usdart

Yes, very similar problem with my VSO. His heart was in the right place, but he hosed up my claim and then quit or was removed I dunno which.

It seems like since my Congressman's Office got involved things sped up quite dramatically. I have been steadily complaining to thier office every time the VA does something that is not right. They call the VA in Phoenix each time and ask them what's going on with each issue. I am thinking they know the Congressman is actively involved so they better snap too. All just a hunch, but, I think if the Congressman catches grief maybe they will see our plight if enough of us complain. I may write a letter thanking Congressman Hastings and asking for help on our behalf now that he has personal experiance in the problems. A long shot, I know, Politicians and blah blah. It can't hurt to try.

I sent in a FOIA on 2/14/2014 and got a letter that there were no records of C&P exams. So I called the 1800 number and was told they were recieved on 2/24/2014. Now I have sent in another FOIA so hopefully it will work this time and I can post er up for all of us to guess about. My Claim is at Prep for Decision currently so it may close before I get the info.

Welcome! Just use both the tools provided and you will get your answers. Best to document names and dates of Telephone Conversations too.

Ebenefits is not reliable. On several occasions Ebennies said I had not sent 'required Evidence'. If you have a question about your File and what is needed just call the 1800 number and have then access your file and verify your current status. Ebennies is a terrible tool the way it is administerd now. I know it is meant to help but, most of the time it causes confusion because of inaccurate information or incomplete update entries. Having said that, I check mine at least once a day and hope for the best anyway it is always a little brighter day when your Claim moves forward.

I called and spoke to Sharron and she reviewed my file and told me that contrary to Ebenefits saying they 'Never Recieved' items is not true. The items sent ARE in the file and that it should take 52 days (on average) to finish the claim. The 52 days is average for Seattle but, my file is in Phoenix due to Seattle being 'overwhelmed' and can't keep up. Maybe it will go quicker in that case?

Compensation & Pension Claim Status Return to Claims Summary Details of Your Claim Claim Received: 03/28/2013 Claim Type: Compensation Estimated Claim Completion Date: 06/26/2014 to 12/26/2014 Contentions: Right maxilliary sinusitis (Increase), Bilateral Hearing Loss (New), Bilateral Tinnitus (New), Post traumatic stress disorder (New), VBMS (New) Claims Status Process Skip the Claims Process and go to the current phase. Claim Received The VA received your claim. A receipt will appear in your list of Open Claims (see below) within one hour if you filed your claim online using VONAPP Direct Connect. If you sent your claim via U.S. mail, please allow standard delivery time plus one week for us to process and record receipt of your claim. Phase Completion Date: 04/02/2013 Under Review Your claim was assigned to a Veterans Service Representative to determine if additional evidence is needed. Your claim will move directly to the Preparation for Decision phase if no additional information is required. Phase Completion Date: 07/01/2013 Gathering of Evidence The Veterans Service Representative requests evidence from required sources during this phase of the claims process. VA may request evidence from you, a medical professional, a government agency or another authority. It is common for claims to return to this phase, should additional evidence be required. Phase Completion Date: 02/26/2014 Review of Evidence We received all required evidence. If the Veterans Service Representative determines that additional evidence is required, your claim will be returned to the Gathering of Evidence phase. Phase Completion Date: 02/26/2014 Preparation for Decision The Veterans Service Representative is preparing documents explaining the recommended decision. The claim will be returned to a previous phase if it requires additional information and/or evidence. Phase Start Date: 02/26/2014 Estimated Phase Completion Date: 04/12/2014 - 07/14/2014 Pending Decision Approval A final award approval is granted upon review of the recommended decision. The claim will be returned to a previous phase if it requires additional information and/or evidence. Preparation for Notification The Veterans Service Representative submitted your claim to an Authorizer who will review the VA's decision to ensure its accuracy. If your claim is not accurate, it will return to the previous phase. Complete The VA is sending a decision packet to you via U.S. Mail. The packet includes detailed information explaining your decision or award. Please allow standard mailing time for your packet to arrive before contacting the VA call center. Next Steps: Your claim is currently located in our "Rating" phase. We will propose a decision on your claim when all outstanding requirements are satisfied. Several factors will determine the duration of the "Decision" phase, including: type of claim filed number of disabilities you claim complexity of your disability(ies), and availability of evidence needed to decide your claim. Additional Details Your Designated Power of Attorney VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Regional Office of Jurisdiction: The Regional Office of Jurisdiction is the station that has primary authority over your claim and permanent jurisdiction of your claim folder. Seattle Temporary Office of Jurisdiction: In an effort to expedite the processing of your claim, we have temporarily sent your folder to a different Regional Office that will have authority over this specific claim only. Phoenix Send Documentation To Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Regional Office Henry M. Jackson Federal Building 915 Second Avenue Seattle, WA 98174 What We Have Received (solicited) This is a list of all items that have been received from either the Veteran or a 3rd party. Please be advised that it may take up to 21 days to receive, process, and annotate in our system any information that you mail to one of our Regional Offices. Don't see an item listed? Check our "Unsolicited Items" page to see if it was received by VA. Items Date Requested Date Received A date entry in the 'Date Received' column means that the evidence requested was received, or a negative response from the provider was received. If a negative response was received from the provider, this means that we were unable to gather the information requested. In the near future, we will be able to tell you whether or not the actual information was received versus a negative reply. Richland CBOC 01/13/2014 02/26/2014 QTC 01/13/2014 02/24/2014 5103 Waiver Review 07/01/2013 08/05/2013 What We Have Never Received from You (solicited) This is a list of items that have never been received from you and that have been closed. Items Date Requested Date Closed PTSD - Need stressor details/med evid of stressful incdnt 01/13/2014 02/26/2014 Combat not verified 01/13/2014 02/26/2014 PTSD - Need stressor details/med evid combat-related incdnt 01/13/2014 02/26/2014 New & material evidence needed - denied SC previously (hearing loss) 01/13/2014 02/26/2014 Example modal window opened. Top of Modal Window. We Apologize That Your Claim Is Past Due We recognize that your claim has exceeded the estimated completion date and remain committed to completing our review as quickly and accurately as possible. Thank you for your patience. Close this window. You can also press the escape key to close the window at any time. Warning You've been inactive for 15 minutes. To protect your privacy, you will be logged out of eBenefits. Press any key or move your mouse to stay connected. Time remaining until logout: .

