Varo Called And Said They Made A Mistake

[Rockhound]

A rep from my VARO called me today and informed me that they had made a mistake and had not listed one of my secondary conditions, I had listed in my new claim, on the C&P exam I was to be scheduled for. They had already sent out a VCAA letter and a letter saying they were going to schedule a C&P exam, but the exam they had scheduled did not consider this missing secondary condition.

After discussing the error and all, I noted they had also made another error in that they were looking at the claim as a claim for an increase and not as a claim for secondary conditions. The claim was to SC secondary issues as a result of the already SC condition.

The rep said they would be sending me out another letter with the correction in it and that their may not be a need for another C&P, that they will have my previous medical records reviewed by their medical reviewer to see if their is a need for another C&P exam.

This is a first for me, has anyone else had such a call and were able to seemingly get things straightened out? Of course, only time and this new letter will tell me for sure. I can only hope.

Rockhound Rider

[jbasser]

Rockhound you would think they are walking on pins and needles. The actually helped me a couple of years ago but I still believe it was by accident.

I am absolutely doumbfounded by their omission of making a mistake.

Great Job and I feel you got lucky.

J

[Wings]

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Was the VARO "rep" your service officer? ~Wings

[rentalguy1]

We occasionally get the few good employees at the VARO's. A note on the claim for increase: Any time a vet is already service connected, and then files another claim, it is considered a claim for increase per M21-1MR. This is true for new and secondary condition claims as well. Just wanted to let you know that this actually isn't a mistake and that they are doing it the right way.

[carlie]

Ditto on rental's post.

Once a claimant is SC'd for anything, even if it's SC at

zero percent for a single issue, every claim after that is

a claim for increase.

jmho,

carlie

[Rockhound]

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Was the VARO "rep" your service officer? ~Wings

It was a VARO Rep. The caller ID on my phone was 800-827-1000,

As to a claim that has already been awarded and you are asking for secondary issues, you better make sure they are clear on this or you may spend more time getting it straightened out, if they deny it for an increase. My award's highest rating is only for 10% and a claim for an increase of it would automatically be turned down, unless you can either show that it was rated under the wrong rating/DC or for secondary conditions as a result of the SC Condition. Evidently their is a difference, since the C&P exams are different for an increase v. secondary conditions. If you get the wrong exam, you may be denied and then your stuck in the appeal process or a DRO hearing and hope you can get it corrected there. Even the VARO Rep stated this. Plus my SC fractured nasal bone and deviated septum award is rated as part of the skeletal system and the secondary conditions are chronic sinusitis and Rhinitis due to the obstructed nasal pasages. also I have painful scars on each side of my nose, which are due to the fractured nasa bone, and because I have to wear glasses, the nose pads tend to cause ulcers and subsequent scar tissue over the area where my nasal bone was broken.

The sinusitis and rhinitis will probably be rated as one, but the two scars must be rated seperately which are by rating, only worth 10% each, so if I win my claim, the least I should get would be three 10% awards, which would bring my total to four 10% awards which I believe equates to 30% total.

Rockhound Rider

[carlie]

rock,

It's still a claim for increase whether it's based on direct SC or on secondary conditions.

You might want to talk with your Licensed Optician about your eyewear and medical problems

with your nasal bridge.

Your Licensed Optician will be able to help you select an appropriate

eyewear frame with a unifit bridge versus a frame with adjustable nose pads.

jmho,

carlie