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MarkInTexas

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Everything posted by MarkInTexas

  1. MarkInTexas
    I posted in a different thread my adventures/learning experiences so far in getting my first 2 C&P examinations scheduled. I went over two years before the VA finally scheduled them. I at first believed that I had not been scheduled because I had quite a bit of medical record evidence, and had almost dismissed getting C&P examinations at all. What I was wondering......is it a good thing that the VA decided to schedule me? And by this, I mean does it mean that they at least feel that there is enough evidence out there to double check instead of simply dismissing my claims?.....or is a bad thing? I've read opinions of both on I posted in a different thread my adventures/learning experiences so far in getting my first 2 C&P examinations scheduled. I went over two years before the VA finally scheduled them. I at first believed that I had not been scheduled because I had quite a bit of medical record evidence, and had almost dismissed getting C&P examinations at all. What I was wondering......is it a good thing that the VA decided to schedule me? And by this, I mean does it mean that they at least feel that there is enough evidence out there to double check instead of simply dismissing my claims?.....or is it a bad thing? Just wondering..... Also, is it ok to bring documentation, and possibly paperwork that I generate with a list of my symptoms, etc. so that I don't forget something if the examiner asks? What do you folks think? Mark
  2. MarkInTexas
    OK, I know you guys may be tired of the VES updates, but here's one more. Yesterday, I received another e-mail from a VES representative, setting up my audiology C&P appointment for August 14th. They apologized in the e-mail for being unable to find my preferred days of the week for an appointment, and advised that the doctor's schedule was booked for August and they wanted to get me scheduled prior to the VA's due date. The appointment is for an audiology office in Lufkin, Texas, which is much closer than Houston for me. The e-mail contained the same attachments that the previous did......travel form, questionaire and instructions. I never did receive hard copies in the mail though, but I confirmed receipt of each e-mail. I'll keep everybody posted as I go through the VES adventure. Mark
  3. MarkInTexas
    I'm afraid that Carlie is right. I pretty much started all this without a VSO, and made the mistake of contacting my Senator not once, but twice. Now once a month I get a friendly letter from the Senate office saying delays of this nature are unordinary, but that they are continuing to monitor the status of my claim. I started June 19, 2010, multiple conditions, and finally scheduled for 2 C&P's later this month on two conditions. And of course my ePeggy account now says estimated completion of January 28, 2013. (Can't trust that though.) Might not be a good idea, unless you know for sure there's an error that they made. It'll still delay the claim, because they pull the file out of the crazy system and when it goes back, it's at the end of a line again. Mark
  4. MarkInTexas
    Good deal! Sometimes the only way to get something done with them is through face to face contact. The trip and the wait can be a pain, but the benefit pays off. Welcome to the ePeggy party. Mark
  5. MarkInTexas
    One more quick update. This afternoon I received a verification e-mail from VES. Then after verifying, I got another one containing attachments of VA mileage/travel voucher forms, a DBQ form and instructions. The e-mail stated I was set for August 10th for my appointment in Beaumont, Texas. (Pleasant surprise that it was on one of my preferred days of the week that I requested.) The e-mail even had a sort of a Mapquest type directions map attached with the doctor's address. Pretty cut and dry. I'll fill out the forms, and keep my fingers crossed. I'll update everybody on my VES experience as new events develop. Thanks again, Mark
  6. MarkInTexas
    I think the VA uses the Mayan calendar completion date.................
