Capt.

Yup and scramble them good with a spatula too...John.. Thanks Carlie ....... I think this topic could get real interesting .....Actually this is the first positive news on the VA that we Veterans have had in a long time ....someone getting fired.....or scrambled. Jbasser.......your right.....who is really ........REALLY in control of the VA. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello All,,,,,,,Well Finally , we have someone ,,,,,Mr. Jeff Miller , Chair of the HVAC has demanded the resignation of the biggest enemy of all Veterans, Undersecretary Allison Hickey to STEP DOWN. Not since the incompetent James Nicholson was Secretary of the VA nearly 10 years ago have we seen a total collaspe of the entire Veterans Benefits System.. This should have been done a long time ago and General Shenseki should follow as well. Anybody to replace one or both of them will be a sign of a positive move because both of these leaders have been operating in negative territory for many years. I believe Congressman Bob Filner , though no longer on the HVAC should be doing backflips with this positive step at the VA. I believe that all Veterans should be watching closely and praying for some replacements with LEADERSHIP and able to get the ball moving again. I see a small ray of hope that each one of us must try to hold on to. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C. http://cironline.org/reports/house-committee-leader-calls-head-va-benefits-resign-4302

Hello All,,,,,due to the importance of this post and the bases in the United States that have used AO and the rapid winning of many statesides claims for AO , I am bumping this up to help some maybe just coming into the VA. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello All,,,, 71m10.... that my friend is an excellant post describing what all Veterans are looking at. And the problem with upper management of the VA. Its a shell game and the Veteran looses nearly 9 out 10 times. Its a fine oiled machine that knows exactly what they are doing and can manipulate the system with ease. Just do nothing. Jbasser you are right it doesn't look good from any seat in the stadium .... except this stadium is full and every Veteran is sitting ......"in the backrow" Veteran service organizations use to have a place to help the Veterans ,,,,but that was a long time ago. It is not that way now and I will not be a part of any of them. To many problems and nothing being done. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Folks, This whole week has revealed so much corruption from VA. The Senate Hearings were a fiasco filled with lies and more dead promises. Now the Florida Charity Scandal at Allied . The report from Bergmann and Moore and it just is now moving at high speed corruption . Moving faster than any of us would have dreamed. The terrible decision by Thomas Murphy, a VA hack deputy director and his C123 Agent Orange stance with an incredible denial that Agent Orange really does not cause any harm.......HUH.......... Alright ..... I have no choice but to file malpractice suit number 2 even before number one has settled and may be a press conferece. Lets just pull off the gloves and start name calling ....like who really handled my claim and the diseases I have and not been treated ....I have 2 of the DRO names , another decision rep and the Service Manager so lets just see what I can come up with in the next month or so. And I am going to specifically name them in this lawsuit FTCA Malpractice and what the snakes hissed. And I am fighting another hand infection so I am already like a grizzly bear with a bad tooth. Never poke at one of those. When that bear is hurting then he lashes out at everyone. That is probably how I feel this week. More paper work and waitiing on xrays and ct scans and then the lawsuit FTCA part 2 ...... Now I need a good news person that will sit down and listen and go after the scumline that runs Regional Office in Houston. It may make some mad but not as mad as I am. Stay tuned for part 3. God bless all of our troops and our folks here at Hadit. There is so much work that all of its member are trying to do the right thing but VA is gone beyond any concept of decency. I will NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless. C.C.

