What that tells me, then, is that the people initially who received the claim said no, went to you, and you eventually said yes. My question is why can't the folks who initially get it make that initial approval?
What you're doing in many cases is this. The front line people are saying, “No, we can't do this. I don't have the authority to make this decision. No, it has to go to Charlottetown for review and appeal.” And 59% of the cases are correct, so my question--and I'm thinking this for my Conservative counterparts, who like to reduce the size of government--is why can't those folks who initially get it make that initial approval on their own?
I speak to a lot of front line folks, and they're told they only have a certain level of responsibility that they can authorize. After that it has to go to a higher level. I'm thinking it drags out the process. I have a lot of older fellows, and they're being told this can take weeks, months, and in some cases a couple of years before you're finally heard out.
That's my first question.
Second, you provide legal expertise. I know most of these really great fellows and ladies across the country who provide legal assistance for veterans. My question to you is this. If a veteran wishes to seek legal advice outside of the DVA-appointed legal advisers, why wouldn't they be allowed to do that?