Is the VA Math Mathing?

In this episode, we're coming to you on-location from Annapolis, Maryland, during the VFW National Veterans Service (NVS) Proficiency Training Conference alongside Ryan Gallucci, Mike Figlioli, Chris Macinkowicz and special guest VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler. Together, they pull back the curtain on how the VFW trains and equips its accredited service officers to better serve veterans navigating the VA claims process. The team explores the intensive training that ensures VFW representatives stay current on evolving laws, court cases, and VA policies, highlighting how this expertise directly impacts veterans' access to earned benefits. They break down common misconceptions around VA disability claims, including "VA math," the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, and what the VA claims backlog actually means. The conversation also dives into major policy developments affecting veterans, including new executive actions on alternative mental health treatments and informed consent, as well as the rollout of the VA's electronic health record system and its implications for continuity of care and claims processing. Featured Guests: Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office Mike Figlioli – Director, VFW National Veterans Service Chris Macinkowicz – Deputy Director, National Veterans Service Cory Geisler – Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, VFW Links Mentioned: VFW Claims Intake: https://claims.vfw.org VFW Action Corps: https://votervoice.net/VFW/home VFW Website: https://www.vfw.org/ Follow VFW: https://www.facebook.com/VFWFans | https://x.com/VFW Episode Highlights: 0:00 Intro and Roll Call 1:34 Inside the NVS Proficiency Training Conference 7:29 Why training and accreditation matter 20:53 Understanding VA math and other common claims questions 31:14 Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) explained 40:44 What the VA claims backlog really means 44:45 Alternative mental health treatments & informed consent 55:06 VA electronic health record rollout 1:04:56 Claim sharks update – Kansas victory 1:06:20 Good of the Order – Closing reflections