Ethan'sGrandma

Hello To All, I've started to gather information pertaining to my VA medical care and I note some discrepancies in the file and in information available on myhealthevet...wondering if someone may have a suggestion for me? I noted the out of range glucose levels in previous lab tests on myhealthevet, but notice the test results are not all there, specifically, for a certain time frame. So, I recently requested a copy of my VA medical records at the local VAMC which I just received and test results are still missing. As well, the entire pcp visit for that time frame is missing from the file. I don't know what to make of it, heads nor tails, but it doesn't look good to me. I know, thereabouts, when I last visited that pcp which failed to diagnose my diabetes, but anything related to that time frame is not showing up in the records now. I am wondering how can that be? It's almost like the entire scenario is just gone. I did complain through the patient advocate at that time, mostly because I wanted the pcp changed, which was done, but I'd not pulled my records since. It just seems too crazy that there is nothing noted for that entire year in the file as far as going to the pcp, however, there is a listed prescribed medicine related to that time period which is still noted in myhealthevet under list of prescriptions which I have made a copy of, which shows, obviously, that I was seen in the clinic during that time since it's not like they've prescribed medicine for me without seeing the doctor, although the file is missing any information for the visit that day. This is not making too much sense to me, unless I entertain some dubious thoughts, and I don't want to go there yet. Stuff happens, I'm sure, but I'd hate to think records are being messed with and now that it is electronic, it certainly is not impossible. This was some time ago, which makes it more difficult to figure out, but I have to pay for services for VA care, so there is a statement somewhere that would show that I was charged for a pcp visit. I'm not real organized with paperwork, but I save too much stuff, so must be somewhere in my umpteen boxes of paperwork. Otherwise, I wonder if the billing facility would have a copy available? Even so, even if I find or obtain, what, if anything, can one do about it? If the records are gone, they are gone, but that is not good practice, at all. Wondering if anyone has experienced something similar? Thanks very much for any response.

I use Medicare for civilian care for mental health and have never had a problem with it, except on one occasion. I've never been asked if I had VA care, except at a medical clinic's lab department, but that was because there is a form that they required in case it was fee basis. Once I said no, it was not, I still had to complete their form, but was told to mark "no" under the VA care question. I wonder if that is what the practicioner you spoke with is referring to? Medicare does cover needed services, up to their payment levels, so I can't imagine why they would be telling you that. I've been using Medicare for years and my doctor's office doesn't even ask anything about VA accessibility, nor have they ever had a problem getting paid for the services allowed. The fee was only turned down once when Medicare didn't want to pay for therapy saying the treatment was static, but upon my appeal with a full explanation by me and doctor, they paid for it and have continued to allow for services. If the practicioners told you they were not sure, have they even worked with veterans, or do they accept Medicare assignment? It just makes me wonder if they prefer not to accept assignment since Medicare does not always pay the asked for rate, but the rate they allow. If the place accepts assignment, though, there is no cause for them to be doing that which is always best to ask, so there are no surprises. If you are doubtful, I would call Medicare directly if it were me, or it may even be in their handbook. Hope this helps...

Of course, I don't know if that would be the case here, but my son was given a c&p appointment for an increase that he had not requested. However, someone at the hospital he'd been an inpatient at had sent the information forward for an increase request was what information he obtained. In his case, it did lead to an increase in rating %. Mostly, make sure you don't miss a c&p appointment.

Rodin, I find your tracking posting interesting and think it's great that you've been able to see that, but it doesn't work for everybody, in my humble opinion. Mine says..."no data available." Crazy...right? Oh, and that's after somebody bothered to even list at least the date after I'd sent an IRIS request asking why my claims were not listed on ebenefits, seeing as I'd bothered to get that premium account. I got a call from this lady who said to me that the reason I couldn't see my claims on there was because there were some things the VA didn't want me privy to. I said...what? I asked her why the secretiveness, but she had no explanation, except that's the way they were handling it. This is a true story, BTW. A couple of days later, I did see them listed by dates, but with the no data stuff. So, for me that site has been totally useless as couldn't even access the personnel information through the Defense area on there. They sent me back a message saying they don't have that information, but to request them through the National Records Center. Funny thing is they don't have them anymore, either, and claim the VA has them. Good luck with that for me since my VARO does not cooperate with too much of anything, let alone requests...HA!! I'm surmising it must depend on the VARO and you must be with a more helpful one which is good for you. Good luck with your claim!

