Very Rude Va 800 Call Taker

[mountain tyme]

I just need to vent this because I was very offened by how my question was answered..and it offends me to know that my Tax dollars is paying his salery...

today I called the VA 800 number to ask a question in regards to what code or rating numbers that the VA uses to rate Gerds..because I wanted to look it up to decided if my huband should seek an increase..

The guy who answered the call...asked me WHY DO I WANT TO KNOW...and if I had a legitimate reason to ask that question...

I explained to him that I wanted to see if a claim I was working on would merit a higher rating or percentage based on the VA criteria...he said that only the raters could determine that...

I told him that I know that but I wanted to check to see if the condition would warrent a higher evaluation.

he asked me again why I wanted to know...then I asked him...is there some policy that would prevent you from telling me...I mean all I need to do is go th the VA web site and look it up...but it is easier for me just to call and get the numbers then look it up...

HE REFUSED TO TELL ME THE what the numbers were...outragous...then when I asked to talk to someone who would know the numbers because obviously he did not...he told me he knew the numbers but would not give them to me because I did not have a need to know...

OUTRAGOUS...I then asked him to transfer me to his supervisor..and he told me that he was on another line...then I asked him if he was a veteran...and he said no...and I said thank the good Lord...for a real American Veteran would not want him to cover there back and he was a disgrace and had no business working for the Veterans and he was a leach to the american people..

I was so upset..that I told him May God Bless you for only he blesses little children and fools and he could choose what catagory he fell into ..Good By

MT

I'M STILL UPSET!!!

[Speaking Out]

You should call the 800# back and ask to speak to a supervisor. If no one is avaliable to talk to you, leave your name and number and request a return phone call. When and if you speak to a supervisor tell them what happened and that you would like to file a formal complaint and need to know who to send it to. You are exactly right about this and this person should not be answering the phones. This demonstrates clearly that within that call center there is a management problem because if this person answering the phone feels so comfortable treating a Veteran that way it tells you what message they are getting from management. If you don't get a return call, call again until you do. We need to use our Voices as Veterans to make this stop.

[mountain tyme]

I called and did ask for a supervisor will need to call again tomorrow...they close at 4pm...

it still is very unsettling for me...esp. since I most likely am not the only one to get the brush off...I can't even imagin is a timid little mouse called!! they would be intimated not to call again!!!!

outragous...

perhaps in God's ultimate plan of the day...was why of all people I was connected to him!! for I am not by any means a timid mouse....hummmm lucky for him I am medicated!!! *laughing...*

but I will file a complaint tomorrow he does not need to be working for the American Veteran with an attitude like that...and I am also glad that he can not say he is a veteran for that would have been the ultimate insult!

MT

[tssnave]

This is a good reason why our first question should always be "What is your name" and if they don't give out names on the VA 1-800 number (I haven't used it since I signed on with the DAV) then they should have a CSR number. This will put them on notice that you are taking notes.

Now, having said that - what a jerk (I have other words that are far more descriptive and more applicable to this guy but out of respect for Tbird's posting rules will limit myself to calling him a jerk)! I agree, this guy has NO clue what it means to SERVE. Plus, he's a complete idiot since the rating schedule is on the VA website so it is "as least as likely as not" that the GERD information you are looking for is on the VA website as well.

I hope you are able to track him down and the supervisor actually does something about it. Good for you for following up on it with a supervisor. Let us know how it plays out.

Thanks,

TS Snave

PS - Mountain, I must be a fool since God has blessed me and I'm not a kid anymore!! ;-)

Edited January 31, 2008 by tssnave

[Flatbroke]

I have been on Hadit for a short time and as yet have not voiced an opinon about things in general. And I am not trying to start a flame war here. Just voicing my opinon as a Viet Nam vet that has been fighting the VA since 1970 and did not get anything until 2004.

If we do something wrong we are judge by our PEERS.

But here we are forced to set and be judged by people that do not know who we are, what we have done, how we have behaved and how we protected our country, families, friends and comrades.

I believe that 25% of the people working for the VA should be combat Vets, and 25% vets. At those odds we would have a 50% chance of getting a decent shake. Rather than the 10% that we are getting now.

We served our county and then we are denied the basic dignities, services, and support that we were promised the day that we took our oaths to defend our country.

And even after the way we have been treated we would still step up and defend our country if it was necessary and the bored a--nine people that they have answering the 800# dont have a clue. All alot of them are there for is to collect a check without realizing that if it was not for us they would not have a job. While they are getting all thier benifits that they are dening us.

Sorry to rant, but to be rude to any woman is showing how the generation has been raised.

Semper Fi EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME UNTIL IT CHANGES

[Ricky]

Yes he should be repremanded for his actions for the contact team is the public relations section for the VA and such actions should not be put up with.

With that said - first he probably did not know the answer to the question. Second I ask that we keep in mind, that as a contact team member they put up with a lot from us and it tends to harden them. They receive thousands of calls a day from all over the country from irrate veterans that really let them have it. I know, I know they should not do this but like I said it hardens them and some actually begin to hate to deal with veterans (at this point they should leave the position). Third - keep in mind their original and real purpose - They are actually there to assist veteran with administrative questions about the various programs. They are not claims trackers and they really can not answer specific questions about specific claims (hince - the normally dumb answers one gets when they ask about their claims).

However, we have turned them into claims trackers and if you are lucky enough to get a vet on the phone you will get a good attempt at answering your question about your claim. However, he is just like one of us on hadit and uses his experience obtained in the processing of his claim (if he is a disabled vet) and his opinion.

I also am not trying to start a war, but the reality is their job is to discuss the various programs offered to veterans, explain how to apply for those programs and accept claims and other paperwork from veterans who walk in to the VARO.

Now with all of that said no matter what his damn duties are supposed to be, I assure you that not a one of his duties allows him to be a smart ass. My response to you, If I did not know the answer, I would have said, "I am sorry but I don't know the answer and you should really contact a VSO to assist you. Now if you do not have a VSO I can provide you with the number for the organization of your choice and I am sure they will assist you. This is a list of the various organizations and this is some of the things they can do for you."

Fire him up my dear friend and have him removed if you can for you are one of America's best and deserve much much better.

P.S. I am still waiting on God to bless this ole fool hahahahahaha

Edited February 1, 2008 by Ricky

[Josephine]

I am sorry this happened to you. To be honest with you, I ran into a

few just like him at my R.O, knew their names and no one gave a hoot

when I reported this.

It finally got so bad, I just couldn't handle it, now I plead ignorant

in order to allow my husband speak to them.

I always give them the needed information and nine times out of ten,

he gets to ask them the question.

It is a sad world out there.

When it happens to me, I take everything to heart and he can just

shrug it off.

I am too sensitive for this type of VA language.

I am so sorry, You deserve Better,

Betty