Hello Berta,,,,, I know Claude and he is really a fighter. He has helped me also and lives in my City. Also at Fort Greely , just like Jerrel and I. His environmental scientist knowledge is beyond compare and is an expert in this field. I talked to Claude about a month ago and he is busy trying to get things going and helping other Veterans. I will have to listen to both in the archives tomorrow. And hope that this hearing will do something for the real mess that we are facing and more to come. The general public does not understand the plight of our Veterans and the increase of hostility to our service men and women from nearly all factions of the government ,,,not just VA. Thanks for all you do Berta, NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello ,,,this post is kinda getting confusing , but thats how nearly every Veteran first starts his or hers claim. 2E151, please remember to try and keep some continuity and shortness to your claim. I know your working on some other secondary parts but it appears that sometime in the past, as pointed out above by our members , you may have contacted Peggy, or sent in an IRIS. I would like to point out that the VA system now will show nearly any correspondance with them,,,,,,,AS A CLAIM. Case in point ,,,,,please check your Ebenefits as mine has other issues of contact listed as pending claims or date claim received when there is no claim offered. No, I do not like it either and it just means long waits. Yes the Fully Developed Claims are seemingly to get faster response to our Veterans but some of that is also coming up with wrong decisions. I agree with Carlie , Megh, Berta , Deanbrt, Mags......PROTECT THIS STARTING DATE ....do not take off and refile. Wait for the decision and appeal when it is time and you are ready to introduce more COMPELLING and PROBATIVE evidence.Also if you look at most of the success stories, they involve the appeals process and not as many in the initial decision from VAROs. The OIG reports on errors rates are appalling at the stage you are at. Most of us here at Hadit....will testify that if we all were to really look back on our initial filing of claims we would LOVE to go back and change the WAY we did it. Why heck........ I would have loved to changed my letter to Regional Office telling them how stupid they were..... like telling them they could not read .....is everyone there ignorant ,,,,,can anyone in their office pass a literacy test....are all of you that stupid..... and "I am going to keep treating you like this until someone proves me wrong....and so far noone has"..... statements. Though funny at the time and probably true,,,,, I would have probably liked to have changed it,,,,,even though , deep down , I do feel better , but it probably did not help me but caused some types of retaliation , which happens all the time. All it did was get everyone upset at Regional Office and I got phone calls from Washington VA deputy directors asking whats wrong and please let us assign someone here in Washington to help you. Which made me feel better but in actuality did nothing for my claims. I mean its best to have enough eyes on your claim here and let some of our folks look at what your doing and proposing to do with your claims , so that you don't make the mistakes .......................THAT nearly all of us have made in the past. It is even more important now than 5 -10 years ago because ...not only the backlog ,,,but going to this new paperless system , which is not proven in any arena of the claims process....YET. There are some PTSD folks specialist here. Try and let them help you so that you don't convalute and really slow the decision and accuracy of your claim down. I think having your starting point definitely saved you money and now the clock is ticking. You have a lot of good advice from what I can read and hopefully it will serve your claim well. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Berta,,,, this is going to be so bad. The American Public has not a clue on what is going on. The NY times article says 900000 claims backlogged but that is way off. We know that last year in testimony at the HVAC hearings in June it was revealed at over 1,200,000 nearing 1,300,000 claims. The real number may be as high as 1, 500,000 million or MORE , mainly because of the last 3 -6 months and the numbers of troops being manadated OUT of the military. We are in BIG trouble. More strain on the system and on our servicement and women and their families. Hadit it seeing this because of the number of hits and now the new member growth rates over 10,000 members. Berta ,,,,,thank you for his post , as I have down some other Senate Hearing dates later in the month on their schedule and flat missed this one. I hope we can have a person on the Committee who grills this Undersecretary the way that Congressman Filner did in the June HVAC hearing. You may have to let this play for 2:40 minutes before testimoney begins and goes past the RECESS note on the page. We lost a true Veterans friend and advocate when Mr. Filner left. It will be nearly impossible to replace him and find someone who knows the VA is broke and is fed up with the lies. I fear we as Veterans are in for some very DARK times and even more concerning problems as really noone has done anything or trying to combat the Claims Errors and Delay tactics ,,,,not a backlog problem. NEVER GIVE UP . God Bless, C.C.