Thank you for your reply, John... Now I know that they do that and don't need consent (test for drugs/alcohol). So, I surmise there really is not too much privacy. Well, I'd already heard said that they own the records, so... Well, at least I got a smile out of your last sentence, not because it's funny that they believe that, but because it's so right to the point. Thanks!

Thank you very much for your reply, Berta. I've seen your very informative comments on 1151 before and I do believe that I have a potential claim for it, but am still not totally oriented about if I do, or not. I should have been diagnosed by the VA, or at the very least sent for further testing, in light of the out of range glucose test details that I was not aware of until now that I've signed up for the healthevet site and can see the actual test results. I had complained numerous times about what I later found out were symptoms, but always disregarded by with nothing is found for why the symptoms are there. Unfortunately, I knew very little about diabetes at that time, but on my last visit to the pcp I'd made the appointment because I'd been feeling so sick. I'd previously been alerted by a VA mh nursing staff that her review of my chart was not jiving well with her because her husband was a diabetic and my numbers didn't look right to her, but I had not been informed of that prior to her review, nor had any of my previous complaints of symptoms been taken seriously. She was going to question it with the VAMC staff and would get back to me. On my next visit, she said the following glucose test was within normal limits, so perhaps it was something I'd eaten and didn't remember since it was a fasting test. I knew I'd not eaten anything, but in consideration of what I'd been told that it appeared fine, nothing more developed from that. However, when I last saw the pcp with the symptoms, I informed her that the glucose had been out of normal range before as I'd been told, but she said my test results were not showing why I was having the type of symptoms I was presenting with. I had no other medical care at that time, besides the VAMC, but I went to the outside immediate care clinic a few days later because everything felt wrong with me, so I was not trusting that all was well as I'd been led to believe by the VA pcp. It was there that I was diagnosed by the simple prick test with sugars nearing the 600 level. They saved my life, I honestly believe, because they immediately gave me insulin several times, and treated me even when the clinic hours were past. I was not allowed to go home until the levels went below 300, with a referral for the endocrinologist, insulin, and a lesson on insulin use and what to watch out for, until I saw the endocrinologist. When I inquired of the immediate care doctor how it could happen as I'd recently been seen at the VA clinic, but was told that my levels were fine, he told me that it could not have been fine, but it was missed. His explanation made sense. He said that a fasting blood glucose does not always show out of range, but at the time of the symptoms if I'd been immediately tested, even with a blood glucose monitor, they may have caught it. He said with the high glucose levels that I'd presented with to him, I'd have to have been walking around with this for quite some time because, according to his experience, those numbers don't just get that high overnight. I'd never been tested with the monitor, nor was an A1C done at the VA clinic, nor did I even know at that time that existed. The numbers that I'm noting from the lab results I now find on healthevet are from a standard lab exam for primary care and one from the VA mh clinic that had been requested by the psych. I find only those two...one is 130, one is 169 both noted as "high" next to them, so they don't appear to be as high, but not within normal range, according to the Diabetes Association as I now know, even as they'd been done while fasting. The last one that was done, right before I was diagnosed days later, is missing from the site. I would always ask about any testing and was told everything looked fine, except for the cholestrol levels. Even so, I am overwhelmed with the requirements for an 1151 claim with the resulting disability as what I ended up with is the diabetes II, am insulin dependent, and carry a diagnosis of neuropathy which is creating havoc on my body, besides the diabetes. I was not aware that I was high risk for diabetesII until this happened to me as my diabetes education was minimal. I had gestational diabetes while on active duty, but I was not aware that could be a risk to diabetes II many years later. But, how can one get proper treatment if stating the symptoms, but no further development is requested from a doctor? I'd had symptoms numerous times and I'd taken them to the pcp always with the same response. The earliest glucose level out of normal range that I notice on there is from 2002, the same year I entered VA medical care, and my diagnosis was arrived at in 2004. I do believe that had I been properly heard and treated, I may still have been diagnosed, but it may have been before insulin would have become necessary. Can you be so kind and expand on your thoughts on this as it may relate to an 1151? Thank you very much, again, for your help.

