ptsd Claims

[meghp0405]

hey folks, I'm really frustrated at the posts that I have read throughout the hadit site. Not mad at anyone on here, but mad at the system and how it treats us veterans. I'm probably not as frustrated as those veterans that have been waiting years for an answer from VA, but regardless, it sickens me to see another vet suffer through this process. I have heard it before and I'll repeat it, If you don't have PTSD before submitting a claim, you will have a diagnosis before your done!

I have been a VSO for 7 years. I volunteer my time assisting veterans in this process. The military hospital on our installation provideds the DAV with an office, computer and any other logistical needs that we may have in assisting fellow veterans. Kudos to them for their support!

Although there is nothing I or anybody can do for the claims that are already in the hands of VA, we all have to educate those that are getting out of the service on how to submit a claim. Use to be, a vet would send a letter in stating that he/she proposes to submit a claim for their disabilities.This would establish an effective date. Then spend time sending in paperwork afterwords in hopes that the documents you sent would be attached to your claim.

As you each have read the stories listed, we all know that this system is just not working.

The VA came out with a fully developed claim about 2 years ago. When a veteran submits a claim, all supporting documentation is submitted with the claim. All medical records, marriage certificate(s), divorcee decree(s), birth certificate(s) and ssn's for each dependant. VA FM 21-526ez (FDC), VA FM 21-686c, (dependency form), VA FM 21-4138, statement made by you to the VA and VA FM 21-22, power of attorney (if applicable), is all sent in as a "fully developed claim". Now, these claims cannot be submitted until your ETS/Retirement date. Here is the kicker, these claims are being adjudicated within 90 days once being received at the VA. If a military retiree is awarded 50% SC or greater, this claim will take an additional 30 days. This is due to the claim being sent to DFAS for the computation of pay. 50% or greater, you then fall into the CRDP program..

Now lets say you submit a FDC, you get the response back and you disagree. Complete a VA FM 21-4138, infor VA that you are submitting an NOD for the listed disabilities and

request a DRO. Remember, when you submit an NOD, you need to list each disability that you disagree with and you have to state why you disagree. If you have additional information to provide then send it in with your NOD. If you obtain additional medical documentation, do not send it in when your claim is being adjudicated within the first 90 days. If you do, your claim is sent to the original claim lane and into the 14-29 month wait.

The VSO's in this area have submitted several hundreds of these claims, again all done within 90 days with the exception of the retirees as I stated above. The dependency claims are done also. Several times, I have seen that the VA FM 21-686c will be sent in after the initial rating decision has been issued to the Veteran. Some VSO's believe that you cannot submit this form until you know that the vet has been awarded 30% or greater. That's hogwash! Submit all this together.

Later down the road, if you feel that an increase in % is due, submit the claim as a FDC, again with all medical documentation in support of your claim.

We have been told in our training, that if you continously call Peggy, that will indeed slow your claim down as well. Again, don't know for sure.

The VA guys on post that are doing claims for those that are getting out of the service are submitting their claims as a BDD (benefits at discharge date). These claims go to Winston-Salem where initially everything seems as it is going well, appointments for C/P exams are done and the claims then go into the waiting area. The longest I have seen for an initial BDD claim has been 29 months. I have asked these guys why they do the BDD claims and not the FDC. In so many words, their bonuses are caculated on the BDD claims. That makes me so upset! They do not have the veterans best interests at heart, only their wallets. About 6 months ago, most supervisors/managers within the VA received a $10,000 bonus each. The secretary's rationale was that, "many supervisors/managers had not received a raise in 2 years." This was made public right before the training sessions in florida and elswhere were made public. The VA had spent millions on their little parties and yet the secretary and his staff still have their jobs. This is just wrong in so many ways! Most VSO's are volunteers. Yes, some are good and some are bad. I tell folks, find you a VSO that is busy. If you find one that is not keep looking. There is a reason for that.

Ok, I've said my peace and it's time to get some beauty sleep. Well ok, i'll settle for sleep, the beauty part vanished many years ago!

On a personal note, I would just like to thank everybody that has contributed. I know, I haven't been here a long time but I have learned a great deal while here!

[Berta]

I think we can take call ins at SVR tomorrow 10 AM EST at SVR here.......but .maybe I spoke too soon.......

If so the phone number will be posted by our wonderful hadit member, and SVR technician, Mike Sasser....or by our Fantastic SVR and hadit Mod Carlie, or by our producer sweetheart Jerrel, or our fishing expert and VA intellect and co host ,John jbasser...who did I forget...............let me know and I will post something great about you.........cant wait until tomorrow's show........with our GREAT webmaster Tbird.........we are all blessed, in my opinion.........by her outstanding work to start this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!