Hello Borcay,,,Ok ,,,with me ,,, I sent in 2 buddy statements but they were actual copies. As far as electronic,,,,well the VA must accept them . However I am, as well as others here, are more leary of the "Paperless" direction and I would suggest trying to use the original copies from your buddies to you. I would then make copies from the originals which you would save and send the VA their copies with your buddies address and PHONE NUMBERS as well as their DD214. I would NOT LEAVE OUT THEIR DD214s. As Carlie pointed out they need to also list where they were stationed and the DD214 just backs it up. Also the wording from your doctor , ,,,,,"it is as least as likely as not" will be a better statement for them to say and more easier for the VA to digest with the BOD. The VA has and very well could call your buddies for additional statements or clarification......it does happen. It also allows the Veteran complete cooperation and puts this as being complying above and beyond what the VA has asked for. Can later be used as sympathy to your pleadings during a court or BVA. Also at the bottom of the statement from your buddies ,,,,,if they will put " I hereby certify that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief " This little known requirement that sometimes has been left off of buddy statements , can easily leave your buddy statements ruled out and left off of the evidentiary file. Many of our older members have had this happen and I would not take any chances. Also ,,,,Teac brought up the validity of those doctors statements so the amount of information and records they have has got to be able to tie up the loose ends. I would even let the Doctor look at your buddy statements and he can list them on his IMO. And to make sure the doctors have looked at ALL of the medical and service records history and any other evidence and that they LIST IT in their reports. Oh yes,,,,,my earlier report was short and sweet which may have offended you........ I have had a very difficult 2 weeks with my diseases and my Spa has been down ....so no Hydrotherapy to treat some of my issues. Thats why I have not been real active on the board and you were one of the fortunate ones I tried to at least answer. Hope this will give you some answers to follow in your trek with the VA. Starting out right with your claim helps sometimes without having to go back and correct it. I would also do what Carlie has suggested and add to it what I have posted THIS IS A POST FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO HERE so you might also read this too. Posted 05 May 2009 - 04:57 PM Hello Carlie, I am using buddy and lay statements to propel my claim. The Buddy statements can be extremely important especially if the VA is denying an incident or perhaps job duties and MOS conflicts. The buddy statement should be accurate, truthful, easy to read and connect the dots. After the buddy statements are written , the buddy should sign it and it must say at the bottom ....." I hereby certify that the information I have given is to the best of my knowledge and belief". It does not have to be notorized.You can see this in the 38 CFRs. The buddy statements must also have the buddys DD214 with the SSN attached(copy) and current address and phone number at the top of the page. It is also helpful to include , if possible your buddies duty station orders which collaborate his or hers whereabouts during the time period of the Veteran. Making it simple for the VA to connect the dots is important. Maybe something like this. Date; Full Name Address City, State, zip telephone number. To whom it may concern; My name is Mr. Super Soldier and I live at 1234 Try and Deny Me Drive, Snakes Navel, Idaho. My phone number is xxxxxx I was stationed at Fort xxxx from the dates listed xxxxxxx.My duties were xxxxxx and Mr. Super Soldier's duties were xxxxxxxx. I personally , worked and knew Mr. Super Soldier. List the event or what the buddy saw including details of the incident , time , date , place. After the buddy signs the statement then the "I certify" part needs to be last. Now Lay statements from family , friends, wife , mother, father , pastor are also important. They too should have name , address, telephone number and how long they have known the Veteran. Writing down what they have observed , any problems , difficulites or illnesses should be written , signed and with the same " I certify" statement as above. Using both buddy and lay statements, can trigger the "Benefit of a Doubt rule", 38 CFR,5107 (. The proponderance of the evidence can be used to tie in all of the lay and buddy statements, used in conjuction with your VA medical, any test, hospitals etc, and IMOs. It can be the difference of winning or loosing your claim. Having all of your evidence saying the same thing and pointing to the disease, wound, injury or illness is what the Veteran is trying to show the VA. I hope this helps. I am still waiting to see how well the VA can read and comprehend my buddy and lay statements on mine. The problem I have is with MOS verses duties and training as stated above. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless. C.C. P.S. Again Carlie asked why do you need this if you are 100 percent ,,,,,unless you are seeking SMCs. ....I am confused too. Q

Yes,,,Megh....I am hoping we get a fast report back from Regional on a Veteran I am working with on his claim..... Encouraging. I still see trouble though with the Paperless trail........ it is not what I want with a group of folks that have had a history of not being able to handle paper,,,,,now they want to put this same lack or responsibility to "Paperless"....... We are in for some real trouble. Kelly ,,,,I see exactly what you are saying and its just too soon to say with the jury still out. Its about time the VA had some good news to report but I doubt if that will ever happen. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Berta ,,,,, Me too.....

I think it also helps as in mine to have their DD214 which we also sent in with the statement. Just something to help and think about . NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Excellant ....and fast too by VA time schedules.... NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Retired....don't be a stranger....... This is really good news and congratulations..... you proved to NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Yes,,,,, Ridehard this I have saved awhile back and may be archived here at Hadit. Read my other post on your other post for more. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Ridehard and SP4,,, This report is dealing with Fort Wainwright and is very ,,,very compelling evidence. It will be also to your benefit to use EPA and superfund to see that Fort Wainwright is on the list also. Fort Greely was transferred to the Fort Wainwright by those trying to hide all that goes on there back in Ohhhh maybe 95 or 96. Also look at the Alaska Dept of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)on Fort Wainwright. It is interesting to note how the acreage for Fort Wainwright increased then by 600,000 acres. Alot of jurisdiction to hide the other problems and to keep the heat off of Fort Greely. You will see what I mean when you start to pull up all the old information and then notice the agencies that start to transfer acreage and change their names to confuse those that would investigate and cause problems. It is a mess for sure and I am thankful that alot is archived here so you can do most of the research to see what I am talking about. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Mike , John , Jerrel and Paul........ 2 questions....... Thank you Paul Sullivan for all of your help with our Veterans. 1.Does this mean that past cases adjudicated in favor of the Veteran, will VA now send notice propsal to reduce benefits, compensation to those that fall under this new interpretation??? 2.How will the ROs and Courts deal with this enormus number that is already at a record backlog???

