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Mont36

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Everything posted by Mont36

  1. Just one rule of thumb...You said that VA sent mail to old address...If you change your address at the VA Hospital, VA Benefits office does not update with that change of address...Dont know if you changed address but to anyone reading this make sure you contact both VA Hospital and the VA Regional office of your change of address. This sucks because you would think they both communicate with every update but no thats not the case. I work for the VA Regional office and I see so many claims with 4140 not returned due to claims not going to correct updated address....thus causing confusion...Good luck..
  2. The VA has relaxed standards on stressors.....If you have a CAB (Combat Action Badge), CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), Purple Heart just for example would constitute not needing a VA Form 21-0781. Also if you have Iraq War service with dates also is another example....Be sure to go in the exam reflecting your worst day dealing with PTSD. Don't sugar coat it...Good Luck..
  3. The problem with VSO's are that they are there to just move your claim forward and not have any knowledge or little knowledge. Im a Veterans Service Representative and I see it all the time where VSO will add more claims to your existing claims when it is a FDC claim instead of gathering all information in the beginning thus avoiding delay in your claim. Im sorry you are not aware of this and its not your fault but sometimes it happens this way. Rule of thumb always do a Intent to File first in order to preserve the effective date for pay. Example if you intent to file say 5/1/2015 and put in claim 4/1/2016, then you get rated on 12/1/2016, you will get paid back to 5/1/2015. Just FYI. Good luck.
  4. Somehow the VA frowns upon private Psych doctors. They feel it is bias because a VA Psych is not saying the same thing as your private doctor is. Like you said the VA Psych primarily gives medicine. I don't understand why VA does this because if it is coming from a licensed doctor then what does it matter. If I were you I would ask the VA Psych to give their opinion based off what your private psych said. Show the VA psych the information that the private doc said and give their insight. Good Luck.
  5. Were you denied before? If so did you submit new evidence? Just trying to see where this is going as far as not getting an exam.
  6. Yes my back and knees are secondary to flat feet. Sorry about getting back to you so late.....
  7. SempAye so are you saying that you are back in the development stage? Can you tell me what you are claiming? I want to see what could be the hold up. Thanks
  8. I got in 5minutes ago. Could be something wrong with you server. Try clearing your cache.
  9. Sometimes the VA can rate off of a recent exam if the diagnosis is there and exam isnt old. What are you claiming on this claim? This could help in seeing if what they could be doing or asking from you.
  10. Make sure when he turns in his 21-0781, he gives a two month timeline of the events that happened so it can be verified. It clearly states this on the form. Many times when a veteran submits the 21-0781 for PTSD, they fail to give only two month range instead they give a year or six months as the timeline. Then we send the veteran a letter as a follow up to send the date range of two months again only to delay the claim. Once we get the two month date range along with the events that happened, a PTSD coordinator who specializes in verifying stressors will locate records in addition to units served, days of events and so on. If they are unable to verify, then it won't go further as far as PTSD, unless he has a Combat action ribbon or Purple Heart then he wouldn't need to fill the form out.......But make sure he follows what I just told you.....GOOD LUCK......
  11. Hey Shannan. Question. Did you say you were OTH-Other than honorable? Did they do a character of discharge at the VA? I know that having UTH-Under honorable discharge puts you in the clear. But even having an OTH in your circumstance with the MST-PTSD is in your favor. I did a character of discharge at the VA where I work. The VA has to make the decision to overturn OTH or sometimes dishonorable discharges for VA disability benefits. If you have a valid reason for the discharge, which it looks like you do then it will all work out. What happens is the VSR that develops your claim will send you a letter with a suspense date of 65 days letting you know that we are aware of your character of discharge. Once the time is up the VSR looks or has looked in your file such as service treatment records and personnel records to verify what you were discharged for. Then the claim is given to a supervisor in order for them to make the determination as to grant you eligibility to disability benefits. You can definitely use the MST as your leverage for the discharge you received in order to get the benefits you are claiming. Also I hope other vets on here are reading this because I want to make a very important statement. WHENEVER THE VA ASK YOU FOR INFORMATION OR FROM A THIRD PARTY FOR YOU SUCH AS MEDICAL PROVIDER ETC...PLEASE TURN IN PROMPTLY...SO MANY TIMES CLAIMS ARE HELD UP BECAUSE OF THIS...LASTLY IF THE VA CALLS YOU FOR INFORMATION PLEASE PROVIDE THEM WITH THE INFORMATION AND DONT LEAVE ANYTHING OUT.....THANK YOU...GOOD LUCK.
  12. Trust me when I tell you there are an increase in FDC claims thus going to cause a backlog on these claims. The issue is that that any VSR can develop a claim. So if a claim that is say 9 months old and not FDC and yours is 2 months old with FDC it just depends on what is going on with the claim. Sad but this is true then you got this new INTENT TO FILE mess that has come along to further complicate things which is effective March 24, 2015. The problem is there is not a team that handles just FDC claims. If they had a team solely dedicated to FDC then it would be faster process. I think the FDC has caused a misconception because although it is designed to expedite ones claim, if we ( I work for VA) develop for federal records, and they don't respond timely then that causes delays. Or if you claim special issues such as PTSD,Agent Orange, we have to request personnel records. With PTSD if you say an event happened, that caused you stressor on the VA FORM 21-0781, has to be two month range given to us in order to verify stressor causing PTSD from PTSD coordinator. So there are a lot of factors. One question, what are you claiming? That way I can give insight on what they may be doing or waiting on. Good Luck!!!
