Loose Cannon

FROM: Consumer Reports RE: If you believe you were a victim of the Ebenefits information breach, this sounds like pretty good advice from CR Magazine. Of course, to get this for free, the VA will have to provide you with some form of their culpability...don't count on that happening any time soon. Even if it costs a few bucks it may be well worth it in the long run. LC Here's what they suggest: Monitor your financial statements and credit reports for suspicious activity that can lead to identity theft. If your credit cards are lost or stolen, you dont need LifeLock to notify your financial institutions to cancel and replace them. If your Social Security number is out there, we suggest that you put a security freeze on your credit reports at the big three credit bureausEquifax, Experian, and TransUnion. That will prevent creditors from accessing your file if a crook tries to open a new account in your name. Without access, creditors are likely to deny a credit application. If youre not yet a victim of identity theft, you might have to pay $3 to $20 (depending on where you live) to freeze your accounts at each bureau. When you apply for new credit, insurance, or utility service, there might be similar fees to remove the freeze. But there is usually no charge if youre already a victim of ID theft. Credit bureaus consider credit- and debit-card theft as identity theft, so it should be easier for you to get free freezes. You generally must provide a police report to prove your claim, so make sure you file one right after your credit or debit card or wallet is stolen. Ditto if your home has been burglarized; your computer, cell phone, or other device has been lost or stolen; you receive notification that your personal data has been breached; or you discover unauthorized transactions in your bank or investment accounts.

You can access future appointments through MyHeathEvets also for future reference. LC

Some report eBenefits site is up again. Visit at your own risk folks. UPDATE fyi...the FBI office in Charlotte, NC will be working & investigating everyone's tips. The facts will come out. LC

Much more on this topic here as well. I bet a search of GWI can pull up more good info for you too. Hope this is a start...Good luck to you going forward. LC

Thanks bud. Calm as a cucumber over here. Like I said, believe what you choose. Jon has been provided printouts from the eBenefits site from vets who have access. Not sure why you continue to vigorously try to discredit the story. From the very first piece he ran, he was sitting down with a vet at his computer and pages of such documents were even displayed for viewers to see! But to really investigate the problem, the FBI has been contacted as was other federal & state govt agencies. They have been granted a judge's permission to delve into this in ways a news reporter can't. Access is not a problem, nor is it even an issue. Let's just let the investigation run it's course. If the site comes back up then it's up to each user to determine if it's woth the risk to log in. Appreciate your comments. Nobody "squirting" here...only the guilty who are responsible should be worrying right now. LC

Great point you bring up! Not sure if it will work on (other than apple devices) but there's a great app called "Take-A-Hop" that I've found very useful. Perhaps they have an an Android op system compatible version out as well if that's your thing. I've flown "AMC Space-A" several times and the savings can be amazing...Just make sure you can be flexible with your travel plans. Good luck and make sure to send us some pictures! LC

Amazing comments. To all who support Ms. Lauren Price and her cause...http://www.veteranwarriors1.com and believe the current system can be changed, THANK YOU. To the people who view any of this (eBenefits included) as acceptable just because it's been that way for decades, perhaps it's time you consider letting us "new gentlemen & ladies" take over the lead on this by not being so pessimistic. As for the comment that the "46 VSO pit bulls can prevent" the enactment of this rule or that rule from happening, I can only say respectfully that you are very out of touch. You obviously have a crystal ball that doesn't work. Many vets right here on Hadit have stated several times that we don't feel MOST VSO's are worth their weight in salt. Some even claim they're in the pockets of the VA and no longer have our best interest at heart. I won't accuse a particular group of anything. But I can offer my own personal experiences with a few and I have had many reply with similar experiences. And yes, asknod, I CAN imagine a hoard of unemployed VSO agents. Maybe we can take their experience and employ them at the VA where more employees are desperately needed. Their help there would be much welcomed! Finally, allow me to disagree with your assessment on Wednesday night's eBenefits info breach AmicusBrief. As you know, I have been working with my local investigative reporter since he broke the story. It is a FACT that there is real proof that a massive disclosure of personal information has occurred...and it is nation wide. This is still America. People are free to believe what they choose and I'm not so thinned skinned to take any comments or opinions personally. It just amazes me how many will truly believe it when the VA comes out and says the site is safe to use again or that the damage was minimal...I want what you're smokin'! Keep fighting for your hard-earned benefits all. YOU are your best advocate. LC

Your fear is very normal. I felt the same way but after that very first meeting I knew I was in the right spot and in good hands! Just talking to the medical experts can give you a whole new perspective. Only other thing I can say is be honest about what you're feelings so they can properly advise you or if necessary, give you a diagnosis! Nothing to be ashamed of...You are in my prayers! LC

Was it performed at a VAMC or did they contract the exam out to QTC? Every C&P exam I've gone to was done by a private doc through QTC. When QTC did mine, they were very reluctant to provide me a copy even after it was received by the VA This may not apply in your situation). In my case, I wanted to see the exam results and, since the VA was unwilling to help, I wound up having to file a FOI (Freedom of Information) Request. Hope you don't have to go through all that just to get a copy of yours. I believe you are referring to the MyHealtheVet website when you mentioned the "blue button." In that case, I'd give the doc no more than 10 days to submit his report to the VA before I started to get impatient. I believe private docs have up to 30 days to submit their reports to the VA. They usually do it pretty fast- The sooner they submit, the sooner they get paid from the VA. As far as all the gobbly-gook that talks of CAPRI...I'd be guessing so maybe others can offer advice on that. I'd stay as far away from eBenefits as possible until the official "all clear" has been sounded. Wednesday night they had a serious security breach where personal info, ssn's, doctor's notes, financial info, etc. was released in error. It's being investigated now so you'll have to stay tuned like many here are for updates. As usual, the VA is not releasing much and minimizing our damage. Good luck bro. Your case sounds like it's moving along well. LC

