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Commander Bob
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Posts posted by Commander Bob
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Firing VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is not the answer. Beware of the PACs using vets as pawns for their political gains.
JMHO... As soon as the Secretary is appointed, he is surrounded by a bunch of VA executive lifers, who glad hand him with superficial, overzealous sincerity, while gaming him all the way.
As coincidence would have it. in the 1980s, I was in D.C. lobbying for veterans rights, when I met the new VA Administrator walking in the main entrance of the VA building, as I was walking out, and I witnessed the most pathetic demonstration of glad handing and ass kissing by the VA executive lifers that I have ever seen. You could tell they were trying to manipulate him from the start. We exchanged pleasantries., however I never forget what a snow job he was given..
JMHO. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki got the same treatment, until NOW!!
Cmdr. Bob
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Gen. Shinseki has held the Sec. of Vet affairs job longer than any other I understand.
Frank Thomas Hines was a United States military officer and head of the U.S. Veterans Bureau (later Veteran's Administration) from 1923 to 1945.
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We will be discussing DIC tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28th, at 10AM EST, here at our radio show.
Call ins are welcome 1-347- 237-4819
I hope to discuss the ramifications of the Phoenix scandal that has taken husbands, grandfathers, brothers, and fathers to their graves, due to ..in all probability, in most cases, ......death by VA.
It always pays to run by Section 1151 DIC regulations and FTCA laws from time to time as well.
Thanks Berta. I'll be sure to tune in tommorow. Too often the public forgets about those who truly cared for "those who born the battle".
C.B.
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Good one, Bob!
Thanks Notorious.
I believe that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a symbol is worth a thousand pictures. In this picture, the rose garden symbolizes the peace and serenity the disabled vet should live in. However we see this vet is a bit pensive, due to, in part, the tribulations he has had to face in order to receive the benefits that he has earned with his blood and bone. The goose symbolizes the VAMC system, which will soon be cooked. The VA Logo in the chiminea represents the fire that the VA is under. And the Elephant, of course, symbolizes the main problem which is the massive VARO bureaucratic gamers.
Bob
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Ha- that's over my head, Bob - what is that?
Thanks for asking, Notorious Kelly.
My artistic contribution comes from an old metaphorical idiom, "Elephant in the Room"... an obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed.
In this case, the public is alarmed about wait times at VAMCs, when we know the bigger problem, ie; "Elephant in the room" is looming over at the VAROs
As you know, we spend a great deal of time here on Hadit discussing and helping vets, families and widows fight the paper work and the gaming thrown at us by the VAROs. This has not yet hit the scandal and public outrage. Wait till they find out about that...
Bob
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Thank you Berta, for answering my question too. "BVA CUEs, If a claimant feels the BVA made a CUE,they have to file a CUE Motion on that with the BVA ... page 14:" . I would have never found that with out your posting.
April 23rd, I won my BVA case, " Benefit granted in fullI", however, I found 2 CUEs on my BVA decision. I am waiting for the award letter to see if I should go forward with a BVA CUE request, if I am not satisfied with the total outcome.After 45 years of distraction etc, I am seeking closure from this whole VA mess. However, If need be, I will press on.You are truly inspiring, Berta. Your years of service to all of us is priceless.My most positive thoughts are with you this Memorial Day, and always.Kind regards,
C.B.
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you know why people hopped when told to do something in the millitary, or started shaking in thier boots when news of a general being in the area was heard? FEAR People knew the power these men weilded, and thats what got them hopping.
Theres 2 ways to motivate people, thru respect, or fear. I think Stonewall is a good man, but the way the VA is set up, with no accountability or possibility of meaningful discipline actions, there is no fear.
Now that he has the power the change lives "' shitcan turds and send them home" we shall see how he tempers his sword.
H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014
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"Take the Target Off Shinseki's Back"Max Cleland, a disabled Vietnam veteran, is a former U.S. senator and former administrator of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Cmdr. Bob
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Firing VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is not the answer. Beware of the PACs using vets as pawns for their political gains.JMHO. Give the Gen. a chance to clean up the mess, that we all know took decades to make.Again, don't rush to judgment.This isn't McDonalds, It won't be a fast food job.C.B.
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H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014 http://veterans.house.gov/HR4031
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My goal is to live as best as I can before I get frail.
Me too, 'Pete53'.
C.B.
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JMHO. The issue of Gen. Shinseki's time in office is like mixing apples with oranges, which only distracts from the problem, and is just another rabbit trail...The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level position on March 15, 1989. Gen. Shinseki is only the seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He has only been there since 2009.It has been said "Shinseki has been the best Secretary of Veterans Affairs since General Omar Bradley in 1945. Period. " http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/21/1299061/-Sec-General-Eric-Shinseki-I-Am-Confident-We-Need-Him-To-Stay#History: Bureau of Pensions established in the War Department by an act of March 2, 1833 (4 Stat. 622), as the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions from the preexisting Pension Bureau (established 1815), which had been the successor, with the Land Warrant Bureau, to the Military Bounty Lands and Pension Branch (established ca. 1810). Transferred with bureau status to the Department of the Interior by the act creating the department, March 3, 1849 (9 Stat. 395). Consolidated with the U.S. Veterans Bureau and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers to form the Veterans Administration, 1930. The bureau was designated the Pension Service, July 1, 1931, and was functionally absorbed into the VA, April 1, 1936.Cmdr. Bob
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So who should we replace him with?It may appear that Secretary Shinseki's poker face looks like he may be stonewalling However, his record and his courage in the face of adversity, tells us otherwise.I would suggest that the fact checkers take a closer look at Gen. Shinseki's record. He has proven himself and he is the right man for the job, now that he is no longer being snowed by the VA lifers... We know what that's like. We have been gamed for years before the Gen. came aboard the VA. .Would we prefer someone like Dr. Robert L. Jesse, a career VA employee, to take over and continue the status quo, after another VA cover up?JMHO. Give the Gen. a chance to clean up the mess, that we all know took decades to make. Don't rush to judgment. This isn't McDonalds, It won't be a fast food job.C.B.
