Unbelievable

[Philip Rogers]

I needed a letter, from the VA, for my veteran disability discount, on my property taxes and the regular annual letters haven't been mailed yet. So, today, I stopped in and requested just a simple letter stating that I'm service connected at 100%. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my glasses in w/me . . . duh, stupid me! The letter has today's date and my address from 3 moves ago. Anyway, the letter states: "The records of the DVA indicate that the veteran, Philip Rogers, at one time prior to death was in receipt of service connected compensation for a disability or disabilities rated at 100%."

Now, bear in mind, that my c-file is classified as "level seven, sensitive," which means only management can access my file. This is due to me having a lawyer and having been at the CAVC, on an appeal. This is to prevent errors. Yeah, right!!!

Anyway, just had to share!

pr

[jbasser]

PR if you are dead, you need to collect the life insurance money.

This is hilarious.

Dont show it to a state agency as they will want to colect inheritance taxes and charge you estate taxes.

On a more serious note, i have seen mistakes like this one stop a Veterans comp for months until he proved he wasnt dead.

get it cleared up pronto.

John

[Wings]

x

x

x

Good of them to let you know! Idiots! ~Wings

[cowgirl]

Yipee Philip, I always wondered if they had wireless connections! So good to hear from you, sorry to have missed the wake (I love comfort food!). Maybe Hadit can add a legacy style 'memorial' page for member condolences.

On a side note, be sure to get this corrected soonest and double check your Cfile to make sure the right letter is in there! If I recall, requested one of those letters also, in person, two copies were made, one for me and one for VA cfile.

Best to ya,

Cowgirl'up2009!

[Meddac]

Sorry to hijack this but:

Meddac, so if the people that work with you (I'm guessing that you work for VA?) get those letters they let them go without contacting the other branches of VA to check the address or see if there is an updated one?

That is going to be the basis for a CUE I will file for an earlier effective date for my first claim from 1994.

We look in the VAMC system for an updated address, we ask the bank for an updated address (they aren't obligated), we try to call the veteran for an updated address , we check SSA for an address, and we can use "Debtor Discovery" for an updated address. We don't check unemployment or your relatives for the most part (although I called a veterans ex-girlfriend the other day).

Bottom line is that it isn't our responsibility to keep an updated address. That is the vets responsibility.

[Philip Rogers]

Meddac, I've been dealing w/this "sensitive" issue since hiring my atty and the CAVC issue. As for who handles my file, I don't know who can handle it. It's just what I was told by VA personnel. The fact that others handle the file doesn't mean that's as it should be. Wouldn't be the first time the VA didn't adhere to it's rules.

As for the current address issue, I have date stamped received copies of all address changes. I always deliver them in person but they routinely send their correspondence to an old address. Hey, maybe I pissed someone off, at one time.

pr

Sensitive 7.....I don't know who told you that only management can view your file, but that is NOT true. I used to have sensitive 7 in Appeals (I am not management), and I see sensitive 6 and 7 files everyday. They are kept in general population (the file room), and yes there are select people who work these files, but they are not management and they are probably more plentiful than you think. Having been at CAVC doesn't make your file sensitive either. Having an attorney will, and some other reasons as well.

Being sensitive isn't going to prevent errors.... It's not even set-up for that reason.

I am about to finish (tomorrow) my stack of 75 pieces of returned mail. Veterans that did not keep their addresses updated with VBA, and all of their "end of year/first of year" letters are bouncing back. I have heard that there were about 10,000 total. If I find a good address for them, then the letter gets re-sent, but if I cannot find a confirmed address then we are preparing to start "whereabouts unknown" claims. The veterans benefits will be cut-off until they contact us and give us a good address. It is the veterans responsibility to keep VBA updated on their address, and no...we do not get updated from VHA (VAMC's). We are 2 different entities for some reason. Nothing I can do about that, but if I find a different address with the VHA I will re-send the letter with the warning of "if this is your correct address please let us know or it could adversly affect your benefits."

Some of the veterans have passed, some are back on active duty, and some live 10 states away. It's gonna be bad for some of these veterans/widows if we cut them off, but what can we do? You have to keep us informed.

[Philip Rogers]

Meddac, there you go, confirming my feelings that the VA isn't there to help. If I wanted an address update I'd check w/the USPS but not the VA, they look everywhere but where they might find it. That way they give the appearance of being helpful to veterans. Doesn't surprise me but then I'm cynical, when it comes to the VA and that's due to yrs of dealing w/them. jmo

pr

We look in the VAMC system for an updated address, we ask the bank for an updated address (they aren't obligated), we try to call the veteran for an updated address , we check SSA for an address, and we can use "Debtor Discovery" for an updated address. We don't check unemployment or your relatives for the most part (although I called a veterans ex-girlfriend the other day).

Bottom line is that it isn't our responsibility to keep an updated address. That is the vets responsibility.