Bonzai

They actually contract with the publishing newspaper for the rights, and then they pay the newspaper 50% of what they settle for. It is a sleazy deal that both are involved in. Look up the company on Google and check out Wikipedia's entry for them.

An example of what is going on is: Someone writes an articles about veterans, and parts of the article or its entirety are posted on Veterans' boards. Then this company buys the copyrights to the story, and retroactively sues the Veterans' boards for copyright infringement; even though they did not have the rights to the story in the beginning. This type of underhanded litigation is called 'trolling' and the companies who do so are referred to as 'trolls'. They figure that they can get out of court settlements, as small websites can't afford lawyers, etc... The same kind of thing goes on with bad credit card debt. Junk Debt Buyers = Trolls looking for default judgments.

This kind of stuff just angers me to no end. Some people will try anything for a buck. I have a friend who has a website, and was threatened with copyright infringement over a public domain article (government) with a link. It was from someone who had a similar website, who had copied and pasted the same article, trying to claim it as their own. Other than a threatening email, nothing more was made of it.

So if I wanted a haircut, and my hair was half as short as the person in front of me, and I was charged the same, I should sue the barber? Or would that be splitting hairs? sorry....couldn't resist.

Trying to look for a "faster resolve" can frustrate anyone, but taking that frustration out on people trying to help??? As far as I can tell, the two posts were closed due to the fact that they had wandered off the original topic, and member bashing started occurring. When that happens, a topic should be closed and hopefully, a cooling off period will help. However, now this post with the topic 'Free Discussion' was started, and is a continuation of an argument against a Moderator. Although I am not a moderator on this board, I am on another, and the member would have been banned. Being a member of HadIt is not a Constitutional Right, and the First Amendment doesn't apply. It is a private board and being a member is a privilege. The rules of posting are clear and easy to follow.

I have followed the posts today, and think that GREAT restraint has been shown. Considering that you stated that you were leaving HadIt, due to a post being closed. Well, now two posts have been shut down because of incessant whining. The door is open, please stop trying to stir things up here. It is annoying to say the least. We are all adults here, and are trying to do something about problems encountered with the VA. What a concept: instead of whining about the state of something being, actively pursue endeavors that will make a positive change. IMHO...

Welcome to Had It! A lot depends on when you filed a claim for Schizophrenic/PTSD. I think you are asking if your claim is automatically made if you are getting treatment for a condition, and the answer would be no. I know some claims are inferred, but I do not know which ones. For my condition, I was initially treated over two years prior to being awarded 10% for it, and that took a RO hearing. But this is just what I experienced.

Since you have had a C&P, then your claim is in the works, and at the 'rater'. How long it will take to be rated is anybody's guess. However, it seems that the more complicated claims are often longer at the rater than more simple claims. That being said, one must remember that there is a million claims backlog currently in the VA system. So that is why I say that how long your claim will be at the rater is anybody's guess. There is no way to track who has your paperwork, that I know of, so you should always keep copies of everything that is submitted. That way, if a decision is made, and crucial evidence is missing, it can be resubmitted in a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). I hope others chime in here.

