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halos2

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Posts posted by halos2

    Atlanta Ro Backlog

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I agree with your advice. John pointed out the "Cushman" case. The VA altered his evidence to deny him. I wonder how many times this happened but the VA never got caught at it? Remember, about 85% of Vets dont appeal. Why? One reason is that their VSO often recommends against it. (I think VSO's get bonuses for this...it makes the VA's "error rate" numbers look better). Another reason is they dont know how to appeal, are too sick or have even passed away. The VA counts all these reasons as "correct" decisions.

    Cushman is not an aberration, like the VA would have us beleive. There are 600 lawyers working at the VA, waiting on their "turn at you".

    If they "loose" against a Vet, it looks bad for them. So, for the lawyer, its the VET/vs the VA lawyer. And, they know most Vets will never get to look at the evidence the BVA judge looks at and compare it with what is on file with the VEt. So, the lawyer just makes a few "changes" to the medical reports, and the Vet gets denied and the VA employee lawyer "wins".

    I am so glad Cushman fought the VA on this and exposed them.

    Bottom line: NEVER trust the VA. They are crooked snakes out to deny you any way they can. They lure Vets into trusting them, by publishing "rah rah" stuff online about how they help Vets. They forget to tell you they helped ONE Vet, and put the other 999,999 in a VERY long waiting list for benefits.

    Love this posting...

    Atlanta Ro Backlog

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Remember these dates are just estimates. Ask the majority of veterans and they will laugh and say "never happens that quick!" I doubt there is one VARO who does get it right the first time around, and timely. Too many stall tatics on their part. Pretty sad when a board certified Dr gives the diagnosis, and the medications ordered for the vet, and the contributing factors involved in the disability of the veteran, and the side effects of the medication the vet takes, and a NON MEDICAL person DENIES IT ALL!! They should hire medically oriented/trained/licensed professionals to determine the disability claim!! Oh well the RO out is the process of APPEALS!! Good luck along this long journey you are going to travel on...halos2

    Intro Of Newby

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    You found a site where the vets/friends of vets/family of vets will try and help you. What and when was he awarded the 10% service connected for? He retired in 94 and the problems became much more compounded the last few years, right?

    Have you searched sites like google with chemical compounds you have listed in your post? Many times one can find side effects related to the chemicals, and studies done with documented facts you can use as evendituary in your claim.

    Was he ever stationed in another country? I noticed you said your husband served during the Vietnam era and Gulf war era, so did he stay stateside, or did he serve in a country like Germany, where the copters/planes may have landed to be worked on? Those chemicals are heavy duty carcenogenics, so it is a concern he could/may sometime be diagnosed with some type of cancer. Also AO was stored in many stateside areas too. Some claims won on facts related to the vet stationed there and diagnoses of conditions related to AO exposure.

    You do have all of his service records/ C-File, right? You use a decent VSO? (Veterans Service Officer, ie DAV, AL,State Vets Commission,etc)

    It is important to make sure any all of your responses are TIMELY with the VARO. They take their sweet time responding to you but you better send it back to them TIMELY!

    You will have to do just about all of the paperwork, research,seek buddies to write a statement of witnessing the occurances, anything that can prove what/when/where he was exposed to these toxins. A good start is here, and keep asking questions as you will find others who are willing to help or possibly advise where to seek. Be prepared to fight and stay focused through their denials/appeals/low grantings along this travel. BTW 0% grantings are easier to get a positive % awarded then a denied one. Don't get discouraged. Good luck! halos2

    A Big Thank You- 100%

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    Tami, It is a positive thing to read you ontaining 100% rating. Remember to check all the benefits of P&T for your family (should you have one). This will be a major stress reliever for you now. With MS you don't need any stressors. By chance did you utalize a VSO? IF so which organization did you use? Make sure you watch your bank account deposits, as the VA are known to make the deposit before you get your official paperwork. Enjoy your award, as you earned it, and stop by hadit anytime day or night. The best of luck to you! halos2.

    Missouri (Mo): St. Louis

    in VA Regional Offices

    Posted

    Substandard!! They are so untruthful it is pathetic! I had requested my complete C-File numerous times as they had all of my records they said " they were working on it but I had to make an appointment to see it and get the records I needed!" So I drive the 157 miles one way and they say "Sorry our copy machine is broken!"

