Need Hadit Vso Assistance

[chr49]

First off, my VSO's are with the TN DVA and I believe they have done their jobs properly. I'm trying to figure out how to keep the following situations from happening again.

Old issue: April 2010; submitted evidence thru my VSO in reply to a VARO request. The VARO said they never received it. I re-filed that evidence in August. A day or two afterwards, I received my c-file and found it contained the date stamped form VA-4138 and all records that my VSO had submitted for me in April. April's evidence was omitted from my July decision. Hopefully, the April evidence will be viewed as new evidence as I move forward in the process.

New issue: August 13th; submitted a NOD thru my VSO. On September 30th, I made an IRIS inquiry to verify the VARO was in receipt of my NOD. I received 2 IRIS replies stating the August 13th NOD was not (1) in my electronic file and was not (2) in my VARO c-file. The last reply advised that my VSO re-file the NOD. I continue to lose time with all of this re-filing.

Questions:

Is this a common problem?

If so, are there any recommendations to remedy this situation?

After my VSO re-files the NOD would it help if I personally send or fax the VARO a copy of NOD?

Thanks in advance for any advise you can give me.

[SheilaLundlee]

If the paperwork was submitted by your VSO let them handle the fact that the RO says that it was not received. You should not have to provide them with the NOD again as they should have a copy of it in your file kept at their office. Speak with them and see what direction they are going with at this time. If you don't get the answer you want then resend the information yourself.

Very good point! I don't use a VSO because they've got a "caseload" and I've got ME. But if you are going to use the VSO make sure they are involved in correcting the problem with document submission. Just make sure you keep copies of every bit of your correspondence with the VSO as well. Plus, I'd send and fax documents directly to the RO with a COPY going to the VSO....

Just saying.... :)

sheila

[caubulldog]

Another helpful hint is to put your certified number on every document letting them know you are tracking this claim.

[COOL BREEZE]

The 800#(which was answered in Phoenix,AZ) informed me that none of the claims submitted by 2 different VSO was received. The documents that I submitted with a return receipt was received. Also stated as he was a Veteran to submit my documents the following way: 1 Have your VSO submit 2. Overnight return receipt. 3. And Fax-the fax # he gave me for Phoenix was 602 627 3038. Lot of legwork-you would think one method would be enough, but with the amount of documents being received their it was possible to have them go missing. I called to speak to a VSO so can re-submit, no one was working today. I called the national headquarters, they said some one should call me within one week. I guess from every thing I learned here-I will do steps 2 & 3 from now on. He did tell me it was much better to keep my appeal at the regional office, if I didn't like their decision then I can it appeal higher with the original date.

[Pete53]

Its possible that the VSO messed up but more likely the VARO did. Just my opinion. Anyone who has a claim needs to check up on it.