Thank you for the reply, Carlie... No, they are not his initials. Plus, my other mh appointments from past history are not listed as such, but with mh, followed by doc's name. The new appointment has the mh, followed by the pac, then the doc's name. The difference and the manner in which I received the appointment were what was making me wonder. Thank you, though. I doubt this information would be readily available unless one were to work in that area, or at least, in the scheduling department. Again, thank you very much.

Hello To All, Wondering about some things here and wondering if anybody may be familiar with an appointment abbreviation? I signed up on myhealthevet and noted an appointment for mental health, but it's not listed as any of my other past appointments. It's noted as "mh-pac" and I'm curious if anybody knows what that would mean? The appointment came to me rather oddly, so my suspiciousness was alerted since I'd never experienced an offer for an appointment for mh, without me requesting it, certainly not for a mh evaluation. Is this a new way of VA doing things? Anyways, if someone is familiar with that abbreviation, I'd very much appreciate your sharing any knowledge about it with me. Then, I have a question regarding blood testing at VAMC? I suspect once I've placed myself under care of the VA medical, there's many things I am not aware of, but do we not have any privacy? I also noted that some drug tests were ran on me that I was not aware of. I don't do any type of illegal drugs, but it still bothered me that my pcp would have included drug testing with what I was surmising was a routine yearly exam, with the usual blood testing. I was very surprised that the blood test order had included for marijuana, cocaine, and I can't now remember what other drugs were being tested for, but all were illegal drugs. Of course, everything was negative as it well should be, but makes me question why she would do that? If asked about any drug use, I respond negative, since that is the truth. Am I to expect that what I say is not believed? Yet, that same doctor didn't catch important stuff from the blood test which is still boggling my mind and I don't know what to make of it. Well, that's what I get for signing up for what I thought was a good thing, even as I'm not so sure I'm liking some of what I'm noting on there. I've had trouble with that same doctor in the past, so she is not my doctor anymore, but I find it troubling that I should have been alerted to what could be occuring with my body before I was finally diagnosed with Diabetes by an outside provider in an emergency situation. I raised a concern at the clinic after I was diagnosed, just days after I'd complained to my pcp at VA about the symptoms I was experiencing. I was sent for a blood glucose test, but was told that everything looked fine, so she didn't know what could be wrong. I was sent home with more questions than answers because I certainly did not feel well. Yet, in looking at the previous glucose testing that had been done on me at the clinic, there appears to be levels out of more normal range that I was never informed about. At that time, the VA was my only source of medical care. The outside diagnosis came from an immediate care facility because I was not convinced that nothing was wrong when I was feeling deathly ill still days after I'd visited my VA pcp, and it turned out that I was, indeed, diabetic and the extremely high sugar levels was making it critical. Now, as I look at the posted lab results I note that the testing from my last visit to that pcp with diabetic symptoms has been left out. I know that I need to get up to the clinic and request a copy of my file for that time period, inclduing the lab tests, but it seems curious that the time frame in question is not also listed, even as everything else is. It could be an honest mistake (I'm trying to be real fair in my thining), but have medical information ever been known to disappear from the chart? Thank you very much to anyone that may have a response to my questions. I truly appreciate it. Please, everyone, may you all have a beautiful day!!

