Va Told Me To Not Use Certified Mail ! ?

[free_spirit_etc]

I received my VCAA notice in June 2007. I kept asking for an extension of time to submit evidence, due to the VA NOT sending me a copy of my husband's C-file until right BEFORE that deadline - though I had requested it in June 2007.

I never heard one way or another on the extension - though I asked several times. So I DID submit the addtional evidence I HAD by CERTIFIED mail - BEFORE the deadline.

I also sent an IRIS that informed them of the certified mail being sent - and outlined what evidence I submitted - PLUS I informed them I sent them a copy (as they requested) of the Doctor Report - of which I only had the front page - and I was requesting the back page - as this is the medical report that was used to deny my claim.

We had a few more IRIS back and forth about that - They asked for the DATE of the medical report, I told them - the copy I SENT you didn't HAVE a date - THAT is one of the problems - there is NO date OR signature on the PART of the report I had.

I also informed them I had not received any decision on my request for extension - and that I had sent evidence by the one year deadline - but still wanted an extension for an IMO - AFTER the send me the rest of the doctor report.

They told me I had no active claims except for the burial claim. I have a few IRIS back and forth asking about THAT - and letting them know I had sent the evidence within one year - and I thought it would be readjudicated.

They just kept telling me that I had one year to file an NOD - but NEVER mentioned they did NOT receive the evidence I refered to (BY CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT NUMBER) in my IRIS.

And we played around with the getting the rest of the doctor report - again, with several IRIS about the CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT NUMBER. They finally said they had forwarded it to the Privacy Officer to get my a copy.

Still - No copy.

I followed up with an IRIS.

Was told they did NOT receive the copy I said I sent.

No one MENTIONED that in all the IRIS a couple months ago - when we were discussing the certified mail package I sent.

And they STILL keep telling me I have to file an NOD - and fail to acknowledge my requests to have my claim readjudicated as I sent additional evidence within one year.

SO when they said they didn't have the copy of the partial doctor report I sent - so they could find the rest of the report - I asked point blank - Do you have the OTHER evidence I sent in the SAME package. I even copied and pasted some of the previous IRIS where I had informed them that I sent the stuff - and the receipt number.

Got my response today.

"We carefully reviewed your file and we have no record of the information you submitted on 6-09-08. If you have additional information to submit, please resubmit by regular mail. It is not necessary to send it certified mail, sending certified mail does not offer any real advantage.

If you wish to appeal our decision, you have one year from the date of our notification letter to submit your Notice of Disagreement and initiate the appeals process. Submitting additional information will not start an appeal and we have not received the information you sent."

WHAT???

They are saying they do NOT have the evidence I sent by CERTIFIED mail - but now want me to resubmit it by REGULAR mail as "sending certified mail does not offer any real advantage."

What is that?

I am concerned because I sent evidence in regard to my son's disability / dependency in that packet. Now they will say they did not receive it within a year.

What is this stuff about sending it by certified mail offering no advantage?

They have lost my husband's dscharge physical. They have lost my burial claim. They have lost my father-in-law's burial claim. They have lost all the evidence I sent in June 2008 - and the copy of the parital doctor's report - and they are telling me to send things by REGULAR mail????

I am hoping that my certified mail receipt AND all the IRIS that I told them what I sent - gave them the receipt number - and they never mentioned they didn't get it until now - will help establish I DID send it.

And should they be advising vets/ dependents to NOT use certified mail (especially when they lose the certified stuff)?

Free

[cowgirl]

Gulf, I do similar, copies, CC listing on bottom to VSO, varo, etc (once cc'd a Dr. who wrote the opinion), then registered mail and follow up calls, Then I do iris checkins. The gripe I have is the registered mail reciept usually shows a quickly scratched name of the reciever. Thats all we get and keep it safe, eh? Now if we were attorneys, wonder if we'd get clear signature reciept for every titled page and page attached.hm.

Once I saw C&P exam scheduling area, mountainous stacks of records and papers. Processors there looked dazed, with several files in front of each cubby, phones in ears, computers on; didnt realize I entered the office, till I spoke up. Paper delivery was breif and pleasant; probably needed the fresh air.

Thanks Philip for reminder for getting current C file data, should be several pages since original copy I got.

Cg

I make 2 copies of my papers, one I send to my VSO and one direct to the VA regional office. Yes, I know the VSO sends my papers to the VA office but I want to be double sure that they get there. I use register mail.

[Philip Rogers]

CG - if the returned receipt's signature is unreadable, take it back to the PO and have them get the persons printed name that signed it. I do that all the time. jmo

pr

Gulf, I do similar, copies, CC listing on bottom to VSO, varo, etc (once cc'd a Dr. who wrote the opinion), then registered mail and follow up calls, Then I do iris checkins. The gripe I have is the registered mail reciept usually shows a quickly scratched name of the reciever. Thats all we get and keep it safe, eh? Now if we were attorneys, wonder if we'd get clear signature reciept for every titled page and page attached.hm.

Once I saw C&P exam scheduling area, mountainous stacks of records and papers. Processors there looked dazed, with several files in front of each cubby, phones in ears, computers on; didnt realize I entered the office, till I spoke up. Paper delivery was breif and pleasant; probably needed the fresh air.

Thanks Philip for reminder for getting current C file data, should be several pages since original copy I got.

Cg