The Government Accountability Office ("GAO") released a report at the end of August regarding the improvements needed to ensure claimants of the Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") receive the appropriate representation. The Office of General Counsel is responsible for reviewing accreditation applications, approving them, and monitoring ongoing requirements.
The GAO examined the extent to which the VA's procedures adequately ensured representatives meet program requirements. The GAO also examined any obstacles that may impeded the VA's efforts to adequately implement its accreditation process. The GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations and procedures, and interviewed VA officials and organizations of accredited representatives. The GAO also reviewed a representative sample of accreditation decisions made in 2012 as well as complaints received by the VA in 2012.
Several recommendations were made as a result of the year-long investigation. The GAO recommended that the VA explore options for strengthening knowledge requirements and addressing emerging threats, improve its outreach, and determine the resources needed to adequately carry out accreditation.
In the end, the VA concurred in principle with the GAO's recommendations and cautioned that imposing additional requirements to address concerns with representative knowledge or address emerging threats could have a chilling effect on representation.