It doesn't seem to be that unusual to me, but I don't know if it's different VARO handling things differently. I did not get sent for mine until over four years had passed from the date of my claim. Then, I never did receive the letter for the actual exam. VARO notified me by mail to expect the appointment, but that it would come directly from my local VAMC. That was in Dec., 2009. The appointment never arrived. But, after a couple of weeks, I kept calling the local automated appointment line, until I hit pay dirt. On one of my inquiring calls, an appointment was listed for me at the VAMC for Feb., 2010, but it did not note what it was for. So, I called the VAMC, learned the appointment was for a C&P. At that point, I requested for a letter, anyways, but I never did get such a letter. It's a good thing I had the insight to keep at it, until I found the listed appointment, or I'd never have known it had been scheduled by the C&P department at the VAMC. So, it's great that this veteran has the letter and can call for the scheduling. My letter didn't say for me to call for scheduling, but that I would be receiving my appointment through the mail from VAMC which never did arrive. Best of luck with the claim to this veteran!

Unfortunately, I am with other comments about this RO. In my experience, it will be a long wait. My claim has been with them since Nov., 2005, denied and on appeal. The appeal has been just sitting there for over 1-1/2 years with no movement from them directly, or certified for BVA. In 2009, an IRIS request response told me the claim was awaiting an SSOC. In 2011, the IRIS response told me the same thing...awaiting the same SSOC. Since my C&P in Feb., 2010, I have forwarded more evidence to them to be placed in the file which should be favorable to the claim, but those are my thoughts only from the information that I've gathered, but if history serves me correctly, there is no telling what IN VARO will do with it. I have not had mail communication from them since Dec., 2009, not even any acknowledgements anymore of receipt of information, nor "we are working on your claim" letters. In my last IRIS request, they did include with their response an apology for the length of time involved. It is very difficult to know whether they receive paperwork/evidence, even with the USPS receipt showing they have, indeed, received. Once before, they attempted to cancel my appeal as "not timely," even as I had the signed postal receipt, showing date received. They ended up allowing it when I produced the said receipt, but it was nerve wrenching, to say the least. Other evidence and letters, including my request for DRO review, were claimed as non-received, even as I had the copies of what had been sent. I never did get that review, but went to a hearing which was a complete waste of my time, not to mention the hardship for me to just get there. Additionally, a particular VSO out of that office who is listed as my rep. has been of no assistance. Now, it seems that office is also claiming non-receipt of evidence, even with my postal receipt showing they also received. After the VARO claims of non-receipt, or late receipt of evidence, I've been sending a copy to the VSO for stamping and having placed into my VA file of what I've sent to the VARO. The VSO would send me a letter stating it was turned in to VA and date stamp noted, but important papers that I'd sent in May, 2011 were never acknowledged. Recently, I called the office about it and, apparently, they claim to never have received the evidence, either. From having dealt with the P.O. in that area, due to claims of non-receipt, etc., it does not appear to be a postal delivery problem, but a IN VARO issue with the mail once it is delivered to them. Since I do not live near to the VARO, there is not too much more that can be done about it since I can't just pay a visit, requesting to see the file, to see what is in it. I have not made a request for updated file copies since I do not want to disturb the claim further, but it seems pointless to do that, in any case. My husband requested some copies from them from his file, over 1-1/2 years ago and, as yet, nothing has been forthcoming. The IN VARO was not always this way. My husband went through that VARO back in the 90's and the service was excellent with both VARO and VSO. They were efficient and timely. Since then, too much has changed, but not favorable, or so it seems to me. This veteran has just been left to sort of just hang and wait out whatever it is they are doing over there. I agree that it would be best to work through an attorney with that particular VARO. I just have not gotten around to seeking out the information for that and pending that SSOC they spoke about since 2009. I suppose, eventually, I will be forced to do that if the claim just continues to sit there and I can't get better assistance from the VSO. This whole claim issue was so pathetic that when my hearing date came up, I made the trip to Indianapolis, and my VSO did not even have me listed in their computer as having a hearing that day, even as I'd called him to confirm a few days prior. The receptionist went looking for him somewhere in the building to inform him that my hearing was coming up...good thing he wasn't off that day. I know that there is no way he was reviewing anything in my file, so he was not prepared. Of course, he is the VSO, not the VA, but it sure leaves me wondering. If this is the way that IN VARO continues to operate, it would behoove a veteran to get real good representation from the get go, or expect a longer than what is expected wait, in my humble opinion. I'm sorry that I don't have anything better to say about that VARO.

