The US Department of Veterans Affairs: Disparities in Disability Compensation Approval Rates for ethnic minority Veterans, what is the Way Forward?

J. Ndumbe Anyu; Yolandra A. Plummer; Duvalier J. Malone

doi:10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21483

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About The Authors

J. Ndumbe Anyu
University of the District of Columbia
United States

Dr. Anyu, a distinguished scholar with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Howard University, currently holds the position of tenured full professor of Public Policy at the School of Business and Public Administration, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC.

In his notable career, Dr. Anyu has been actively involved in various esteemed roles. Notably, in April 2015, he was a member of the State Department Reconstituted Board, where he participated in the review of two distinct cases: a 2011 PPB I and a 2013 DSRB. These reviews focused on the personnel files of some Senior Foreign Service Officers for performance pay and presidential awards, respectively.

Earlier, in February 2015, Dr. Anyu contributed his expertise to the Special Reconstituted Board at the United States Department of State. This role involved the critical review of the performance records of eligible class FP-03 Security Officers for potential promotion to class PF-02.

Further demonstrating his commitment to public service, from November to December 2014 and from August to September 2014, Dr. Anyu served on the Special Reconstituted Board and the Foreign Service Selection Board G-III B at the United States Department of State, respectively. These roles entailed evaluating the performance records of eligible class FP-03 Security Officers for promotion to class FP-02 and other significant duties.

Dr. Anyu's academic journey includes significant tenures at the University of the District of Columbia and Howard University. Between 1999 and 2012, he progressively held the positions of lecturer, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor.

An accomplished author, Dr. Anyu has contributed numerous scholarly peer-reviewed articles and newspaper articles to the academic community. His published works include notable titles such as "Case Studies of Conflict in Africa" (2013), "The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act..." (2007), and "Democracy, Diamond and Oil..." (2006).

In the realm of academic publishing, Dr. Anyu serves as an assistant editor at the International Journal of Organizational Innovation, published by University of Indiana Press. His editorial expertise was also applied from 2000 to 2013 at the Mediterranean Quarterly, published by Duke University Press. This journal is recognized for its extensive list of esteemed contributors, including former President Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghalli, and a wide array of academics, foreign ministers, prime ministers, and prominent diplomats.

Yolandra A. Plummer
University of the District of Columbia
United States

Yolandra Plummer, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA), Department of Public Administration. For the past two years, she served as a member of the Government of the District of Columbia’s Supported Independent Living Council (SILC). She also serves as the Principal Investigator of a $2.9 million grant between the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS), Economic Security Administration (ESA) and University of the District of Columbia. Under this grant, Dr. Plummer administers job skills training to 700 TANF and low-income families in the District of Columbia. The program offers specialized services and resources to DC residents with disabilities who are receiving TANF benefits. Dr. Plummer utilizes a person-centered planning process to integrate each individual’s preferences, culture, beliefs, lifestyle and concerns into an individual responsibility plans (IRPs). Under this consumer-driven process, each individual’s goals and preferences are identified, including those related community participation, employment, income and savings, health care and wellness, education and others. Dr. Plummer previously served as the Chief of Staff at the Department on Disability Services (DDS). While serving in this role, Dr. Plummer received agency wide training on personcentered planning, as mandated by the court orders of the Evans v. Government of the District of Columbia. Specifically, the training focused on a consumer-driven model coupled with the empowerment theory. Under this model, customers maintain an active voice in asserting their needs and determining how their needs will be met to implement the person-centered planning process into individual responsibility plans and health care management plans (HCMPs).

Duvalier J. Malone
University of District of Columbia
United States

Duvalier Malone is an esteemed researcher and academician whose work centers on the intersections of leadership, diversity management, and entrepreneurship within politics and policy. With a deep passion for understanding the complexities of these fields, Duvalier has dedicated his career to exploring how effective leadership and inclusive practices can positively impact organizations and communities.

Duvalier's research critically examines various leadership styles and their implications for diverse work environments. By analyzing the impact of different leadership approaches, he seeks to shed light on strategies that promote inclusivity and equity, particularly in the federal sector. Through his research, Mr. Malone aims to identify best practices for fostering diversity and combating racial discrimination in the workplace. With a commitment to bridging the gap between academia and real-world application, Duvalier actively collaborates with policymakers, organizations, and community leaders to develop evidence-based strategies for promoting diversity, equity, and social change. His research findings have been published in reputable academic journals and have contributed significantly to leadership, diversity management, and entrepreneurship.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs: Disparities in Disability Compensation Approval Rates for ethnic minority Veterans, what is the Way Forward?

J. Ndumbe Anyu, Yolandra A. Plummer, Duvalier J. Malone

Abstract

Introduction and Background: The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides social services to eligible military veterans, including education, rehabilitation, healthcare, and compensation payments. However, the VA has faced challenges in administration management claims, with significant disparities in initial claim approval rates between racial and ethnic groups. Minority veterans, including African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, may qualify for numerous benefits. Briefly describe the research problem or question, providing context for the study. Objectives or Research Questions: How disparities in disability compensation approval rates among ethnic minority veterans compared to white veterans within the US Department of Veterans Affairs and mitigate strategies?" The study's main objective is to address disability compensation approval rate disparities for ethnic minority veterans by identifying causes, assessing impact, recommending solutions, ensuring equity, and monitoring progress. Methodology: The study analyzed disability compensation approval rates for minority veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) using a quantitative research design. Data was collected from VA administrative records and databases. A representative sample of 100 claim applications was selected. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed significant disparities in approval rates, controlling for age and disability severity. Results: The study found that minority veterans had the lowest approval rate for disability claims, at 61%, compared to 75% for white veterans. Conclusion: The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has been criticized for racial disparities in disability compensation claims, with white veterans receiving the highest approval rates and African American veterans receiving the lowest. The VA's leadership's negligence and failure to address these disparities have led to systematic benefit obstruction for minority veterans. The study recommends enhancing training programs, implementing an equity action plan, and developing standardized guidelines for all veterans.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21483

Copyright (c) 2024 J. Ndumbe Anyu, PhD, Yolandra A. Plummer, Ph.D, Duvalier J. Malone

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Journal of Public Administration and Governance ISSN 2161-7104

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