SonnyBurnett

Ouch! I am far from being on the VA's side. I just went through a mysterious letter from VA Collections. It said since my compensation has changed, I owe them $2889. To this day, I have not gotten a response from regional as to why this debt was generated. Collections also agrees there is no letter from them as to why, only a debt, and they are to collect it. I've contacted, spoken to and written a letter and a state rep looking into it. After the panic attacks it caused, out of no where, the exact amount gets deposited into my account. the money is going back, eventually. But I stil have no response as to why, but I was told by multiple contacts with the State rep and 1-800-never-the-same-answer, that there is no showing of my rating or any action in reducing me has taken place. I',m just saying, sometimes you may be better off picking your battles, maybe not. But the VA operates freely to screw things up with no consequences. Flat out unmistakable errors take months if not years to get corrected.

I would not file a claim. The stories are endless about the errors the VA can do. Its sad that we should fear the VA rating monster, but in reality, its a very scary (and unaccountable) monster.

It has been my experience with my primary....they are afraid to write these letters. Why? Not sure but its probably some off the record threat against their careers.

I found out the payment is for back pay on a2nd clothing allowance, I was denied for a 2nd clothing allowance because it was over 12 month since I got a new brace. I looked through the regs and found nothing that states if you don't get a new one every year, you will be denied. It seem that they are making up the rules as they go along. I will challenge this.

I believe it is part of the master plan to frustrate Vet's to the point they quit applying or break the law.

I get 100% now, that should be paid on the 31st. This 2889. came out of nowhere.

I've called, emailed and was about to send in a waiver request and audit request as to why the VA say's I was overpaid. Today The circle jerk grows. I received a deposit in my bank account in the amount of $2889. I have no idea what the deposit is for, but this is probably the money they said I was overpaid.

Received a collection letter dated 12 may, it was postmarked 16 may, and I received it on 20 may. I have 30 days to reply and ask for a waiver or setup payments or do nothing. The amount is for $2899. The letter stated I recently received a letter explaining why (I never got any letter), and there has been a change in my benefits thus resulting in an overpayment. I called the VA Collection center to find out why. The have no record of a reason why, they just collect money, I called the 800-827-1000 number, and of course they have no idea and according to their records no letter was sent to me, only the collection letter. They said no change has been made to my rating (or even pending). They put in an inquiry to find out, but I was told that could take 10+ business day. The representative suggested I call the US Treasury and gave me a number to call, that was only a recording, that hung up on me with no information concerning my situation. I have to file a waiver that includes all financial information, a letter explaining my reasons, and I will also send a letter requesting an audit of my situation. Disgusting is one of the word that come to my mind about this. Nobody cares how Veterans are being screwed on a daily basis. It makes me sick to my stomach every time some politician or celebrity/athlete proclaims to support our Veterans. All they do is talk. I would like to see our President go under cover as a recently discharged vet with medical/phsyc. issues and apply for benefits. Maybe then things will change.....

They are acting like its coming out of their own pocket. Them telling me to bring clothes that have been damaged by my braces, reminded me of the OJ Simpson trial. The glove that didn't fit. No one told me i'm suppose to save torn up clothing to have to prove it one day? Fortinatley I do have clothing that has been destroyed by the braces. I have a feeling this is not going to go well anyway.

Call again, and see if you get a different answer. Jim Strickland use to say: " Don't call the 1-800- no nothing number"

When the allowance became available for more than one appliance, I filed for a 2nd in July 2012. I recieved my 1st allowance, but never the 2nd. Yesterday I recived a letter from the prostehtics dept. denying my caim. The letter stated I could file an appeal on a form that was not enclosed, or call them to talk. Here is their new deal. Because I filed for a 2nd, I am no longer static and have to file every year. Also, after reviewing my record, both appliances need to be proved to them that they wear out my clothes. And because I take care of them and dont replace them every year, they suspect I am not wearing them consistenly. (Wow -they are not only techs, they are also doctors & detectives there too). The chief told me I can write an appeal or meet with them. I choose to meet. They want me to bring in my appliances and the "worn out clothing." They appear to be making up rules as they go along. This is happening at the Bay pines (St. Pete, Fl.) Va Medical center. Any thoughts on this? I told them I may bring an attorney, they said they need to know his name, because they would need to have one present also.

My experience with the temp 100 % after service connected surgery. I pre-filled out the paperwork and had it mailed the day after surgery. It took 10 month to get paid, only to have an error of their part that awarded me 6 months, but their super secret pay code was set at 3 months. Of course I did not know this until the 4th month when I did not get paid. It took another 7 months to get it corrected and paid. The system is completely broken and not sure if they even want to fix it. Sorry for the dreary story, but when I complained about this to my senator, I never received a reply. To be pre-warned is to be pre-armed! (Gen. Patton?)

Left at the mercy of the prosthetic dept, then I have no other recourse but to continue calling once a week asking for my Federal benefit that I have rightfully earned and they are withholding for no good cause. The calls will stop when the deposit clears.

This is news to me! Can anyone explain what benefit I may be missing? I can now get a retired ID card? "...Also, anyone who is rated with 30% or more disability is retired from the military, it doesn't matter if you have 1 year or 20 years, you should have been issued the retirement ID card for yourself and family . You would be entitled to retain Tricare for yourself and family as well and to the same benefits you had when you were active duty...."

