Looking For A Link To Download Form 3542, Travel Pay Voucher

[Philip Rogers]

Can't find one. Not even at the VA's site. I wanna turn in mileage for the past 2 yrs. Thanks!

pr

[Philip Rogers]

rentalguy, sorry, I disagree. That info is from a VARO website. Either way I'll pursue my claim. BTW, the smiley faces are always unchecked when I post. It appears to be a flaw in the programing and was first noted by pete53 when posting 38 CFR 4.16( B) . Thanks!

pr

PR...that's for fee based care, or A&A care, not for travel reimbursement.

BTW...if you want to make it so the smileys don't show up in your post, uncheck the "enable emoticons" box below the post box.

Edited November 23, 2008 by rentalguy1

[rentalguy1]

That's strange with the smileys. I was able to take them out of both of your posts.

Can you give me a link to the VARO web site that has the travel info?

[Philip Rogers]

rentalguy1, I'll check on the smiley face things and see if I can correct it. It only happens w/the letter "bee." Here's the link: http://www.houston.va.gov/Patient_Travel.asp#3

pr

[rentalguy1]

They've got so much on that page it's ridiculous. They do list the regs that you posted earlier. You have to read way down the page, but they are there. I still contend that they are posted in error, however, because 38 CFR 17.126 deals solely with medical care, and not travel. After a lot of searching, I finally found the actual regs that deal with the laws prescribed in 38 USC 111. They are hard to find, because they used to be in 38 CFR 17 (sections 143-145), but now they are in their own, new part of the CFR's. The new reg was created in 2007 per 72 FR 140

(pp 40096-40105). These regs are now located in 38 CFR 70. The part that deals with dates is 38 CFR 70.20, and reads:

</h5>

<h5>§ 70.20 Application.

(a) A claimant may apply for beneficiary travel orally or in writing but must provide VA the receipt for each expense other than for mileage.

(b) A claimant must apply for payment of beneficiary travel within 30 calendar days after completing beneficiary travel that does not include a special mode of transportation.

© For beneficiary travel that includes a special mode of transportation, a claimant must apply for payment of beneficiary travel and obtain approval from VA prior to the travel; however, if the travel included a special mode of transportation and the claimant without prior approval applies for payment of the beneficiary travel within 30 calendar days after the travel is completed, the application will be considered timely submitted if the travel was for emergency treatment.

(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, for travel that includes meals and/or lodging, a claimant must apply for and receive approval prior to obtaining the meals and/or lodging in order to receive payment in accordance with §70.30(a)(3) for the meals and/or lodging.

(e) If VA determines that additional information is needed to make a determination concerning an application under this part, VA will notify the claimant in writing of the deficiency and request additional information. If the claimant has not responded to the request within 30 days, VA may decide the claim prior to the expiration of the 1-year submission period required by 38 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1) based on all the information contained in the file, including any information it has obtained on behalf of the claimant. If VA does so, however, and the claimant subsequently provides the information within 1 year of the date of the request, VA must readjudicate the claim.

(f) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, if a person becomes eligible for payment of beneficiary travel after the travel takes place, payment may be made if the person applies for travel benefits within 30 days of the date when the person became eligible for travel benefits.

(g) The date of an application for beneficiary travel is the postmark date, if mailed; or the date of submission if hand delivered, provided by electronic means, or provided orally.

I hope that you are able to make this happen, but I am afraid the VARO will end up having to do some changes to their web site. If you are able to reclaim travel monies older than the 30 days listed in the reg, please let us all know what you had to do to get it. That could be good for all vets.

[rentalguy1]

Sorry...almost forgot to post this: VA Form 3542

It's in PDF format, but it's non-fillable. You'll have to print it off and fill it out by hand.

[Philip Rogers]

rentalguy1 - thanks and sorry for the delay in getting back to ya. Been busy trying to buy a house. I appreciate you finding the form and the rules. I've never minded the VA bending the rules when it's in "my favor." I'll keep ya posted as to how I make out. Thanks again!

pr

Sorry...almost forgot to post this: VA Form 3542

It's in PDF format, but it's non-fillable. You'll have to print it off and fill it out by hand.