Houston Vamc

[MarkInTexas]

Well, it's been a little over two years, and one month, and the good old clock is still ticking. However, I noticed a little activity on my eBenefits account this evening late. They wanted a few more details on my conditions, listed under "What Do We Still Need From You?" I took care of those via VONAPP, and will probably get a brown envelope in the mail late this week, containing another VCAA notice with the same questions, and another VCAA form for me to complete/sign. (I'll fill all that out, and send 'em what they want all over again in the U.S. Mail too just in case.)

However, I noticed something new to me that I have never seen before. There is now a new block called, "What Do We Still Need From Others?"

Underneath this block are the words, "Houston VAMC" and under date requested 07/24/2012 (of course), and date due 09/22/2012.

Does anybody know what this means? Although I have been waiting in line since June 19, 2010, I still consider myself a rookie at this because it is still my initial filing. Thank goodness I found this site to keep my mind at ease, and to help me with getting the right documentation/medical records/testimony, etc. to the VA. (Well, at least I hope it was the right documentation.)

Anybody know what the whole Houston VAMC means, and what it actually does?

Any advice/ideas would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks again,

Mark

[Pete53]

Re: Suspense date

Unless things have changed at VA the Suspense date merely means that they have to look at your paper again not that they have to complete anything by that date.

As the old joke goes "How do you keep an idiot in suspense?" And when asked how you say nothing.

I have had more suspense dates that Bugs Bunny has had carrots. I would hope that VA does things sooner than the suspense date it seems to me that they are rushing more than they ever have in past. Presidential Election years usually work good for Veterans.

[MarkInTexas]

Thanks for everybody's input and assistance. I have a feeling I'll be asking a lot more questions as things move forward.....and possibly backward again.

Now, today I recevied a brown envelope in the mail like I thought I would, and sure enough, it had the same VCAA notice and questions that I had going on two years ago. I'll complete and sign the VCAA notice document, and send a hard copy of the 21-4138 that I already sent through VONAPP (again....just in case......)

Now for the creepy part. When I opened the envelope and started reviewing the documents, I noticed two strange pages stapled amidst the paperwork. When I looked closer, I found that it was actually medical reports from a VA doctor using the Vista.San-Antonio.Med.Va.Gov system, and they contained the examination, CT scan results, findings, etc. from some other veteran. It even had his full Social Security Number on there, along with his full name!

The reports say that they were printed on July 24th, the same day my packet was prepared.

Now my instinct tells me to mail these two pages back to the VA, so that maybe they will find their way back into the system. (or be destroyed......looks like they must print them out as needed.)..... And it's probably best to mail them in a separate envelope than MY paperwork, to keep my documents from ending up in this veteran's file, or vice versa.

That's really scary that things are so disorganized that a packet generated and sent to a veteran for more information contains documentation that should be received in some other section and stage of the process. I know I would be horrified if I knew that my SSN information and medical information were getting shot all over the place without any care or concern.

What do you folks think?

Mark

[Jeffro]

Wow, thats scary! Hopefully they will have your info straighten out...good luck.

[Papa]

I'm not surprised at all, but if you decide to send these documents back, please make sure you do a return receipt request at the Post Office.

Papa

[MarkInTexas]

Good idea, Papa! You know, there is that slight evil part of me that wants to send those papers to one of my Senators or local Representative with a friendly "btw" letter.

As for my paperwork, other than a redundancy in having to complete it again, it looks like a normal packet with nothing missing.....VCAA "sign here" form, explanations of what I've claimed, what they have, what they need, what they want to do, what they say they would do, but if it doesn't get done, I'm responsible for getting it done, blank 21-4142's, blank 21-4138, and no postage-paid return envelop. (Can't waste that federal VA money on a veteran, let him/her buy their own stamps.)

These two sheets were in the middle of it all, stapled in the packet, and not even together, just wedged in separately amidst it all. Crazy.

I still can't fathom how one section that is supposed to be "sending" out notices to veterans can end up with spare paperwork from some section that is supposed to be receiving paperwork.

Morning all!

Mark

[MarkInTexas]

Just a quick update. Today (Saturday) at around 11:15 this morning, a guy called me on my cell phone and told me that he was with Veterans Evaluation Services, and that I would need to call a number (877-637-8387) on Monday to schedule my C&P examination. He was calling from a Tennessee number, and told me that he couldn't schedule me, or give me much information, because his job was to call a WHOLE lot of people today to tell them to call and schedule. He did say that once I called on Monday that these guys would schedule me probably within a few days for the appointment.

He also said that the VA was contracting this out and that I might actually be going to some "local" location that they have to conduct the C&P examination services.

He was polite, and even when he couldn't tell me for sure what conditions were being examined, he said that I would learn more on Monday.

Anybody ever have one of these? I have been going the last couple of years always believing that the VA would handle this at their main Houston hospital at one of their clinics. This is new to me.

Any thoughts or advice. (And yes, I'm definitely going to call them first thing Monday morning to schedule.)

Have a great weekend.

Mark