Is Calling Your Congressman Bad?

[mountain_medic]

So my VSO had sent my increase claim through email 3 times to the VRO and they said they didn't have it. VSO said they sent it and to wait...120 days later I physically mailed it and called my congressman. My VSO said that was stupid and the VA being the 2nd largest govt institution doesn't like being told how to operate their business and it might have a negative impact. I also tried to get a letter stating when they emailed the claim from the VSO and they would not give me one. Anyway since involving my Congressman the VRO has the claim and I am currently going to CnP appointments. I was surprised by this reaction from my VSO and was wondering if there is any truth to it.  I've been stewing about his reaction for a couple of weeks so I figured I would ask before I get an ulcer.

 

Thanks

[kanewnut]

My only experience was positive. My records show that the VA put a note on my records that there was Congressional interest, and the note was to stay on top of my records. This was years ago. I would do it again if need be.

[Oceanbound]

Most people think by telling their congressman about a VA complaint is going to help, it won't, as Brokensoldier wrote.

The only time I wrote mine, by actually making a physical visit to the office, and explained to the assistant (since the actual congressman doesn't deal with it--they make the laws. Only time they will deal with it if it is to big not to) that I received this letter saying that I'm dead. This was last decade.

They send a letter out to the local RO, saying I'm not, and get a response back a week or so later stating that they screwed up, we apologized, and another but older person with a same name is dead and my benefits are reinstated.

[vetquest]

When you write a letter to your congressman or go to their office their staffer writes a letter to the VA so your file is pulled from processing to get an answer.  If you are lucky it goes back to where it was, if not it goes to the bottom of the stack.  I once had a staffer that was really interested in my case and got a lot done.  When she left she was replaced by a blowhard and I also died.  It took months to get my case moving again.

[mountain_medic]

I guess I was lucky, or because it was election year. I called my congressman early October after waiting 120 days for the VA to acknowledge my claim had been submitted. Got rated 100% P&T on Nov 2nd. The Congressman's rep was awesome, emailed me every week to check on me and checked on my status with the VARO weekly. My retro pay got deposited today. 

[broncovet]

I have read similar questions for the past 10 years or so.  And, have gotten similar answers.  Here is the reason for this:

VA is NOT a unified body.  Its a bunch of employees with vastly different opinions (of Veterans), and Vets are treated vastly different from one VA employee to another.  Congress, too, is highly diversified, with varying competence levels.  

Therefore, a "simple yes" or no, does not really apply.  Its like asking, "How should I get to Grandma's house?"..Well that depends on where grandma lives and where you live.  It can be any answer from walk down the hall, to Get a passport, and fly overseas.  

Some politicians have a good relationship with VA employees, while others are at odds with each other.  

For me, I opted "not" to contact my congressman, as I felt it would be counter productive.  I used other methods.   In particular, a writ of mandamus was effective for me, even tho it was denied.  There is a written record of a writ, and a third party gets to decide it (a judge), not a VA employee.   The VA is absolutely petrified of a writ getting granted, and stop at nothing to prevent it.  A granted writ could mean major, major changes for VA, and mostly VA management wants to maintain status quo..for good reasons.  The VA is VA executives golden goose, which lays golden eggs for them (illegally), by doing things like hiring their brother in law as a contractor over an 8 billion dollar IT contract.  (This contract was not put up for bids, they just awarded it to who they choose).  This results in kickbacks for many employees who illegally conspired to make it happen.  They then "watch each others backs" by doing things like firing whistleblowers, so it can be business as usual.) .  

VA employees have a Kangaroo Court (The VAOIG) to back them up in their illegal activities.  Often, when people complain about illegal activities, they investigate the whislteblower, and let the criminal go free.  

Edited November 7, 2018 by broncovet

[SgtStelmo]

I would like to address one thing that vetquest said.  He explained how a file was pulled in order to address the congressional inquiry which was certainly true not long ago.  But the VA has decided to move out of the stone age and they now digitize the file.  That allows it to be in multiple places at the same time.

But to address the larger question.  The primary means Congress has to control the VA is through appropriations.  They have no say on individual VA decisions such as claims.  But a congressional inquiry generally cannot hurt.  

Like anything else it really depends on the particular parties involved.  Once I prepared a letter for my mother to send to her Congressman.  As is the norm, the Congressman served as a message boy between her and the VA.  Well the VA's reply was provable false.  The Congressman's staff showed no concern that they had been provided false information.  Happens, but admittedly not often.

Writing is a prime way to vent your frustration with bureaucracy so in that regard it always helps.