Why Did The Dav Send A False Letter Of Award?

[4myboys]

So 7 weeks ago the DAV sent me an "unofficial" letter stating that I had my disability increased and that I would be receiving retro payment back over 10 years. Of coarse I get excited...even though I know that it is "unofficial" but was told I would receive official in about two weeks at the most followed by payment.

Not only have I not received a single statement of what is going on from the VA, when I call my useless VSO all he says is that I am still at the rater. Now my DAV rep said I was already at finance. IRIS inquiry offered nothing.

The DAV should NOT be sending out unofficial letters until the VA has completed the rating and it has been made official!

This has drained me mentally even physically! I am so frustrated and this process is torture.

To top it off I received a letter from Debt Management for some erroneous debt that has incurred due to my change in C&P. They stated that I have received and overpayment and they will begin recouping it Sep 09. There is no debt, I haven't ever been overpaid or received anything not entitled to.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VA ?????????? It is as though they have so many chain of commands, departments, processes, procedures, YET they manage to lack COMMUNICATION between them!

I currently work because I have to financially support my family. This retro pay allows me to only work part time rather than full time and will help take care of my disabilities. Currently I work in severe pain and don't take my pain meds because it will keep me from being coherent and fulfilling my job requirements. In return I am in severe pain and end up having poor job performance because of it...Anyway my point is, is that this claim changes everything for me if I have indeed been awarded retro pay and an increase in disability.

I have HADIT.....sorry had to throw that out there!

[jbasser]

I sent a Waiver, also stated Financial Hardship, and requested a Hearing. As advised by the DAV rep I sat down with yesterday, I also asked for payment plan. This seemed as though I was admitting that I owe the debt, but the DAV rep said that if I don't get the waiver they will take it all in a lump sum. Regardless I have begun the battle.

Thanks for ALL the advice on this....I have utilized it all! B)

Today, in total amazement, I received a phone call from VARO regarding the IRIS I put in a week ago. He told me that my claim is at the awards portion.

I haven't heard of this way, is this the finance department?

He also said that my claim should be finalized in no more than 30 days and it will be worked on tomorrow.

I think this VERY NICE gentleman was very careful with his terminology to avoid accountability, but I understand; it's not official until it's official :)

Anyhow, pleasantly surprised by this call today. Persistence is beginning to pay off. SLOWLY but SURELY.

I think the RO just gave you a hint. AWARDS.

Let it sink a couple of days but I think you just got your claim approved.

J

[4myboys]

I think the RO just gave you a hint. AWARDS.

Let it sink a couple of days but I think you just got your claim approved.

J

I think so too, but I also thought that 8 weeks ago when I was told it was with the finance department...then it bounced back to the rater and has been there ever since B)

Oh well, even though it hasn't been a couple of days.....it has sunk it! I won't spend it till I got it :)

[4myboys]

So 7 weeks ago the DAV sent me an "unofficial" letter stating that I had my disability increased and that I would be receiving retro payment back over 10 years. Of coarse I get excited...even though I know that it is "unofficial" but was told I would receive official in about two weeks at the most followed by payment.

Not only have I not received a single statement of what is going on from the VA, when I call my useless VSO all he says is that I am still at the rater. Now my DAV rep said I was already at finance. IRIS inquiry offered nothing.

The DAV should NOT be sending out unofficial letters until the VA has completed the rating and it has been made official!

This has drained me mentally even physically! I am so frustrated and this process is torture.

To top it off I received a letter from Debt Management for some erroneous debt that has incurred due to my change in C&P. They stated that I have received and overpayment and they will begin recouping it Sep 09. There is no debt, I haven't ever been overpaid or received anything not entitled to.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VA ?????????? It is as though they have so many chain of commands, departments, processes, procedures, YET they manage to lack COMMUNICATION between them!

I currently work because I have to financially support my family. This retro pay allows me to only work part time rather than full time and will help take care of my disabilities. Currently I work in severe pain and don't take my pain meds because it will keep me from being coherent and fulfilling my job requirements. In return I am in severe pain and end up having poor job performance because of it...Anyway my point is, is that this claim changes everything for me if I have indeed been awarded retro pay and an increase in disability.