Yesterday I was at 'Gathering Evidence'. I just checked Today and I am now at Preparation for Decision. Totally skipped 'Review of Evidence'. This is the most progress I have had since I started March 2013 with an FDC. The claim was changed to a regular claim when they asked for more Evidence a couple months ago. Hopes are UP but not too much!

Klatu, Barrada Nicktoe

Ebennies did not show that I snail mailed the 'Required Evidence' even after 3 weeks. Sooo..just for fun I 'uploaded them into Ebennies, low and behold the status changed in less than 3 days. So I went back in and uploaded everything I had so now I know it is in the damn file. It seems there is a disconnect between the regular mail and the E-file process so we need to use both? I say why not?

My Congressman called on my behalf and was told they have everything. It still bothers me that part of the system does not make them update Ebenefits during the 'check in process' when Documents arrive for inclusion in the File. I agree, this part is virtually useless the way it is administered and causes more stress than it does good for us as is.

So I was checking Ebennies again today and still no acknowledgement of ANY forms I sent in. Then a 'Feedback Pop-up" shows up so I made a comment/complaint. Basically I told them that ANY paperwork the VA requires always comes with a due date. Being we are required to act before a deadline is it too much to ask for Confirmation of Compliance? In a timely manner ? This current system causes far too much stress on already stressed out Vets. This is entirely preventable and certainly should be. My C&P exams were completed over three weeks ago, and my Stressor letters were sent in over a month ago and yet Ebenefits shows 'Evidence past Due'! The stress part comes from not knowing what (if any) of these Documents actually have been recorded. Is it not (at the very least) good manners to let us know you have recieved the required info? Probably not going to help, But, we could ALL let them know our disatisfaction and demand change this or any other way we can.

I got it done, but I don't know how I did it. I converted the file to a pdf doc and was able to upload it. Thanks for the help, I will remember your advice for next time.