  7. MarkInTexas
    SP4, thanks for the update. I was worried.....well.....reckon I still am for that matter. I'll definitely keep everybody updated on VES and its services as I go through the scheduling and C&P process. One small hint of hope that I saw on the VES website was that it was run by veterans. Papa, I never had experience with QTC (at least not yet), but read all of the horror stories. I"m sure that there are some good stories too, but sounded a lot like Vegas odds to me. USMC, thanks for the link on the Disability Questionaire Forms. I've downloaded and will print out each one and study up. I am debating on making a notebook for each separate exam of medical records, testimony, medical journal information etc. in case the examiner has any questions, or is open to additional information. What do you think? Good morning, all. Mark
  8. MarkInTexas
    I agree. It can be discouraging, and also be misleading. It's typically behind on posting, so you may be further along that what they are displaying........or worse still when you believe that you have made great strides in moving forward (according to ePeggy), the truth may be that the VA has already kicked it back to Gathering again. It's happened to me before. I do check it at least once a week though admittedly. Sounds like you are making good progress on your claims though. Good luck! Mark
  9. MarkInTexas
    Here's a quick update. This morning I called VES (another acronym....oh yay!) on the 877 number, and spoke with a lady who asked me for the last 4 of my SSN, and then pulled up my file. She advised that the VA had contracted with them to perform two separate exams/tests on me. One is a an examination, and testing for infectious diseases. This was expected because part of my claim was concerning residual effects of Epstein Barr Virus (Mononucleosis), and the secondary conditions that occured as a result (Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Bell's Palsy). The second was a bit of a surprise. She advised that this was for an audiology appointment. I have claims for tinnitus and hearing loss, but already had a recent examination (paid out of my own pocket) complete with results and an IMO letter from the audiologist. I had other conditions as well, but had a ton of medical information.....well, had a ton of medical records on my Hodgkin's Lymphoma, etc. as well, but we'll see. Back to the topic though, she asked whether I preferred to receive a hard copy appointment letter mailed to my home address (which she already had as well), or to have the appointment letter e-mailed. I opted for the hard copy to be mailed to me. I use e-mail quite a bit, but would rather have something solid with a U.S. Mail date stamp on the envelope. She did request my e -mail in the event that there were additional information that needed to be relayed to me. She further explained that VES had contracts with doctors in the Beaumont area, where my C&P for Epstein Barr, etc. will be held, but that chances were that they would have to use a Houston audiology clinic for the other one. She of course told me the details would be in the letters. She also asked what days of the week would be preferable, and advised that some examinations were also done on weekends. I told her I would prefer Fridays and weekends if possible. We'll see how that works out. That's about all I have right now. I'll update later when I have more information on VES, or how they do things. As I mentioned before, if anybody out there has used VES before, I'd appreciate any insight on how they operate, or what I need to be prepared for. Also, anybody out there ever attend an audiology or infectious diseases C&P? What do I need to do to be prepared for the interview/examinations? Thanks again, everyone. Mark
  10. MarkInTexas
    Congatulations, Buddy! Mark
  11. MarkInTexas
    Has anybody out there had any dealings with a company called Veterans Evaluation Services? Apparently, the VA has contracted with them to perform C&P examinations and testing on veterans. I see from their website that they are apparently headquartered near Houston. I was called yesterday (Saturday) by a representative of this company (called me from a Tennessee telephone number) who advised me to call an 877 number on Monday to schedule my C&P examination. He did not know what conditions I was being examined for. (I have several, but tons of medical documentation on a few). He was polite, and told me that he simply didn't know, but that I would learn more on Monday when I called the number. He further advised that his company was also contracting with "local" doctors to administer the examinations, and that I might not even have to drive to Houston. I'm still not sure what he means by local. I'm 2 hours from the VAMC in Houston. Any information about this company and its services would be appreciated. And better still, any veterans that used them during their C&P process have good/bad experiences? Any advice would help me. I'll try to post more tomorrow after I make the call to them to schedule. Have a great week. Mark
  12. MarkInTexas
    Ouch!
