How Do I Update Va Regional Office?

[Chief Pink]

Hello All.

Background: I moved to Kansas from Georgia almost a year ago. While living in Geogia my VA Regional Office was the Atlanta VARO. The claim that I filed through them has long since been completed and closed. I just recently initiated a new claim through eBenefits and also made contact with the VSO in my area.

Issue/Question: eBenefits shows that my VARO is still Atlanta, GA and a letter that I received yesterday from Atlanta confirms it. I asked the VSO to update the VARO to Wichita, KS since it is obviously closer to me than Atlanta, GA. He stated that he is unable to do that and that the Veteran is not allowed to pick and choose which VARO to use. I understand the not being able to pick and choose a VARO but shouldn't the VA automatically update my VARO to show the closest VARO to my physical address? I know that the VA has a habit of farming claims to other Regional Offices when their backlong justifies it. However, in the case of Atlanta versus Wichita, Atlanta has thousands more open cases than Wichita. So I'm confused.

Is there something that I can do to ask the VA to update my Regional Office? Will the VA automatically update my Regional Office when someone realizes that I no longer live in Georgia?

Thanks.

[carlie]

Yes it's a new claim and I don't have any open claims from Atlanta. The odd thing is that the VA has had my updated address for quite some time. My meds are mailed here, all correspondence is addressed correctly, my monthly money statement shows the right address etc., etc.

So, in an effort to keep from driving all the way to Wichita I left a message on the C&P line at the Wichita VARO. Hopefully, they will call me back next week. Otherwise, I will just need to make a road trip and get'r done. I hear that there is a great drive thru BBQ joint out there. Yes drive-thru, no sit down tables. Sounds like fun huh?

Thanks again for the input!

Getting your meds is the VAMC - not the VARO

Getting your $$ is not the VARO

I'd go get that BBQ and solve the problem for sure.

Also, IF you go to your closest VARO and submit a copy of anything

to include updating your address (I'm a nut and would even do this on a 21-4138)

ask for a DATE STAMPED copy.

Then you have proof of action.

jmho

[Stretch]

My claims were in Los Angeles, CA. I moved to Arkansas. All I had to do is request that my C file be moved to Arkansas. My new claims for some reason are in LA. i call the Arkansas VSR. She asked me 3 times if i wanted to move my claims to Arkansas. If I said that I wanted to move the c file I know how they operate. They will put me in the hamster cage again.

If you going to the VA main office don't forget to take your cheese. If they start giving you a hard time just throw it on the floor and watch them crawl all over theirselves.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Stretch

[Chief Pink]

Thanks Carlie. Words of wisdom. Never thought about using the 21-4138 but I certainly will from now on.