  13. Well welcome to the world of ROANOKE. I have experienced ROANOKE for three of my claims. They are the ones that denied my Gulf War claim for IBS. They are overwhelmed. All of the VA Regional offices are overwhelmed. But the nice thing is that they are going paperless. The bad is the VA is requiring mandatory overtime to tackle claims. This is a cause for concern because you bring on more stress to employees and sometimes not so favorable decisions because of fatigue, instead of hiring more people in particular vets. But let me tell you this always turn EVERYTHING in at the beginning of filing a claim. The reason I say this is because it causes delays otherwise. For instance if you say you were seen at a private doctor, we (I work at the VA) have to go out for these records and give a total of 30 days.If we need your federal records, another 30-45 days. Federal records like Womack Army records for instance is horrible when it comes to requesting these records and them sending them to us not trying to bash no one in particular but things like this is a problem. I know first hand. I am going to tell you nothing but the truth here as others will on here with good intentions. So really sometimes it is up to you on how long it takes your claim. The fastest my claim has taken is 3 months cause I had everything turned in when I submitted claim instead of relying on VA to get records. Good Luck and hang in there!!!!!!
  14. There are lots of factors behind the dates you see. When the VA develops claims, they have to do what is called a suspense. The suspense is there for tracking purposes in order to meet deadlines on veterans claims. The suspense is put there after requesting documents, exams, when ready to rate and paying the veteran. Hang in there and don't be discouraged because there is a reasoning behind everything. Like I always say whenever the VA ask you for something always turn it in to them as quickly as possible in order to avoid delays. GOOD LUCK!!
  15. Deferred usually is further development of a claim or osp (on site provider) opinion on what the examiner put down in the examination report. I have seen where they have deferred issues due to needing personnel records for issues like mental conditions, service treatment records for proof of treatment in service when a veteran has more than one periods of service. So a lot can play into why a deferral is needed. But like Berta said, its better than denied cause this means someone is doing their job correct by crossing every t and dotting every I. Good Luck....
  16. One thing to realize is that the VA has multiple contractors handling VA systems. Here are some examples...VBMS which took paper folders and was implemented into this electronic system. I work for the VA and I can tell you for a fact that VBMS is not user friendly and is a joke. EVERYDAY and I mean EVERYDAY I along with my Va Coworkers experience lag time, freezing screens, error messages, documents that the veteran says he or she say turned in not showing up in the system. I have complained to VBMS help desk numerous times and they say refresh or clear cache and the same thing happens. I am tired of this because I am hurting veterans due to this system. I could serve more veterans if it was faster and less errors. Also QTC is a contract run system. This is where veterans go for C&P exams based on their zip code. They take their time getting results uploaded to VBMS in order to move claims to rating department. So when you guys are wondering why it is taking so long keep these problems in mind. You just don't know the half of what we go through with these outdated under developed programs they hand to us........
  17. It is indeed a mental disability. The thing that is so confusing as far as Raters from RO's, they do things different. My Ro where I work says for example, sleep apnea is respiratory but another RO that has my claim folder says it is not instead mental. WTH......So don't let them tell you insomnia is anything but mental, and sleep apnea is respiratory. GOOD LUCK......
  18. Well they will request personnel records due to your mental condition also service treatment records to see if you indeed were treated for these conditions in military. This is done by requesting through records management center or Dpris can't remember which but its according to your period of service and branch of service. Since you did a 526ez, you can't turn anything else in or it will be processed the standard way cause when you submit 526ez it is designed for a veteran to turn everything in at one time. Do you have current treatment for your issues and diagnosis for them? Good luck
  19. If you can get a current diagnosis of pes planus/flatfeet, that will start the process. Flatfeet causes other issues such as ankle, knee,hip,back condition. Your gait will definitely be off due to your feet having to over compensate to balance your body. I am service connected for flatfeet 50% and knees 10% also back 40%. Trust me when I tell you its not fun dealing with these conditions. Sometimes you feel that it has improved a little then you end up over doing your self only to make it worse. I got connected for feet first and got worse over time then connected for both knees and back when went for increase on flat feet. It is best to get a outside orthopedic doctor to connect the dots. Make sure they are giving their rationale or medical opinion when they do give opinion. Lastly inserts don't help I don't care who tells you this. I went through so many pairs of shoes trying to help with my feet pain. Knee braces from VA, back brace from VA for car and work. People looking at you like you are special or something so it does mess with you mentally. Hang in there don't give up keep the fight!!!!!!!
