National Guard and reserve service members are less likely to get veterans' disability claims approved than active-duty counterparts because of incomplete military records and inadequate oversight of their injuries, according to a new analysis from a federal watchdog.
The disparity comes even as guard and reserve members continue to take on traditional active-duty roles across a host of military deployments, bringing with them additional health risks and complications.
It could mean tens of thousands of veterans missing out on benefits even as the department expands its financial support for injured veterans in the coming years.
In a report released Monday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that over a 10-year span, the part-time troops’ approval rate in first-time disability claims ranged from 62% in 2012 to 77% in 2021.
It lagged significantly behind active-duty troops’ approval rates, which grew from 79% in 2021 to 90% in 2021.
Researchers said the problem was not necessarily linked to fewer injuries or illnesses but tied to less documentation of potential problems.
Pentagon and VA officials told GAO they are working on improvements, but acknowledged they were “unaware of this difference” until contacted by the agency.
Guard and reserve personnel make up about 33% of the country’s total military end strength of more than 2M troops.
The full report is available on the Government Accountability Office’s website.
Marine commandant hospitalized
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith experienced a medical emergency [an apparent heart attack reports USNI] on the evening of Oct. 29 and was hospitalized, according to the headquarters of the Marine Corps statement.
Due to the vacancy, and in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 8044, the most senior officer of the Marine Corps' HQ, Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, is performing the duties of the Commandant. (USNI 10/30/23) UPDATED: Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith Hospitalized After Heart Attack - USNI News
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