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Thanks Chief

If anyone knows the VA regulation that outlines the procedures for travel pay I would love to know what it is and where it can be found. The only thing I have found is in the FAQs at http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/libra...faq.asp#mileage The 70 series CFR has lots and lots of travel pay information but nothing on how it is supposed to be figured. I had a series of VA Dermatology appointments at an off site VA Derm Clinic that is about ten miles further from my home than the VAMC. The pay section claimed zip code to zip code was the way they figured the travel pay. When I showed the supervisor of the travel section that the Derm Clinic was in a different zip code he then told me that I could only draw pay to the VAMC I then pointed out the FAQ which says zip code to zip code. Rand McNally or Mapquest which ever was the best benefit to the veteran. He said they did it the way they did it and he did not care about the FAQ. The Patients Advocate Office was no help. So, if any of you have the real scoop and can point me to it I would love to see that information.

Test, Yes, I am interested in seeing the SOC and the reasons for approval without the two things I mentioned. I wonder if they have relaxed some of the requirements. I do know, from the DAV, the percentage and the date is was decided. IRIS inquiry response says: ----------------------------------------------------------- Our records indicate that we are in the final stages of your appeal for PTSD. The appeals team reached a decision concerning your appeal on January 21, 2010. The appeals team submitted your appeal to the rating board on January 21, 2010. The rating board will review your file and the appeals team decision, which we are unable to view until after the rating board and authorization department finalizes your appeal. We are unable to give you an estimated completion date of your claim as the rating board reviews files in the order in which they are received, and we are unable to view the current caseload. After a decision has been established, your file will go to the authorization department for verification and review. The claims process can be lengthy due to the many processes that must take place. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work our way through the claims processing procedures. ------------------------------------------------------------ I believe the case is at the authorization department as my VSO called me and told me they were reviewing what had to be done concerning my Air Force retirement. They did the same on my last claim approval. It throws them for a curve as I have not drawn an Air Force retirement since 1983, when I retired from the Postal Service, when I surrendered the AF pay and bought into the Postal Service retirement system. The VSO said she would call upstairs and tell them the situation, Just hanging around and waiting.

Hedgey, Relax brother. They will get to you one day. My experience is as follows. Filed August 2008. Denied a year or so later. Asked for reconsideration and was approved (according to preliminary word from DAV VSO) This month. No verified stressor and no C&P exam. Odd huh?

I had a problem with the "how are you doing?" thing some years ago. Now I tell the person who asks me that "I never answer that question." It is as simple as that. I have been doing that for so long now that it is a habit. If I was fine I would not be at the doctor's office, dentists office, or any medical facility. Dave sends

During the past year I have been in Lowes stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and Florida. I have never been refused the 10% military discount. I just show my retired ID card, the cashier calls for an over ride and away I go. I love it. I can see Home Depot from my house and Lowes is a couple of miles down the road. I go to Lowes 99% of the time.

I found it in #24 in the FAQs at: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/librar...netravelfaq.asp Dave sends

Don't ask me for the reference, but as I recall travel must be claimed with 30 days of the appointment. Dave sends

Good for you commander. I just want the VA travel folks or the Patients Advocate to show me the regulation, letter, directive or whatever they use to figure travel. The money is not the important thing. Them doing what they are required to do is the point. It seems that each facility does it their own way. I use one VAMC in the summer when I am in Connecticut and one in Florida in the winter when I am at home. Each one does the travel business the way they please. When I went to the VAMC in Brockton Massachusetts they did things their way as well. Same for the Va facility in Daytona Beach Florida when I went there for a C&P. Seems to me that there should be one way and that there should be some kind of directive that tells them and us the correct procedure. Dave sends

Carlie, Thanks for your reply. I have been through USC 111 and 38 CFR 70 and find all kinds of information on eligibility and procedures but nothing about how the mileage is calculated. The only place I can find a reference on how to calculate the mileage is in the FAQ at: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/librar...netravelfaq.asp #13 is the one that deals with calculating mileage. This is not how any of the VA facilities I have been to figure the mileage. Dave sends

I got in a bit of a tiff with the travel folks last week when I was at the Gainesville VAMC. I had just come from an appointment at the VA Dermatology Clinic which is located at a different location than the VAMC. The Derm clinic is in zip code 32605 and the VAMC is in zip code 32608, both in Gainesville Florida. I asked the travel clerk why I was being paid to the VAMC and not the Derm Clinic which is a bout 7 miles from the VAMC. I was told that they paid zip code to zip code from my home to the VAMC. I asked why I did not get paid to where I went and they said it is all the VAMC. Not a good answer. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that they all were in a meeting. I was then told I could bring it up with the Patients Advocate, which I did. The PA said she would check with the supervisor later in the day and get back to me. When the PA called me I pointed out the VA FAQ at: http://www.va.gov/healthe...enetravelfaq.asp#mileage She said that was just a FAQ and not the regulation. I asked for the regulation and she again said she would get back to me. I looked through the CFR 70 series for an hour or more and found no reference to how the mileage is figured. Mapquest calculates my home to the dermatology clinic as 81.73 miles or 163.46 miles round trip. Using these figures the travel pay would be $67.84 minus the $6 deductible for a total of $61.84. It calculates my home to the VAMC as 81.1 miles or 162.2 miles round trip. Using these figures the travel pay would be $67.31 minus the $6 deductible or $61.31. Using either destination the pay would be in the $61 range rather than the $54.59 I was paid. Does anyone know of a regulation or directive that tells how travel pay should be calculated? Thanks,

Philip, Just where would one download a travel form from? I always have to go to the travel office and have them verify my appointment and then they print out the form to take to the pay window. Just curious. Dave sends

Gabapentin/Neurontin is a drug originally intended to help with seizures. Many psychologists prescribe it for PTSD/Depression. I had a bad experience with it a few years ago. I was either very high or very low and it varied from day to day and time to time. I was weaned off it and things improved with another medication. On two occasions I have had other doctors try to prescribe Gabapentin/Neurontin and I refused it. Finally I had my VA doctor make a note in my med file that said I was allergic to it. No more problems with anyone trying to prescribe. I know this med works for some folks, but not for me.

Larry, Is it possible for them to provide a wheel chair so that you do not have to stand for all that time? Is it possible that they could make arrangements to mail you a check? Maybe, being a former Master Chief Petty Officer, you don't want the money. Meanwhile, I will continue to collect the $$ the VA offers.

Pete and Larry, I don't see what the problem could be with the Dallas VA. There are rules, like what Bill posted below, and they should follow them. I go to the travel section and the pay window after every appointment at both VAMCs that I go to and there is never a problem.

Remember that there are two parts to the VA. The Regional Office, which handles the claims and the Medical side that handles the medical stuff. Be sure to give them both your new address. I spend part of the year in Florida and part in Connecticut. Never any problems with claims or exams as long as I remember to give EACH office the change of address on both ends of the line. So, when you leave home give two changes and when you leave your Aunts give two more. Good Luck Dave sends