26,456 cases awaiting a decision today in VA-DOD IDES

VA, DoD short on results, lawmakers say
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Air Force Times
Posted : Wednesday Jul 25, 2012 11:32:24 EDT
A joint congressional committee focused Wednesday on missed deadlines and delayed improvements that prevent the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments from providing a promised smooth transition to civilian life for separating service members.

While not questioning the objectives of the two agencies, lawmakers from the House armed services and veterans’ affairs committees focused on results of many initiatives that have yet to pan out.

A prime example is the joint VA-DoD Integrated Disability Evaluation Systems, or IDES, that was supposed to streamline the medical and bureaucratic process for those with service-connected disabilities who are preparing to leave the military.

There are 26,456 cases awaiting a decision today — 17,719 in the Army alone — for a process that is taking an average of 427 days in the Army, 406 days in the Marine Corps, 373 days in the Navy and 349 days in the Air Force.
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