Unsolicited Evidence = Congressionals?

[Julie1975]

Has anyone had "Congressionals" added as a document under unsolicited items on their claim? The only thing I can think of is an email I sent to BGen Hickey but my issue was resolved and it wasn't a congressional inquiry. The case is still pending but I already knew it would take some time.

[Vync]

Not me, but it definitely sounds interesting. If you are curious what this might be, you do have the right to see or request a copy of your claims file. Whatever you do, don't just show up at the VAMC and ask to see it. You probably have to schedule an appointment so that it can be filed. There is some debate as to whether this slows down your claim or not. If you have a national veterans service organization, like DAV, American Legion, VVA, etc... on your side, sometimes they can take a 'peek' for you to help satisfy your curiosity. Good luck with your claim!

[Julie1975]

Thanks for the reply, Vync! After all is said and done I will ask for a copy of that document. :)

[broncovet]

Julie,

Its unlikely that congressional testimony will help your claim. Why? Well because we are applying for specific benefits for a specific injury for a specific person.

Congressional testimony is mostly about legislative issues, and problems with VA.

It is possible, tho, if you or your doc testified to congress about YOUR specific issue, you could cite that as evidence.

I see this all the time on hadit. A vet comes on says he's 30 percent for this, 20 percent for that, so the doc said this, but he really was that so is that a CUE?

If you want spefic help on your condition you need to give specific details. "General" details can, at best, yield a "general" response. Berta often asks that you post your decision..and that is a very good idea. Unfortunately my BVA decision was 32 pages long. It was so long VARO never read it and did not comply with half the stuff.

[Julie1975]

Julie,

Its unlikely that congressional testimony will help your claim. Why? Well because we are applying for specific benefits for a specific injury for a specific person.

Congressional testimony is mostly about legislative issues, and problems with VA.

It is possible, tho, if you or your doc testified to congress about YOUR specific issue, you could cite that as evidence.

I see this all the time on hadit. A vet comes on says he's 30 percent for this, 20 percent for that, so the doc said this, but he really was that so is that a CUE?

If you want spefic help on your condition you need to give specific details. "General" details can, at best, yield a "general" response. Berta often asks that you post your decision..and that is a very good idea. Unfortunately my BVA decision was 32 pages long. It was so long VARO never read it and did not comply with half the stuff.

Good morning, Broncovet. I don't think I understand your response or maybe you misunderstood my question. I have a claim pending in eBenefits and under the tab that shows documents that were submitted for my case it has an item named "Congressionals" listed along with birth certificates of kids, marriage certificate, etc. I've never filed a congressional or testified to anyone about my case. There are many issues under this claim so I'm not asking about any specific item, I am simply asking if anyone knows why a document named "Congressionals" would be listed as evidence when I have never ever filed a congressional, testified anywhere, doctors never testified etc, etc, etc. I would post my initial decision but I'm not sure it has anything to do with my question. I'll move along because it's clear I won't know what the document is until I receive a copy of it after my case is resolved.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Julie1975

[broncovet]

I guess you are right...apparently VA lingo is worse than I thought. I guess "congressional" means stuff like birth certificates.

And, apparently you can submit "congressionals" via ebenefits.

Thanks for correcting me, I thought you meant testimony before congress, that is congressional testimony. Berta has done that before.

[Vync]

Back when I was in the service, we would periodically get "congressionals". When they arrived, it was like drop everything and get it routed through. Not sure if the VA treats them in the same manner.