Va Comp Reduction Proposal

[kuraiyamy]

Hello.

I just got a call a few days ago from VA saying that I missed a VA re-evaluation exam on Dec 10,2014.... and they are going to reduce my rating.... I never received any notice of such exam being scheduled, nor when and where to appear... Supposedly it was sent to my mother's old address, along with two notices. The gentleman from the va also informed me two due process letters were sent to that address and supposedly they made multiple attempts to call me, but may have used a different number.... due to this my rating was accreditations to have been reduced... and the best part is this sold have taken affect this month and that it is strange that he got a hold of me and all current contact info was in the system. Told me to contact va rep imidiatly and tell them about his phone call and that he would note that he contacted me.

Called va rep numbers and got a hold of a va rep and told her about the phone call, she looked every thing up in the computer and verified that all my current contact info was in the system, a long with old contact info that the regional va used instead? Any way she said she c would put in something to say i never received re-eval appointment letter and a new one should be scheduled and to give her a call as soon as something developes or some time goes by and and it's been a while... oh and try to worry.

I guess something similar has happend a lot recently to other vets...

well been trying not to worry, only been effective at worrying more!

I have no idea what to do, and feel it's already to late. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

P.s.

I have seen it recommended constantly to get a good "aggressive" rep or/and lawyer.

what is a good and "aggressive" rep organization? I filed with just a regular va rep. Is it to late to switch? DAV is recommended by VA or VA reps...

Do i need a lawyer? How do i find a VA claims/disability lawyer, let alone a good one? I can only find Social Security lawyers. ..

Thanks again.

[broncovet]

Get the number for C and P exams at your VAMC.  CAll em,  Explain you were not contacted and need to reschedule exam.  Your benefits are yours and you need to take charge to make sure VA does not mess those up. (likely).  

I had to reschedule a C and P exam.  The VARO was right there with a denial.  I had been in communication with the VARO director.  

In his email, he whined that I missed a C and P exam.  I explained the C and P exam was rescheduled and I went to it.  At least that time he listened and I did not have to appeal this for 4 years on a rescheduled exam.  

[pwrslm]

Make sure you have an EBenefits account.   The VHA and VBA are not the same data base.  You have to change your address in both systems when you move/change addresses.

Keep your address up to date in the EBenefits data base and they have no excuse. 

On the EBenefits site, go to the front page, click on the center column where it says "Manage Benefits". On the top right of the 3rd column, go to "contact and direct deposit information", and then to "direct deposit and contact information update".

This is where you can update your address any time of the day or night, 24/7, so that the VBA has no excuse to do this.

If you keep your information up to date in this system/data base, the BVA and CVA will remand to the VBA for proper service.  They have no excuse if you do this simple thing.

Edited January 18, 2016 by pwrslm

[Buck52]

I think the VA does this on purpose, I know they don't put a C&P Appointments In Myheathyvet  like your VAMC appointments,

My C&P Appointment was not in Myhealthyvet ''confidential notes'' I was wondering bout this so I checked everyday right up to my C&P Appointment time.  not in there.

If you think you have a C&P Chances are you do   but did not receive a notice date when to appear...then call IRIS or go to your VAMC and check with information services.

 

jmo

 

....................Buck

[kuraiyamy]

Wow! Thanks for all the help and input you guys! Sorry I kind of forgot to check back it in.... You-all really are grate! Thanks again.

First, I guess is starting with an update.

-------

So, this time my VA REP submitted a "request for reconsideration". I had submit some "new" information, stuff about my service animal and Social Security because VARO didn't know about them? It's in my medical records but what ever, they didn't have that info to consider...

Get a letter back  thanking for info submitted and letting me know that a exam should, again, be scheduled for me.

My VA-rep informed me, again, that some one should be getting a hold of me and actually scheduling an appointment with me and I should get a notice for the appointment and very short lil' questioner packet in the mail. Check in with her ever two weeks just make sure.

Well, it never happened like that, but I finally did get an automatic phone call informing me I had an appointment on Monday of next week (this was on Friday) with some medical entity I had NEVER heard of while dropping my wife off at work. Tried pushing the button to replay the message and it hangs up... Fortunately, this robot caller's number actually rang back to the correct medical office. After a MUCH confused back and forth questioning and explaining (both me and the receptionist were pretty confused), me and receptionist came the conclusion the VA scheduled a C&P exam for me that day and told me of the time and address. They also asked me to please make sure and try to remember to bring the questionnaire packet that I should have all-ready received. After asking what this packet was as I had never received such in the mail, she told me not worry to much about it as they could give me one when I showed up.

So the next day, on Sat, get the questionnaire packet that says were the exam is, it's for VA, and only asks a couple questions about when and how long I served.

Got the appointment and talked to the doc, very nice gentleman. He was a lil' confused why I was there for a reexamination and also asking for an increase. After a little back an forth and explaining, he quickly had it all figured out

According to the medical evidence, my condition got a little bit worse and I received a new diagnosis.

Eventually got the letter in the mail from the VA that informed me of being approved for continuing disability....

====

So, I don't know where the process was bogging down exactly... I'm guessing that maybe the civilian medical centers that were contracted previously were dropping the ball a little bit and just picking a date and only informing the VARO?  I don't know, but I do know that VARO 100% had my phone and mailing address right after that first phone call/notification of missing the first c&p exam and to call my VA rep right away... Checked, double, and triple checked after that too.

No way, that I know of, to verify it was correct in their system (like I think it was, and they think it wasn't even though they had this adress) previous to that, but certainly was correct after... They could mail me to tell me an appointment was going to be scheduled, that I missed an appointment, and that they decided they want to reduce, but not that appointment was actually scheduled nor when and where...

What ever the case, that's what happened. Not quite how the processes was supposed to work... but EVENTUALLY I did get my appointment and some form of "due processes", sort of, and every thing worked out... I guess.

 

I don't know what DEERS or IRIS is. Guess I will have to try and set up an eBenifits (first I've heard of this too) account then if it lets me update my address easily.

 

I know the VA medical side and VA benefits side keep different address info and don't share much information at all... The medical side definitely couldn't get any info about the C&P exams at all. Where they got other addresses to send things I don't know, definitely had the correct info... Been living in the same place for YEARS, never had a problem getting mail from them other wise, and asked them to delete any other address info since that first phone call... What a night-mare....

 

Edited March 14, 2016 by kuraiyamy

[Vync]

Congratulations for it all working out!

It sounds like you definitely dealt with more than your share of VA red tape.

You mentioned DEERS. Did you happen to get a 100% rating?

 

IRIS is the VA's online question system. Here's a blog about it.
http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/874/iris-online-messaging-with-va/

The DEERS is the DOD personnel enrollment system. It is used for things like ID cards, Tricare, etc...  The link below can be used to find one near you. Don't just drive there. Call them and ask about your needs. Some of the locations may not provide all services. For example, if you need an ID card because you are 100%, call and ask them if they provide the service, where they are located, their hours, and if anything special is needed for dependent ID cards. I added the last part because if you or your spouse were ever divorced/remarried, copies of those documents may also be required.

https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site;jsessionid=dtV8C2s50IA8DL9K_Hrb7esecPyfXDt8EO3Wac0iI_sHa6gOMMCA!91316574?execution=e1s1

Definitely get signed up in ebenefits!

If you have not already, get signed up on the My Health Vet web site because you can order refills, look at records, etc.. all from the comfort of your home.
https://www.myhealth.va.gov