Snafu

[maxwell18]

In my termination to find whats going on with my claim I called the 800# and got this guy who sounded like he knew what was talking until revealing he didn't know the basic information on retro pay or the law changes allowing to draw full military and disability pay. This was a adult talking to a child (me) type of conversation. He let me know he was spending extra time with me as he was not in the red. I took that for talking to long to one vet. He agreed. I told it is a sad fact that they are timed on how long they can talk regradless if they help or not. Another part was the fact I have been told by several 800 people to contact a service org to help. I ask why do I need to contact them, he said they can counsel me. I told him I don't need counselling just what's going on with my claim. The FL state VA service officer could not access my records, I could make an appointment to see the DAV guy. This is totally screwed up, I should be able to a State VA Rep and see's going on with my file. The VA people (some) should be fired and the people that let them get away with crap should be fired also. Somebody needs to fix the VA instead of doing business as usual.

Bruce Maxwell CMSGT USAF ret

[Pete53]

Most of The people who answer the 800 number for the VA are dumber than fence posts.

[Berta]

"In my termination to find whats going on with my claim I called the 800# and got this guy who sounded like he knew what was talking until revealing he didn't know the basic information on retro pay or the law changes allowing to draw full military and disability pay"

Many veterans dont understand these changes either-and many VEt reps dont-

CRSC is an application-claim based program versus the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) program, which is an automatic entitlement from DFAS for any Retiree with a combined 50% or higher VA disability rating. Some Retirees believe they are already receiving CRSC when they are actually receiving CRDP and thus do not submit their claim for CRSC. If you are not certain what you are receiving, please check your DFAS pay stub and consider submitting your claim for CRSC. The following is a summary of the contrast between CRSC and CRDP:

Comparing CRSC and CRDP

CRSC Eligibility

Submitting a Claim

Comparing CRSC and CRDP

It is important to note that Retirees cannot receive both CRSC and CRDP and must elect one each year through an annual “program election.” Many retirees are confused about which is better for them. When making this decision, please note the following characteristics of CRSC and CRDP:"

etc --the chart as to Current Receipt criteria and comparison to CRSC is all at:

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-...aring-crsc-crdp

[Ron II]

As Berta indicated, one cannot be paid CRDP and CRSC at the same time. Please note that your disability ratings might not ALL qualify for CRSC. I am currently rated at 40 percent and not eligible for CRDP as my total rating is not at least 50 percent (presently under appeal). However, I am eligible for 20 percent CRSC as that portion of my disability qualifies for CRSC. The other 20 percent are non-CRSC qualifying disabilities.

Each case is different.

Ron

[Ricky]

Most of The people who answer the 800 number for the VA are dumber than fence posts.

Easy Pete - after taking my meds at night my fence posts tend to be very intelligent for we sometimes have long, well thought out conversations. Just wanted you to know that some of us do have smart fence posts..... hahahhahaha

Pete is correct - they hire these guys in and the training is very limited. If you happen to get a retired military guy or gal or one that is a disabled vet you may just do some good. However, with this new call center thing I have reached some of those "dumb fence posts" Pete is speaking of. It is not their fault for as I said the training is limited and they are expected to sit there when not on the phone and read VA crap to train themselves.

We often complain, to include me, that they can not read the dang computer screen, give wrong answers about where our claim is etc..... However, the original intent of them being there was to counsel veterans on benefits available. The providing us information on our claim status just kinda came along on its on as time went by.