Are These Normal Vro & "vso" Issues And Behavior?

[Singularity]

Hi to all. New member here. I filed a fully developed claim over 8 months ago and since then I haven't received even one call or communication that originated from my "VRO" or "VSO".

I looked up the number for my VSO and they gave me a number in my state. It rings the VRO, but when they answer the phone they say they are also the VSO. Is this normal? (VSO "officers" taking VSO calls at the VRO? It seems like a conflict of interest and it's confusing because I don't know if I am talking to someone objective or on my side vs. someone at the VA who might not be objective or even want to talk.) Any advice appreciated on this.

Also- When I called my "VRO", the claims person I spoke with wouldn't even give me an email address to send a document to that they said they have been seeking from other sources (the gov). The very document that was supposed to be "a reason" for my claim being delayed. So they said they need this document, have requested it from another source (the gov), but would take the copies I have of them, and then basically told me I couldn't have their email or anyone's email there because they are evidently treated like "state secrets".

What gives?

To sum it up- no one has ever called me (VRO or VSO). When I call them, both numbers ring the same place. When I call them, they tell me nothing. They won't even return a call (not ever- not even once). That doesn't fill me with warm feelings considering I have a document on my claim that I signed giving them the power to be my "VSO". As far as I can tell these are all VRO employees, but i don't know - how can they possibly represent me in any good way when I know for a fact the VRO put my claim on "silent hold" because the gov was missing a document that would not have any impact on my condition, anyway (and they would have never told me what the deal was, had I not called them).

Is this all 'normal' VSO & VRO behavior toward a claimant? I thought the VSO was on my side but it appears to me they have little interest.

Frustrated - thanks in advance for your help.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Singularity

[broncovet]

I agree with PR. VSO's "share office space" with VARO's. Here is what this means to Vets: The VSO is getting "free rent" at the VARO so we all know there is no free rent. Who pays? We (Vets) do. VSO's have in their charter, that they MUST COOPERATE WITH VA. Keep remembering this. They have sworn to cooperate with your opponnet at law. We just THINK they are here for us. They are here for VA, not us.

Dont buy into the "non adversarial claimant friendly" BS. When would a "claimant friendly" environment involve 10 years or more of retro pay? When your claim was denied for 10 years and you finally won.

Now on to your doc. Who signs his check? Did you pay him? I dont think so. He gets paid by VA to do what VA says, representing VA's interests, not yours. Rememeber that.

YOu will need an IMO/IME. This is a doc YOU pay for who opines on your mental health case. You probably dont want the VA to hire a doc to give an opinion, when THEY (the VA) have a vested interest in the outcome. Its like if you have a squabble with your neighbor, and he sues you, are you gonna use his attorney? No. You hire your own, he has a vested interest in your opponent winning.

[Singularity]

All, thank you. A little update. I called her and asked her if she could & if she would feel it was appropriate to provide me with a 'nexus' letter stating service connection was more than likely.

Without hesitation she said yes and within the day, I had a letter that stated "it is more likely than not that the veteran's current condition is related to his service on active duty".

She is certified but not a full on psychiatrist.

You are all so helpful and I am grateful you are here.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Singularity

[broncovet]

Singularity

I re read what you posted. Here is the deal. All military must take an "entrance physical". After the physical, the troop is "presumed to be in good medical condition" except for the defects noted on the physical.

Then, you go into the military. When you get out of the military, they usually do an exit physical. (not always, tho). Any thing you got "in the military" is presumed to be caused by military service except of congenitial defects and those occuring not in LOD. In other words, if you got drunk and hurt yourself, this is not the military's fault. Your doc would note that in your treatment records, something like you were treated for self inflicted wounds caused by excessive alcohol consumption not in the line of duty. Absent a similar statement, your treatment would be presumed to be in the Line of duty.

It will be difficult for VA to rebut "the presumption of soundness" of your entrance physical, based upon this doc's opinion, reminding you another military doc already examined you carefully and said you did not have any "unnoticed disorders". Also reference the term "may". This is speculative.

I "may" win the lottery, or I "may" already have won it with the ticket in my pocket. I wont be able to go to a bank and get a loan on a "may". You need 3 things for service connection: 1, current diagnosis, 2 In service event or aggravation, and 3 a nexus between these. This nexus must be rather precise. The doc can not say your PTSD "may" have been caused by service. That is speculative and will get denied every time. He has to opine, "Your PTSD is at least as likely as not caused by xxx event in military service". No maybe, no "may" , no "could have" caused. It has to be "at least as likely as not". In a similar way, the VA should not be able to take this docs speculative "may" have a disorder unnoticed on the physical.

The VA has many rules to follow, and they should not be able to deny you based on this docs speculation.

Edited April 17, 2015 by broncovet