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Virginia Department of Veterans Services Receives 2015 Governor’s Technology Award - Virginia first and only state to implement a completely electronic veterans claims filing system

On behalf of Governor Terry McAuliffe, Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson presented 2015 Governor’s Technology Awards to 18 winners in nine categories at a special Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) ceremony on September 9th.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) received a 2015 Governor’s Technology Award in the IT as an Efficiency Driver- Government to Government category. Allison A. Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was present to jointly receive the award with VDVS.

The Award was given to honor the completed Benevets Automated Claims Application. “This automated process improved the functionality of an existing service and created an efficient, effective and productive platform that benefits both our agency and the veterans we serve” noted John L. Newby, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

The BeneVets Automated Claims Application allows the agency to develop and submit veteran claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs entirely through an electronic process. Thomas Herthel, Benefits Director for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, stated “the application eliminates extensive paper usage, significantly reduces postage and supply costs and most importantly, decreases the time it takes for a veteran’s claim to move through the state and federal process.” New quality controls significantly reduce errors; its use has substantially reduced the backlog of veterans’ claims.

Virginia is the first and only state to utilize and implement a completely electronic veterans claims filing system.

About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) operates 26 benefit services offices that assist veterans and their family members in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; two long-term care facilities offering nursing, assisted living, and domiciliary care for veterans, and three veterans cemeteries that provide an honored final resting place for veterans and their families. VDVS provides veterans and family members with direct linkages to needed services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The Department operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s monument to honor the memory of Virginia’s men and women who demonstrated a willingness to serve and fight to defend our way of life from World War II to the present.

To learn more visit www.dvs.virginia.gov or download our free App here for Apple users and here for Android users.