    WTF a 4 story building and they only have one copier!!!

    Finally after much persuasing on my part they said I could "look at it and mark any pages I didn't have!" BUT only with a staff member watching me (like I might add or delete something, WHATEVER!)

    BUT after about 1 hour they said "WE ARE NOT PAYING OUR STAFF TO WATCH YOU LOOK AT YOUR FILE!" I was unglued and asked to speak to the Director, and they said , they would copy everything and send me it all via mail, but he was unavailable...I left a note for director, and got records within like a week...wonder if this was everything though??

    The voc rehab dept is a joke like 4 counselors as they kept leaving or going somewhere else...I am still waiting 4 years for the office equiptment they promised me.

    Plus I have to stop at least 3 or 4 times going that distance, get out stretch, walk around my car...and the gas! WOW they are jokes there. Never can keep the womens vet coordinators. Like 6 in 8 years. Plus they take records by the boxes and suitcases, and computers home with them!! No wonder our SS#'s get out to the public. Terrible NON accountability!!

    So many family and friends work there. Like a vet, works there, and he has his wife working there, and both their daughters, and his mother-in-law, and some non vet friends...No wonder these positions are never posted!! I am sure if by chance they were, it would be a formality only, and the friend or family member would get the job.

    The few people that were decent no longer work there, as they had to transfer out to Tn or le let go. (They were helping vets, so the bonuses went down) so good bye to them.

    Sorry I had to tell some of the TRUTH, FACTS regarding this place!

    Got The Envelope

    in Success Stories

    Posted

    Grid, Go ahead and make my day!! Yep you did, so wonderful reading your award finally. Don't you just love VA MATH? Crazy way they get to screw with $$ amounts. I helped a GW vet and regular math is 160% but VA MATH is 80%. His appeal is from 08 too...waiting, impatiently waiting too... Great for you!! Yipee!!

    C&p Results Request

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I have found the VARO's differ on many issues of what to award, what to deny, when to award and appeal, when to put the vet through hell with the paperwork, but as you know and stated you will never give up! It is a shame all of us vets gave our all, many have suffered almost 40 years before filing, and the system that is in place is very flawed. ROI should give you all of your records via paper copy or disc copy. Many times they can't do it that day, and will mail them to you.

    You need to go to the supervisor/Department Head and request them from that person in charge. Tell them you will be filing a grievance with the FOIA officer of that facility id they refuse to give you your copies. The VAMC as well as the VARO (in my opinion) hope the vet will get frustrated enough and not follow through with their claims processes. Sometimes you have to SHOW them AGAIN the obvious!! I wish it was a smooth operation but it is NOT!! Hang in there and always come back to this site for help, and also if you just need to vent!

    A Joke...and Not A Funny One Either

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I find that YOU the VETERAN have to be your OWN ADVOCATE! There are different veteran service officers out there and they are TRYING to help thousands of veterans. There really are not enough out there to do justice to very many, statistically speaking! I find them to be my paper pushers...plus just to make sure I send them to the VARO via certified/registered too! I wish in the beginning they would have informed me of this, however costly, I found out during the process. So read, ask, utalize the internet, and other vets to find how to and what to do, but make damn sure you follow the timelines!! Any late posted forms cost the vets $$ and appeals MUST be timely! This is my own opinion!

    Received Telephone Call From Regional Office On Weekend?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Not odd at all considering most have to work on Saturdays. I personally know of a veteran receiving a call from J.B from a VARO in April on a Saturday @ 7 am. This person said he was a rater and wanted to talk to the veteran.

    (We asked the rater was it unusual to call vets on Saturdays, and he said no, most of us have mandatory OT and are more likely to talk to a vet on this day)

    Basically he said he was working on the vets claim and wanted to make sure the vet was still seeking to proceed with his claim, and if so, he would most likely schedule a new C&P in the near future, and making sure the vet was still going to the same VAMC as listed on his records. The answers were all yes.

    As of yet no new C&P has been ordered. (I personally know the Director, and the scheduler, and 2 of the examiners in this unit) and they say nothing ordered yet...

    So I guess we should have asked Mr.J.B. what timeline his "near future" was with real time!! Als Wait time so far for this appeal is over 2 1/2 years.o checked with VARO, at a different date to make sure J.B. was indeed a VARO employee and a rater, to which they replied yes and yes. (Just because one knows some of these people in authority positions does not equal preferential treatment,we were not seeking favors, but we did expect truthfulness at least.)

