To All S/c Veterans And Those Working On It...

[Meddac]

This is NOT intended to start a big squabble match nor to solicit defaming comments. Several of you know that I am here and who I work for. I only intend to help in the most sincere way. Some of you that I have contact with away from here can attest to that fact.

To all veterans: One of the quickest ways to get reduced is to lie about your conditions. You could get worse.

I had the chance encounter in the past 3 weeks to come across an increase claim for a veteran. After my usual work on the claim I did an administrative decision. That decision required my signature and 2 others. All three signatures came back to me today. As of 1:30 PM this afternoon when I left work, the claim, admin decision, and this veterans future are in dire straits. I proposed to sever all current benefits. Yes, the veteran is S/C for some things....or was S/C, and it was granted by an RO that I do not feel is up to the task of serving veterans. I would put them in your "Dirty Dozen", but I am not giving names. I had to hand carry the file to my rater to do the rating proposal. The rater was nearly done when I left for the day. My day was pretty much dead at that point. I don't feel good about what I had to do, but it was blatant and I caught it immediately.

My rater has had to do a CUE. It was CLEAR, it was UNMISTAKABLE, and it was an ERROR. I do not feel for this veteran at all, but I am also not proud of my task. I wish it had been someone elses digit, and not mine. It will cost the vet money, cause a large overpayment, and on Monday it will cost them their free medical care.

The story is very long, and I won't post it on here. It's on my chest, and I eventually have to vent it out....somehow. I just wanted you guys/gals to know that benefits can be reduced (which you already know), and that they can be taken away completely. We have a saying in our office that never really meant anything until today: "The wheels of the government move very, very slowly...but they move."

The veterean was S/C for about 3 years, and I feel like sh!t.

Sorry "c2"

Edited April 3, 2009 by Meddac

[carlie]

Meddac has stated he will post some details sometime Sunday.

How about cutting some slack in here until we actually have some information.

Remember, Meddac is a VBA employee but he is also a disabled veteran

and deserves the same courtesy and respect that we afford one another.

Until we hear something further - I really don't feel it is fair and prefer

not to see anymore bashing.

carlie

[The Corpsman]

Unless you specifically have enimies at your regional office, or you have a political drone who is following orders from higher up, it has always been the policy of VBA to look at the initial claim when the vet has asked for an increase in disability. When private doctors are saying something totally different than the VA medical record records record, that puts up a red flag for these case workers. Everytime you reopen your claim it is their job to see that the original case holds up under scrutiny. Vets lose benefits and Vets lose disability completely if they can't document that their disability has not improved from the time of the initial award...just as you must prove that the disability has deteriorated to grant that "what" you seek...the increase in benefits.

The Corpsman

Sam

[Wings]

x

x

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Because of the Data Security Breeches and Shreddergate, I have completely lost faith and trust in the Dept of Veterans Affairs and their Employees.

IMO, "missing" or "lost" docummentation in the claims-file is almost 100% VA's misconduct.

If missing or lost documentation is the REASON for the proposed reduction or severence, then how will the veteran remedy his case? What if the veteran did NOT keep a copy of the documents that were sent to the VA? Original copies "lost" or "shredded" could be used to DENY the veterans claim.

It's one thing to have concrete evidence to disprove the veterans claim, it's another animal altogether for a lack of evidence to justify a severence of compensation or service-connection.

If Meddac proposed severence of compensation, it would follow that the veteran is given the opportunity to argue his case. Our system of justice provides

the Constitutional Protection of Innocent until proven Guilty. The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads, in part, "No person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law ..."

This VBA employee (rating specialist) has determined that the veteran is guilty of fraud. That determination can not be ANNOUNCED absent lawful procedure.

[Berta]

I havent gotten through all yet- but was surprised top find this long thread here today-

I have 2 points to make-

We have lost VA employees and former VA employees here over the years who were also trying to help vets with their claims via hadit.

We need dialogs with employees in the actual claims process itself- for a complete understanding of the way VA thinks. I have tried to get a VA lawyer with General Counsel on my radio shows- but he was reluctant to do that. He has much to offer and understanding of nuances of VA case law but I am sure is reluctant to put up with any disgruntled callins-which we would have cut off anyhow.

OK -three points-

I have been an advocate of veterans for many many years.It is not easy work and it also has many drawbacks.

