tdiu The Maze Is Killing Me Slowly, Varo Up To Tricks Again.

[10thFO]

Well, I haven't been on lately due to being out of town for death in family with no internet access. I've been checking my bank account every couple days to see if any money had fallen into it from heaven. NO. Here's the current status. I filed an appeal and DeNovoReview back on May 15th to save my 1 year time table, two weeks later, I got a letter from my primary care doc stating "not feasible employment" or something to that effect. Ver batim what the Team should be looking for.

This was in a report to the Voc Rehab counselor. She subsequently called up the contractor that was trying to get me a job, and told him it was no longer necessary. This happened on June 1st. Drove straight from the VA to the VARO, Roanoke Virginia, and gave said paperwork to counselor, she made a few copies for me, I then walked 70 feet down the hall and handed it to one of the reps at the VARO to add to my file, time and date stamped.

I call the VARO this afternoon, to find out the status of my claim.... "well three days ago, we sent a request for a C&P to the VA". He didn't know or wouldn't say what it was for, and when I asked him about the letter I already had from 2 VA Docs and 1 MSW at the Vet Center, saying I was unemployable, permanently, he stated I don't know anything about that, just that you should get a letter this week scheduling your appointment.

I suppose when I get back on Monday I'm going to have to make some more manuevers. I'm going to see the Voc Rehab lady, and get a copy of the letter she wrote. She told me that once it was in their hands, it should be pretty quick. I know she wrote it, because it closes up another case for her. Then I will hand deliver that letter to the office down the hall, then contact my Senators office with a copy of the letter and ask what the hold up and another exam is for.

I've gone throught the Voc Rehab process and been deemed unemployable. Acoording to 38 CFR, once that is done, it should be permanent and total, TDIU. I'm at 70% now, and this crap is really steaming me up.

I realize this is a rant, but I'll never understand how or why the VA can take a situation that is in black and white and easy for them to make and find a way to drag it out. I suppose they want to wait til October so they don't take the hit on this fiscal year for all the back pay.

[foreveryoung]

I don’t understand why the VA likes to give veterans the run around. If it wasn’t for veterans they wouldn’t have a job….. Maybe they look at these stalls tactics as job security. Good luck and never, never give up.

[Vike17]

10thFO,

You have to remember that appeals are not processed by the original effective date, they are worked as they are appealed by the claimant! So, depending on your regional office's backlog, it can take anywhere from 4 weeks to a year for a decision. If you submitted your appeal on the 15th of May, 2006, I wouldn't expect a decision within the next couple of weeks!

The reason why they scheduled you for another C&P exam is probably because your last C&P exam that was administered for your original rating decision is over a year old. Anytime a C&P exeeds one year old, the VA will generally schedule a new exam to see how your disability as regressed or progressed. They're not trying to stall, just trying to find out the current affect you rdisability has on you!

Another thing to keep in mind is that the 1-800 number wasn't designed to track claims for veterans, its intent is actually to answer questions from veterans about general claims benefits, such as eligibility requirements, send application out to veterans ect... So, in all reality they're not trained as a VSR is to give out info on actual claims. Now every once in a while when you call you may end up talking to a VSR and get some good info, but more often than not, you'll get a 1-800 jockey on the phone with limited training/experience/knowlege.

Vike 17

[10thFO]

Vike,

I appreciate the info. I agree about all the appeal info you suggested. Thanks. I am more upset about the fact that I have spent a year now with Voc Rehab and was finally found unemployable, and according to my counselor it is supposed to be somewhat quick for the money from that point on. For now I could use the monthly money. I can handle the retro, as it's now up to about 30k if approved. I just need something quick on the monthly as the bills are too tight.

[Berta]

I suggest when you call the 800# ask them to access the COVERS screen-to find the physical location of the claim.

PS I am curious-what VARO do you deal with?

[john999]

10th FO

Submitt the copy of the letter from the Voc Rehab as evidence yourself. Don't wait for the VA to do it. The VARO and the voc rehab people don't talk to each other and voc rehab stuff does not end up in your C-file unless you put it there.

[10thFO]

Thanks for the info guys. Berta I go to the Roanoke Virginia RO. lucky for me it's only 30 minutes away so when they don't answer the phone, I just stop by there on the way to my Vet Center meetings. They seem to be hopping right now. I placed a concerned email to Senator John Warner. His office has a way of getting quick results. I hate to use it, but it seems the only way to move them on.

I'm going to thank his assistant in Roanoke for Veterans as she seems to get some answers if your case is strong and not just random. They inquired two weeks ago. I got a letter Friday in the mail, and two C&P's this Friday. Not sure why I'm having those, but I'm going by the RO tomorrow and get my letter of unfeasibility from my voc rehab counselor, and put it in my c-file, as well as take it to the C&P's.

I suppose that's what baffles me the most. That's supposed to be the last straw, but they are going to end up reviewing my conditions (which I'm not worried about, because they are much worse) when they could be doing a C&P for someone else.

P.S. I always worry about C&P's but my back conditions haven't been upgraded since 2002-3. I have a lot of neuropathy and impingement now alway down both legs, not to mention the limited motion. I didn't have that before.