One Number For Life?

[Bigred122]

I've been meaning to ask and keep forgeting too.(is that SC?)lol When I got out of the service in 72, I had filed paperwork out on my bad knees. When they sent me a date for a C&P exam it had a claim number on it. My boss was a jerk and would not let me take the time off to go to physical. He said I was already gone to long before so no more time off. Anyway, when I filed my claim last summer, I realized that the same number was on the new claim. I didn't put down my knees when I did the new paperwork. Do they just assign you a number and all your claims go under that same number? Or did they never close my original claim?I never rescheduled an appointment and I don't remember them ever sending me anything that said claim was closed. That would be some back pay if they never closed the claim. It would only be about 10% on each knee, but back pay for 39 years would be a nice retirement package.lol Can everyone give me a Charlie Sheen "WINNING"!! I would guess that one would get a new number for each new claim. OK, who's gonna be first to burst my bubble and say one number for life!! What ever the answer is, I won't be sleeping tonite.I'll be spending the money that I'll never see.But I'll be rich for a few hours!! lol Mike

[Philip Rogers]

I believe you could win, if the claim is still open. If the claim has been closed and proper procedures were followed it may be more difficult. jmo

pr

[Bigred122]

You are only issued one number. The exception being, if the old claim number duplicates a Social Security number. You can reopen the claim for which you were denied with new and material evidence. That is evidence that was not reviewed before and is relivant to the claim. A medical statement by your doctor connecting the current condition to your service will reopen the claim.

Ok,it was a nice dream.So only one number for life bummer.When I filed last summer on the 526 form it was for a completely different physical problems.I think I have only gone to drs on my knees maybe a couple of times. Never could take the time off or afford the surgery to maybe fix them. So I learned to live with the pain.I just figured old claim was closed because I never made it to the physical.I was shocked to see the old number on the new claim.

Broncovet,when I was processing out of the service they asked me if I planned on filing a disability claim and I filled out paperwork stating yes on my knees.So I think that is what generated the paperwork and physical appointment.I processed out of army on 29th of Sept 1972 and this report for physical is dated 12/4/72. Depending on how picky they are I did meet all 3 parts of that test. I applied for partial disability on their paperwork and I'm positive it asked me what was wrong. I'll attach the form to this post for you to look at.It pretty much showes that it is for a disability claim. I remember calling them and cancelling the physical and telling them of my bosses attitude. But I don't remember getting a letter closing the claim.I think they were just waiting for me to reschedule the appointment.

Phillip Rogers,my luck getting records hasn't been too good lately.Stuff they (NPRC) told me would only be 10 days is getting closer to 60 days now.Suppose to get everything this week.We'll see.My new claim is going on 11 mos now and not one thing has been determined. I would ammend my claim with the old injuries, but I'm afraid that would just give them another reason to delay everything.I don't have everyones luck at the 800#.I know your suppose to get a person from your RO, but I keep getting people from the east coast who won't tell me anything.Ebenefits still shows Portland as my RO handling my claim.Any/all suggestions are much appreciated!!

[Bigred122]

Well I finally got thru on the 800# and found me a chatty Cathy! You all were right one claim number for life unless that number interfers with other things. No record of my knees on this number. Person confirmed that no one has has looked at my file since March.(wasn't that when Congress was suppose to pass the current budget) She giggled when I told her of my thoughts that claims will move faster when current budget passes and is signed by President.She says Congress says all past AO claims must be finished THIS YEAR no exceptions.So older claims get moved to top of pile.She said they should get back to my claim this summer.lol Awww it was such a nice dream of having a few bucks in my pocket.Person on phone says Congress still wants most claims settled within 125 days once backlog is done.She says they have done massive hiring and trainning to get things caught up.It was nice for a change to get some info even if it wasn't directly mine.

[Philip Rogers]

And you believed her???????? hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!! Just funnin' with ya!

pr

Well I finally got thru on the 800# and found me a chatty Cathy! You all were right one claim number for life unless that number interfers with other things. No record of my knees on this number. Person confirmed that no one has has looked at my file since March.(wasn't that when Congress was suppose to pass the current budget) She giggled when I told her of my thoughts that claims will move faster when current budget passes and is signed by President.She says Congress says all past AO claims must be finished THIS YEAR no exceptions.So older claims get moved to top of pile.She said they should get back to my claim this summer.lol Awww it was such a nice dream of having a few bucks in my pocket.Person on phone says Congress still wants most claims settled within 125 days once backlog is done.She says they have done massive hiring and trainning to get things caught up.It was nice for a change to get some info even if it wasn't directly mine.

[carlie]

VA101 - Info from 800 # is rarely up to date or accurate.

[Bigred122]

VA101 - Info from 800 # is rarely up to date or accurate.

I know!! She tried telling me that they were waiting for info to come from Walla Walla VAMC. This is the 5th time I have told them either by phone or in a letter that I have never been to that VAMC.I even told them I called that Center and they show that I have never been there.All they need to do is call them. I think it is just an excuse to tell their supervisor why they aren't working on my claim."oh we are waiting on info from Walla Walla".lol I've recently contacted another Senator to check on my claim.(this is the 3rd one) I'll give them a couple of weeks before I start moving up the chain of command at the RO.It use to be that when you called it went to your RO. They changed the rules at the first of the year.Now the call goes to the first available operator. I keep asking them questions just to make them look at the screen. I can tell when they are giving me one of their patent speeches.The only thing I truly believed from her was the fact that they hadn't looked at file since March.lol