Veteran Affairs and AI

Arnold Schwarzenegger famously said, “I’ll be back.” This was quipped as the futuristic artificial-intelligence cyborg, the T-800, from the 1984 movie "The Terminator." Arnold indeed stayed true to his word. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, as it has become, is definitely now here. While we have yet to see the T-800, AI is making its presence felt. AI tools, ChatBots, Chat GPT, Gemini and many others have become more intertwined in our day-to-day lives. And the VA is no exception.

The VA announced it will incorporate AI into its operations with the goals of delivering more and better health care, faster benefits and memorial services, and streamlined support services with a degree of operational efficiency previously unimaginable.

OK, I know what you’re thinking, “What does that have to do with me?” Well, let's get into it. This will change the way the VA reviews and processes your benefits claims.

A little background, I promise to keep it brief. In February, California enacted SB 694, which prohibits unaccredited individuals or companies from charging fees to assist veterans with VA disability claims. These companies and individuals often guarantee results by working with “specialized medical consulting” doctors to increase ratings and demand upfront fees.

The new AI tool will scan more than a million disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs) nationwide for signs of fraud. The plan is to go as far back as 2010 to flag potential problems. DBQs are forms that private medical providers complete to help determine the severity of a service-connected disability. The questionnaires are often a standard part of a claim submission for benefits.

It is another AI tool that will support and automate some parts of the disability claims. The technology extracts relevant key data, key terms, and phrases from specific document types to: 1) Collect and organize relevant medical evidence, 2) Highlight information relevant to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), and 3) Save claims processors time by highlighting actionable data for decision-making. The ending result is a faster decision on claims.

The future is here, but it is not as scary as the T-800. Until next time.

Cecil Webster, the Veterans Services Officer for Tulare County, is a former U.S. Navy Photographer’s Mate 3. Contact him at the Veterans Services Office at 3348 W. Mineral King Ave. in Visalia, by phone at 559-713-2880, or by email at TCVSO@tularecounty.ca.gov.