Ron II

My experience with the Denver VARO was good, although I did not think so at the time my first claim was pending. In retrospect, my claim dragged on for three years primarily because I did not initially submit the proper documentation to support my claim; consequencely, the first decision approved only a portion of the claim. The reconsideration/appeal is really what added a significant amount of time--that extra time could have been avoided if I had submitted complete documentation with my original correspondence. Additionally, for the past seven years I have assisted a Korean War veteran in his travels to Denver for VA treatment and tests. In my opinion, he could not have received better treatment even if he had been treated by doctors at the Mayo Clinic or other highly regarded private entities. Ron

Re: Frequently Contacting the VARO This is just an opinion (as are many of the comments here). My opinion was formed during the three-year odyssey of my first claim for compensation. --Constantly contacting the VARO about one's claim accomplishes nothing positive. --It is unlikely that a kindly, benevolent vet svc rep at the VARO will bump your claim or expedite it. --The most important features (that the veteran controls) of a successful claim are the completeness and accuracy of the claim. Completeness includes the nexus of the disability to your service. Ron

I find eBenefits helpful in the following areas: 1. The VA letter feature 2. Direct Deposit feature 3. Payment history 4. and...the claim status feature for speculation purposes (i.e. guessing how accurate the information might be) Ron

I hand-carried new and material evidence to my VARO some months ago and gave the documents directly to the individual who showed my c-file to me (he happened to be a coach/manager of the customer service team). Although the documents were given directly to him, they were still date-stamped and given to another person to process through the system. Neither a rater or a DRO was involved in the process at that time. Like others have said, I think it is unlikely a rater and/or a DRO would accept evidence directly from anyone other than from folks within the VA system. Ron

If I understand your post correctly, DFAS has been notified that you are entitled to additional CRDP. My experience with the DFAS "telephone people" tells me that although they seem to be friendlier than the old 1-800 VARO associates, they actually know even less than the VA representatives. I suspect that the DFAS representatives do better with regular military retirement questions, but anything related to CRSC or CRDP is beyond their expertise. The Army approved my CRSC case within 14 days after receipt. Total time for DFAS to generate a payment (receipt of approval to deposit in bank): 42 days. And...I'm not sure at this time if the payment will include the retroactive monies, just the monthly entitlement has been confirmed. All in all...pretty fast processing. Ron

Congratulations on your win... Ron

I asked the same question a year or so ago. Apparently, it doesn't matter what color the envelope happens to be--that is what I was told anyway. Ron

I've used a CPAP for 12 years and "don't leave home without it." (For out of town) Some like the half-mask which ends below your nose; I prefer the full mask that covers the entire face, plus it doesn't mess up my silver mustache. As others have said, it the mask doesn't have a proper seal, then it is worthless. Ron

Skunk...I wish you well. Just a bit of humor I'll throw in...I looked for several minutes for the person with the name, "ALCON" (see initial post). Then it hit me....duh, it was "All Concerned." Ron

It is gratifying to see a veteran get what they are due. Congratulations... Ron

I know nothing about hearing tests, but I do know Carlie. I do believe all she was trying to do is help a veteran...as she had done hundreds of times. One of her personal characteristics, which I admire, is that she is straight-forward and doesn't beat around the bush. If her experience tells her that a claim might have holes in it, she will say just that. I'm glad that she doesn't lead vets on with regard to their claims. With that said, I hope Stillhere receives all the benefits he is entitled to. Ron

Hello, I agree (and that is interesting info about the drugs). I've finished posting on this thread--we all have our experiences and other influences that shape our opinions. My opinions on any particular subject have no more merit than those of anyone else... Ron

Re: "The military and the VA continue to have a hidden agenda of saving the tax payers money by cheating veterans out of benefits." --Hoppy-- I would be interested in reading the evidence of the hidden agenda. Could you please provide a reference? And...the fact that many vets are initially turned down (or finally turned down) is not evidence to support the "hidden agenda" hypothesis. Those denials are more likely due to reasons 1-6 listed below (another post), workload issues, or the problem of proving a nexus for their disability. The Clown Man and myself had more than 45 years combined service in the Army and both of us had Top Secret clearances at one time or another. Neither of us ever saw evidence of the military having a hidden agenda such as what was discussed earlier. I really don't have a dog in this fight as I have major issues with the VA myself, but I sincerely don't believe they are due to some hidden agenda. Actually, I think that idea is preposterous. Ron

JBasser, Yes, I get your drift...and like I said we all have opinions. I just find it almost impossible for a huge entity like the VA having an undercover program that preempts proper payment of benefits. Even if "they" had a such a program, do you think every one of the hundreds (thousands?) of VA employees could keep it a secret from relatives, friends, or even the news media (in hopes of 15 minutes of fame)? I would be willing to bet that it could not be kept a secret even if it involved only one VARO. Of course my thoughts on this run parallel to my thoughts on other matters that include: I believe Oswald was a lone shooter I believe Extraterrestrials did not land at Area 51 and I'm confident Mr. Obama is not a citizen of Kenya Ron

