Abusive Phone Call

[Berta]

I cannot believe the abuse I just took from a supervisor-at the Buffalo VARO-

When she was a VA 800# operator she actually questioned the basis of my claim when it was in appeals telling me I didnt have a potential claim at all.

Now she is a supervisor and the claim she questioned (maybe in 2007?)was the same one I was recently awarded.

Without even asking me why I had called the director's office (and she didnt have my C file or anything else when she called me)

she would not even let me explain the problem I am having.

I complained already to VACO, to the regional counsel and then VBA said to send a complaint letter directly to Shinseki.

I also had the initials of the two RO employees included in the complaint -who still send me clearly and erroneous award letters.

Now I am trying to find out if the letter they got from regional counsel regarding one matter has been put into my C file- or ignored.or destroyed.

I wonder how many vets and widows get treatment like this but dont complaint.

I just let it go when the supervisor , as a 800 number rep a few years ago , tried to tell me my 2003 claim had no basis at all but of course I knew better.I cant help but wonder if she talked anyone else out of pursuing their claim.

[mrsvet28]

Pete - I just got an apology from IRIS.....due to my "frustrations".

(frustrations my butt-they simply cant read)

I updated my Iris complaint ,told them where I formally mailed it to-in snail mail 2 days ago - and asked them for my money again and rattled off the VA case laws that say they have to pay it.

We are all in a War of the Words.

They also said I forgot to put Rod's branch of service on the complaint so I updated that and then they said upon receipt that info they "will gladly answer your questions."

What a joke!

They haven't answered ANY of my Iris questions- for YEARS!

Pete you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS all when Iris inquires dont really help make sure you send the inquiry again by clicking on the complaint button.

It goes to VACO then back to the RO and there is a paper trail of Iris complaints.

but which doesnt seem to matter anyhow.

Berta,

You are a mover and a shaker, and will get to the bottom of it-you give me strength,

it is just a nice day when there isnt the thought of these claims on our minds-today I took my grandaughter to the park for 3 hours and forgot about it ...do the people on the otherside realize how this consumes us? trying to prove what already has been done and then you gotta do it over and over.........anyhoo-I wish you a nice day when the sun is shining and the air is crisp,enjoy your coffee and listen....to the quiet

[deltaj]

Halos -I had a check up appointment yesterday hours after this call and my BP was sky high-

the VA certainly adds to our mental and physical state with their incompetence.

This was not an 800 call but a supervisor calling because I had called the director's office.

All she had was my name and made no attempt to look into what I was calling about.She did say my claim was still in appeals so I guess she did look at the PC screen.

I am going to follow the advice I got from VACO on this.They want a written complaint.

Don't write Central Office. They'll state in writing you made a claim for equitable relief and their decision will be final for all facts in the file at the time of the decision. That is what they did to my husband in 1997 when he wrote Central Office. Don't trust them.

[Berta]

The VACO in 1997 responded within 3 weeks to my request for Administrative Review.That matter was resolved to my satisfaction.

I was told to write directly to Secretary Shinseki by VA Office of Communications and Management last week.I think the guy googled my name as we spoke.

I also wrote to the Office of General Counsel-for a second opinion on letter I got from regional counsel here in NY.

Mrsvet28 is right- we cannot allow this crap to consume us-

I have valid legal basis for all of above letters.But I dont recommend using letters like that to attempt to get a claim awarded.

It was easier to write those letters than potentially receive more abusive treatement from the Buffalo VARO.