This position is within the Boston VA Regional Office - Veteran Service Center/ Pension Management Center. The incumbent analyzes claims, applies VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule), and prepares rating decisions informing the Veteran Service Representative (VSR) and/or claimant of the decision, the bases, and reason for it. The Rating VSR routinely collaborates with other members of the team.

Duties

Analyzes claims to determine if diseases and/or injuries were incurred or aggravated by military service in the line of duty for purposes of compensation, treatment or hospitalization. The Rating VSR determines Service-Connection percentages of disabilities permanent and total disability and entitlement to compensation, pension and vocational training. The Rating VSR assures proper application of the Rating Schedule and other applicable instructions, and is fully accountable for proper analysis, appropriate development, and final rating determinations. The Rating VSR provides consultative advice and assistance to VSRs. The Rating VSR actively participates in meetings and training sessions and is expected to lend his/her expertise in developing Veterans Service Representatives’ skills as they relate to evidence gathering for rating decisions. The Rating VSR acts as an advocate for veterans and their beneficiaries in their dealings with other VA elements and organizations that affect their claims. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2023. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Specialized Experience: GS-11: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-10) in federal service or other service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Analyzing claims, (2) interpreting and applying benefit-related laws, regulations, and procedures, (3) reviewing and examining evidence, AND (4) making determinations as to the entitlement and/or eligibility of claimants for benefits and services involving compensation and pensions. OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-11. Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (such as an LL.M.) from an accredited college or university, or three full years (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a doctoral degree. This graduate degree or education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information. OR Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for grade GS-11. If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education described above AND less than one full year of the specialized experience described above, you may qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. To calculate, first identify the education you have earned beyond your first two years of study as a percentage of a total of three years of study. Then identify the number of months of specialized experience you have as a percentage of 12 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to be qualifying. For example, an applicant who has 45 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e., 50% of graduate education required beyond the first two years) and who has 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e., 50% of the one year of specialized experience required) would meet 100% and thus be qualified for the position. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the federal or other service. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) analyzing legal, industrial, and occupational factors present in a claim to determine the value of evidence and its relevance to the personal, occupational, and educational background of the claimant; (2) communicating in writing a wide range of benefits, laws, and regulations that pertain to the entitlement and award process of each benefit program; AND (3) interpreting medical and legal terminology dealing with anatomy and physiology, diseases and disabilities to assess sources of evidence and information to arrive at rating decisions. There is no option for the substitution of education for the specialized experience at the grade level of GS-12. Note: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience you document, to include volunteer experience.

Education

An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no option for the substitution of education for the specialized experience at the grade level of GS-12.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Boston Regional Benefit Office JFK Federal Building, 15 New Sudbury St Boston, MA 02203-9928 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]