diabetes Fully Developed Claim

[OSC]

Fully Developed Claim

This is more of a rant than a question as the answer really is: that it will be done when it is done.

In September 2014, I submitted a simple single item Fully Developed Claim (FDC) for an increase of benefits immediately upon discharge (2 days) from my hospital care at the Las Vegas VAMC and VA approved follow-on treatment. This claim was for (1) Secondary Service Connection for a single new contention of my SC Diabetes and (2) Temporary 100% Total Disability for this hospital stay. All my paperwork, including admission and discharge dates, was submitted at once and all treatment was under the VA.

Now 4 months later, the VARO is finally looking at my claim. There was movement on eBenefits where my claim jumped from Under Review to Gathering of Evidence with notes that they will be sending a Development Letter and a request for additional evidence which is the reason for me being here today.

The additional evidence they want is and I quote:

• In support of your claim for a temporary 100% evaluation, we need medical evidence showing you had surgery and/or received medical treatment for a service connected disability which required a convalescence period of at least one month, or hospitalization of at least 21 days.

So after a delay of 4 months where my claim sat with no movement, the VARO is now asking me to send in the same information they already have. The medical side of the VA was involved 100% of the way from the ER to my actual stay at the VA Hospital to the transfer to the VA approved outside care facility.

This makes absolutely no sense to me why this kind of a delay happens on a simple single item claim, in which all of their investigative work and research has been done, submitted and available at the Rater’s fingertips.

THEY have to approve the Service Connection first before I can submit this “additional evidence”; so two hours after seeing the notice on eBenefits, I resubmitted to them the admission and discharge documents along with a letter showing the dates equaling 31 days. I felt like singing the Arlo Guthry song Alice’s Restaurant by submitting “8 by 10 glossy photos along with circles and arrows”….

One additional thing the snail mail letter did say was that they would be scheduling me for a C&P exam which was expected.

The good news is that there is movement in my claim, but the length of time to get here is ridiculous when everything was done already

Of course I leave for the Philippines in 2 weeks, so the hoop jumping will probably start all over again but then again maybe changing VAROs might actually be good…who knows.

Thanks for listening.

OSC

[TiredCoastie]

It's an easy fix, actually, from what the rater explained. Just check off in the electronic system what documents were requested and which were received and when. I don't know a thing about how the systems work, but I imagine it would probably take less than 10 minutes but save countless veterans time and agony.

Only twice in my claims' history did a rater click off that they received a document they requested, and that seemed to happen when the claim was closed.

Edited January 20, 2015 by TiredCoastie

[OSC]

WOW......Well apparently my email with the post attached struck a nerve with the Bosses.

2.5 hours after I sent the email, I have had 3 responses.

Looks like this new upper management might actually be looking out for us and actually get some of these problems fixed which will be a very welcomed change. I know it won't happen overnight, but I'll be satisfied with any kind of steady improvement.

Appreciate all your help and moral support out there.

Will let you know how it all ends up.

OSC

[georgiapapa]

OSC,

Great news. I am glad you received responses before you left for the Phillipines. Make sure you keep the VA notified when you change your address. Have proof that you notified them of the change of address. You do not want to miss any deadlines or further requests for information. You also want to receive good news in a timely manner.

Please keep us posted on the good news and let us know if we can help.

Hang in there and continued good luck to you.

Georgiapapa

[OSC]

Well, now I finally have time for an update.

So after many emails back and forth between me and the big bosses plus 3 phone calls which were initiated by the VA, everything is going smoothly.

I have finally arrived in the Philippines. And this VAMC/VARO is very different than what I am used to in Las Vegas. This one seems to be run VERY efficiently.

After going through a security system, similar to airport screening, to enter the VA compound (probably because this is outside CONUS.), there is an information desk manned by 2 guys: one side for VAMC and the other for VARO. I talk to both of them and they hand me paperwork to fill out and I will be called into the back. After a few minutes, I am called, where I sit down with another guy who is inputting all my info into his computer. After a few more questions, I am scheduled for an initial physical for the VAMC side and told that I will be called for a C&P later for the VARO side. VERY EFFICIENT.

Now, less than a week later, I receive a phone call scheduling my C&P and here is the kicker…it will be on the same day as my VAMC physical. OMG something that really make sense to schedule for convenience of the vet.

This might REALLY be the new VA.

OSC

[OSC]

A quick update:

Met my new PC and staff in Manila; had a full physical and meds updated.

Then had a C&P which was very well done plus 3 more C&Ps are now scheduled...2 today and 1 next week plus scans scheduled at a hospital nearby.

VERY efficient and well run...even left the VARO with a bag full of pills for the next 90 days.

Then last Thursday finally had the last of the scans (Hopefully).....Now the Hurrry-Up and Wait game begins.

If my last claims are any indication, then I should know something in the next few weeks because things have gone pretty fast after the C&Ps.

The saga continues....

OSC

[georgiapapa]

OSC,

Sounds like you have a decent VAMC and VA PC in Manilla. I wish you luck with the C & Ps. Keep us posted.

Good luck and good health.

GP