Found this while searching for CHAMPVA Dental Pilot, so the wheels are turning: April 6, 2011 Synopsis Notice Type: Request for Information/Sources Sought Introduction This market research is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this market research will be the outcome of a competitive process. The purpose of this RFI is to identify qualified contractors who are able to meet VA's requirements, determine if commercial items are available or, could be modified to meet VA's requirements, determine the appropriate contract type i.e., firm fixed-price or cost-reimbursement or time and material, understand commercial pricing practices and other market information readily available. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking potential sources to enter into a contract for a Dental Pilot Program as required by Section 510 of Public Law (P.L.) 111-163, the “Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010”, which requires the Department to conduct a pilot program, by contract, for the purposes of offering a dental insurance plan to certain beneficiaries. Background Section 510 of P.L. 111-163 requires that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall carry out a pilot program, by contract with a dental insurer to administer a dental insurance plan, in order to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing a dental insurance plan to enrolled veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans eligible for CHAMPVA purposes. This pilot is to be conducted in such Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot program. Note: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has 21 geographic VISNs numbered 1-23 (in January 2002 VISN 13 or 14 were integrated and renamed VISN 23). At the end of fiscal year 2009, there were just over 7.7 million Veterans enrolled in VA’s Health Care System. In fiscal year 2009, VA provided care for over 5.74 million Veterans. The median age of Veterans is 60; 20% are under age 45, 41% are between 45 and 64 and 39% are 65 or older. In 2007, 5.5% of enrolled Veterans were women. VA projects that by 2013, 7.4% of enrollees will be women. The CHAMPVA community consists of adults that are either the spouse, surviving spouse or helpless child of a qualifying Veteran sponsor. Spouses and surviving spouses make up the majority of the community, with more than 266,000 eligible individuals. They make up about 82% of the CHAMPVA-eligible community and range in age from 19 to 108. They are predominantly female, but male spouses are much more common in the youngest ages for this group. The remaining members are surviving spouses of Veterans that have either died with a permanent and total disability award or died from a service-connected disability. There are about 83,000, with only 3% of this group being male. Children make up 15% of the CHAMPVA community. They range in age from newborn (about 250 each year) to 17. This group is about equally divided between males (24,976) and females (24,326). Students make up 3% of the CHAMPVA community. Requirements VA is interested in recommendations of the commercial sector (dental insurance plan administrators) in meeting its charge as tasked by Section 510, P.L. 111-163. Among the specific requirements and considerations are: 1. The dental insurance plan will include diagnostic services, preventative services, endodontics and other restorative services, surgical services, and emergency services. VA is interested in learning what additional coverage of services would be appropriate for such dental insurance plan. 2. Since enrollment in the dental insurance plan under the pilot program will be voluntary and in such VISNs as may be considered appropriate, VA is interested in understanding whether there would be a recommended minimum period for enrollment and minimum number of potential enrollees in such dental insurance plan. 3. VA is interested in recommended costing mechanisms that may be used to develop premiums, to include any recommended annual adjustments to premiums, for coverage under the dental insurance plan that would cover all costs, inclusive of government costs, associated with the pilot program. 4. VA is interested in understanding other conditions that would permit the voluntary disenrollment of an individual in the dental insurance plan (but only to the extent such disenrollment does not jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the dental insurance plan) aside from allowing voluntary disenrollment of an individual in the dental insurance plan if: • the disenrollment occurs during the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enrollment of the individual in the dental insurance plan or; • If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance plan relocates to a location outside the jurisdiction of the dental insurance plan that prevents use of the benefits under the dental insurance plan or; • If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance plan is prevented by a serious medical condition from being able to obtain benefits under the dental insurance plan. 5. VA is interested in suggested approaches for marketing and enrollment for the purposes of offering this dental insurance plan. Submittal Information It is requested that interested contractors submit a response (electronic submission) of no more than 20 pages in length, single spaced, 12 point font minimum that addresses the above information and includes the following information by August 23, 2010 to Elena.jenkins@va.gov. 1. Capabilities/Qualifications - Description of the capabilities/qualifications/skills your company possess to perform the work. 2. Teaming Arrangements - Description of Teaming Partners, Joint Ventures that your company would consider to perform the work. 3. Commercial availability - Description of the length of time your product/solution has been commercially available or, if necessary to modify your commercial product/solution, what is the impact to the commercial price, availability and magnitude of modification. 4. Socio-Economic Status - Indicate whether your company, subcontractors, teaming partners, joint ventures have a Federal Socio-Economic status, e.g., Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Disadvantaged Small Business, and Hub Zone. If Service-Disabled or Veteran Owned Small Business, is your company and or partners registered in VA's VetBiz repository? 5. Price information - Provide your commercial price history and rough order of magnitude for the same or similar products/solutions. 6. Other Market Information - Provide any other relative information, however this information must be included within the 20 page limitation. Responses are requested by close of business on August 23, 2010, via email to Elena.jenkins@va.gov. Contracting Office Address Department of Veterans Affairs;Health Administration Center;3773 Cherry Creek Drive North, Suite 450;Denver CO 80209 Contact Elena Jenkins, Procurement Analyst elena.jenkins@va.gov Elena Jenkins Place of Performance 2957 Clairmont Road;Atlanta, GA 30329 USA

To settle this, email glenn.johnson@VA.gov and ask him directly. Remember there are two Ns in Glenn's name.

That sounds like a rumor to me. When I rode one in South Dakota, I never had a problem, nor was I asked what my SC'ed condition was. Maybe there are DAV chapters who refuse to transport MH clients, but I haven't heard of one. Your best shot is to give your local chapter a call, and find out from them.

No. If you are caught, then they can suspend your checks, charge you with trying to defraud the Government, etc... DAV vans are free, so why would you get travel pay?

oldman273, This is what I found doing a quick Google search: "VBA’s Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR). This accuracy standard was established to ensure the appropriate processing of fiduciary activities, such as accountings and field examinations, and the protection of the interests of incompetent VBA recipients." Hope it helps...

Go to the HadIt Home Page and click on the 'SVR Radio' button on the top menu bar. That will take you to SVR Radio page which has a link to the archives.

When you win, I don't think that you can get the letter or money on a Sunday. ;) But any other day and time of the month, you can get a letter and or money in the bank. I remember I received mine near the end of the month, but not at the end. As far as the color of the envelope, I have seen members post about receiving big white and brown envelopes with good news; so I don't think the color matters. I just looked at three of the envelopes I received, one brown and two white. Besides, if the color mattered, then that would take all of the 'fun and worry' about what it contained.

