Michelle Deaton
291 Scenic Cove LN,MO
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs, adept at interpreting complex regulations and delivering exceptional customer service. Proven ability in claims processing and conflict resolution, ensuring accurate determinations and fostering positive relationships with coworkers and managers. Recognized for leadership in training and mentoring new staff, enhancing team performance. Excellent with time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Rating Veterans Service Representative (GS 12-6)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2023 - Current
- Examine and evaluate claims submitted for establishing service connection of diseases and injuries
- Determine the degree of disability, permanency of disability and whether substantially gainful employment was precluded; establishment of service connection for cause of death or contributory cause of death; direct and secondary service connection; service connection for permanent and total disability for compensation or pension purposes; need for aid and attendance; competency/incompetency; and other benefits
- Determine eligibility for hospitalization, outpatient treatment, unemployment compensation and accrued benefits by reviewing complex medical records, applications, federal regulations, etc.
- Assure the proper application of the rating schedule and other applicable instructions
- Fully accountable for proper analysis, appropriate development, and final rating determinations
- Communicate positively with Veterans and hospital staff to clarify misunderstood directions and resolve conflicts in order to provide exceptional service
- Mentor Rating Veterans Service Representatives, sharing expertise on best practices and procedural guidelines.
Disability Determination Counselor
Missouri Department Of Elementary And Secondary Education
09.2019 - 05.2023
- Obtained medical and vocational information to be used as evidence in determining eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits to include a claimant's medical records, work history and reports of daily activities
- Worked with staff physicians, psychologists, and speech and language pathologists to analyze evidence
- Communicated in a tactful and organized manner when contacting physicians, hospital personnel, former employers, and claimants
- Compared medical evidence and vocational evidence with established criteria
- Knowledgeable of the laws, regulations and policies governing Social Security Disability
- Determined how vocational factors and medical restrictions impacted a claimant's ability to work
- Wrote clear and concise disability determinations that demonstrated a thorough analysis of the facts and findings of the case
Special Education Paraprofessional
De Soto 73 School District
08.2016 - 09.2019
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment that was integral to students' needs
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies
- Provided student support through special accommodations, extra assistance and assessments
- Assisted the classroom teacher in managing Individualized Education Programs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to diverse range of developmentally challenged students
- Established and maintained rapport with other staff, students, and parents to facilitate communication and academic progress
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes
Rating Veterans Service Representative(GS 12-6)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2008 - 07.2015
- Examined and evaluated claims submitted for establishing service connection of diseases and injuries to include Military Sexual Trauma claims
- Determined the degree of disability, permanency of disability and whether substantially gainful employment was precluded; establishment of service connection for cause of death or contributory cause of death; direct and secondary service connection; service connection as a result of military sexual trauma(MST); permanent and total disability for compensation or pension purposes; need for aid and attendance; competency/incompetency; and other benefits
- Determined eligibility for hospitalization, unemployment compensation and accrued benefits by reviewing complex medical records, applications, federal regulations, etc.
- Assured the proper application of the rating schedule and other applicable instructions
- Was fully accountable for proper analysis, appropriate development, and final rating determinations
- Communicated positively with Veterans and hospital staff to clarify misunderstood directions and resolve conflicts in order to provide exceptional service
Veterans Claims Examiner(GS 11)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
09.1997 - 05.2008
- Interpreted and applied complex laws, rules, regulations, and written guidelines in order to reach sound and justifiable decisions in the adjudication of claims for Veterans' education benefits
- Collaborated and communicated with Veterans, dependents, school officials, and other interested parties to understand requirements and provide exceptional customer service
- Served as a mentor for trainees and developed individualized training plans in order to help the trainees further progress in the adjudication of education claims
- Worked as a senior claims examiner where I reviewed, evaluated, and authorized education claims
- Trained a team of new adjudicators in which I developed training plans and taught in groups and individually
- Prepared lesson plans and trained the education division on the processing of claims
- Planned and organized work in order to meet fluctuating deadlines
- Dictated clear and concise personal letters to claimants to inform them of specific actions taken regarding their education claims and to respond to inquiries
- Worked independently and as a team in order to meet deadlines and priorities with little or no supervision
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sociology/Psychology
Lambuth University
Jackson, TN1997
Timeline
Rating Veterans Service Representative (GS 12-6)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2023 - Current
Disability Determination Counselor
Missouri Department Of Elementary And Secondary Education
09.2019 - 05.2023
Special Education Paraprofessional
De Soto 73 School District
08.2016 - 09.2019
Rating Veterans Service Representative(GS 12-6)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2008 - 07.2015
Veterans Claims Examiner(GS 11)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
09.1997 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Science - Sociology/Psychology
Lambuth University