I referred Freespirit to them today but they are limited to what they can and cannot do- still to have widows/widowers claims monitored in some way might produce enough information to cause the VA to treat us survivors with more respect and more importantly - to treat our claims properly.
They told me they were going to monitor my claim-as they were stunned as to what my situation was-I have had no feedback on that since contacting them but have had letters and calls from OGC who did what they said they would do and my retro award is finally being authorized-9 months after the award letter came.My letters to the RO and faxes to the director for the proper monetary awards had been ignored and since it ionvolved a prior OGC matter, the OGC stepped in.
Maybe they (OSA) make the ROs aware they are monitoring claims that widows or widowers contact them about and through that -maybe the ROs will attempt to do those claims properly.
I dont know -I cant wait until this office publishes an annual report (I assume they would to justify what they do) and this report could reveal how lousy the claims process is for many DIC claimants.
Then again DIC claims need medical evidence,among other things and if these things were requested in the VCAA letter -and not supplied to the VA by the claimant , the OSA cannot alter any denial based on lack of medical evidence or proof of presumption etc.
They cant handle DIC claims but hopefully can ensure the DIC claim is handled properly by the VA and that DIC case law is properly followed in the process.
Getting the evidence rests solely with the DIC claimant and then the VA MUST consider it.
Question
Berta
After this office was established I learned of its existence one day reading the 2009 VBM:
"Welcome to the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA). We were established within the Department of Veterans
Affairs in December 2008 in accordance with Public Law 110-389.
OSA's main function is intended to be an advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on all
policies, programs, legislative issues and other initiatives affecting survivors and dependents of deceased veterans
and service members. In addition to advising the Secretary, we have assumed the following responsibilities:
Although we are not equipped or chartered to be a claims processing organization, we will assist wherever possible
in referring issues to the appropriate VA Department.
As we move forward, we are fully committed to staying in step with the needs of survivors and are prepared to take
on other roles as needed in order to remain a viable advocate for the VA survivor community.
We hope you wll find this site helpful. If you have suggestions about information you'd like to see on the website,
please contact us as OfficeofSurvivors@va.gov.
Jim Hanley
Director"
I referred Freespirit to them today but they are limited to what they can and cannot do- still to have widows/widowers claims monitored in some way might produce enough information to cause the VA to treat us survivors with more respect and more importantly - to treat our claims properly.
They told me they were going to monitor my claim-as they were stunned as to what my situation was-I have had no feedback on that since contacting them but have had letters and calls from OGC who did what they said they would do and my retro award is finally being authorized-9 months after the award letter came.My letters to the RO and faxes to the director for the proper monetary awards had been ignored and since it ionvolved a prior OGC matter, the OGC stepped in.
Maybe they (OSA) make the ROs aware they are monitoring claims that widows or widowers contact them about and through that -maybe the ROs will attempt to do those claims properly.
I dont know -I cant wait until this office publishes an annual report (I assume they would to justify what they do) and this report could reveal how lousy the claims process is for many DIC claimants.
Then again DIC claims need medical evidence,among other things and if these things were requested in the VCAA letter -and not supplied to the VA by the claimant , the OSA cannot alter any denial based on lack of medical evidence or proof of presumption etc.
They cant handle DIC claims but hopefully can ensure the DIC claim is handled properly by the VA and that DIC case law is properly followed in the process.
Getting the evidence rests solely with the DIC claimant and then the VA MUST consider it.
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