I don't get it...can someone please enlighten me? I'd really appreciate it!! So, if a person has been going to mh, already has a diagnosis of PTSD, including from VA docs, but the C&P examiner does not concede the PTSD, what is the criteria VARO will follow? In other words, which doc is believed? Geez, this is so confusing!! I'm surmising veteran rydastar has been going for treatment, so what does the VA do in a situation where the medical opinion is contradictory? Thanks all for any/all information!!

Thank you very much, Berta...

First of all...Hello to All!! I have been pondering and researching as much as I can 1151 claims, but still am not sure if I have a potential claim for VA doctor's failure to diagnose diabetes. At the time of my actual diagnosis by outside provider, I was not even aware of 1151, nor FTCA. From what I have gathered, FTCA claims have a two year limit, so too late for me, but am trying to inform myself about 1151 claims, which I first saw the information on Hadit, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. A bit of background: In '04, I was being treated at the VAMC outpatient clinic, solely, due I'd lost my private health insurance. I went to the clinic severely complaining of what I now know were diabetes symptoms. The primary sent me for a fasting test, but said the test was not showing sugar levels for diabetes, so nothing more developed from the clinic visit. The symptoms did not abate within several days, but did not know what to think/do, even as feeling so ill, since the VA doctor said she couldn't see what was wrong, but I was trying to come up with a different plan to get evaluated/treated, without health insurance and no funds to pay for it...out of work, out of insurance, and out of luck, or so it seemed. As lucky for me would have it, those same couple of days had my husband's 100% and ChampVA eligibility for me letter arrive in the mail. So, feeling at some critical level of illness, I got myself to the local immediate care facility, presenting symptoms of diabetes, which was duly diagnosed at the facility. The doctor there was very surprised that I was there with such high levels, not having been treated for diabetes, nor that I had not gone towards further complications of diabetes, such as confusion, or coma. He said that I must have been walking around with this for some time because the levels don't just go up that high, all of a sudden. I was treated there with several injections of insulin, over hours, until the level went under 300 before I was able to go home, with follow-up care referred to the Endocrinologist at their clinic. I wasn't clear about a lot of things back then regarding diabetes. I'd been diagnosed before with Gestational Diabetes while I was pregnant while on active duty, but I was not aware that could heighten the risk to someday having DM II. Additionally, I'd been complaining for years with symptoms, but always disregarded, even as the one and only person that caught the testing was showing diabetes through VA blood tests (my psych. counselor at the time who was also a nurse and whose husband was a diabetic), but the medical side never concurred, or did further development to properly evaluate. So, I was perplexed that it had not been caught sooner, definitely on the last visit that I presented the symptoms to my VA primary doctor. I questioned the immediate care doctor of how something like that could be overlooked as I'd been in medical treatment with the VA, including complaining of what I now knew were diabetic symptoms in the last few days, but the fasting test came up normal. How he explained it to me made sense, sort of. He said that fasting testing does not always show high glucose levels, but when presenting symptoms of diabetes, the blood pricking test was what was going to get it, right then and there, or the A1C. He reiterated that there was no way he would believe that I'd just become a diabetic, due to high levels, but I had to have been walking around with this for years. After the initial diagnosis, I am insulin dependent (different types have been tried), with additional oral medication, watching my diet, etc., but the levels still remain higher than they should be, for the most part. I am trying to not become discouraged, but, after the fact, I am now diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy. I don't know if having gotten evaluated sooner would have made a difference, but I was very put off by the VA doc's failure to diagnose, nor to take my symptoms seriously enough to do a further evaluation. I did go back to the clinic, to the PA, complained about the missed diagnosis, mostly because I insisted the doctor be switched as my primary for any further care at the VA clinic. Unbeknowest to me, I did have to see her once when she was placed in Women's Healthcare as the doctor for that department (I wasn't aware she had been placed as the doctor for that before I made it to the appointment). It was just for a pap/mammo, and general women's care (that's my one yearly visit to the clinic to maintain myself active), but once I was aware she was the doctor for that, I refused to obtain any further treatment from her in any capacity, due I do not trust her judgement in evaluating medical issues. She's still there, as she will surely be, and the clinic once again tried to place her as my primary doctor when the latest one was reassigned for certain cases, but I refused and insisted that I would follow all the available channels to see that she was not ever assigned as my doctor. So far, I have managed to be accomodated for that. So, in my mind it brings up to question the section 1151 claims which I was not aware of before. Can a failure to diagnose a chronic condition be a factor? The most reason that I am interested is because the only other (besides Medicare) health coverage that I have is through ChampVA, but it is never a given that my husband's rating will remain at 100%, regardless of the P & T, nor the "no future appointment scheduled" wording, so there is no surety that I will always have access to that coverage. I have my own VA disability claim in the system, but as yet, there is no rating in sight, nor do I have a clue what they will decide on the last go-round of additional evidence that I've submitted. As it sits now for six years, there's no telling how it will go, nor how many more years before the appeal wings its way through the system, so I'm wondering if this could be another avenue for me? Thank you very much for any information/suggestions...

