Directly To The Rater

[Atlantic Ocean]

Hello everyone, is the first time I write in here I apologize if this is not the forum to post this issue. I have a claim in that was denied and I was on time to present new evidence for it. Last week I gave it to my rep and he told me that he was going to gave it directly to the rater, is this possible? He do not talk too much so I leave his office with that doubt. Can he gave my new evidence directly to the rater. and if so what will happen next? This is all my doubt. Can anyone of you give me some advice or put some light in this topic? Thanks for your attention and for any comment in this issue.

[Mr cue]

i believe u are right alot of vso can handle the problem right there one of my vso was right there could just walk to the guy tell him what he did wrong but did nothing and i had to wait until the dro got it to look at could of save a year but no. me personal i dont like them. but like all people there are some good and bad

[tssnave]

Scout,

Just how, exactly, do you get another VSO? I use the VSO located in the VARO and they tell me who my rep is each time I call. In the years I was working my claim I had 5 of them in less than that many years. They kept getting promoted and one guy quit.

I have never had a choice in who my vet rep was within the organization. Can you actually "interview" them? My experience has been a total crap shoot (luck of the draw).

Of the VSOs I had:

- 1 never returned my calls

- 1 was a real jerk and said "sorry for ya" when my claim was initially denied (despite SMR evidence he was aware of and letters from the shrinks who treated me while on active duty he was just going to let my claim die when it was denied - luckily, on a later call his supervisor resurrected my claim when I told him I didn't understand how the VA could just ignore letters from the shrinks who treated me when I was on active duty)

- 1 was a nice enough guy but could never keep me straight and thought I was a combat vet w/ psych issues (I am not a combat vet but I do have psych issues) and while he did help me out it was only after I insisted on putting in a NOD when they lowballed my rating - he wanted me to let it go for a year and then request a higher rating and lose my EED but by then I was on hadit and knew better

- 1 was a great guy who was willing to talk to the DRO for me since I refused to request a hearing (I can't project from day to day how I'll be coping and just didn't want to try to do a hearing) and I believe is a big part of the reason I got my 100% P&T because he asked the DRO to simply read the actual C&P exam and IMOs which all stated I was 100% P&T

- current VSO is another jerk - told me I couldn't have a copy of my codesheet when I got a copy of my cfile after my final Decision and neither the Decision or codesheet were in the cfile. He refused to get me a copy until I asked why I was not authorized a copy of my codesheet when the previous one from my previous Decision was in my cfile. He finally relented and agreed to send me a copy of it but refused to put a hard copy of my Decision in my cfile because "everything's electronic and you don't need it in there - plus, your claim is over and you got 100% P&T so what does it matter if they haven't filed a copy of your Decision in your cfile?" He then tells me he doesn't have time to do my filing because he's got open claims he's working. I hope and pray that the VA eventually put a hard copy of my last 100% P&T Decision in my cfile or that the electronic system means you don't need one in there but I don't have a lot of faith in this guy either.

So, just how, exactly, do you get to "choose" your VSO when the vet organization "assigns" them to you?

Thanks,

TS Snave

Edited January 29, 2009 by tssnave

[Pete53]

Sometimes the best way to change VSO is to switch the Organization that you use. Example I got a new one when I switched from DAV to Texas Veterans Commission.

[carlie]

When I was with the AL, I was told that you were assigned your VSO

by the last 4 digits of your claim number and that they changed quarterly.

carlie

[halos2]

Carlie,

When I had my personal hearing in 2007(I requested it in Mar 07...granted in Sept 07...got my copy of transcript in Mar 08) anyway there was so much info that was missing especially when I dissed the NP who did my faulty exam, and other info I presented...they type what they want, and loose what they want too. Next time I will record the hearing too(even if I have to secretly do it). When I first got my notification of my hearing date I immediately called and extended my time from one hr to two as I presented both of my case studies.

The evidence I presented was factual, direct, and not even debatable yet one was won, and the most obvious one went to BVA jul 08.

B)

Anyone that attends a VA Hearing where:

they are sworn in and the hearing is recorded

has had a formal hearing and is entitled to a copy

of the official transcripts.

carlie