  13. MarkInTexas
    Amen! Congratulations, Chief! I pray that you live out a long life, and continue to recover. Thanks for your service to our country. Mark
  14. MarkInTexas
    Papa, yep, I'm using the American Legion out of the Houston VARO. To be honest, I was probably a year into this before taking a trip to the VARO to get set up for the premium account of eBenefits, and while I was there, it was recommended to me that I "pick" a VSO. I ended up hooking up with an American Legion rep there. (I'm already a member of the AL, and thought I'd get help from them) My county VSO is a part timer, retired twice from his primary jobs, and to be honest, he's suffering from the onset of alzheimers (spelling?) Very nice guy, but no help. I did all of my initial claims and coordination by myself, and to be honest even with the American Legion, I feel like I'm by myself still. I only really call them when I want to do a status check without having to wait on the VA's 800 number for 30 minutes to talk to Peggy. You're right that it looks like they are a for-profit agency. It looks like the VA does have a contract with them though. I'll start a new post in the C&P section tomorrow morning and see if anybody knows anything. It would be certainly weird if they were able to retrieve my personal information somehow, including my cell and know that the VA is scheduling a C&P for me. It is probably ok, but definitely a weird thing for a guy to call on a Saturday to tell me to call a different number on Monday. Talk about tail chasing....... Thanks for all your help and patience. As I mentioned before, I'm still on my first initial claim, and still qualify as a rookie. I've made mistakes on my initial filing by adding conditions later after making an initial claim, and not organizing enough to begin with. It's been 2 years and a month, and the way I figure it, I'm still a long way out. Y'all have a good night. Mark
  15. MarkInTexas
    Me neither. I had already been studying up on QTC in case I was sent to one of their sites, and now this one comes out of nowhere. Has anybody ever heard of, or had dealings with, an entity called Veterans Evaluation Services?.......or better still, gone to an appointment that they coordinated? I need to start studying up on these folks now I guess. Btw....just looked up their website. This is their "About" page: http://www.vesservic.../ves/?page_id=2 Mark
  16. MarkInTexas
    Just a quick update. Today (Saturday) at around 11:15 this morning, a guy called me on my cell phone and told me that he was with Veterans Evaluation Services, and that I would need to call a number (877-637-8387) on Monday to schedule my C&P examination. He was calling from a Tennessee number, and told me that he couldn't schedule me, or give me much information, because his job was to call a WHOLE lot of people today to tell them to call and schedule. He did say that once I called on Monday that these guys would schedule me probably within a few days for the appointment. He also said that the VA was contracting this out and that I might actually be going to some "local" location that they have to conduct the C&P examination services. He was polite, and even when he couldn't tell me for sure what conditions were being examined, he said that I would learn more on Monday. Anybody ever have one of these? I have been going the last couple of years always believing that the VA would handle this at their main Houston hospital at one of their clinics. This is new to me. Any thoughts or advice. (And yes, I'm definitely going to call them first thing Monday morning to schedule.) Have a great weekend. Mark
  17. MarkInTexas
    Carlie, my status for my exam still shows "Pending" on eBenefits. According to ePeggy the VA has requested an exam, but nothing is showing up on my Exam Calendar or List yet. Do you think that I can call a number to ask what my examination(s) will be for, and if so, what is the best number to call? Thanks, Mark
  18. MarkInTexas
    Good idea, Papa! You know, there is that slight evil part of me that wants to send those papers to one of my Senators or local Representative with a friendly "btw" letter. As for my paperwork, other than a redundancy in having to complete it again, it looks like a normal packet with nothing missing.....VCAA "sign here" form, explanations of what I've claimed, what they have, what they need, what they want to do, what they say they would do, but if it doesn't get done, I'm responsible for getting it done, blank 21-4142's, blank 21-4138, and no postage-paid return envelop. (Can't waste that federal VA money on a veteran, let him/her buy their own stamps.) These two sheets were in the middle of it all, stapled in the packet, and not even together, just wedged in separately amidst it all. Crazy. I still can't fathom how one section that is supposed to be "sending" out notices to veterans can end up with spare paperwork from some section that is supposed to be receiving paperwork. Morning all! Mark
  19. MarkInTexas