If it were me, I would not give up my time for the NOD. There is no telling, really, if they will respond before the time for that is up. For my claim, they've had stuff just sitting for at least 16 months, from this last time. After speaking with my VSO, who went and actually looked at the folder, I was informed that it looks like there's a pend date of Nov., 2011 posted on it, which would make it at least 21 months before anything is done with it, so no, there is no telling how long before communication happens. Good luck with your claim!!

Cooter, Were you under CSRS, or did you switch to FERS? If under FERS, the amount they take is 60% of whatever the SSA amount is. That's how it's worked for me.

Oh no, I didn't, but I guess I did read this on here!! I note where somebody wrote "but I will ask a little leniency from them on men just being men." You know what that sounds like to me? It sounds like a lot of the same patterns of thought that go on with a lot of that sexual harassment and the like that still continues, unabated, even as we are more aware now. Really? Is this a real expectation? True, there are still more men than women in the military, as would make that more male veterans than females, but that doesn't take away from the fact that we are ALL veterans. Leniency for being male? Aha, I seem to remember a lot of that going on...

Interesting post, IMO. Congratulations on your due benefits!! Please forgive me, but I didn't notice anybody on here suggesting anything you're talking about in this post, nor do I expect they would. I've not been around here too long, but it seems to me, most people are just as plain helpful as they can be, just sharing their gained knowledge. So, in my confusion, I don't understand why you felt you needed to add the "rich" or "lazy" part and "worked hard my whole life," etc. I know that some people do think that about any benefits, be it VA, SSDI, or whatever, so the least said to nobody needing to know our business, the better it is, many times over. However, some people on here, from what I've noted, are here to ask about claims, others are on here to give whatever help they can. So, not here to judge anybody, just asking & passing on knowledge, so just makes me wonder. Again, so glad for the decision on your claim!!

I don't understand your question. If they are not legally married, according to the laws of the state they live in, are you suggesting that shacking up makes her ineligible? If she is eligible, I don't understand why it is bothering you, unless, it's for some other reason. You're going to do whatever you aim to do, regardless of any suggestions on here, but if I were you, I'd not be causing grief for people because I don't agree with their living arrangements. Are we going to be expecting VA to become like the moral police? Please!! As if they don't have enough they could be working on!! I could see if she was fraudulently obtaining benefits, but because she's living with some guy? I hate to break it to you, but look around you...society is not what it used to be!! If it were me, I'd be asking myself just why this would be bothering me?