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CB:
It was through a DRO appeal. How long did you wait till the increase/award letter and money show up?
Keeping in mind every claim is different... Yours is going through a VARO. Mine went to Washington D.C.
I won my case in mid April, and I am still waiting for the award letter. I got a phone call from the D.C. Veterans Service Center yesterday, confirming my address.
Hang in there.
C.B.
Any day now... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ore6K3ESTLc
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RE: The News Today
The VA issue hit the national news cycle again today... Yes, yes, yes.
Bob
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My name is Joe and I'm a Shield/Storm Army Veteran. I served with the 1st Cavalry Division, HHC 2/5 CAV as a 77F. E-4.
I don't know much about the VA or it's processes but filed a back claim in 2002 and was awarded 10% in 2003. I filed a claim for sleep problems and pain and they awarded me 40% for fiber myalgia and 30% for PTSD in Jan this year.
I have been in and out of jobs over the years due to my inability to cope. Loner here.
I've recently sought out treatment because I feel I have no other choice.
Nice meeting everyone and I appreciate all that the fine people of the US do to help each other.
As you know, you have one year to send the VA a NOD ("Notice of Disagreement") re: PTSD etc.
Good Luck,
C.B.
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Welcome aboard, 'Joe'
Cmdr. Bob
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Was it a BVA appeal? I won my case in mid April, 2014 and I too have been searching for an answer..
Keeping in mind every claim is different...
JMHO About 2 Months...
Good Luck,
C.B.
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"I feel this thread will die a slow death..........I forget who said something like "getting Veterans organized is like herding cats"."
LOL, Berta. "getting Veterans organized is like herding cats"." Yes it is...
In the 1980s I helped organize a group of Vietnam vets carry an assortment of flags, and march from the Alamo, to Washington D.C., to bring attention to the POW MIA issue. We left the Alamo in SanAntino, TX in September and arrived in DC on November 11th. It was a logistical challenge, due to the law that you are not suppose to march on an "Interstate" HWY. etc, etc... I would run up to the next state we were about to enter, and get the governor to sign a proclamation, supporting the vets. I would also pass out "press kits" to every newspaper &all the TV stations, a few days up the road ahead."Herding the cats" was a real challenge.. As we marched up the hwy, cars and trucks would honk in support, and every time the vets, in reply, would throw up their fists. By the time I helped get them through Texarkana, I had the vets wave their hands back instead of throwing up their fists, when the vehicles passed and honked in support.Cmdr. Bob -
Personally I feel everything starts with the one and only submission of
an ORIGINAL claim and the issues and evidence contained within.
Then the hamster wheel starts with the first denial or lowball -
we get the decisions - get pissed off - many say - F it and walk away . . .
when in reality they never got past the Evidence and Reasons and Bases Sections -
which pretty much tell you right there - exactly what is required to succeed.
Then come back years later - no timely NOD was submitted - they have not kept up
with continuity of care and have no paper trail filled with N&M evidence to re-open.
I know and surely agree none of us should have to become lawyers . . .
but when we file ourselves - or get a non committed VSO just plugging in claims,
I feel that even with all of that - ultimately WE shoulder some of the burdens of
claims failure also.
Hell - I've seen so many 526's that basically stated something like -
I fell off the back of a duce and a half while stationed at Ft Benning, Ga.
back in 1963 and my shoulder has hurt ever since then.
It just burns and aches all the time and I think it's related to that fall.
I really need the help and appreciate your attention to this matter.
Now that might sound like horse poop - but anything like that true story -
we are not doing our part.
I see so many claimants just fueled with fire about their worthless VSO -
do we not bother to read and research what we do and sign on our own behalf ?
We GIVE these VSO's the legal right to DO or NOT DO, whatever the heck they desire.
We are a smart bunch - even when we are sick, we need to put time and effort and education
into our claims / issues FROM THE GET GO.
This is just one of my thoughts and things I too have learned the hard way - and I do not mean
offense to anyone.
Filing claims in some ways to me - is like crossing a busy street . . .
Look left - look right - then left again - look to see what just might hit you AND WHY - before you send it in.
Block a poor decision from the get go.
I feel many times we get caught up on - hurry up and submit that claim to get your effective date
locked in - well if your going to do a poor job on the research, gathering of evidence and submission
of the claim - that earlier effective date may not matter for decades and having to fight the VARO for years,
then the BVA and maybe all the way to COVA.
Yes, we are a smart group and in working and teaching together - I feel we get better results.
I'm a bit exhausted tonight and hope this came out in an understandable way.
Like,
Cmdr.Bob
What Is Your Number One Complaint About The Va?
in VA Disability Claims Research
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