Another Whack at the Backlog; Leveling the Health Care Playing Field; Clearing Up Confusion About the Affordable Care Act; VA Health System Makes the Most Wired List

In the ongoing effort to cut the backlog of disability compensation claims down to size, the VA has added a new online application that allows claims to be processed faster, in a more end-to-end electronic environment. The joint VA/DoD web portal eBenefits is now integrated with the new internal Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) electronic claims processing system. This transition follows on the heels of other moves, such as expediting claims decisions for veterans who have waited 1 year or longer and mandated overtime for claims processors.