We all have our opinions and those posted previously obviously might be correct. My opinion is that the reason vets have so many problems with VA claims are: 1. Many VARO personnel are inadequately trained 2. Many VARO personnel are inept due to item number 2 or they just don't have the comprehension to perform a professional job in evaluating claims 3. Some VARO personnel just don't care 4. Some VARO personnel feel pressure to meet deadlines and end up doing sloppy work 5. Some VARO personnel likely destroyed files because they didn't have the ability to meet the imposed deadlines 6. There are some cases where claims are inadequately supported or prepared. I am glad Hadit is here to help those of us who have had this problem. I do not think there is a widespread nefarious plot to keep vets from getting their rightful benefits. Yes, my VARO sucks too... JMHO Ron

Hello, You received a more pleasant reply because the VARO representatives aren't answering our inquiries anymore. Most of the time when you call, it also is not the VARO now, it is the relatively new contracted-out telephone answering system which is the same place (in my opinion) where your IRIS inquires go, regardless of where one lives. I suspect most of the 'new' customer service people have recently been hired so they are not yet jaded. Additionally, they can't tell you anymore than the VARO reps; they just tell you the little they know (gleaned from a computer screen) in a nice manner. Just my opinion... Ron

Excellent post Calnight. Incidentally, I decided from reading on Hadit a couple of years ago that I will not ever put disabled plates on my vehicle. That is certainly one's right if they qualify, but there are too many jacka**s out there who are clueless about veterans' disabilities. I will choose to remain mellow....explaining to every jerk who thinks they know what a veteran should or should not do would make me become "different" than mellow... B) Ron

The wrong letterhead possibly was the result of someone at the VA using a template or example that he/she forgot to modify for the locality concerned. I remember sending out examples of the correct preparation of a DA 4187 for certain allowances such as COLA and separate rations. About half of the authorizations that were generated as a result of my instructions included my phrase, "Please ensure the unit commander signs this document" and my phrase, "This is an example of the correct preparation of this form for the authorization of [entitlement]." JMO

Your answer was not incorrect. He just falls into a more complex computation situation since he did not complete 20 years service. I can't speak for him, but I suspect he falls into the Chapter 61 category which was added to the CRSC group in 2008 (if I remember correctly). Bob's computation is likely on target. Cheers! Ron

You will receive much more comprehensive advise from this board, but I would like to offer that the review of new and material evidence takes a long time...at least it has in my case. It has been more than one year since I submitted my new and material evidence... Good luck, Ron

Hi Bob, No, I haven't called DFAS, but since I retired with more than 20 years, I suspect the monthly amount will be (at current rate for 20%) $240. Thanks for your comments... Ron

Hello PE1: 1. First and as you likely know, military retirees "forfeit" their retirement pay in an amount equal to the VA disabilities payment. This is due to a law passed in the early part of the 20th Century. 2. CRSC and CRDP are both programs to pay back the amount (partially in some cases) deducted from their retirement for VA compensation received. CRSC is not taxable; CRDP is taxable. 3. One cannot, under any circumstances, be paid CRSC and CRDP at the same time. One cannot draw CRSC for some disabilities (example: I receive CRSC for 20% of my 40% disabilities--I receive nothing from DFAS for the other 20%) and have the remaining disabilities paid under CRDP. A retiree must be rated at least at 50% for CRDP eligibility. CRSC eligibility starts at 10% and only for those disabilities considered "combat related." 4. Again, CRSC and CRDP cannot be paid at the same time under any circumstances. There is an open season in January of each year where you may select one or the other if you are eligible for both. 5. My comments above pertain to personnel who retired for length of service (20 yrs). I know absolutely nothing about the benefits for those considered Chapter 61 retirees. Hope this helps... Ron p.s. Even though you might gross more money from CRDP, you might be better off remaining with the CRSC due to tax considerations. Each case is different.

1. Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a non-taxable refund of sorts for the combat-related disabilities (percentage) for which there is an off-set of one's retired pay. The threshold to receive these payments is 10% (and only disabilities considered Combat Related count) Yes, it is in addition to my regular military retired pay. My retired pay is reduced each month by the amount of my VA disability pay ($541). Now, with the CRSC, I get back $240 for the 20% percent of my disabilities that are considered "Combat Related." 2. Concurrent Receipt of Disability Pay (CRDP) is a taxable refund of sorts for disability pay received and also off-set on military retired pay--the threshold to receive these payments is 50% disabled. These payments are also above the normal Army retirement pay. 3. A retiree cannot draw CRSC and CRDP simultaneously.