    Received Telephone Call From Regional Office On Weekend?

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted · Edited by halos2

    Not odd at all considering most have to work on Saturdays. I personally know of a veteran receiving a call from J.B from a VARO in April on a Saturday @ 7:04 am. This person said he was a rater and wanted to talk to the veteran.

    (We asked the rater was it unusual to call vets on Saturdays, and he said no, most of us have mandatory OT and are more likely to talk to a vet on this day)

    Basically he said he was working on the vets claim and wanted to make sure the vet was still seeking to proceed with his claim, and if so, he would most likely schedule a new C&P in the near future, and making sure the vet was still going to the same VAMC as listed on his records. The answers were all yes.

    As of yet no new C&P has been ordered. (I personally know the Director, and the scheduler, and 2 of the examiners in this unit) and they say nothing ordered yet...

    So I guess we should have asked Mr.J.B. what timeline his "near future" was with real time!! Als Wait time so far for this appeal is over 2 1/2 years.o checked with VARO, at a different date to make sure J.B. was indeed a VARO employee and a rater, to which they replied yes and yes. (Just because one knows some of these people in authority positions does not equal preferential treatment,we were not seeking favors, but we did expect truthfulness at least.)

    1800 Claims Number

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted · Edited by halos2

    No biggie...I had that back some years ago too. Didn't change anything with my claims process. It drug on for years. BTW a lot of people get that too, and have not continued/worked for the VA or government...But thinking about it now I did work for the State of Il and Mo. So maybe that's why it showed up for me?? Guess if was for DVA in Il @ a VA home...

    Texas Homestead Exemptions For 100% Now Law

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Found out yesterday from another Tx vet who is 40%, tax assessor's office told them they would get a refund on their last 2 years taxes when they bring in their paid tax receipt....she told them they would only be paying 25% of their property tax...getting 75% back for each year up to 2. They have to bring in award letter that states % and date of award of that %. Looks like $2400. back each year...Will find out for sure once she takes all back to the tax lady...

    Gwv Moved To Phillipines And Needs Phone Numbers To Change Va Comp Payment Transfers. Did Not Notify Va Prior Or Old Bank Prior Either.

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    You might want to keep this info handy too:

    Manila Out Pt clinic and VARO:

    http://www2.va.gov/d...lity.asp?id=682

    U.S. Embassy Phillipines:

    Social Security info on their home page:

    http://manila.usemba...ns-affairs.html

    Additional info here:

    “Medical

    In addition to the Regional Office, VA operates an Outpatient Clinic located in the same address at 1501 Roxas Blvd., 1302 Pasay City, Philippines. This is the only standalone ambulatory care facility located in foreign country.

    To be eligible for healthcare while in the Philippines, U.S military veterans must have conditions or disabilities incurred in or aggravated by military service rated by the VA at 0% or greater. This includes out-patient care at the clinic, in-patient care, diagnostic tests/procedures and specialist referrals at various contract hospitals for service connected conditions. Authorization treatmenttext.jpg is required for non-emergency out-patient care and hospitalization. Persons having questions concerning eligibility for treatment should call 011-632-318-8387; Fax:011-632-310-5957; e-mail: https://iris.custhelp.com/.

    Berta, This vet is 80% VA disabled... (160% good old math, which doesn't count though, you know how we love VA math)

    Clinic hours of operation are from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday except Philippine and U.S. holidays.

    If you live outside the United States or the Philippines, you may also review medical benefits and services information at the VA Foreign Medical Program web site. “

    http://www.vba.va.go...reign/pimed.htm

    Can I Request A Rating Dismissal Or Reduction?

    in Appealing Your Veterans Compensation Disability Claims NOD, DRO, BVA, USCAVC

    Posted

    Many jobs offer vets preference for positions ie 5 points and 10 points... Usually state or govt ones. Some people (vets) I know have put down they have a VA Disability and take a letter that specifys 5 points or 10 points...however SOME Tx ones have not sought out PTSD dx even though they really have this condition because it would compromise obtaining and/or getting police/law enforcement work. Something with PTSD dx and carring a weapon they find a major problem with...I am saying SOME due to the one's I know from Tx.

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