This document summarizes a project conducted by the Climb & Soar team to improve processes for incarcerated veterans. The team implemented the use of Acceptable Clinical Evidence to prepare disability benefits questionnaires for incarcerated veterans, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. A button was added to medical software to track reasons for missed appointments. The team overcame communication issues and adapted to changes. Moving forward, the team recommends tracking the ACE process, surveying incarcerated veterans, and educating staff on ACE.

1. Team: Climb & Soar
August 18, 2016

2.  Meet the Team
 “Suits” Video
 Why a Project for Incarcerated Veterans?
 Project Outcomes
 What we learned/Moving Forward
 Questions

4. Danny Devine,
Deputy Director of Policy
and Procedures (SES), VBACO
Climb and Soar Executive Sponsor:

5. https://youtu.be/dKbu5C1tx2w

6. How does someone go from this,
To this?

7.  Supports the VA top 12 priorities
 Help incarcerated Veterans and their families
 Increase use of Acceptable Clinical Evidence
(ACE)
 Improve data collection for C&P cancellations for
incarcerated

8.  Acceptable Clinical Evidence is used to consider
existing medical evidence in a Veteran’s file to
prepare a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ)
 ACE saves both time and money while increasing
efficiency
 If it doesn’t move, need to be touched or measured,
ACE it!

9. • Heart conditions
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Tinnitus
• Respiratory
conditions
Examples of ACE:
• Gastrointestinal
• Endocrine conditions
• Genitourinary
• Headaches
• Medical opinions

10. • A button was added to the
Capri software system giving
the provider the ability to
identify the reason for missed
appointments.
Project Outcomes:

12.  Team was able to adapt to changing internal and external
factors.
 Team overcame early issues with communication and
maintained good working relationships.
 Team members played key roles well and provided
expertise when needed.
 Team members listened well and were very flexible in terms
of managing project requirements and deliverables.

13.  Develop a mechanism to track and trend the ACE process.
 Organize interviews/develop a survey for incarcerated Veterans.
 Focus on implementation and educating VA employees to use the
ACE process.
 Develop a process for VA employees to help each other with ACE
claims.
 Advocate for a change in the initial disability application to
immediately identify if the Veteran is incarcerated.

14.  Don’t fret if you aren’t able to come up with a project immediately,
think outside the box
 Monitor the scope of the project from the beginning communicate
with your sponsor often
 Be flexible in terms of working with team members
 Set ground rules and roles for team members early in the process
 Communicate effectively and often with team members

15. Disclaimer:
This is the report of a research project conducted by participants in a leadership development program
focused on team-building and problem-solving. While the report presents research, conclusions, and
recommendations, it is not a sanctioned study that is binding upon Veterans Administration.
Danny Devine, Deputy Director of Policy and Procedures and Executive Sponsor
Jessica Blue-Howells, National Coordinator for HCRV
Melissa Davies, Health Systems Specialist, Office of the Director
Virginia Spinni LCSW, HCRV Specialist Tennessee
Gregory Matlock, M.D.
Tracy Raquepaw, MDOC
Nancy Fagan, Program Manager-VACO-DMA
Denise Treesh, HCRV Specialist Michigan
Special Thanks to the following: