smilen66

If I may , I'd like to piggyback on what everyone has said and add additional info from M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 1. Post-Determination Team Introduction This topic contains general information about the Post-Determination Team, including • the function and responsibilities of the Post-Determination Team, and • the types of issues handled by the team. Change Date September 27, 2004 a. Function and Responsibilities of the Post-Determination Team The Post-Determination Team • develops and processes non-rating end products (EPs) • promulgates ratings (which may include development for an inferred issue when evidence is not needed from a third party) • prepares notification letters, and • completes entitlement determinations for issues not requiring a rating. b. Types of Issues Handled by the Post-Determination Team Types of authorization issues handled by the Post-Determination Team include, but are not limited to • accrued benefits claims not requiring a rating • apportionment decisions • competency issues not requiring a rating • original pension claims not requiring a rating • dependency issues • burials • death pension, and • specially adapted housing and initial CHAMPVA eligibility determinations when a pertinent rating is already of record.

Hmmm, this is interesting... this is a letter I received today from IRIS regarding my claim status. By the way, I couldn't help but notice we have the same VARO.The only thing I can really say and hope and that is hopefully it really won't be that long! This is in response to your inquiry dated July 23, 2009, concerning the status of your claim. We are pleased to inform you that your claim decision is complete. It still needs to go through a review process to ensure accuracy. We can not forecast how long it will take to complete the review and to receive your letter of notification. We appreciate your patience during this process. It is a pleasure to serve you. Thank you for your service to our country. Sincerely yours, E. J. Kruse National IRIS Response Center Manager

Cowgirl, I like your suggestion and will do a inquiry through (IRIS) tomorrow! Thank you!

Pete53, I was pretty excited when she said a rating decision had been made. However, I'm now starting to question whether(?) I heard signature or signatures. At any rate, it will be wonderful feeling to have money in the saving account. Thanks for your well wishes.

Hi Carlie, No, I haven't provided them with any bank account information. How long does it generally take before I receive an official notification? Thanks.

Berta, I would be most grateful for 30% but I'm hoping for at least 50%. I have a student loan to payoff and the V.A. hasn't charged me yet for any prescriptions (9 of them). Thanks.

Thank you, Cowgirl.I wish I knew for sure the tea would help. Unfortunately, I have anxiety and there is not too much I'm not anxious about. On a positive note prayers are answered!

Thanks for all the congrats! I will keep all informed! Have a great day, everyone! Lenora

Luckily, I can see my mailbox from my house and I know the approx. time mailman delivers mail. For the next few days, I will stay close to home with phone nearby. That's one call, I don't want to miss!

I spoke with a V.A. CSR today and was told my claim was rated last Friday! Of course she didn't have any details to share other than they have to get signatures and she also mentioned my son who is considered a "helpless child" (V.A. terminology) I'm trying not to be too excited because this could be a denial and it is unofficial. I rather stay on the optimistic side of things though. Also, I learned last week (hadit.com) you have to be at least 50% before dependents can be claimed...or something like that. I'll keep you posted. Lenora

V.A. Forms can be found at: VA Form Search List (http://www.va.gov/vaforms/) or via WARMS (http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/) click on “VA Forms” in the left-hand sidebar), which will greatly reduce the number of forms that must be kept in stock. You may have to copy address and paste in URL. VA 119- point of contact form attached: Point_of_Contact_Vaf_119_1_.rtf

Purple, I just recently (last week) received a welcoming letter from Medicare The phone numbers are MyMedicare.gov 1-877-607-9663, Medicare General Questions 1-800-633-4227 and Coordination of Benefits 1-800-318-8782. My premium for Medicare part b is $96.40 (will be deducted from SS), according to handbook this is the standard premium, for incomes under $85,000.00. Lenora

Rockhound, Broncovet & All: It does seem the V.A. initial intentions were pure. However, I don't understand why it seems there is no system for accountability in place. How can you get paid for 8 hrs of work when you have only worked 4 or 5? etc. Sounds like leadership problems to me. Maybe the claims processing model they are using needs to be reevaluated. This new and improved model is suppose to speed up the claims process. Some of what the two of you have shared about the team work ethics seems criminal.In any every organization employees should be held accountable for their work performance etc. Not sure if I would want some members of that team to handle my claim nor would I want my c-file transferred there. . Oops, I guess I wouldn't have that choice , besides... unfortunatedly I'm not old enough ...seems discrimnatory to me. Thanks for sharing guys! P.S. That was a great exercise (posting) for the brain!

