The Screens Available To 800 No. Representative

[Ron II]

I recently read about a screen that is available to the 800 number operators. It would be helpful if someone could post a list of known screens that the VARO uses to answer telephone inquires and the significance of specifically asking about one or more screens (what information can be gleaned from each). I contacted the VA telephonically yesterday and I'm quite sure the representative just shook me off as quickly as he could.

Thank you...

Edited December 6, 2007 by Manitou Sprgs

[Berta]

Often the screens are updated late Friday- but Monday AM is usually a bad time to call the 800# as they are so busy-

They only seem to have access to the VACOLS screen- for all appeals in progress and then the COVERs screen (often you have to ask what that one specifically says) to get the physical presence of the C file.

Some reps will give you the latest and some wont.

I recently got a talker- one guy 3 weeks ago told me that my claim was with DRO # 3- and then when I called to ask who # 3 was- in order to send them my additional IMO he said the claim was now with ____- the same DRO who had already appeared to have messed up my claim in 2005-

I irised them and never got a response-to make it clear that the last DRO of 2005 cannot make a decision on this claim again-and I stated the regs on that-

I will check later to see who has it now-

(it might have gone to this other DRO due to the complaint I filed recently with Gen COunsel against my former POA rep who she had a "lengthy conversation" (per my POA Director)with in 2005-

this conference occurred because I raised Hell as my evidence had again not been considered in an SOC.

The POA rep claims he presented all of my medical evidence and IMOs to her during this long conference- but the SSOC said that he was there in my behalf and I had only submitted internet printouts-

I often wonder what that "lengthy" discussion involved.

I have also requested a formal telephonic conference with the DRO who has my AO claim with no Iris reply uet- so will do that by letter when I get my additional IMO.

I think anyone who elects a DRO should read over the DRO's job description and hold them to it:

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:3nC0w...us&ie=UTF-8

And hold their POA accountable for their Mission statements too.

I wish we had access to our own claims screens.

[Christopher]

Imagine if we could have access to our own screens.

Nah..then that might free up some VA employees to work on the backlog.

Or better yet..it might alleviate a lot of frustration suffered by the claimants(us mushrooms)..they keep us in the dark and feed us ****!

Don't mind me..I'm just venting.

[Pete53]

Berta:

I asked for a DRO Hearing and got the guy who made the original decision who would not entertain the idea that he did not consider that he had not considered Housebound when he made the decision in 1996. He made his DRO decision in 2 days. It was a big No

[Berta]

That is against their own DRO policy in M21-1 Pete-

If the same DRO reviews their own past decision they are not going to admit to any mistake they might have made on it-

I think the 2005 DRO got my file because of the POA complaint I filed

-

because my former rep needs her to say something about the SSOC to get out of trouble-

DROS are supposed to fill out reports of any formal or informal conferences with a claimant or POA.

If her report does not mention my IMOs -he is in trouble-

if it does mention my IMOs she is in trouble-

I have not asked the VARO for a copy of her yet report because it would only be one more thing to hold up my claim.

What the Rep told me after this conference was so incredible that I didnt even tell the GC-let him tell them what he told me- it was ridiculous-

when these reps act like God and have the quick know it all answers- in my opinion- they often are just talking out of their rear ends.

[Ricky]

If you asked for a DRO hearing how the hell could the rater be the DRO also. DRO's do not rate and issue initial decisions. If he issued the original decision he is not a DRO and something funky is going on at that VARO. JMHO

[Torvald]

Berta:

I asked for a DRO Hearing and got the guy who made the original decision who would not entertain the idea that he did not consider that he had not considered Housebound when he made the decision in 1996. He made his DRO decision in 2 days. It was a big No

Pete,

This doesn't seem right. I don't know if there's a regulation against it, but it just seems downright unfair for a DRO to review a decision that they had issued earlier. The whole idea of having a DRO review is for a fresh set of eyes to look at your appeal and give you a second opinion. To be completely impartial, it would need to be someone who had not previously been involved.

Not sure what the best process would be to object to what happened, but perhaps you could start with filing a written complaint via the IRIS system, along with a request that a second, impartial DRO be immediately assigned to re-review your appeal. If that doesn't work, you could write to the VARO Director with the same complaint, with a cc: copy sent to your local Congressperson.