CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo on Wednesday said he is pushing to have a Veterans Benefits Management System for the Commonwealth.
When processing paperwork for veterans in the CNMI, Iakopo said his office is still manually filling out forms because even before his time, OVA staff are not trained, accredited, or certified as veterans service officers, or VSOs.
CNMI veterans submit applications at the local OVA, which are then submitted to VSOs on Guam, who then mail the results to the veterans.
VSOs can access the Veterans Benefits Management System and process and track the progress of veteran applications for benefits.
They are accredited representatives who help veterans file for service-connected disability benefits, assisting with a VA claims file, or a C-file, which is a collection of records kept by VA pertaining to veterans’ disability claims.
The goal of a VSO, Iakopo said, is to help veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and their survivors deal with the overwhelming task of completing correct forms and applications, and collecting the appropriate documentation to support a claim for benefits.
“VBMS will help us file and track the claim through the VA system, and act as liaisons between the veteran and the VA,” said Iakopo.
Manually, Iakopo said, the process can take up to three to six months, noting that every time veterans visit the CNMI VSO for a status update, the VSOs on Guam then have to be contacted for an update.
“That’s a really long time; our veterans just end up waiting. I want to bring us up to a level where we’re functioning just like Guam, so that our veterans don’t have to call Guam and can just be serviced here,” he said.
“For many years — over a decade or so — this office has been offering subpar services in terms of technology, still doing paperwork, still manually filling out forms, while the rest of the world has gone digital. It’s like we’re being left behind.
“I’m really pushing for a veterans benefits management system. We do not have any direct access to records for veterans. This is unacceptable,” Iakopo said.
Since the issuance of the VA Mission Act, the CNMI OVA has seen an increase in veterans seeking benefits, according to Iakopo who noted that roughly 10 to 15 veterans visit the office every month.
He noted that in early May, he had the opportunity to raise these concerns during his meeting with Honolulu Regional Office of Veterans Affairs Director Sergio Chao in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“The focal point of my meeting with VA regional was to get our office in line with technology and provide much better services for our veterans,” he said.
Having CNMI VSOs and the veterans benefits management system would be more efficient than going through the Guam VSOs, Iakopo said.
The system allows VSOs to digitally upload information that would go directly to the regional office, as well as receive real-time status updates on applications and forms.
“I’m working with the VA regional to get my staff trained, accredited and certified, hopefully within three months’ time, before the end of this year,” Iakopo said.
Including Iakopo, the OVA has a five-member team, three of whom he hopes will become trained, accredited, and certified VSOs.
The other member of the team is primarily responsible for the CNMI Veterans Cemetery, Iakopo noted.
In order for the team to be accredited, they must each pass an exam, submit to a background check, and take continuing education courses.
The longest part of the process is the background check, Iakopo noted.
“I’ve been pushing this for two years, and finally, we’re getting somewhere. It’s a matter of whoever is sitting here and really aggressively bringing the issues that we’re facing. We just need to upgrade and improve our services. I’m tired of our veterans and our community not getting the services they need,” he said.
Director Chao, for his part, said, “On Monday, May 3rd, I had the honor of meeting with Stanley Iakopo, executive director of the CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs. This is the first time we have been able to meet face to face since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, the two offices worked closely to develop an enhanced outreach program, with VA representatives meeting with Veterans in Saipan every month, and flying to Rota and Tinian twice a year. This plan was swiftly brought to a halt with the pandemic. Although the two offices have worked closely to continue to support the Veteran community through virtual means, this has not worked as we had hoped. I never thought the pandemic would last this long, but we are hopeful to soon be able to resume our outreach activities. Until then, I ask that you please call us at (671) 687-2096, and set up an appointment to speak with one of our VA representatives. Last month we conducted 680 virtual interviews, and we stand by ready to assist you also.”
Last month, CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo, left, met with Honolulu Regional Office of Veterans Affairs Director Sergio Chao.
