Get A copy of your C file and keep it!

[JR Reihs]

Hello Fellow Vets, here is another reason (like another was needed) to get a paper copy of your C-file.

On May 7, 2017 I will hit my 20 year mark on 90% IU P&T.  I have stayed away from the VA medical side since I was escorted out of the VAMC in 2001, but I do go to the VA dental. It has been 4 years since I have seen the dentist as I really had no need, until the other day when I felt a small place on a tooth. I call the dental office and leave a message, about an hour later the girl calls me back and informs me that I am not eligible as I am only 90%.  I explain that the system is wrong and needs to be corrected, she told me they would have the benefit coordinator manually correct it and call me back the next day. The next day comes and goes, so I call today to find this person on vacation.......Blaaaa

Instead of waiting anymore, I call the RO and get some Jerk-off  telling me I did not get a IU award until 2008. I tried to explain that this was a system glitch somewhere as I had the award letter from 2001 in hand and a DRO decision from 2002 for a EED to May 1997......He then proceeds to basically tell me I was full of shit because they can't find anything on the computer from 2001 or 2002 in which I told him to watch the mail as I would be sending him a tightly rolled copy along with a small tube of KY jelly for proper insertion, and I was being very generous with the lube as the VA does it dry to most Vets........for some reason he hung up on me

I then grabbed my papers and drove to the Huntington WV RO and met with a VA Rep who proceeded in disbelief to correct the record. We then met with his supervisor who also was miffed at the situation, yet filed the proper papers to correct and then gave me a corrected letter just in case I needed it  until the system updated.

Apparently the VA changed programs and some Vets had info removed and others had wrong info entered. In my case, everyone of my claims were showing an award date of Dec 2008, even though I had several from 1984.  Both of these VA counselors told me that it was a good thing I had my own hard copy of my VA file or this could have been a nightmare to get straightened out. I can not emphasize enough how important a copy of your C-file is for you as a Vet to have not to mention your family if something were to happen to you regardless of where you are in the VA claims process or how long you have been in it. 

[Gastone]

JR, you haven't filed a Direct or Secondary Claim, since 2002 DRO?

Did your IU T & P Award also contain "No Future Exams?" I didn't see an SMC S(1) Award mentioned. Do you have SCs not included in the IU Rating? Appears that a possible 70% MH issue, as in PTSD, was a determining factor in the IU Award (escorted out of VMC 2001).

What's the distance to your VMC (Dental)? Do you see your VA PCP and or other Clinicians on a yearly basis? No need for RX renewals?

Do you have to file for a Yearly State Property Tax exemption for Disabled 100% Scheduler or IU T& P Vets?

Semper Fi

[JR Reihs]

On 4/29/2017 at 8:04 AM, Gastone said:

JR, you haven't filed a Direct or Secondary Claim, since 2002 DRO?

Did your IU T & P Award also contain "No Future Exams?" I didn't see an SMC S(1) Award mentioned. Do you have SCs not included in the IU Rating? Appears that a possible 70% MH issue, as in PTSD, was a determining factor in the IU Award (escorted out of VMC 2001).

What's the distance to your VMC (Dental)? Do you see your VA PCP and or other Clinicians on a yearly basis? No need for RX renewals?

Do you have to file for a Yearly State Property Tax exemption for Disabled 100% Scheduler or IU T& P Vets?

Semper Fi

Gastone,

I have not been to the VA in over 17-18 years other than dental. I have not filed any secondary claims or appeals since the 02 DRO witch awarded my IU back to 5/97. MH issue was awarded as a "Mood disorder" at 30% which still cracks me up to this day, but I left it alone as I got all I filed for under the DRO. My wife and kids all went through the Chapter 35 with no issues and my wife has retained Champ VA to this date.

My VA dental is about 45 miles, which I do not mind as this VAMC does have a very good dental staff. I have good insurance so the VA medical is a no go and I will just make up the difference the insurance won't pay for. I do have the property tax exemption, we get 30% off here.

On May 7, I will hit my 20 year mark. On May 8, I will file for Tinnitus which should have been done years ago, but for some unknown reason the DAV left this out of my initial claim and I did not want to cause another delay by adding it after the fact. I will also go after the IL program to see what they have to offer.