I receive one clothing allowance and I've been considered "static" meaning automatic every year for the clothing allowance payment. With the new regulations allowing for a 2nd payment for a 2nd service -connected appliance, I filed the paperwork in July 2012 at Bay Pines in the St. Pete, Fl. When it wasn't paid in September 2012, I began calling, and calling the prosthetic dept. which handles this. It is now mid February 2013, and my calls (at least once a month if not 2-3) was finally returned. I was told that there person handling these just started in December, and everything is being handled at another office. She would not say where or who. I was also told that they are getting rid of the static accounts and everyone (at Bay Pines at least) must re-file every year by the end of August to be eligible again to receive a clothing allowance. This is so frustrating. Who could I possible call now to get this moving and paid already. Disgusting the way we are treated. There was no big announcement when the 2nd clothing allowance was approved, and I bet there will be no announcements about having to re-file every year either, thus those that don't know will one day call to see where their clothing allowance is, only to be told it's too late, they will have to file for next year.

I'm in the same boat. Neck getting worse. Scheduled for a consult with pain management. (been thru that clinic 3 times before for back - had spnal surgery, and neck last year, no help with epidural injections). Primary sent request in Oct.2012, appt. set for FEB. 2013! Crazy over booked under staffed at Bay Pines in Florida. Now some mysterious doc who I will never see, reviews everything (xray, MRI, therapy (traction), etc., and will decide if I get to see a neuro surgeon. Peyton Manning the football player probably had less damage and pain, and he was taken care instantly. He is luck he was never in the military, injured, and stuck with the VA. So my advice is gather all documents, and file a claim yesterday, and when they deny you and have errors in their statement of case, appeal. Get back to us in 3-5 years and let us know how you made out. Sorry, but don't blame the messenger.

I have a lot of experience with Pain Managment, Fee Bassis, and Chiropractic care. A law established in 2008 (approx) required the VA to provide Chiro care. Implenting it is, of course another story. I have been in pain maganemnet several differrent times. - side not: recently referred again, and was given a consultation appoint the other day for FEBRUARY 2013 - Bay Pines, Fl. Do you think our Senators wait this long for an appoitment? B.S.) Anyway, yes they did cover fee basis, but be prepared to be rejected by private services, as the fee basis pays what they call "lower medicare rates." I found a chiro, that accepted it, and recieved treatment. The VA made them jump through hoops with paperwork, late paying them, then forced me to re-visit the VA pain clinc every 2-4 months to see how it was going. Stopping me from contiuing treatment each time. Then they stopped agreeing to pay for any massage at all. I am 100% service conected with multiple issues and in lots of pain. Massage took the edge off, but apprently the VA would rather fill you up on additive, mind altering drugs, than to allow a veteran to tell them that Hey, massage works. Signed, thourghly disgusted and frustrated.

I think there is also a rating for "pseudo tumor cerebri" which also causes headaches. I was diagnosed with it, but unable to prove service connection...yet. Diagnosed with this 3 months after service connected spinal surgery/fusion.

Let's not forget, that when they became overloaded with claims and paperwork, instead of hiring more people they decided to criminally (but never charged!) to SHRED DOCUMENTS at almost every VARO. Disgusting, un-patriotic, un-american and just plain wrong.

In my opinion, this is so stressful because the VA hopes you just quit and leave them alone. Also our well intentioned politicians are so far removed from the reality of what it is like to be a member of the military that has been injured to the point, that we now seek the very benefits that they have put in place to help us. But what they probably did not intend this giant bureaucracy to be so bad. I think that it is so far broken, I'm not sure it can be fixed. Which brings us the websites like this. Can you imagine what it was like before the internet trying to file a claim? Research? I'm gonna take a wild guess here, but I have to believe prior to the internet, claims were probably approved every 1 in 50? with the internet we are probably up to 1 in 49. Not really sure about my numbers but I think the direction is correct. Don't give up, learn all you can, use a service officer if you can find a good one that you trust, and if you feel the need to contact your congressman/Senator about an issue (which I have - got a positive result), let them know how stressful it is. I'm sorry its affected you in a bad way, but you are not alone brother. Hang in there.

It's still early in the game but, keep taking your meds, keep all appointments especially for depression and prostate treatments, and if you feel the depression has not gotten better or worse, always express that at your appointments. Even if the appointment is for a blood test, Ya never know what will get written down - when & where. Try and relax and enjoy your retirement, you have certainly earned it. I like playing video games sometime. They are really cool now and helps keep my mind off of my chronic pain conditions and depression too.

I live on pain meds too. I switch between oxy and vicadin every 3 months or so just because of the tolerance built up. I also get shots once a month. Chronic pain is hell, and those who think they have the answers, know nothing till the crawl in our shoes. My primary is good to me and understands the suffering and does all she can to help.

I am very computer savvy.....but the healthcare and ebeny websites are atrocious. I did the in person verification, but it still pops up that I need to be verified? I have sat on the phone to the 1800 no nothing number for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times. I have yet to speak to someone. It ha hung up me twice for no reason. I would like to see our President try and enroll in this system, and see what he thinks?

I have been going there for 15 years and never knew travel pay is authorized until I received a letter explaining it last year. They will only go back 30 days. BS. Sorry for the multiple post, this issue really aggravating me, and others too.

All designed to frustrate Vets, so the say screw it and leave.