Thank you Berta,
I have a feeling that other than adding tech updates such as email, fax, etc, the policy in effect now is similar. But who knows what changes may have occurred since 1982. I filed my original claim in 82, it was open for less than 60 days. I was hospitalized that San Antonio VA. Filed my claim. While in the hospital it was deemed better for my treatment to move back to my original home of record.
Prior to discharge I contacted the VA rep @ the hospital at informed VA of my address change. Got back to Michigan and within the first week had made contact with VA and VA treatment. Back then you would have to wait on hold for hours and hope some one would pick up the phone. Then pray that they would assist you (really assist you!!) not just give you the run around.
Back in Texas, the RO in Houston sent out letters to my "old" address. RO did this twice within a two week time frame. With in the next two weeks the RO and VA would close my claim. Here's where it gets fun. On the exact same day that the claim was closed the VA conducted a "master audit" of my file and low and behold my correct address is right there.
Mean while in Michigan, I'm still in contact with the VA by both mail and telephone when I can. Every time I ask anyone they would all say the same thing "it takes time". So I waited and waited, all they while my condition got worse and I drifted away from the VA out of frustration. So long story short version, not going into all the current frustration the VA cause. I got back with the VA in 2012.
Filed a claim on my own with out a rep. I explained that I had filed in 1982 and never heard any thing about the case. Originally, they denied this claim. I got the help from an America Legion rep and appealed to the BVA. At the hearing is when I learned the facts of what had happened to the original claim.
BVA in 2016, determined that the veteran’s condition was indeed service connected. Dysthymic disorder was present during the relevant appeals period and incurred during active military service.
In SOC August 2016, BVA without deciding that any error was committed with respect to duty to notify or duty to assist, that such an error was harmless and did not need further action. The rep filed a NOD after trying to get the matter corrected by phone. For time sake I will refrain from going into that night mare. They lost it!, then the DRO forgot to send it out, TWICE. It to an under secretary to get it to me. The NOD was denied. VA claims it was my fault by not providing a change of address.
In speaking with the under secretary she explained that all I now needed to do was to have my doctor agree that the condition that I was awarded on is the same as it on the original claim. Then send it back to the DRO for reconsideration. Explained it to my rep and we are now back in line at the BVA.
So along with falsely abandoning my claim I can show that they didn't even follow the mail management policy.
Again Thanks.