  20. Make sure you submit VA Form 21-8940 for IU. What the VA will do is go after your last employer with a VA Form 21-4192 requesting how you were released or if you quit etc. Then they will do a Social Security inquiry to see if you are collecting Social Security or was denied for it. If you are collecting SSA then they will request copies of medical records from them. If you don't have employment information and instead was self employed then they will ask for tax information. The idea of IU is that you can't maintain employment for whatever your service connected va disability is. So if the military is your last employer it is what it is. You fit the criteria as far as percentage as far as I can see. Good Luck but this is what the process will basically happen so hang in there.
  21. Hi Vietnams VetsWife. Welcome to the claims request world. The answer to your question is no. The same claims examiner does not always work your claim. The VA RO's always rotate digits when it comes to assigning claims. Like they assign the last two digits to whatever team will handle your claim. On note on this is in the near future all RO's will do anybody claim regardless of state you are in because of the national mission and the VA going paperless. These are the steps when it comes to handling claims. First it is received at intake processing,then received at a RO. Next the claim is cested or put in the system as an official claim. Then a Veteran Service Rep develops whatever is on 21-526ez,526b,etc like maybe treatment from VA clinic that you list on 21-526 and private treatment from a private doctor that you list on 21-526,or goes out for federal records like service treatment records from military to verify you had these issues in military.Then if claim warrants an exam then veteran gets exam. Once exam is received back from VA clinic and is clear as far as doctors notes and assessment, then goes onto Rater for decision. Once decision is made it is sent for a award in order to get you paid or if denied letter will be sent out regardless. Keep this in mind as I wish all veterans knew even myself when I started out with my claims and that is to gather your own private treatment from your doctors or if you are claiming IU/Individual Unemployability you need to make sure to get your own most recently employer that you were fired from or quit. This is a little guidance and hope it helps. Like I always say don't wait on VA cause for them to go out for federal records or your last employer it is 30 days on those request making for a little wait. One thing you could have done was file an informal claim until you get the needed information that way it locks in that date for what they will pay back to. Example say you go file on March 1, 2015 that is your date of claim but if you would have done June 1, 2014 then your date claim would be March 1, 2015 so when you get approved for compensation they would pay back to June 1, 2014. Informal claim is so you have to file within a year of informal claim. SORRY FOR CONFUSING YOU!!!!!!! HOPE THIS HELPS<<<<<<
  22. ""Reviewed Ebenefits and the only items missing is the 21-4192 forms- Unemployability forms They were sent out for completion on 12/9/2014. Prior to yesterday that is what what is the system with a activity date of 1/9/2014. Now they are saying they just sent out to employers 1/6/2015... Does not make sense. One of the employers is out of business and I doubt the other one will complete. Left on bad terms... So what is the get around on this one?"" See what happens is when a veteran claims IU aka Individual Unemployability, we have to go out to their last employer no longer how long ago unless your last job was military. Ok with this VBMS program that the VA has begun in order to so call speed up things another story....but while waiting on documents to upload we are sending out request while you are sending in information kinda of like crossing paths. By law we have to go out to the last employer not employers so whichever is the last one you worked for. The reason for the activity date of 30 days, we are required to go out to private party e.g..doctors,employers, that the veteran indicates on a 21-8940,21-4142 and give them 15 days for the first request and then follow up with another 15 days giving a total of 30 days. If no response from the private party after the time has elapsed then we go on with finishing development in order to see if you are warranted with exam or on to rating board. Just a heads up in the future if you are filing for IU or have private party documents that you want to help support your claim I would get it all before I turn in my claim like do an informal claim then once you get the information file a formal claim so when you are awarded monetary compensation it will be paid back to the informal date as long as you file within a year. Hope this helps GOOD LUCK!!!!
  23. Yes it is unfortunate. The issue is that since they hired this scanning site company called VBMS to implement paperless claims, they didn't give much thought about the time it takes to upload into the system to reflect documentation submitted by a veteran. The scanning site has a number of veterans claims that is being scanned in. Many have lots of volumes per veteran which causes delays. So squeeze in a claim in the midst of all the scanning and you cause problems. I see it everyday at work at VA benefits and it upsets me when I open up a file in the VBMS system and see this yellow banner stating documents are being uploaded and then you have to wait for them to appear in the electronic documents according to the date stamp from scanning site. Just another way to delay. The suggestion would be that each Veterans Service Representative have a scanner at their desk so they can scan in documents as they come rather than waiting on this so called VBMS aka Veterans Benefits Management System which the VA paid $492 million of our tax dollars on and this site still has very bad lag times when going through documents in each veterans file. Sorry about all the information but you know what I am not sorry because we all need to hear the truth......Good Luck!!
  24. Could be a routine future for your service connected issue. Have you had this condition for 5 years because that is usually the time frame for future exams. Just call and ask them if this is for an EP 310 routine future. Surprised your VSO couldn't tell you since they can look into VA systems and see this for themselves. Good Luck.
  25. You had to have had an exam already in order for them to do an ACE. An Ace happens when an onsite provider(doctor) clarifies or another physician what the examiner said on the exam you had. This is normal because the rater feels that the exam is clear on the opinion made or didn't give an opinion such as more than likely,less likely at least likely. So did you have an exam already for these issues?
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