m3jon

Okay, I just got back from the VARO. For future reference, if you have a problem like me or any other complicated problem, don't go to the VARO front desk and ask for a VA rep. Those guys can't help you. I made that mistake today and wasted an hour. So, I spoke with a senior claims counselor, Mr. Mike Noles today. He is also an American Legion rep. He pulled my files and found that the debt was cleared on the VARO's side. They just didn't clear it out of the Debt Management Center's system. He called the Debt Management Center for me while I was sitting there. He couldn't clear the debt out of the debt management center's system, but he did have them post pone the next letter till march. He also made sure for me that the credit agency would not be notified. He typed up a statement for me that the debt be cleared out of the debt management center's system and took it up to his supervior. He said it'll take about a month because it's holiday season. We'll see. If you're in the ATL area, I guess Mr. Noles is the person you want to talk to. So far I'm pretty satisfied with the service he provided for me today. Mr. Noles also wanted me to file a waver of debt to the management center. john999 and jbasser were right about that. What I thought was wrong. Sorry. I guess when you fill it out, you don't have to complete your financial info, but just fill in the part where it asks for reasons why. I'm also going to file that with the debt management center today. So far it's looking like I don't have to jump the chain of command.. I'll post back here when things are finalized.

I didn't realize many more people replied to my post. Actually, I think everyone's idea is good. I'm going to try it all and let you guys know which is best. Sorry, the media is my very very last resort. I'm camara shy.

I'm going to go to the VARO first thing tomorrow morning. I'm going to see what they have to say and give them one more chance to make things right. This time, I'll make sure I keep track of everyone's name I talk to and get copies of everything. If the VARO fails to correct this problem, I'll go to the congressman. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks again to everyone.

That's correct, I'm in the ATL area. Do you know where I can get the contact info for the director's office? I've never heard of it before.

Btw, I want to thank everyone for reading and taking the time for reply.

I was thinking about writing my congressman.. Has anyone done so? Does it take long to get a reply back? How does it work? Will the congressman call the VARO and tell them to take care of things? I'm terrible with names. I forgot all the names of the people I spoke with except for Thomas O. Sanders.

I have been to the VARO several times regarding this issue. I have submitted the letter to them. I call the debt management center. They told me they cannot do anything about it. The debt management center hold me, unless the VARO resposible for submitting this debt claim agaist me cancel this debt themselves, they cannot do anything. I have a form for appealing the debt, but this is not something I want to do because appealing the debt is acknowledging the debt but stating that I don't have the means to pay off the debt. They haven't been taking money out of my checks yet.

I tried searching the forums, but had no luck finding any similar cases as mine. One of the reasons why is because I have no idea what to put in the search bar. I tried several different phrases, but came up with nothing. Anyway.. I wanted to see if anyone has been in a similar situation as I am, and what you did you fix the problem. The VA initially messed up on the SSN when creating my file. This caused many problems for me such as, couldn't file for GI Bill, VA deleting my disability rating when correcting my SSN, and now they're claiming I own them money (not a small amount) which I don't. I wrote many people, all agreeing that this is a mistake on the VA's part. I even got a letter from the veteran's service center manager that the debt has been cancelled. Yet, I continue to receive threatenig letters that I owe the VA. So far I have contacted the debt management center, state representative, VARO representative, veterans service center manager, and American Legion representative. These people (with the exception of the debt managment center) all agree it's the VARO's fault and claim that they have taken care of the problem. The Debt management center continues to claim I owe them. It has been 4 months since the first letter and I have received two more of the same letters since. Where can I go from here? Who can I contact to have this problem fixed? Ever since I ETSed, the VA has been shafting me left and right. I want to crawl back into my mommy's womb.