comatos

rpowell, if you plan to take this approach, I highly suggest you ensure that you also CC the other names I listed there. I got there names from the executive bios at the VA web page, http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/. I kind of just guessed at the naming convention for the email addresses andi didn't have a single one bounce back. So they should all work. Also an update, my retro check got deposited last night. The pen and the keyboard are definitely mightier than the sword. ;)

Thank you all. Got my brown envelope today with the decision and yes it does say I rate a retro check but that it would follow in the mail a few days later or be deposited into my account. I'd say still a win though I'm probably going to have to appeal since they didnt see fit to increase my static rating after this surgery. But at least ill know who to email in a year if that doesn't move in a timely manner either...

I first filed an appeal back in 2008 for what my VSO stated was a CUE (clear and unmistakable error) on the part of the original examining doctor who claimed to have reviewed my service medical records and found no instances of complaints related to my back or neck problems. My VSO reviewed my records and found well over 20+ documented instances related to back and neck complaints. We filed an NOD a week later in Sep 2008 and I was told that all we had to do was wait about a year or so for the SOC to be sent back so we could move the case to the BVA. While I have been waiting, I finally got to a fee basis neurosurgeon at Barrow to have ACDF (anterior cervical disc with fusion) neck surgery to alleviate my shoulder impingement service connected issues. After 15 years of limited strength and motion with my right arm, I finally have some of my strength back, albeit thanks to eight screws, two metal plates being implanted in my neck, and two cervical discs being replaced. So in the meantime I put in a claim for temporary 100% in Dec 2011 to make sure that ball got rolling. Figured at least that one was a no-brainer. It's already service connected. It was authorized and paid for by the VA. You would think that at least the surgery comp claim would get processed and done pretty quickly...wrong. The eBenefits page showed little to no info on the status and on May 24, 2013 the Estimated Completion Date became past due. By the beginning of June I had HADIT. I decided to write a letter but I wanted to get the most attention possible. Snail mail wouldn't cut it but an email can go to anyone I want. On June 4, 2013 I sent the following email out at 1108 MST. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Vic Matos Date: June 4, 2013, 11:08:52 AM MST To: eric.shinseki@va.gov Cc: jose.riojas@va.gov, stephen.warren@va.gov, todd.grahams@va.gov, will.gunn@va.gov, glenn.haggstrom@va.gov, allison.hickey@va.gov, robert.jesse@va.gov, steven.keller@va.gov, joan.mooney@va.gov, steve.muro@va.gov, george.opfer@va.gov, robert.petzel@va.gov, tommy.sowers@va.gov, rafael.torres@va.gov Subject: Estimated Claim Completion Date PAST DUE The Estimated Completion Date is past due for my compensation claims. How much longer does one have to wait for your department(s) to do their jobs? Or are you just waiting for veterans to die so you don't have to pay out? Vic Matos 602-xxx-xxxx Marine Corps Last four - xxxx ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Thursday morning at 0930 MST I received a call from a gentleman who identified himself as a liaison in Secretary Shinseki's office. He was calling regarding the email. He was curt, obviously offended, but stated that he would personally look into the delays for the appeal from 2008 and the temp surgery claim from 2011. That afternoon I noticed both the comp and appeal had changed status on the eBenefits page. Friday morning I noticed the appeal was now closed and the SOC had finally been sent after more than 4 years of waiting. (I doubt I'll get any credit for time served.) As of today, June 25th, the comp claim is also now closed and the decision letter is on its way with my retro check. I didn't realize I had to write a nasty gram in order to see these people shamed into taking action. I'm not saying the rest of you who are equally fed up should do the same as I have, but the old saying, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" does apply in this case. Good luck with your claims all and keep fighting, Vic M USMC