Hello Megh...... I just wish that all VSOs could be like you. You are a diamond in a sea of coal..... Thank you for all you do. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

I wanted to post this article and at least let some folks know about where Jerrel and I and some other members served. The year is 1973 and the first picture of the troops and the Arctic Test Center(ATC) was just about taken where the new Missile Defense command is now. Also the last photo of the article shows the Army Sm1a Nuclear Reactor in the left lower part. It is the cylinder looking silo style building. Just some part of the Project 112 program. NEVER GIVE UP . God Bless, C.C. http://asc.army.mil/docs/pubs/alt/archives/1973/Nov-Dec_1973.PDF

Hello Hog,,,,, I sure hope that Hoppy reads this or sees this post. We have not heard from Hoppy in a long time but he has so much information on the issues of Fuel diseases and contaminates of Concern and especially the Trichloroethylene products and byproducts. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Hog,,,, Welcome aboard my friend ...You are at the right place and many here to help you and also for you to help others. Its not really getting your nerve up to file a claim...Its about just getting it done and see what the VA will do. I will say that by you filing your claim will actually be helping someone else who just may be going thru the exact same thing you are . The difference may be that that particular person may be contemplating giving up. And you might be the only one that can encourage him or her to hang in there and put up the fight that could cause them to win. Thats how close this thing is at Hadit. All of us Veterans sticking together and trying to help each other or someone else that is going thru the fire. About the time we think our situation is hopeless.........then comes someone else like you and gives all of us some encouragment and a reason to stay on top of it and NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Berta,,,,, I am in a pickle right now and am just going to have to do an IRIS to get the ball rolling . I don't care what my lawyer thinks ,,,,I don't care what anyone thinks....Its my life and my claim..... and I am just going to step out on a limb and doit. I believe I am going to work on an in process CUE......NOT QUE....... as I typed it wrong that time. I will list everything in the IRIS and wait and see what I get. I have to think this over and get my SSCO with the error and get my ducks in a row. I am contaminated mad right now at the VA and am going to just start making things wiggle. Thanks PR and Berta ....if what I do is wrong then I will be to blame. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello Hollis,,,,,I also wanted to just say that I had no luck with any Congress critters and that was all 3 of them. It actually may have hurt me in the long run. I also see this CUE issue ....Hey Phillip ,,,I hit the right keyboard button....lol.,,,, as being a big deal as we see by all the post on it. I think it is a grey area of VA that is handled differently by each VARO and obviously our members that have posted have had various outcomes that lets VA to become even more confusing. Berta , I am going to see if NVLSP has any words of wisdom and left a message for Ron to call me. I also have the NVLSP manuels and am going to research them for the CUE issues. I may be taking this same route you did and see what happens. It is probably going to upset my lawyer but can't do anything about it right now as this is more important. Hollis I will let you know what I decide to do and if you want to take a chance on following after myself. No use both of us getting in trouble with stepping out on a limb. Just try and hang in there and NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello All,,,,,, I knew this was going to get something going. So here is what is happening . I am deciding on going against my lawyer on the QUE issue and possibly filing for "in process" QUE and note that prejudicial treatment may have occurred. I won't get into all the details. But I am almost at the point that VA has given a wrong diagnosis and assignment of a "new Disease" which has caused my PH diagnosis and future award of 100 percent to be totally clouded by the recent SSOC and appeals process. I deep down feel the VARO may .....may reconsider if I send them a letter to the Service Manager showing the ssoc and the award letter violations and if they cannot correct the "error" issue a new SSOC and AWARD letter then send copies to VBA in Washington and the OIG. I want to at least give the VARO a chance to correct the mistake. I am also going to add that because the Asthma notation has been made that my health and treatment may end up with a possible Malpractice suit of which I do not want to do AGAIN...... but my health could suffer if the regional office "Diagnosed me with Asthma" and launches some type of treatment program. I also would bring up that according to the 38CFRs the Regional Office may not make a diagnose of a medical condition. I cannot find the 38 CFR concerning this so maybe Carlie or Berta or someone has it stored on Hadit archives . Next ,,,, I believe that the law and ruling give ambiguous interpretation , possibly from each Regional Office. Some allowing the QUE before the end of the claim process and some not allowing. This is very confusing as I was expecting and I do not want to get Berta upset or Phillip as both have had experience with this and the law does have a couple of roads left open for the interpretation and decision process. Ok,,,,so now I have a lot on the dinner table to get something that is both adversarial to my claim, possibly harmful to my health if treated wrong and not legally diagnosed. Once again thank you all and this discussion opens the door to see the real problems with QUE and what looks like is done individually and with different VAROs operating with different type decisions. NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Hello SP4 ,,,its very confusing but the way the Presumptives are is they are AO awarded to Vietnam Vets if found with DMII. However I have severe PN and no DMII. I also have to file a DIRECT exposure claim. Yes PN can be awarded to any Veteran without DMII. I have posted the Medical rational and those BVA cases from Dr. Yue, and Dr. Barton are here under the AO topics. I have to win my claim with SC with out DMII for PN. Anyway , I am glad they took care of you and hope they will me ....before I hit the grave. NEVER GIVE UP . God Bless, C.C.