September 16, 2009

GAO-09-762 Social Security Disability: Additional Outreach and Collaboration on Sharing Medical Records Would Improve Wounded Warriors' Access to Benefits

Disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be an important source of financial support for some wounded warriors. Congress mandated that the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) help them apply for such benefits. GAO was asked to determine how many wounded warriors have applied and been approved for SSA benefits and the extent to which they are receiving benefits from across the three agencies; what steps DOD, VA, and SSA have taken to inform wounded warriors about SSA benefits, and the challenges that confront this process; and steps taken by all three agencies to facilitate the processing of wounded warrior disability claims. Focusing on those wounded since 2001, GAO reviewed policy documents, contacted DOD and VA medical facilities, surveyed wounded warriors, and analyzed administrative data.