thanks kautif. Yes, locating which regional office is the veteran's one would definitely be a good function. It would also be great if those VA offices would accept requests electronically. But if not, at least the app could generate a letter addressed to the veteran's regional office with all of the information the VA requires, in a standard format that best supports ease and efficiency in the VA response processes.
We don't have data on how many C-File request go unfulfilled or which regional offices have more or less incidents, so we do not know how many veterans this affects, but we know the problem is notable.
I found this blog: http://veterandisabilityblog.com/blog/the-c-files-the-truth-is-in-there/ Apparently, they do C-File consultation services. I wonder if they would have an idea about how many veteran's c-files go unfulfilled. Should we try giving them a call? Or, would it be better to just email/call a contact from a Veteran Affairs Regional Benefits Office? And maybe, we'll get some leads.
That gives excellent insight into C-Files! That there are 11 categories will be useful to know when designing a process.
Also, C-Files are now put onto a disk according to the National Personnel Records Center (the blog article is from 2013). This would seem to support an electronic process for the veteran's request and access of the file online.
I have called the firm who wrote the blog you posted, hoping to get further insight into how many veterans are affected, and I am awaiting a call back. I also called the VA Records Management Center who do not have that data. Regional office phone numbers don't seem to be published.
The BIG IDEA is to develop an online process for the veteran to access and download their C-File, and submit additional evidence requested by the VA.