Claim Closed On 1/16 But No Letter Generated

[JHawks]

According to IRIS and the 800# my claim was closed out on 1/16 (Sat) but there is no record of any letter being generated. Any ideas on what's going on? I am still rated 40% with no changes. It sounds like my claim was denied.

[broncovet]

This happened to me. It is one of the VA's dirty tricks, and is illegal. The Regulations state that a Veteran is entitled to a decision. This is a signal that the VA is declaring "war" on the Veteran....and they are showing their cards that the intend to stop at nothing to deny/delay you even violate the regulations hoping you wont notice.

Ask them for a copy of the decision, explaining you did not get any decision.

You have got to nail them. Document that they have 'dropped' your claim without a decision. It will come back to haunt them later.

Do NOT show YOUR cards! And definately do not show your knowledge of the regulations.

Send em 3 methods to document that your claim has been dropped. One, call the toll free number and write down time, date, what was said, who said it. Two, Send an Iris Email asking as to the status of your claim (the one that was dropped..remember, dont tell them too much). Keep that IRIS response.

Keep an "ace in the hole"...shredded documents, especially if you have documention that you filed the claim. (It must have been lost, because you submitted a claim, and it is not pending, right?)

Consider an attorny, or at least post details without your name.

You may need to file a writ of mandamus, eventually.

Edited January 19, 2010 by broncovet

[JHawks]

Maybe what I posted was confusing. My claim cleared the rating team and was sent to Post Determination (Huntington) on the 13th. On the 16th the claim was closed but no record of a decision letter being generated. I keep all my IRIS responses for my records. I learned that from here.

[JamesBreckenridge]

According to IRIS and the 800# my claim was closed out on 1/16 (Sat) but there is no record of any letter being generated. Any ideas on what's going on? I am still rated 40% with no changes. It sounds like my claim was denied.

It sounds like overtime was offered. The VA usually doesn't work on Saturdays, and when we do, it's usually only certain departments, like just the Pre Team, just the Rating Board, just Post, etc, depending on where they're behind.

If a case was worked on overtime on Saturday, that probably means it was an easy, fast moving case, whether it was a grant or a denial. But nobody in Post was there to promulgate the rating and send out letters, etc. And as you may be aware, we were off work yesterday, so today was the first day that anyone has had a chance to take the next step on dealing with your claim.

::EDIT:: Ok, I see, it was rated on the 13th, but on the 16th, something happened. Post must have been working overtime. But whoever or whatever department needed the file next must not have been there, and like I said, we had the day off yesterday. Hopefully you'll get your decision soon. No vast conspiracy, we want to rate these claims as fast as possible, and grant where we can.

Edited January 20, 2010 by JamesBreckenridge

[broncovet]

My claim was dropped in 2006..no decision, no denial, no nothing. I never was able to "get it going again" even tho I pointed out the mistake. When I finaly got a decision that addressed the issue, they said it was 'moot'. However, a year of retro may be " moot' to the Va, but it is not "moot" to me.

[JHawks]

It sounds like overtime was offered. The VA usually doesn't work on Saturdays, and when we do, it's usually only certain departments, like just the Pre Team, just the Rating Board, just Post, etc, depending on where they're behind.

If a case was worked on overtime on Saturday, that probably means it was an easy, fast moving case, whether it was a grant or a denial. But nobody in Post was there to promulgate the rating and send out letters, etc. And as you may be aware, we were off work yesterday, so today was the first day that anyone has had a chance to take the next step on dealing with your claim.

::EDIT:: Ok, I see, it was rated on the 13th, but on the 16th, something happened. Post must have been working overtime. But whoever or whatever department needed the file next must not have been there, and like I said, we had the day off yesterday. Hopefully you'll get your decision soon. No vast conspiracy, we want to rate these claims as fast as possible, and grant where we can.

I didn't think there was a vast conspiracy on anyone's part. I am just on the edge here thinking 'what else can go wrong'? I appreciate your logic and your calming affect (sp). I'm and old, tired vet that worries too much.

[Ricky]

The admin side of the VA is slow and swamped. It will take a few days for the letter to filter through the post decision process and be signed. No tricks or anything like that - just a bit slow.