    Thanks for everybody's input and assistance. I have a feeling I'll be asking a lot more questions as things move forward.....and possibly backward again. Now, today I recevied a brown envelope in the mail like I thought I would, and sure enough, it had the same VCAA notice and questions that I had going on two years ago. I'll complete and sign the VCAA notice document, and send a hard copy of the 21-4138 that I already sent through VONAPP (again....just in case......) Now for the creepy part. When I opened the envelope and started reviewing the documents, I noticed two strange pages stapled amidst the paperwork. When I looked closer, I found that it was actually medical reports from a VA doctor using the Vista.San-Antonio.Med.Va.Gov system, and they contained the examination, CT scan results, findings, etc. from some other veteran. It even had his full Social Security Number on there, along with his full name! The reports say that they were printed on July 24th, the same day my packet was prepared. Now my instinct tells me to mail these two pages back to the VA, so that maybe they will find their way back into the system. (or be destroyed......looks like they must print them out as needed.)..... And it's probably best to mail them in a separate envelope than MY paperwork, to keep my documents from ending up in this veteran's file, or vice versa. That's really scary that things are so disorganized that a packet generated and sent to a veteran for more information contains documentation that should be received in some other section and stage of the process. I know I would be horrified if I knew that my SSN information and medical information were getting shot all over the place without any care or concern. What do you folks think? Mark
  20. MarkInTexas
    Wouldn't it be great if they forced the VA to increase a veteran's rating 1% for each month that the VA took to process a claim after their magical 125 Day response time. 1% might not sound like much, but even under the VA's mysterious rating system, added up, it would definitely make a difference. Plus, it would compel the VA to process claims much more effeciently, knowing there is a 1% penalty per month hanging over their heads. I know it'll never happen, but I had an extra strong cup of coffee this morning, so my brain is in overdrive. Good morning, y'all. Mark
  21. MarkInTexas
    Good luck! And congratulations on making another milestone. Mark
  22. MarkInTexas
    Just looked under the Exam Appointments Calendar, and it reads: Date Requested By VA Benefits Office: July 24, 2012 1:46 p.m. Request Status: Pending Guess it may actually be C&P Exam time. What do y'all think? Mark
  23. MarkInTexas
    Wow......I was wondering what was up with the second round of questions. And no, I haven't been scheduled for a C&P Examination yet. I was wondering if that was what all of the "Houston VAMC" language was all about. I also checked my "calendars" to see if there was anything there. In the past, it would not allow me to access it, but now I can see the calendar, although nothing has been "scheduled" yet at least from what I can see. I guess I may be asking a bunch of questions over in the C&P Examination section of the forum soon. I had almost given up on them scheduling me for one. (Not that I'm jumping for joy, or was hoping to get one.) I actually thought that between my military SMR's and all of my civilian records that it would suffice. Learrn something new every day, I reckon. Papa, good luck on yours as well. Mark
  24. MarkInTexas
    Well, it's been a little over two years, and one month, and the good old clock is still ticking. However, I noticed a little activity on my eBenefits account this evening late. They wanted a few more details on my conditions, listed under "What Do We Still Need From You?" I took care of those via VONAPP, and will probably get a brown envelope in the mail late this week, containing another VCAA notice with the same questions, and another VCAA form for me to complete/sign. (I'll fill all that out, and send 'em what they want all over again in the U.S. Mail too just in case.) However, I noticed something new to me that I have never seen before. There is now a new block called, "What Do We Still Need From Others?" Underneath this block are the words, "Houston VAMC" and under date requested 07/24/2012 (of course), and date due 09/22/2012. Does anybody know what this means? Although I have been waiting in line since June 19, 2010, I still consider myself a rookie at this because it is still my initial filing. Thank goodness I found this site to keep my mind at ease, and to help me with getting the right documentation/medical records/testimony, etc. to the VA. (Well, at least I hope it was the right documentation.) Anybody know what the whole Houston VAMC means, and what it actually does? Any advice/ideas would be deeply appreciated. Thanks again, Mark
  25. MarkInTexas
    Congratulations! You've earned it! Thanks for your service to your country. Mark
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