No. 50% + 50% is not 100%, it is 75%, as they half the second amount. It is called VA Fuzzy Math! There is a Service-Connection calculator on HadIt's Home Page, here it the link to it: http://www.hadit.com/service_connected_disabilities_rating_calculator.php/

I was 'investigated' by Social Security a couple of years ago. The investigator showed up at a place I did some volunteer work occasionally and made some threatening remarks about if I was getting paid under the table, then they would be facing fines. All-in-all, very strange, as I was not receiving Social Security and I am fighting to get it now. This was before I was awarded 100% SC, and my wife was getting SSI, so they may have been checking monthly resources. Anyways, nothing ever happened because of the investigation. This investigation sounds like Social Security and not the Veterans Affairs. Impossible to tell without knowing more.

From The Pink Panther Strikes Again - Clouseau: Does your dog bite? Hotel Clerk: No. Clouseau: [bowing down to pet the dog] Nice doggie. [Dog barks and bites Clouseau in the hand] Clouseau: I thought you said your dog did not bite! Hotel Clerk: That's not my dog.

There are days when I am p*ssed off at the world - as my wife kindly (cough) points out to me. On those days, before I reply to a post, I have learned to take a deep breath and really think about what I want to say. Heck, when I first started posting on HadIt, I was in a bad place in my head, and the support I got helped me get through it. Words can not convey the gratitude I feel for those who helped me. As far as your questions go, it has been my experience that the VA balks at the idea of EED for just about anything. I like LarryJ's suggestion of using the FAST Letter to reopen your old claim, and that may bring you the results you desire. A Clear Unmistakable Error means they did something wrong, and you have to find something that they did wrong.

About 5 years ago, I developed a 10mm hole in my right ear drum. This was discovered because I kept getting ear infections. Due to a lot of extraneous circumstances, I was never able to be scheduled for the tympanoplasty to fix the hole, until moving to Tennessee in 2008. So I go in for the initial screening, and they said yes, a tympanoplasty is needed, but there are risks involved. The risks were that the tympanoplasty might not take, and even if it did there was no guarantee that I wouldn't suffer some hearing loss. Without getting the tympanoplasty, I would continue to get ear infections that could possibly spread to my brain as meningitis. So with great trepidation, I consented to have the operation done at the Memphis VAMC in the Summer of 2009. While an Intern did the actual tympanoplasty, she was supervised by a certified surgeon. They told me everything went as planned, and told me what I had to do to increase the chances of it being a successful operation. So I followed their instructions to the letter, and kept going back for check-ups every four months. On my final check-up a year and a half later, my hearing is the same in both ears, with no loss of hearing in the right. I know this isn't a claims success story, but it is a story of success by the Memphis VAMC ENT department. Sometimes I get tired of hearing everything that goes wrong at the VAMCs, and just wanted to post that sometimes things are done correctly.

Vocational Rehabilitation is supposed to prepare you for re-entering the workforce. Once you finish your training, you can work under Social Security's Ticket to Work program for a little while with no danger of losing your SSDI during the Trial Work Period. If you continue to work and lose your SSDI, and then can't work anymore for some reason, you can re-file under an expedited process to regain your SSDI benefits. I'm not sure if there is an equivalent program for Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability (TDIU), as by nature, TDIU is awarded to people who cannot work due to their Service-Connected disabilities. I think that TDIU P&T would be incompatible with someone attending Voc Rehab, as it denotes their condition is not expected to improve; whereas TDIU can be temporary, and taken away once a veteran returns to the workforce. JMHO

Congratulations!!! I know the feeling of disbelief that getting 100% is, but believe it! I still wait to hear that they made a mistake, maybe I will feel safe after 20 years has gone by.

PR, There are four levels to filing for Social Security Benefits. Initial Application - if denied, file for Reconsideration Reconsideration - if denied, file for a hearing with and Administrative Law Judge Administrative Law Judge - if denied, file for an appeal with the Social Security Appeals Council Socials Security Appeals Council - if denied, file a lawsuit in US District Court (there is a filing fee) As unique has posted, he received a denial from the Social Security Appeals Council; meaning he already had a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge, and was denied at level three. I am in the same boat as they were, and currently awaiting a response from the Social Security Appeals Council on my appeal. However, my lawyer has already said that if I get denied, he will take it to U.S. District Court. We shall see. Hey unique, I thought you already reapplied for SSDI, while you were waiting for the Appeals Council's decision.

PR - there are 100% sc'ed veterans who have been denied SSDI and have plenty of quarters. I am one, and it is easy to find articles about others by just doing a quick Internet search on "100% service-connected veterans denied social security". I am currently waiting for an answer from the Social Security Appeals Council, as I was denied by an ALJ. Who, by the way, has the highest denial rate of any ALJ out of Memphis. So a lot depends on the ALJ you receive.

So far so good, but I have heard the Bergmann and Moore broadcast three times now...