Now We Know Whats Happens In The Ro's Maybe We Are Not So Crazy After All

[WVSERVER]

http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-14-03651-203.pdf

[Valhalla0321]

I am sure it's not a philly isolated incident, they were just exposed. Like i tell everyone, you not only have to be your own advocate but you have to not be so trustworthy.

[broncovet]

Yep. Shreddergate 2 is is full force, as this VAOIG report explains:

(Page 43) VAOIG quote, follows:

We concluded VARO management did not ensure VSC staff timely associated drop mail with veterans’ claims folders. We observed 37 boxes and bins containing drop mail stored in workspace designated for VCIP containing approximately 14,675 pieces of drop mail. We randomly sampled 96 pieces of mail from the drop mail bins and found the mail had been unassociated with claims folders despite receipt by VARO staff between March 2011 and June 2014. Further, nine pieces of mail from our sample affected or had the potential to affect benefits. Summaries of the nine cases from our sample containing errors follow.  In the one claim affecting benefits, a veteran was underpaid benefits by 1-month for a total of $127. In June 2013, a veteran submitted an informal claim; however, the claim was not associated with the veteran’s VBMS record so it was not available when the RVSR decided the disability claim. Consequently, the RVSR assigned an incorrect effective date to begin benefits payments. Generally, VBA policy allows claimants up to 1-year to formalize claims; if this occurs, claimants can receive retroactive benefits. VA Office of Inspector General 43 Review of Alleged Data Manipulation and Mismanagement at VARO Philadelphia, PA Why This Happened What Resulted Conclusion  Six of the cases had the potential to affect future benefits. In these cases, staff did not associate informal or formal claims with the veterans’ claims folders. Because staff delayed associating mail with claims folders, incorrect effective dates for benefits payments or omission of claimed disabilities may occur.  In another case, staff did not associate evidence submitted by the veteran in support of a pending appeal.  In the remaining error, staff did not follow -up on VBA’s request for information about a veteran’s dependency status after it was returned by the United States Postal Service as undeliverable, creating the potential to affect benefits if the veteran’s dependency status has changed. Drop mail was not timely associated with claims folders because prior to June 2014, because VARO management reports did not track the volume of drop mail within the VSC. However, internal Systematic Analysis of Operations completed by team coaches reported the volume of drop mail increased from 1,000 to approximately 6,000 pieces from June 2012 through May 2014. VARO management agreed oversight in the VSC mail operations was ineffective. VARO management stated the mail was not associated with the files due of a lack of resources, but the manager was also unaware that the drop mail was being stored in the VCIP area.

end of VAOIG quote.

[Buck52]

After a veteran wins an award or wins his claim to his satisfaction he/she should safe guard all copies of the all copies of VA and all copies of evidence/medical reports ect,,,ect,, or anything it took him/her to win the award in a safe place...keep them forever!

They may come in handy some day.

.....jmo

....Buck