Well, I certainly believe it!! Actually, one checkup per year is surprising me right at this very moment. I went for mine recently, including women's health, and was asked by my primary NP if I'd like to come in every two years from now on, instead of one. I said, no, I don't like!! I'm not trying to take up another one of their spots for somebody else that needs it, but I'm sick of them acting as if I have to beg for care, at the local VA clinic that I go to. I only go there once a year, to keep myself on the system, so they don't get any bright ideas to boot me off. I have mayor health problems, but I don't use the VA for that because now I have another means to take care of it. However, I've not always had other availability which is what prompted me to start using the VA, to begin with. But, I'm not chancing not having access if my other availability is lost, or if I'm denied needed care, as has also happened, and I've had to turn to the VA, temporarily, until the appeal of denials was favorable. I am grateful for what I have been able to get, especially, when I had no other health care available, but I'm super grateful that except for annual check, I can go somewhere else. In the not so distant past, when I had no other alternative but to go to the clinic, I was so grateful that the other means came through for me, shortly after I'd visited their clinic. I'd felt so ill, made an appointment to be seen, but failed to get the proper diagnosis. It turned out my complaints/symptoms were due to diabetes, which apparently I'd been walking around with for quite some time, but it was a doctor at an immediate care facility that finally diagnosed it when I became so sick, I took myself over there, even though just three days earlier I had been seen at the VA for the exact same symptoms. It was a good thing that I didn't simply take the VA doc's word for it that she couldn't note anything was the matter. I still can't figure out how it was missed, although, the diagnosing doctor had an idea, which still boggles my mind. So, I do wonder, what else is new?

It didn't happen to me for the hearing, but I've experienced the need to stay on top of things myself, or I'd be out of luck!! For my C&P, I received a letter from the VA, stating my local VAMC would be contacting me for the exam. I never got the notification for the exam!! However, since I had been forewarned to await for the information, I kept calling the appointment line, until the "aha" moment when there was an unfamiliar appointment for me. I had to track it down through the VAMC, to make sure I wasn't going to miss it. The office still did not ever send me the notification, even as I requested it from them, once I got them on the phone. I also wondered if they were hoping I would simply miss the exam!! No, the hearing is not supposed to be confrontational, but I sure would have liked to wipe the smirk off that representative's face!! From the wording on the next denial SSOC, it became obvious to me that she had already made up her mind, before I was even given the chance to speak. I don't think she even heard what I said, seriously!! Bottom line, many times we really do have to stay on top of everything, even with a VSO. In my case, it was unbelievable to me, the VSO didn't even have me on his calendar for the hearing day!! Apparently, he had forgotten!! Once I arrived, they went looking for him (he'd stepped out of the office). To think, I had even phoned him to confirm, previously!! Good luck with your hearing!!

I suppose that's the catch-all phrase, perhaps..."Be in receipt of benefits from BVA via direct deposit." That would not have worked for me since I'm still fighting to obtain a rating, so don't get anything. However, even my local outpatient clinic (which does have a release of information office), nor the VAMC I traveled to, would give in-person verification for ebenefits, only for the myhealthevet in-person. It's great if it will work for someone else! However, it's also been my experience that what is posted, or stated, is not what is always followed.

I can't confirm that, but it would make no sense to me, since two ID's, including one with SS # listed were required for my husband and me to obtain the premium level. We went to the Chicago RO, so don't know if another RO would be different. However, when I looked up the required information, prior to making the trip, the information given was that the ID's were required. Additionally, in the online information, they also stated a DD214 would be required. Thankfully for me, the RO I went to didn't ask for it, but just looked up my info. on their system, since I've misplaced mine and have been unable to get it from the National Records Office people. Good luck!

