Special Correspondence

[JayBrown1]

Good morning everyone, well I got another puzzling question. I was just on Ebenefits and I saw where they showed that my claim was closed but it said it was "Special Corresponce" and a decision has been made and it will be mail to me.

My question is, What is Special Correspondence?

[deanbrt]

I saw this entry several times over the claim and appeal process and never got a clea answer.

[71M10]

Every time they do a letter to an inquiry or if they do something out of the ordinary, they put a claim code in for special correspondence. What is really great, is that it appears that these claims were counted in that Million claims processed this year. So that letter to a senator, or asking them to actually mail the decision they made and never sent you, count as a claim and that increased productivity is going to mean a nice bonus for your local VARO staff.

Best regards,

[broncovet]

71 is likely right. By "moving" your claim to "special correspondence" they can call it a completed claim. Over and over, the VA says it loud and clear:

The squeaky wheel gets the grease and nice guys finish last.

So do some "squeaking" so the VA will want to get rid of your claim. If the Va can just ignore you, then they can go to more parties and spend more taxpayer money..and ask for more bonuses.

[71M10]

Actually, when dealing with the VA we also need to keep in mind. Their is a fine line between guts, and stupidity!

Squeeky wheels do get greased, complaining will get you attention, and sometimes special treatment. Sometimes its easier to throw a new wheel on and put the troublesome one in the shed to be fixed later!

The problem with special treatment is oftentimes the "special treatment" you want isn"t the "special treatment" you get.

I personally feel that by strongly asserting my rights, someone at Detroit VARO has decided they will use all the time that they need to process my DRO review. I would point out that the VA has no time limit on how long they can take to process a claim or appeal. Even if they are being unreasonable, no-one can hold them accountable, since the system is not designed to hold anyone accountable. They can mess with a vet for a real long time before anyone involved is even asked what is going on with "Scuba Steves" claim.

Best regards,