Needing Some Advice

[infantry10]

My claim was rated on Oct 31 and it's been in pending decision approval ever since. I'm grateful that its got this far and its got the attention it has. But, if it doesn't start moving a little faster I'm afraid I'm going to lose my house. My question is...would it benefit me to contact a senator at this stage or would it hurt me. I am willing to do anything at this point if it would help move things along faster but I'm not sure if that would be the best option or not. If anyone has any advice, I would grately appreciate it!! I'm desperate and any opinions would be helpful. Thanks!!

[infantry10]

Also, mine is a Administrative Review claim. Would that be why it is being held up so long? I dont know much about Administrative Reviews.

[free_spirit_etc]

Infantry,

Personally, I think you might want to ask the Congressperson to make an inquiry. It is good that the woman you talked to realized they made a mistake. I know both times when I contacted a Congressperson with the VA (over burial benefits, and survivor's month of death payment) I got a response VERY quickly. In fact, I got the check fast! Then they contacted the Congressman. When I contacted Social Security over how long it took for SSA to pay me I started getting calls from SSA a few days after I sent the letter and I got my check in a week or so.

These were all incidents where it had taken far too long and whomever looked at the claims knew it.

So as long as it is framed correctly, and if your sure the record will show that this is an error the VA made - I don't see where an Inquiry could hurt you. If it is just a matter of the regular way they delay everything, then I am not sure it would help. But if the Inquiry would cause whomever pulls your file to say "Hey. This really shouldn't have happened..." they should move things pretty quickly. I was surprised that in the letter to my Congressman the VA actually admitted their error. (I thought they would try to sweep it under the rug...)

I would write something for the Congressman to forward. Something like "The VA terminated a major portion of my benefits in error in ____. I was informed on ___ that there had been some type of glitch where the computer didn't recognize the required form I submitted which caused them to reduce my benefits in error. I was also informed it would take __ months for the VA to correct their error and reinstate my full benefits. It has now been ___ months and my benefits have still not been reinstated. I am only receiving 1/3 of the benefits I should be receiving and am now under threat of losing my house and having my utilities disconnected due to my inability to pay my bills. I am unable to work due to my service connected disabilities. Could you please inquire why it is taking the VA so long to correct their error?

*** Disclaimer -- I am NOT near as experienced with the VA system as many people on this board. So my advice may not be the best advice. I don't even understand why you had to be rated again. It seems like they could just fix their mistake. I understand most people will say it will slow down your claim to do a Congressional Inquiry. In my experience, if it is something that should have already been handled, things can move pretty quickly once the government agency has to explain to a Congressperson what is taking so long.

But I understand the "should I or shouldn't I' dilemma. It is sad how government agencies can keep those who are dependent on them virtually paralyzed in fear of doing something that will mess things up further.

[free_spirit_etc]

Maybe you should try this http://www.gofundme.com/

It might be faster....

[infantry10]

Senator Joe Manchin's office is who I contacted. The lady I spoke with was very interested in helping me. She said she has been working with/helping veterans for many years but has never heard something like my situation before and couldn't believe it happened the way it did. I'm supposed to call her back today to let her know whether or not I want/need her assistance. She asked what AL said when they were told what happened and I told her, they said this was new to them and would be a learning experience for them. She didn't seem too happy with their response and said they should have had this fixed months ago. And I couldn't agree with her more.

[john999]

I would do what Carlie says to do if it were me! Go to the VARO and ask why it is taking months to get a decision letter?

[infantry10]

Well.....Since I couldn't drive to the Region office today I decided to call down there instead. I was transferred to the main AL guy. I explained to him what happened. He looked up my info in the computer system and said he couldn't believe what was going on. He said, all the VA has been waiting on all this time is the employment questionnaire form. I told him I've filled out 3 and faxed them all in. 1 I faxed myself and 2 was faxed by my local AL office. He said VA has NO copy of any of the 3 I've sent in. He also said he couldn't understand why my local AL office opened up a new IU claim to begin with when all they needed was that form filled out and that is what the hold up is. He also said AL opened up a new dependency claim too and all my dependents were updated and correct. He said for me to go to AL first thing in the morning and have them to stop whatever they're doing and call him immediately. He asked if there was any way I could prove that I faxed in any of the 3 I faxed. I told him I had proof of all 3 and they are all time stamped. He said for now on, he's personally taking care of my stuff himself because evidently the others didn't know what they were doing and the AL has my stuff all messed up. I'm so glad I decided to call there today!! He seemed real pissed off at how AL has handled things.

Edited December 9, 2013 by infantry10