Please forgive my ignorance but who/what is the "Tiger Team". I've heard of the team through hadit.com, but never before. Thanks, Lenora

Amen!

Thank you so very much for sharing your time and wisdom!

You're right about each state being different and I think it depends on the organization you work for.

Thank you...I will check it out.

I was a state employee. Here is the skinny..."The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIP-NC) is a benefit provided at no cost to eligible employees who participate in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Benefits are available to eligible employees who become continuously unable to perform the duties of his/her usual occupation due to a mental or physical incapacity while actively employed. DIP-NC consists of short-term and long-term disability benefits."

Questions: Since, I've already filed claim and it is the raters office, should I wait to hear from VARO before submitting another claim? Do I need evidence of talking to a psych over the years for orthopedic problems, when I file the new claim? Thank you for your time! Lenora

Larry, I am currently receiving Social Security Disability as well as State Disability for the stroke. You're right driving while on lots of meds can be a chore. The state of N.C. won't allow me to drive on the interstate because of anxiety and I only drive during non-peak hours because of the meds.

Okay from 2:50 until now or maybe a couple glasses wine later , I've been thinking of the submitted wonderful hypothetical yet true story. To say the least I enjoyed the hypothetical story, being in my formal life a "retired reading teacher". There was a perfect beginning, middle, and inferred ending. Missing in your hypothetical story were many details that could only come from me. True story in this is "Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a US veteran. This veteran had suffered an injury, oh, say 40 years ago. He had documentation of this injury, both in his service medical records, and after discharge. He turned in a claim for this orthopaedic injury, and another claim for Major Depressive Disorder secondary to the pain that he had suffered for 30 years with the orthopaedic injury". Now for the details of the hypothethical yet true story: 1. I can remember year to year (unable to connect the dots back to service), going to my private doctor for either the neck , shoulder, back and hips. 2. The pain was sometimes intolerable especially with the shoulder and back. My neck discomfort I learned to live with. 3. I continued to work as much as possible for 24 years after service as a classroom teacher (9 years), then reading teacher and assistant principal. It was youth, the birth of my own child (now 27) and other people's children that kept me going psychologically during that time frame. 4. I can remember seeing a counselor or psychologist for general life and anxiety issues off and on. 5. Then at the age of 50, I had a stroke primarily because I had high blood pressure and I spent the last 2 years of my career working under a great deal of stress. 6. The only mention of pain to a psychiatrist was made after the stroke. The stroke affected my right side and my injury was on the right side. The stroke exacerbated the pain from the injury. 7. Now, I spend a lot of time resting (on lots of meds), reading and very light house work. Infact, by the time I get up take meds, shower, do 1 or 2 things around the house, feed pet, maybe go to Dr. appt., and eat, it's almost time to retire. Not a pretty story and I know of worst stories from reading post on the site. I have only one question...where do I go from here? Thanks for a wonderful story and comments! Warmly, Lenora

Larry and all:The claim filed was for my neck (bi), right shoulder, hip (bi) and upper and lower back (right side). My accident occurred more than thirty years ago...It is well documented in smr and private medical records. MY C-file is in the rater's division. The results from the 1st exam (according to xray report) are as follows: Shoulder: Degenerative changes noted of the acromion (with osteophytic spurring),coracoid,humeral head, glenohumeral joint inferiorly (?) and cystic changes at site of rotator cuff. Hips: Bursitis Neck (cervical Spine): Degenerative changes with bridging oteophytes of c4-c7. Chronic compression noted c5-c6 estimated 10% for each. Foramen narrowing on the of c5 and c6 right (claimed) and c3 through c5 left. Bilateral carotid calcifications. ( I had mri this week because of nerve pain) Back: Muscle spasms, dull ache. John and All: The medical condition is a stroke and not sc. Thanks to both of you!

Good Morning All, My private Psych moved away a couple of months ago. He suggested I go to V.A., because visits were too costly ($40.00). Long story short, I had my 1st visit last week. I received a copy of mr(this week) and I do not understand the medical jargon, please help if you can. Axis I: Mood d/o sec to GMC, Cognitive d/o NOS Axis II; def Axis III: s/p CVA wR sided weakness. chr pain (I understand this line) Axis IV: Mod-prim support, sig limitation in functioning AXIS V: 50% By the way, I did not file a claim for this because I don't think it is sc. Thank you in advance for your input and have a great day! Lenora

It quite refreshing to hear positive news!