MarkInTexas

I had similar problems when I created my Basic account. It was difficult at first. However, I also made a trip to my VARO (Houston) and had a complete access account established. That only took signing one piece of paper.......and waiting in line for an hour and a half............was worth it though I suppose......maybe. I understand now that you can register for the premier account online, or via telephone. That's got to be much better than driving a couple of hours to sign one sheet of paper. Mark

Got it. Thanks! Mark

Does anybody know if the IRIS portal is still working on the VA website? I tried to use it today, and can't seem to find it anymore. Perhaps, my mind is just slipping, and I've forgotten where to look. I used to access it from the VA home page, and not eBenefits, so I'm wondering if they moved it over. I have checked ePeggy yet to see if it's on there somewhere. Ideas? Mark

Congrats!

Congratulations! Thanks for your service to your country! Mark

Wow...new twist. Tried logging in today, and can't even hit the server for eBenefits. Maybe they are doing some major re-working? Or not................

I can log into eBenefits, but acces claim status nor the "Download Letters" application......guess it's under maintenance once again. On a different note, did anybody read the VA report that they are finally almost done with Agent Orange claims, and now rediverting their efforts to covering the "other" claims? Wonder if things will speed up? Mark

Congratulations!!!!

I'm also going through the Houston VARO.........the place where all good claim files go to die........

Congratulations!

I'm at 2 years of waiting this month......... Tick tock.......... tick tock.......tick....;… I had multiple claims........which probably slowed me down........ And requested a Senatorial inquiry.......which also probably slowed me down......... Not counting the 870,000 back logged cases........and not counting the estimated 1.4 million new claims expected over the next year........tick.......... Peace out, Mark

I agree! I do the same thing. Also, as a side note, any time that eBenefits makes the mistake of offering me a services survey, I hit them with as much information as possible on changes I'd like to see.

And mine is almost two years old......June, 2010..........also Houston....... :)

Southeast Texas near Beaumont. And you'll find that eBenefits shuts down all or portions of the site frequently. Sometimes they warn veterans ahead of time.........sometimes they don't. Mark

eBenefits posted a message last week that they would be under maintenance again this weekend starting at 1800 hours Saturday evening. Claim status and 'Download Letters' are among the 'Out of Order' sections. Peace Out, Mark

I could be wrong, but I wouldn't sweat it much. Just shoot the VA the missing paperwork ASAP via VONAPP (If it's working), or US Mail it certified. When I send them something that I think is missing, I'm usually kicked back to Gathering Evidence. (I have homesteaded there I think). I was told that it's not too late to submit until it's being rated. Just a thought from a guy who is standing in line........

Wouldn't it be nice if eBenefits displayed an itemized breakdown of every record received by a veteran, itemized lists of medical documents received from doctors, hospitals etc along with other documents like service medical records etc complete with the dates received? It would be great to simply scroll down the list to compare what authorizations to provide medical records were submitted versus what records were actually received by the VA and when. It's difficult for a veteran to adequately assist the VA when he/she can't even tell what the VA "actually" has as the process continues. I know by obtaining a C-File, one can obtain it all but that delays a claim and doesn't suffice in ensuring a veteran that new information has actually been received and filed. Mark

Reddog, must be an error in the system. I don't think they can change or add a power of attorney without your written consent. Mark

Carlie, I hope so. The reason I foolishly "tripped the wire" was because I had spoken to a VA rep on the phone the other day, who informed me that the VA had closed out three of the doctor's offices requests for information due to nonresponsiveness from the offices. After learning of this, I contacted them directly myself to obtain the records, and forwarded the information I could get via VONAPP. The three offices weren't extremely pertinent to my claims, but I felt that at a minimum they would show at least some supporting evidence, and the rationale I had was that it was best to give 'em everything I could right now............but once again, they immediately sent me back to the "Gathering Evidence" pit just a few hours after I submitted it. Could be a coincidence, I reckon though. My own fault though for not going ahead and getting the information myself up front instead of relying on the VA to fish around and make the calls. Mark

Ya know, I'm just speaking for myself and not judging, but if my own retro came in on an amount like that, I would pay off my mortgage completely and be done with that. This way, no matter what the job markets do, or what happens to my own health, my family and I would always have a place to live. Just sayin'.......... Mark

One other question about this VARO...... I've only been there once, but are all of the VARO's so chaotic in the lobby/intake areas with such long lines?

I've been waiting on my initial claim at the Houston VARO since June, 2010.........tick tock..........tick tock.........

Sigh........ I wish I had read this post before submitting more information today via VONAPP.......went from Reviewing Evidence to Gathering Evidence........ eBenefits moves fast with the bad news....... Mark

Happy Easter, Everybody! I was just wondering if anybody else has had trouble uploading document evidence to VONAPP? To be honest, I have just about given up on trying that, when I still end up having to send via US Mail anyway. Also any word on them increasing the 1 megabyte total file limit per submission? These days, one PDF of just a few pages is way more than that. Mark