I cannot give out my email or phone number- never again- to claimants.

One reason-there are many reasons -is that I got some wannabees- one who actually asked me to do something illegal- I reported this vet immediately to the VA and they followed up on my evidence of this.

About a year ago one of my vet orgs (they all have my email addys) contacted me to help with a widow's claim (the other 2 claims they had sent me from widows were bogus but I gave this one a chance)

I ended up again contacting the VA in DC and the CAVC.

I could see a basis for fraud being perpetrated.

I dont know why everyone is upset at what MEDDAC has related here.

I would report in a HEARTBEAT anyone who I believe is trying to (or evidence indicated they already had) taken compensation illegally from the VA.

Then again- when I used to open my email someone here long ago asked me to report a 100% TDIU vet who was working under the table.

it was his ex wife and she insisted to me in email that I had to report this vet and that she couldnt because the VA would think her statement was prejudiced by her ex wife standing.

There is no way in Hell I was going to do that based on email inneuendos.

She gave me his C file number if you can imagine that but no info at all as to who she was.

I am appalled that whenever a VA employee or even a VSO comes here as a member of this group, that some of you cannot wait to jump on them in a situation where they seem to be doing what the VA pays them to do.

The vet MEDDAC mentioned can appeal any reduction.

I agree with Meddac-DONT LIE because the VA WILL find out!

Something strongly triggered his actions.

And he shouldn't feel like shit- if this veteran lied - the veteran will be in deep shit, not him.

[peacecindia]

• Meddac is a veteran and a rater at VA.
  
• Meddac got the 'digit' for a veteran's claim for increase.
  
• Meddac states that another RO rated the claim originally.
  
• Meddac saw that the veteran wasn't eligible for benefits.
  
• Meddac could not increase benefits if the veteran was not eligible to begin with.
  
• Meddac has a duty to propose to sever the veteran's benefits for non-eligibility.
  
• Meddac was one signature that required three signatures.
  
• Meddac thank you for your service.
  

>I sure would not want the burden of being service connected due

to a rater's mistake.

>I could get used to having money to pay my bills 'on time' and buy 'healthy' food if I was

getting a check from the VA every month. I might get so comfortable that when VA sends

me some mail it gets filed away with other junk mail.

Actually I do feel that way since hiring an attorney. He told me not to have ANY contact

with VA.

[Wings]

• Meddac is a veteran and a rater at VA.
  
• Meddac got the 'digit' for a veteran's claim for increase.
  
• Meddac states that another RO rated the claim originally.
  
• Meddac saw that the veteran wasn't eligible for benefits.
  
• Meddac could not increase benefits if the veteran was not eligible to begin with.
  
• Meddac has a duty to propose to sever the veteran's benefits for non-eligibility.
  
• Meddac was one signature that required three signatures.
  
• Meddac thank you for your service.
  

Cindy, What is a "digit"???

I've read your recent posts, and see where you have elected to hire an attorney, good move, that way you may get some semblence of lawful due process. You said, "Having a lawyer takes some pressure off me to prove anything to an RO employee and allows me to relax." Now why would having to prove your claim to a VA Employee (without attorny help) cause anxiety and stress? For those of us withpout the benefit of an attorny, the answer is redundant.

I'm of the mind to always give the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, especially when and where the VA fails to do so.

And it's true, anyone involved with veterans and their claims over a number of years will encounter some fraud (I have, twice), but since I don't play God, I try to let him sort it all out. I'm sorry that some veterans advocates have had to deal with feelings of humiliation, betrayal and anger while trying to help less than honest applicants --but a Rating Specialist SHOULD be able to separate his/her feelings from the facts. This is not a support forum for VA Adjudicators, it's a support forum for veterans and their problems. Yes, Meddac is a veteran, and for that we are greatful, but this is not the place for him to "vent" his personal feelings about his WORK for the VA. He could share about his own personal problems and anyone here would not hesitate to reach out.

And, I get a sinking, twisted feeling in my stomach when so called veterans advocates take it upon themselves to be bounty hunters. Where is the glory or honor in that? I'm much more concerned with VA Misconduct, where a bad apple, or ten, can damage hundreds or thousands of veterans. One bad or fraudulent veteran only hurts themselves!