Tell Us How You Have Been Treated By Varo

[Pete53]

I am interested in what Members think of their VA. Please comment on your experience and are you glad or frustrated that your claim went to your VARO.

I will start mine went to Waco TX. Texas is so big we have 2 VARO's. Waco is slow but although it took way to long I think I was treated fairly. They did not lose paperwork my C File was complete except no Basic or AIT Medical Records.

The Chapter 35 handled by VARO in Musgogee Ok was pretty good although lots of paperwork and some appeals.

The Dallas VAMC was a mess but is getting better. If I need an operation I hope that I will get it done using Medicare HMO. The Department that does eye exams and issues glasses is terrible. The hearing Aids are good. My Primary Care Doc is good. Access to Medical Care is poor and the Pharmacy sucks.

Overall I give the VA that I deal with a C-.

[Chuck75]

Atlanta Varo awarded a "no brainer" claim for DB2 @ 10%, then finally upgraded it to 20%. Still have a problem with effective date of upgrade. (appeal)

The same VARO denied a claim that is based upon fully documented in service surgery, with the attending military doctor's statement in service records that the matter was "duty related". The claim was twisted by the VARO from loss of use/function of one of a bi lateral organ to total loss of function/use, and then denied based upon the existence of remaining function by the other organ. (Possible CUE and/or appeal? Which?)

The same VARO denied compensation for an injury that is/was untreatable, due to no treatment records. ????

Forty years later, the injury causes pain, is causing related problems, and is now just marginally treatable with a better than 50% chance of success. (50% chance of success was the optimistic estimate until new surgical treatment methods were finally approved, and seem to be more effective with much lower risk.) Since the injury is "combat related" and "combat veteran" status was proven, it is a probable appeal. This will perhaps be the hardest claim to win.

Other claims were "deferred", including one that medical evidence (treatment, tests, etc.) shows that scheduler 100% is justified. A C&P request by the ATL VARO was canceled by the VARO when it was obvious that the C&P was ordered without review of the medical records, which (by VA guidelines and practice) preclude tests that were scheduled. In any event, the C&P would need to be conducted by a specialist in order to try and counter existing medical treatment records and diagnosis.

To complicate matters, the claims automatically infer further claims, all are in the category of caused by or aggravated by diabetes 2. (And the VA recognizes (in writing) that they are.)

Jayg Posted Today, 06:20 PM

I don't see anybody else complaining about the VARO rewording claims. I guess that's just a Waco thing?

(that really isn't supposed to be pronounced "wacko" but it fits too perfectly. ) ]Yes VARO here in NJ. They too like to re-diagnose what is service connected ands what is not. I have gone from a osteochondral fracture to psuedogout, to degenerative disease and so on this is I am convinced at this point there way of telling you to piss off.Or to frustrate an already horrible situation, so you will give up i call it creative writing. and I am in the process of challenging this type of prejudice or judgmental mentallity.It seems that these folks can do and say what ever they wish make the rules up as they go with no Accountability.This is bound to create more of an issue for them in the future i believe and come back to haunt them.

[jc1950]

The Muskogee, Ok VA seems to be great to work with. Both claims I've filed have been approved pretty quickly when compared to the other postings I've read. The first was approved in about 6 months, and the second was approved in 4 months. I should give a lot of the credit to my rep at the DAV office. He worked on my claim and let me know what was going on.

The medical care at the Oklahoma City VAMC is not so great. It may just be my Doc, but he seems pretty disinterested in my complaints that aren't directly associated with my service connected problems. He complains if I use my personal doctor or a specialist on my own insurance, but doesn't offer much in the way of alternatives, and the waiting time for specialist are pretty long. Maybe I'm just looking for something to complain about. The VA has been good to me so far.

[vmo]

VARO Cleveland, very long process. My file sent to Detroit VARO for initial denial. Later a letter from Huntington, Wv VARO concerning BVA Appeal with a different vet's C-number/name along with mine(?). Appeal only was 7-years long. Oh well, started at 10%, appealed granted 30%. Good things come to those that wait----or may be have no choice!! VARO cleveland for this grade period warrants an: "F". "It is not a wise snake that bites it's own tail'.------Who said that?? <_<

[bm6546]

I'm still pretty new with the claims process. My claims are only a little over 2 years old, so I guess I can't complain yet. But I will give the Oakland Calif RO a D- because they are taking for ever, probably hoping I go away or die trying. I'm not going anywhere for awhile. The VAMC in Reno Nevada deserves a B+. I am happy with my appts and the people there are always very nice to me. Except the NP that gave me 2 C&P's, both negative. The VA clinic in Auburn Calif most definately deserves an A+. My appts are within a 30 day period and the people there can not be any nicer. When you call and ask them a question and they tell you they will get back to you in a day or so, someone actually calls me back when they say they will.

Overall, if you take the RO out of the picture, I am very happy with my treatment at the VA......so far. Stay tuned, I will let you know how it turns out.

Brian

[Guest Vietnam Tanker]

I may seem wierd but I have no complaints with the St Petersburg, Florida RO, My claims and all contact with them have alway's been done on a professional basis, never been denied or remanded on anything, I attribuate that to my years on HADIT as all my claims were well prepared and documented thanks to people like Mom Meg, Wings, Allen, Pete, Mike and Berta, I read I learned and I succeded on the very first go around on each and every claim I have ever submitted.

My PCP is at the New Port Richey Clinic and they treat me as well as I expect to be treated I would give them an A

The James Haley VAMC in Tampa is another story, long waits and severe attitude problems I give them a D

[rentalguy1]

Nashville VARO:

Initial claim awarded quickly in 1994 for back and bilat knees. I was recalled a few times for C&P's, and eventually had my back lowered from 10% to 0% becuase of a "resolved back strain." A Indian dr that barely spoke English performed the C&P. There was a large language barier, and he did not use a goniometer or even write the ROM's in degrees. I didn't know enough to fight it, so I blame the lowered rating on myself. Current claims have been working for 10 months and with the rater right now. I know a lot more this time around, so I am looking for a positive outcome. I will, of course, let everyone know what happens.

I did 6 years of college through Voc Rehab (only rcvd a AS degree), and all of that was fantastic. It was awarded quickly, and I received anything that I asked for. The counselors in Knoxville were awesome, too.

Overall VARO grade so far: B-

James H. Quillen VAMC, Mountain Home (Johnson City), TN

Very quick to schedule appointments. The ER wait isn't horrible. My first PC doc wasn't that great, but my new one is super! The C&P department is great. The only complaint I have so far is with the MH clinic. The regular MH docs are all good, but you have to see a different one each time. The counseling seems lacking, though. I had one counselor for a short time, and it was great, but she was a intern and her rotation changed. My new counselor, whom I have seen twice, only wants to see me one more time. I had been told during the first visit with her that this would be a regular, every other week appointment for a long time. Not sure what's up there.

Overall VAMC: A-

Austin, TX Outpatient Clinic

Nothing but good things to say about these folks. Everyone there was great. Each vet is treated with the utmost respect at this facility. I haven't been a patient there since 2001, but I doubt it has changed.