We already know that politicians’ promises can’t be trusted, so we put this myth to the test:  Do politicians keep their promises to Veterans?

On nearly every Veterans website to assist Veterans, probably the most common question is some version of “When can I get a decision from the VA”, or, more specifically, when will I get paid.

Its a valid question, one that eludes everyone, especially the VA.     The VA does not want to give Veterans a time frame, in part, because we tend to hold them to it.    Social Security, however, will give claimants a time frame:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/159/~/length-of-time-to-receive-approval-or-denial-decision-on-disability-claim

Since I have a relative who works at social security, she said that “you better have a very good reason” for not getting a claimant’s decision out in 120 days.     However, 66% of Veterans have not yet received a decision on their claim within 120 days, according to this site:

http://veterans.house.gov/press-release/va-disability-ratings-evaluated

It appears the VA has tried a new twist.  According to Ebenefits, Veteran claimants are now given an Estimated Claim Completion Date: such as:  07/25/2012 to 02/06/2013

If you have an ebenefits account, you can check your estimated claim completion date here:

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal

The facts are that social security recipients are being treated better than Veterans.  Social Security claimants are (mostly) getting a decision in 120 days, and most Veterans are not.  So much for our politicians promising to reduce the VA backlog.  That’s another “myth busted” so, now myth busters online says:  Dont trust politicians’ promises:

Here is the promise:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/114/reduce-the-veterans-benefits-administration-claims/

Instead of reducing the backlog, apparently the current administration meant doubling the backlog:

http://www.nextgov.com/technology-news/2012/04/vas-disability-claims-backlog-pushes-900000/51060/

Myth busted.  Promises to Veterans broken.  Backlog was not reduced, it was doubled, or more, instead.