UPDATE: On 1/17/2014, after an amended spending bill passed in the House & Senate, President Obama signed it into law. Bottom line...This is proof that if we stand up for our rights and come together as one voice we can defeat ANY attacks on our hard-earned benefits. GOOD JOB TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED...WE WIN!!!! LC

Yeah, I get what your saying although I'm not quite up to speed on all the computer lingo you mentioned. It's one thing for the VA to keep us in the dark on our claim information...everyone knows they're pros at doing just that AND they've been successful at that...for years it's been their SOP with little repercussions. I don't thing many here trust them on anything anymore. I predict they will continue to minimize the damage and offer a few vets compensation for this breach in the way of credit monitoring for a year or two. That's not an acceptable remedy. Who really knows how vast this breach was and for how many years we will have to worry about the information that was released? Sucks, but it is now an FBI issue and hope an appropriate, thorough investigation will provide more facts until someone is accountable. I don't think that's too much to expect. Anyhoo...taken steps to minimize any damage and moving on to the bigger issues now. Just another hurdle we must jump over! Keep fighting brothers & sisters... LC

Tougher to get SSDI but by all means NOT impossible. Main difference is that Social Security (disability determination service) must find you incapable of maintaining gainful employment. Refer to their webpage for their current definitions & standards. The 2 govt agencies are supposed to work together and share / exchange your info...don't count on it happening. Take all excellent evidence that you supplied to the VA in getting to 100% P&T and ensure it is received by your local ss office for processing by the dds. Good luck...you CAN win this with solid evidence. LC

Great job lotzasspotz. Hope we can continue to keep getting others to do the same. LC

Hey AB, Thanks for the info last night. It was followed up on today...proving very helpful. You seem to know more details/info...care to reveal the source of this new info? Again...just trying to separate fact from fiction. Thanks bud. LC

After passing in the House & the Senate...President signed new amended bill into law a short time ago. Retiree COLA has been restored...Yippie!! A victory snatched from the jaws of defeat...Thank you all, Thank you God! LC

You have more faith in the VA than me! I figure they'd just bring it back online soon and tell us it's been fixed. Already changed my bank account numbers, etc. My screen shot may look like a silly smiling pink pig...but I 'ainst as dum as I look (hee-hee)! LC

Awesome thread...definitely a keeper...Thanks for your efforts NavyWife! LC

Best news of the day...congrats! LC

Appreciate your advice but I'm trying to add my 25 year old autistic stepdaughter. I had to submit a lot of paperwork (marriage cert, birth cert, her diagnosis when she was age 4, her medical records, and several statements) requesting that she be added as what the VA calls a "helpless child" since she is not in college and dropped off my dependents "list" after age 21. Yeah, pretty complicated. But all her ducks are in line. Shows up as a non-rating Dependency Claim with Aug 2014 as a possible completion date. Sure, they will pay back pay and all that once it gets approved but I'd love for it to be sooner so as to get her medical coverage. Just gotta wait out the lousy process like everyone else. Despite it all, I consider myself blessed. My situation is "trivial" as compared to many others. Thanks anyway for caring enough to reply. LC

Yep! I'll be honest with everyone, the breach of all this personal info is one thing. But the lack of ACCOUNTABILITY this far from when the event was reported is mind blowing. I am in contact with the news media as I've documented in this thread and they are going to get us some answers as to the lack of urgency displayed up to now on the part of the VA and others. Some say you cannot fight "city hall"...Watch me. This story is far from over. If anything, it has motivated me to fight harder for answers to my questions. Thanks to all for the kind words & support. LC

I agree. Bigger fish to fry & battles ahead to fight so right now, I'm resigned to this as just one more obstacle in life. Trying my hardest to let it go and move on but it 'aint so easy :-) LC

As if this whole BS couldn't get any worse...Just went to the VBA webpage thinking they may have posted something on the homepage to alert vets, etc. about the breach. NOTHING at all in the way of a notification or warning! http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ Instead, as of 10:05am on 1/17/2013, they actually are running ads right on their homepage plugging the eBenefits site!!!! Someone needs to be held accountable. I've been up most of the night trying to get some real answers and so far the only "public" assistance has been from my local ABC11 investigative reporters. Shame on the VA. Gonna try and catch a few hours of shut-eye now. Hope to learn more later. LC P.S.- They may have taken their website down but still should've put out a notification in my opinion.

I'm wondering why as well and it makes me furious! Here's what I suggest but everyone should do what ever they choose. I contacted my Senator's office very early this morning. Recommend all concerned vets do likewise. Here's what my short note said: Dear Senator, As you are aware, the VA eBenefits website had several instances Wednesday night nationwide of a serious information security breach. Many veterans from right here in NC have solid evidence that personal information such as medical data, financial records, social security numbers, and other protected information has been compromised. I have two questions that require your immediate attention Senator Hagen: 1) What does the VA have to say about this, other than they are "aware of the problem" ? 2) What are you doing about this very serious issue? Thank you Senator Hagen. I will await your prompt reply. Sincerely, My Name My Address Hm Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx Cell Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx I do not want to subscribe to your automatic mailings. I simply want answers.

I'm beginning to wonder why this hasn't made the national news yet. Starting to believe the opinion of others...that we vets make up the 1% of the population so nobody gives a crap. Very depressing but I'll try to keep an open mind and give it more time. Meanwhile, who knows what damage has already been done? The VA's silence is deafening! Don't know what else to say. Stay tuned, I guess. LC