I went to the VAMC, but they wouldn't do it there, at least not at the one I go to, not for the premium level for ebenefits. They only do the in-person for the myhealthevet. I had to go to the nearest RO for the ebenefits premium level. I thought the same thing and made the trip...it would give a clearer picture to me as to what is happening with my claim. Well, as it turns out in my case, it was worthless!! Yes, I have access, but there is nothing showing up with my claim. So, I sent an inquiry, got a call this morning, but does not make sense to me. The woman that called said that not all claims are posted on ebenefits, for security reasons. What the heck? I can't even imagine why my claim would pose a security question!! There are no secrets there, or with me...lol!! Just makes me wonder exactly what are they trying to keep from me? In any case, if you do go to be verified, I hope you have better luck than I did, but don't be surprised if it's not all you thought it might be!! About the only thing that getting access was good for was to obtain some military records, through a link, but even then, barely anything there...

Hello Mike, If I am understanding you correctly, when you applied for SS benefits, you were of full retirement age for SS purposes? If that is correct, then your SS benefits would be considered retirement , not disability. The reasoning that they use is because on SSDI, once approved, you are awarded as if you were of full retirement age, regardless of true age, if not being of full retirement age. In fact, when an individual turns what is considered for them (by birth year) to be of full retirement age, SSDI benefits become noted as retirement benefits. I hope that answers your question. In case you weren't aware, most of their information is listed on their website: www.ssa.gov Congratulations on winning your appeal for unemployability!

Hello To All, I hope I'm posting this in the right section. If not, please forgive me. I am so confused, but asking questions through the IRIS just got me more confused. I have been battling with this claim since 2005, still on appeal @ VARO, not certified to BVA as of yet. Below is the response that I received today per my request for status of my claim. I read it, clearly, honestly I do, but I am so overwhelmed with this, that it still makes no real sense to me. Can someone please help me decipher this message from VA? Why are they still holding on to this appeal? It's just as more twisting of words, it seems to me, because I don't understand what else are they waiting for to certify this appeal? Everything I've sent them is not noted in their message, but they have everything they could possibly need. So, if they're not going to re-evaluate anything, this could take more years before it ever gets certified to BVA. They already have everything that I have, including my diagnosis from VA psych., and everything else required, but still I wonder... what can they possibly be waiting for? I've read on here that it's best for the claim to remain with VARO, but if VARO is not going to act on this claim, why not just send it to BVA, so this can, at the very least, be placed on the docket, someday to be looked at? I did not want to obtain an attorney, but am in the process of asking about it, even if all the work that I have personally done with my claim, even as I've struggled with it, just be to make it easier for someone else to take the credit, never mind a nice chunk, if I am eventually granted. Yet, I'm almost at my limit of trying to deal with this claim, so I'm thinking, it may not be a bad idea to allow someone else to be the messenger. In any case, I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom someone on here could offer. Is the message I am reading saying the claim will eventually get certified, but VARO can still make a decision before that? Or, is the VARO done with it, just holding on to it, for whatever reason, before sending it to BVA? Thank you very kindly for any response I may get. "This is in response to your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated May 10, 2011. We apologize for the length of time it is taking to complete your appeal. According to our records you have two appeals pending in our system. Notice of Disagreement (NOD) dated November 6, 2007: We received your NOD for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on November 6, 2007. We released a statement of the case (SOC) on August 8, 2008. You attended a formal hearing on July 21, 2009. We released a supplementary statement of the case (SSOC) on September 16, 2009. Our records indicate VA Form 9, Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA), was received on October 7, 2008. NOD received November 7, 2007: We received your NOD for Benign skin neoplasms on November 7, 2007. We released a SOC on December 30, 2009. Our records show that you attended a formal hearing on July 21, 2009. We released a SSOC on February 26, 2010. Our records indicate VA Form 9, Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA), was received on February 26, 2010. At this time, your appeals are awaiting review by a member of the Appeals Department at your regional office. This review is necessary to ensure sufficient documentation has been received to support the appeal. Once this determination is made, the appeal will be certified as such, and forwarded to BVA for processing. If it is determined additional information and/or evidence is required to make a decision, you will be notified via U.S. mail. If additional information or action is not required, and a decision can be rendered, you will be advised of the decision via U.S. mail. We appreciate your service to our country! Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message or see our other contact information below."