Haley Carter
Muskogee,USA
Summary
Accomplished Veterans Claims Examiner with extensive experience in adjudicating education benefit claims, poised to excel as a GS-11 VCE. Consistently maintains perfect quality standards while delivering productivity at 1.9 times the expected baseline. Expertise includes independent review and authorization of complex education benefits, precise interpretation of multifaceted military documentation, and adept application of laws and regulations. Committed to advancing the mission of the VCE team at the Muskogee VBA Regional Office through a strong foundation in policy guidance and collaborative support.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Veterans Claims Examiner (Processor)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Muskogee, OK
10.2024 - Current
- Authorizes claims for education benefits involving unusually complex or novel issues.
- Ensuring consistent application of laws, regulations and policies are applied.
- Providing training, providing technical guidance, and mentoring other examiners.
- Sustained a 100 percent quality rating since before the start of FY2026, and continuously exceeded productivity expectations by averaging 1.9 times the standard production benchmark for a Veterans Claims Examiner.
- A high degree of independence, ingenuity and resourcefulness is required in the development of information and the evaluation of evidence. Responsible for making determinations where decisions may be debatable because of the complexity of information and interpretation of law.
- Responsible for reviewing a variety of military orders from 14 different components (with potential incompatible data) and determining what is acceptable evidence to be used for establishing entitlement in specific unusual and complex claims.
- Determine what evidence is sufficient to support the adjudicative action.
- Using own initiative to develop facts and evidence. Define legal and factual issues, search precedent decisions and other reference material; applies laws, regulations, policies and procedures; drafts letters, decisions, notices and other documents to effect actions required.
- Accurately and efficiently reviews and controls incoming claims and evidence from claimants, schools and the DOD.
- They make determinations on questions relating the adequacy of military service, adequacy of education information and lay testimony to establish a claim, and evaluates evidence of dependency and relationships of claimants.
- Adjudicates claims for sensitive or complex issues such as mitigating circumstances, overlapping terms, multiple source Transfer of Entitlement (TOE), and audits of benefits received.
- Analyzes, develops and requests required evidence for miscellaneous inquiries which do not require an adjudicative action. They prepare administrative decisions and special determinations relating to qualifying military service, character of discharge, domestic relations, line of duty deaths, new discharge information from DOD or the veteran, dependency issues.
- Conducts interviews in person, via phone or electronically with veterans or claimants, their representatives or stakeholders (Veterans School Certifying Officials or DOD). The incumbent explains the full range of VA benefits and related programs, as they relate to the Education processing. Occasionally, a veteran, claimant or stakeholder may become upset, unruly or inappropriate. In these cases, the incumbent exercises good judgement and professional demeanor in maintaining calm in the situation
- Follows station protocol for control of claims and workload. Responsible for timeliness of claims under their control.
- Series: 0996 - Grade: 09
- Hours per week: 40
FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST II
Oklahoma Human Services
Muskogee, OK
10.2022 - 10.2024
- Assisted clients in navigating complex systems related to public benefits or other entitlements.
- Evaluate and analyze numerous types of documents and determine the validity of such evidence in the adjudication of a claim.
- Conduct interviews in person, via phone or electronically with claimants.
- Make proper determinations consistent with the application of law, regulations, and policies.
- Identify claims which can be immediately adjudicated and those which need further development, initiating the development, to adjudicate a complete application package in a timely manner.
- Develop facts and evidence while accurately determining the validity of evidence during the adjudication process.
- Compile data and complete documentation for eligibility.
- Authorizes claims for OKDHS benefits involving unusually complex or novel issues. Reviewed and authorized the claims of Family Services Specialist I. Assigned several Family Services Specialist I's and was responsible for the final disposition of those cases pending authorization. Assured consistent application of laws, regulations and policies are applied. Responsible for training, providing technical guidance, and mentoring lower level specialists.
- Hours per week: 40
Education
Some college -
Northeastern State University
Muskogee, OK05-2024
Bachelor of Science -
Northeastern State University
Muskogee, OK05-2024
Associate's degree - undefined
Connors State College
Muskogee, OK03-2022
Associate's degree - undefined
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK12-2021
Skills
- Claims processing
- Data verification
- Policy interpretation
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Teamwork and flexibility
- Integrity and ethics
- Advanced reading comprehension
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Exceptional written communication skills
Timeline
Veterans Claims Examiner (Processor)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2024 - Current
FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST II
Oklahoma Human Services
10.2022 - 10.2024
Associate's degree - undefined
Connors State College
Associate's degree - undefined
Tulsa Community College
Some college -
Northeastern State University
Bachelor of Science -
Northeastern State University