Got Claim Update- Decision Made

[Guest Berta]

My I-9 generated a lot of attention in February-what I mean is movement to DRO then to appeals team and then to adjudication-

Then,via correspondence to and from the VARO it seems that they have properly identified and acknowledged all my claims-(except the one that they should have sent to counsel 3 years ago)

I was told that my SMC CUE claim was in some sort of 'immediate' progress-it has not been denied yet and was told they were working on this specific claim as of a few weeks ago.

It showed up as with an adjudicator -as an 'accrued benefit' claim on the COVERS screen two weeks ago.

Today they tell me a decision has been made and that 'it' went from adjudicator to an authorizor on Monday for a signature (which doesn't mean much to me at this point)

At least 'it' moved somewhere. I asked the vet rep at 800 what is 'it' -the specific claim is this on? I was sure he meant the SMC CUE claim.

Then he said -"This is your pension claim Mrs. Simmons"

Say what? I have talked to this same vet rep over many years-and he knows I can't get a pension, I get DIC-it is right there on the PC screen. He insisted it was a pension claim.

I said I dont have a pension claim pending and then he said 'Well- anyhow-this claim is on it's last leg-they made a decision.It is at the final stage and It is a pension claim.'

????

At least he said my last name to me so I know that he had gotten the right c file on the screen but this doesn't make sense at all to me.

It is sooooo frustrating to get a tidbit of info and then it doesnt make sense anyhow-

I should have become a psychic detective!

I could call back for second opinion but the heck with it-

I am satisfied that at least something happened to 'it'-whatever 'it' is.

(you know- they should give US direct private access to our own VARO PC screens-

our access would be our perosnal c file number-with maybe some further identity password-

we could figure them out ourselves and it would eliminate the need for these phone reps who often only look at one screen when there can be more info available and they can interpret the information all wrong anyhow. A lot of the VA PC stuff is coded but there are sections of BIRLS and M21-1 on the net that state what all the codes mean.We could figure out our actual claims status ourselves and they would save time and money paying vet reps to

give out odd and inaccurate info)

Edited March 2, 2006 by Berta

[Guest Jim S.]

Don't feel like a lone rubber ducky in the tub, that is overflowing its sides. :)

I feel the same way about the information I get from time to time on my claim. One week it sounds like it is moving along, progressing along the right path toward a finale decision, then you call and the answers you get completly throw you for a loop and you don't know how or what to think of it.

Sometimes I feel like going down to the VARO and thumping a few heads with the back side of a knuckle and see if anyone is awake or if I get a hollow sound as if their brain case is empty. That's when I call my SO and see if they have anything different on their computor. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it leaves me still wondering what the H$%L is going on.

Breath deep, give if a few days and call back, If the answers don't seem to make any since after that, I guess it is time to take the fight to the front lines and see what thee heck is going on. I've only had to do this a couple of times, but it did get thiings streightened out and moving in the right direction again.

Best wishes,

Jim S. B)

Edited March 2, 2006 by Jim S.