I have HADIT.....sorry had to throw that out there!

OK, everyone...brace yourselves! I received another response from IRIS just checking to make sure that the phone call follow up I received from the representative from VARO was satisfactory....! What? I'm confused, they are actually showing a genuine concern for the Vet. I have never had this happen in all these years.

Then I received another, I repeat another phone call from the same gentleman at VARO with more information for me. Unfortunately I missed his call, but he left me a DIRECT LINE ! I feel super ultra privileged.....I have a direct line number! No more 800 number for me :)

The second IRIS response also told me that this so called Debt will not affect my claim. They said they will complete my claim...then send my file to the finance department to research this so called debt. SO this means they aren't going to hold up the "official" notification of award....good news. I hope that they don't hold up the retro pay...I can see this happening, but hopefully not.

That big brown/white/yellow (I'll take any color of the rainbow at this point) envelope should be any day now!

I'm beginning to feel a little special B)

[4myboys]

Hey what's that direct number?.....

Looks like you're in for a nice package coming in the mail soon.

Knowing myself I'd probably pitch a tent beside my mailbox. B)

Billy

Oh don't worry...I have my children sitting by the window with bells and whistles. At night I put them in night vision goggles, just in case the mailman realizes he forgot my envelope and makes a special delivery :)

So hard not to be anxious, excited, just stressed out. I'm sure I will cry like a baby when the funds are in the bank!

As far as that number....are you in the San Diego area???

[gdsnide]

"which is unusual -has anyone ever heard of the VA's mystery caller program before?"

...Berta

No, Berta, but I've gotten a couple of e-mails lately, wanting me to become a "mystery shopper". They said that they'd give me a wad of money, and all I had to do was go out and buy "stuff" from different stores in my neighborhood, then fill out this "mystery shopper" form and send it to them.

The really neat thing is, I GET TO KEEP ALL THE "STUFF"!

So, I called 'em and told 'em to send me my "wad of money".

I've been sitting here, watching my mail box down on the road, for a few days, but what with it being 4th of July holidays, I guess that the mail is kinda slow.

But, I should hear from them soon, I think. I want to be sure and watch that mail box closely, because I always was leary of someone sending me cash in the mail, for fear that someone else will get wind of it and steal it outta my mail box.

When I get my "mystery" money, I'll get back to you, and see if it's anything like the VA program (kinda sounds like the same thing, what with me having to wait on the mail and all, doesn't it?).

Do U really believe someone is going to send U a "Wad of Cash" to be a mystery shopper?

Sounds like a new or maybe old scheme to get money out of U GARY

[4myboys]

OK, everyone...brace yourselves! I received another response from IRIS just checking to make sure that the phone call follow up I received from the representative from VARO was satisfactory....! What? I'm confused, they are actually showing a genuine concern for the Vet. I have never had this happen in all these years.

Then I received another, I repeat another phone call from the same gentleman at VARO with more information for me. Unfortunately I missed his call, but he left me a DIRECT LINE ! I feel super ultra privileged.....I have a direct line number! No more 800 number for me :D

The second IRIS response also told me that this so called Debt will not affect my claim. They said they will complete my claim...then send my file to the finance department to research this so called debt. SO this means they aren't going to hold up the "official" notification of award....good news. I hope that they don't hold up the retro pay...I can see this happening, but hopefully not.

That big brown/white/yellow (I'll take any color of the rainbow at this point) envelope should be any day now!

I'm beginning to feel a little special

So much for feeling special. So my special number has no answer....I think he's on vacation. I called just to follow up. Since there was no answer, I reluctantly called the 800 #.

SO, my claim is Back to the Rater AGAIN for the 3rd time. Authorization back to Rater.....3x ! I am sick of this. What t's aren't crossed or I's dotted! ? !

Shouldn't the rater fix the problem and physically hand it back to be authorized? Every time it goes from one place to the next and back again it takes another couple of weeks.

Come on Now this is absolutely ridiculous!

Instead of any day now, I'm looking at any year now!

Sorry had to vent!

(To those of you that are affiliated with the VA job force...and do your job with due diligence and integrity, thank you! )