Travel Benefit Pay Problems!

[MCB10VET]

Hey everyone! I have a beef with the VA regarding travel pay. They appear to be messing with me, why I don't know! Went to VA today for a scheduled appointment(at 1:00 pm) I got there at 8:00 am, because it has taken me 4 hours to get the claim processed. I have had problems with this clerk before, but kept my mouth shut, and gave her my name and last 4 of my ss#. A half hour later she brings out the first bunch of the completed claim forms for us to sign and give to the cashier. I looked at mine and saw $39.65, instead of about $120.00. I got hot, but did not open my mouth. Went instead to Patient Advocate, and explained my problem. She say's "well, I know the answer, but I will call someone!" and she does. When she is through with the call, she say's " that's what I thought, your appointments to your primary care provider are only payable to the closest VA to your home, in this case 55 miles, versus 145 miles to VA from my place! I expressed my displeasure about that news, and said "I am 100% percent service connected, and the VA has been paying this since 2005! She say's "well, they made a mistake", however, she could not prove it. I left and drove home, and looked at the VA Benefits website online and it most certainly say's that I should be paid for travel, to any appointment having to do with my Service Connected Disabilities! Anyone else running into this?? I know the Government is out of money, but come on!! Oh yeah, I did not sign and cash the claim, because if I do, I am agreeing with the claim being correct! Take Care! Seabee

[chr49]

Check this out....You may find some answers to travel benefit questions here:

http://www.va.gov/he...FAQ.asp#mileage

[Philip Rogers]

I love that last line!! roflmao

13.How do we determine mileage for reimbursement purposes?

VA has not established use of a single reference. Mileage can be determined using authoritative guidance such as Rand McNally or MapQuest; or zip code to zip code as determined at the local VA health care facility, whichever gives the greater benefit to the veteran.[quote

pr

name='chr49' timestamp='1300322512' post='238798']

Check this out....You may find some answers to travel benefit questions here:

http://www.va.gov/he...FAQ.asp#mileage

[chr49]

I love that last line!! roflmao

13.How do we determine mileage for reimbursement purposes?

VA has not established use of a single reference. Mileage can be determined using authoritative guidance such as Rand McNally or MapQuest; or zip code to zip code as determined at the local VA health care facility, whichever gives the greater benefit to the veteran.

Philip,

I found that one quite humorous myself. Think we need to copy it off and carry it to the travel pay office with us?! I doubt we'd get the reaction we're wanting!

[COOL BREEZE]

The 1st part of January when I went to the VA in Tucson they verified my home address as they said effective the 1st they were changing the way the were paying us for travel pay-they were going by the zip code that we live in as it was supposed to be more accurate. I don't know what the new rule is on that-I get about .50 more though.

[Philip Rogers]

The problem is I live 3 miles beyond my PO and the VA is 2 miles beyond their PO, so I lose 10 miles/$4.15 per trip. Not a lot but add that to the $6 they deduct, the first three trips, and it adds up. It is most beneficial to those who live closer, (if) they are doing the same to them. My RO hit over $2 million in travel pay, this yr, and is cutting back wherever it can.

pr