Quick Start Not So Quick!

[bama01]

I was Medically retired at 70% Oct. 2010, my Quick Start Claim was sent to Winston-Salem in August when I left on Terminal leave, I still do not have anything from the VA although I did sign up for Medical and had to call my VFW rep to get my Claim started on in Feb. 2011. He said that my Claim was sitting on a desk and had not been touched, within a week I had a C&P appointment scheduled- I was in a Car accident on post and recieved a TBI, seizures, Migraines, Cognitive Issues and I am Totally Disabled By Social Security with a paper review in 7 years with limited chance of recovery. I never thought it would take this long and when I was talking with the VA rep at Campbell he said I would have everything taken care of within 3 months after my retirement date of Oct 29th, did not happen. I am not mad I am disappointed that we are lied to on so many levels and we end up not being able to buy food and pay bills because we cant work and our spouses cant work full time because they are taking care of us. I cant drive anymore and if I need to do things I need to pay for transportation and I can't and I am tired of having to deal with this. I have called everyone I can and I hope it will help the next Service member have an easier time when he gets pushed out. I just hope they treat me right with the decision.

[iceturkee]

bama, its a sad but true story faced by veterans every day. as you have probablly heard, the VA is some million claims backlogged. from what i read, all or just about all regional offices are backlogged. have you had your c&p yet? i don't know what others would recommend. my suggestion would be to contact your congressman or congresswoman. i know the one thing i've heard my friends in the va say they don't want to deal with is a congressional. good luck and god bless.

[justrluk]

Welcome to Hadit! -

A few thoughts, though some of the elders may weigh in:

1) You may not need a C&P for some conditions, based on presumtive status if you filed within the year after your retirement. I would send an IRIS request (go to http://www.va.gov/ >>> Contact Us tab >>> ask a question) and see if they can ping your regional office on this.

2) Doing a Congressional Inquiry may or may not help. I've done this once, and never hear anything from my congressman, not even a form letter. I didn't vote for him, and don't plan on it in the future, so no loss of love there.

3) If you're in this forum, you may realize you're not alone. We're all frustrated, but in your case, you can request that your claims be considered prioritized due to hardship. I found this on another site:

Complete a VA Form 21-4138, Statement in support of claim. The statement should be:

"I request the Veterans Administration to expedite the above referenced claim due to financial hardship. I have been unemployed due to my service connected conditions for (however long). I have exhausted all avenues of income, savings and credit and am currently in foreclosure (eviction, homeless, etc.)"

Along with that file a VA Form 5655. A link to this form is here. On the top the form asks the reason you are filing this form. The reason is , "In support of expediting my claim due to financial hardship."

Write a simple cover letter stating. "I am enclosing VA Form 21-4138 and VA Form 5655 so the VA will expedite my claim due to severe financial hardship. I would appreciate immediate consideration to this request as my financial situation is dire." Send or bring the package to the Regional Office. If mailed, make sure it is certified with return receipt.

[iceturkee]

Welcome to Hadit! -

A few thoughts, though some of the elders may weigh in:

1) You may not need a C&P for some conditions, based on presumtive status if you filed within the year after your retirement. I would send an IRIS request (go to http://www.va.gov/ >>> Contact Us tab >>> ask a question) and see if they can ping your regional office on this.

2) Doing a Congressional Inquiry may or may not help. I've done this once, and never hear anything from my congressman, not even a form letter. I didn't vote for him, and don't plan on it in the future, so no loss of love there.

3) If you're in this forum, you may realize you're not alone. We're all frustrated, but in your case, you can request that your claims be considered prioritized due to hardship. I found this on another site:

Complete a VA Form 21-4138, Statement in support of claim. The statement should be:

"I request the Veterans Administration to expedite the above referenced claim due to financial hardship. I have been unemployed due to my service connected conditions for (however long). I have exhausted all avenues of income, savings and credit and am currently in foreclosure (eviction, homeless, etc.)"

Along with that file a VA Form 5655. A link to this form is here. On the top the form asks the reason you are filing this form. The reason is , "In support of expediting my claim due to financial hardship."

Write a simple cover letter stating. "I am enclosing VA Form 21-4138 and VA Form 5655 so the VA will expedite my claim due to severe financial hardship. I would appreciate immediate consideration to this request as my financial situation is dire." Send or bring the package to the Regional Office. If mailed, make sure it is certified with return receipt.

i was able, at the urging of my then dav nso, to expedite my claim for non service connected pension based on the fact i was high risk to become homeless. at the time, i was way bewhind on my rent because i had fallen off a public bus and couldn't work. from the time i submitted my claim to the day i got a determination was about 90 days. this was in 2001 before the influx of veterans returning from iraq and afghanistan.