Totally Confused - Need Someone Who Can Explain What Va Is Doing.

[georgiapapa]

BACKGROUND: Filed AO presumptive claim for multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy secondary to multiple myeloma in October 2011. Provided complete evidence package to Atlanta VARO via certified mail with return receipt signed by VA employee. On April 5, 2012, Atlanta VARO indicated they had not received any evidence and demanded evidence by May 6, 2012. Another complete evidence package hand delivered to Atlanta VARO on May 1, 2012. In August 2012 Ebenefits finally acknowledged receipt of some of the evidence I provided. The list of evidence they acknowledged receiving included multiple myeloma diagnosis letter from my oncologist (including supporting lab work), IMO letter from neurologist stating my peripheral neuropathy is "more likely than not" secondary to multiple myeloma, military records showing combat service on the ground in Vietnam. On September 12, 2012 I had C&P exam and VA examiner acknowledged that I have multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy and she concluded that my peripheral neuropathy is "as likely as not" secondary to multiple myeloma.

On September 24, 2012 I received letter from Atlanta VARO stating they needed some additional evidence from me no later than October 24, 2012. They requested the following: (1) Evidence showiing continuity of disease (multiple myeloma) since I was discharged from USMC in 1970, (2) Evidence of continuity of disease (peripheral neuropathy) since my discharge, (3) Evidence showing that I have a skin disease contracted within one year of my last exposure to agent orange in 1968. (NOTE: Apparently the Atlanta VARO thinks multiple myeloma is a skin disease instead of a blood cancer). (4) Evidence showing my disease (multiple myeloma) was caused by exposure to herbicides in the military.

All evidence required was provided to the Atlanta VARO twice. I typed up a letter explaining this to the Atlanta VARO and hand delivered it to them on October 1, 2012. In the letter I advised that this was an agent orange presumptive claim which did not require the evidence they were requesting and I explained that multiple myeloma was a blood cancer in the bone marrow and not a skin disease but was on the agent orange presumptive list and I was exposed to agent orange in Vietnam. I also hand delivered a VCCA notice to them on October 1, 2012 stating I had no more evidence to submit and to go ahead and decide my case.

This morning I checked my Ebenefits page and the status has changed from gathering evidence to preparation for decision. However, other new entries I read have me totally confused. Perhaps someone on the hadit forum can make sense of it and clue me in.

Estimation date of completion changed from 12/12/2012-03/11/2013 to 02/22/2013-06/21/2013.

NOTE: This doesn't make sense if they are preparing to make a decision.

There was also a new section which appeared titled "Evidence we have not received." It listed the evidence they requested on September 24, 2012 which I did not provide and explained why in my letter I hand delivered to them on October 1, 2012. It also stated my claims were closed as of December 12, 2012.

I am not sure of what to expect since I didn't provide the additional evidence. Does anyone have an idea as to what is going on and what, if anything, I need to do at this point?

NOTE: I recently submitted an informal claim to the Atlanta VARO for agent orange presumptive IHD and chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety & depression secondary to medical conditions (multiple myeloma & IHD). I plan to submit all of my evidence for the new claims before the end of the month.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Georgiapapa...

[georgiapapa]

71M10 & JVretiredvet,

I provided the VARO with a lengthy statement in support of my claims in which I detailed exactly when I first learned I had multiple myeloma. Also, my oncologist medical reports, which were also submitted to the VARO, included a history of my disease from first diagnosis up until date of submission. If the VARO employee handling my claims had read these documents, they would have known that I had not been diagnosed with multiple myeloma until 2010.

Also, I have never mentioned or claimed a skin condition in any communication with the VA. Perhaps the VA employee handling my claim has confused multiple myeloma with melanoma which is skin cancer. If so, this is further proof that the evidence submitted has not been reviewed by the VA.

Also, I provided the Atlanta VARO with VCCA notices in May 2012 and October 2012 in which I advised the Atlanta VARO that I did not have any other evidence to submit and to go ahead and decide my claims.

As I stated in my original post, I also submitted a letter to the Atlanta VARO explaining why I would not be submitting the additional evidence they requested on September 24, 2012.

Wouldn't it be great if a veteran could actually talk directly to the VA employee handling their claims? I believe this would prevent a lot of problems and speed up the claims process.

Georgiapapa...

[Hollis]

Georgiapapa it is not what you sent in in question. I think you did a great job proving you claim. The problem is the Atlanta office.there motto is "deny deny till you die". I also have the Atlanta office as my VARO, and they are lazy, non caring about Vietnam veterans. Sometimes I wished I could select another office to handle my claims. My hearing claims went from 1983 to 2010. So good luck and hadit has your back.

[georgiapapa]

Hollis,

Good to hear from you again. I am beginning to believe the motto. I worked for the federal government for over 25 years and I interacted with many other federal agencies. There is no doubt in my mind that the VA is the most dysfunctional agency in the federal system. However, this problem could be corrected if the politicians in Washington who are supposed to provide oversight would do their job. I really do not see any real progress in the near future. Hopefully, I am wrong.

Georgiapapa...