I need to convert this file to a pdf or file acceptable to ebennies. Cannot seem to get it to take as is. I do not have a way to change it to PDF, JPG etc. Can you help? Inittial Penetrations into Cambodia. South Vietnamese operations into Cambodia commenced 14 April 1970 with several limited penetrations into the "Angel's Wing" area. These penetrations were followed by a major Vietnamese thrust launched on 29 April. Operation Toan Thang 42 (Rock Crusher attacking with three task forces into the Angel's Wing area and then south into the "Parrot's BeakParrot's Beak, region of SE Cambodia indenting S Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was a staging ground for Communist forces against South Vietnam. In Apr., 1970, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces invaded the region in an effort to destroy the sanctuary. Each task force was supported by one battery of 105-mm howitzers, augmented by US self-propelled medium artillery See: field artillery. as needed as needed prn. See prn order. . The II Field Force Artillery supported the attack with six batteries of medium and Field Artillary. forward element of the 23rd Artillery Group, which was collocated with the Vietnamese III Corps tactical operations center A physical groupment of those elements of a general and special staff concerned with the current tactical operations and the tactical support thereof. Also called TOC. See also command post. at Go Dau Ha (later at Tay NinhTay Ninh (tā nĭn), city, S Vietnam, NW of Ho Chi Minh City. During the latter phases of this operation, two medium and two heavy batteries displaced into Cambodia to keep pace with the rapidly moving Vietnamese forces. These batteries provided close and continuous support to the maneuver elements but were not allowed to displace west of Svay Rieng Incursion into the Fish Hook Area. On 27 April, the 1st Cavalry Division was given the mission of planning and executing a campaign to eliminate the North Vietnamese base areas in the Fish Hook region of Cambodia. The maneuver plan was simple and direct. The Vietnamese 1st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade would occupy blocking positions north of the objective area, and elements of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th ACR would make a four-pronged attack from the south. Artillery would be provided from all the elements involved in the attack, and additional fire support would come from II Field Force Artillery units. The fire support available was formidable and included the largest concentration of artillery, tactical airstrikes and B-52 strikes committed in support of an operation of this size in Vietnam. The fire support coordination became increasingly available from II Field Force and Military Assistance Command sources. After the basic fire support annex and artillery fire support appendix were prepared, detailed coordination of fires with other fire support assets was conducted. Ninety-four cannon artillery pieces were positioned to support the initial phases of the attack: 36 105-mm howitzers, 48 155-mm howitzers, four 8-inch howitzers and six 175-mm guns. By 30 April (D-1), the II Field Force heavy and medium artillery, the direct support (DS) Artillery for the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and one Vietnamese airborne Artillery DS battery were in position and prepared to support the operation. At 0600 on 1 May, D-day, an extensive 390-minute planned artillery and air preparation was initiated, and a total of 2,436 artillery rounds was fired. These fires were integrated effectively with 48 tactical airstrikes to complete the D-day preparation. and 5,460 artillery rounds. artillery moves to support advancing friendly forces began on 2 May and subsequently were made whenever necessary to ensure continuous artillery coverage. The II Field Force Artillery units alone moved 198 times during the 60-day operation to maintain pace with the maneuver forces. Positioning II Field Force Artillery units centrally and well forward had facilitated the support of the additional maneuver units as they attacked into Base Areas 354, 707, 350 and 351. units of II Field Force Artillery were moved to the Cambodian border or across it. During one three-day period, 32 artillery moves were conducted to place the firing elements in the best positions to support the expanded operations.

I edited my info..thank you all for caring but, it feels dishonest anyway. Again Thanks

I am going over to a fellow Viet Nam Vets house today to install a grab bar in his bathroom. Poor guy had a stroke last week.

Gardening..a better term than Yard Work for sure.

Problem with Volunteer work for me is being around people. Small children are OK for little bit then I get antsy and want to leave. I choose hobbies that I can be alone and disconnect as much as possible.

I thought it might be fun to share our personal ways of coping with our common ailment. For me: I like to go fishing by myself. No boat, no hassles, just sit and teach worms to swim. I also have a 32 year old Honda M/C that I am slowly reviving. It now runs VERY nice and only needs paint and tires to finish-er off. I ride in all the local Charity Motorcycle rides right along side all the bada** Harleys and such. I don't do the after parties but, I ride alone and love it. If you think this is a good idea, jump in and let's help each other out.

You know I thought about personal info. Then I decided the truth is not something to protect. I don't like the world of say what you want and it's OK because you don't have to take responsibility. I am on my own mission to be more truthful to everyone and damn the torpedoes. I may even change my user name where I can.

Here is the string of communication from the Congressman's Office. David, My contact has told me that she shows everything in the system that they need of you at this point. She isn't sure why Ebenefits is telling you the below info. So, at this point, it is in the development stage but they don't need anything from you. Please let me know if I can further help you in any way. Sara Schwan Subject: RE: Response from Congressman Doc Hastings These people are Amazing! Now they tell me 'Required Evidence is Overdue'! You and your office were kind enough to send in all the requested documents last month for me. Below is your email to that effect. I don't know what kind of game they are playing but, I don't want to play anymore. This really ticks me off! Is there anything we can do to poke them a little and set them on the right path? -------------------------------------------- I received confirmation today that the files you brought to our office have been attached to your VA file. Thanks, Sara Schwan Subject: RE: Response from Congressman Doc Hastings Hi Sara, Sorry you have to be in DC! I gave all the documents to Tim in your office. Will you please let me know when it is mailed? -------------------------------------------- On Fri, 1/24/14, I'm very sorry this situation is so stressful for you, for many reasons. I will be out of the office next week but back in on Thursday and Friday. Please keep me apprised of your meeting tomorrow with your VSO. I'll make another inquiry once you've submitted these documents. I can also submit documents on your behalf if needed. Thank you, Sara Schwan Subject: Re: Response from Congressman Doc Hastings The 5103 form was returned by My VA rep. No ther request was made for info. My DD214 Clearly states under awards and decorations a Combat Medal for The 'Sanctuary Offensive'. Obviously they did not look at my paperwork. They do these things as a delaying tactic to take you out of the FDC program. My VSO who was trained by the VA with the Viet Nam Veterans Coalition told me ALL the evidence I need is in the paperwork he sent on my behalf. I don't care about the Hearing part, he added that and I did not ask for it. PTSD, Tinitus, Sinusitus are my concerns. The VA Clinic in Richland started all this by Diagnosing me with PTSD. I had no idea what PTSD was until I was told I had it and why.That Diagnosis is in the paperwork submitted. The VA Clinical Social Worker (DE A Conrad) has written in my Myhealthevet file the Service Connection to PTSD. All that is needed is to read the file info from the Doctor. I have a meeting with a new VSO tomorrow and will be sending Stressor letters and other documents as he advises. I consider the Failure to be on the part of my VA rep for not including more evidence and the VA for not reviewing the Evidence I sent with my FDC Claim. It is bad enough to have to re-live and re-tell all this horrible stuff but then to be ignored and shoved aside is just one more nail in my coffin. The VA Clinic in Richland has mis-represented my visits by not including my side of issues. They have tried to decieve me by leading me into saying 'My health overall is good' I told them it is NOT. I have mental issues, I can't sleep, horrible nightmares (from Viet Nam) I can't breath through my nose, my ears ring and buzz and I have had massive migraines for 44 years now. Aside from that, I'm fine! None of this is noted in my health file and I have stated it EVERY time I have been asked. What am I supoosed to do if the VA won't help me? -------------------------------------------- Date: Thursday, January 23, 2014, 3:04 PM Doc Hastings Member Of Congress ActionsMark as UnreadMark as ReadMark as SpamStarClear StarInboxhold AdChoices

I had not thought about the positives...thank you for that. After I get my Hearing aids I will have alot of 'Battery Problems' so the wife will have to be patient with me.

Where on myhealthyvet can I find my C&P exams???

Looking at my paperwork the VA did deny Hearing loss. Citing hearing test from 1979. At my C&P 2 weeks ago with the Hearing Doc, the Doc said I had 'Substantial Hearing loss which is cosistant with long term Sinusitis'. He said he would write the report that way. Since I am currently rated for service connected Sinusitus at 10%, now I am thinking they have to address the Hearing Loss? Or, do I have to file a new claim based on new evidence? Is the latest C&P the Evidence I need? My Current FDC claim is for PTSD, Hearing Loss, Tinitus and an increase for Sinusitis.

Looking at my paperwork the VA did deny Hearing loss. At my C&P 2 weeks ago with the Hearing Doc, the Doc said I had 'Substantial Hearing loss which is cosistant with long term Sinusitis'. He said he would write the report that way. Since I am rated for service connected Sinusitus at 10% now I am thinking they have to address the Hearing Loss? Or, do I have to file a new claim based on new evidence?