Vsrs And Rvsrs

[Guest jangrin]

If anyone Knows,

The veteran goes to his doctors and the doctor then provides records and reports the the VA. The doctors examin the veteran and then forward their findings on to the VA. Then all the records go to the VA and the claims raters VSR and the RVSRs take the information and make an evaluation regarding the vets claim. The supposed to figure out a rating that fits within the rules of the VA compensation guidelines and laws and coincides with the veterans medical condition.

No Problem. The question is.... How are the claims assigned to the raters. Is it the luck of the draw or is a complex case assigned to an experienced claims rep. and less complex cases assigned to the new reps? Is there some sort of review process once a claim is rated, before it is sent to the veteran?

I hate to think of how many claims may be incorrectly rated because a new VA employee just passed his claims adjuster test at 74% and now the VA figures he's ready to tackle any claim that comes along and if it' has not been figured correctly, the VA figures the vet can always appeal the decision.

Just wondering if anyone knows how this works.

Thanks for the imput,

jangrin

[Vike17]

Jangrin,

There are "coaches" assigned to the Rating activity and the Appeals Team. They are the ones who assign the claims to different RVSR's and DRO's. In the Rating activity (rating Board) newer rates must be certified by the VSCM to be able to be a single signature RVSR, meaning after that RVSR has made a decision, their work doesn't have to be signed off on by another RVSR. Generally, like you said, new RVSR's would get the less complex claims and the more experienced ones get he more complicated claims to do.

Vike 17

[kkp]

Wene I talkuted to My so on the 17th of jan, He was on the computer looking at my case and talking to someone from the ro on another line. He was advised that My case had been sent to the rating board the day before. He told me it was a good thing that my case was on the move again. Over 50% of the staff has retired in the last six months at Huntington ro..He said I was fortunate that My case had been assinged to one of the most experenced raters there. He said if he had a case, thats who he would want to be rating his. My case is compicated so I suppose that pays credence to what Vike 17 said.

If this dosn't make sence it's because my daughter is on her way to the hospital to get me another Grand Daughter .Whis us luck and those who Pray, remember us thanks kkp

[Josephine]

Wene I talkuted to My so on the 17th of jan, He was on the computer looking at my case and talking to someone from the ro on another line. He was advised that My case had been sent to the rating board the day before. He told me it was a good thing that my case was on the move again. Over 50% of the staff has retired in the last six months at Huntington ro..He said I was fortunate that My case had been assinged to one of the most experenced raters there. He said if he had a case, thats who he would want to be rating his. My case is compicated so I suppose that pays credence to what Vike 17 said.

If this dosn't make sence it's because my daughter is on her way to the hospital to get me another Grand Daughter .Whis us luck and those who Pray, remember us thanks kkp

kkp,

Congratulations on the new grandbaby. Hope that all goes well. Keep me informed! I am happy to hear that your claim is moving smoothly with the Huntington Office. I trust they will award all that you want and deserve.

I wouldn't know who the rater would be, for I left Huntington for the BVA.

Have a wonderful evening!

Always,

Josephine

Edited January 21, 2007 by Josephine

[Guest jangrin]

Anyone Know,

When the veteran has a claim for PN and it affects all limbs, bilateral arms and hand), (bilateral legs and feet), when this is rated do they combined all 4 limbs as one rating or do they combine the feet and then the hands as sepeerate bilateral, thus having 2 seperate ratings?

Thank you,

jangrin

[Vike17]

Jangrin,

§4.26 Bilateral factor.

When a partial disability results from disease or injury of both arms, or of both legs, or of paired skeletal muscles, the ratings for the disabilities of the right and left sides will be combined as usual, and 10 percent of this value will be added (i.e., not combined) before proceeding with further combinations, or converting to degree of disability. The bilateral factor will be applied to such bilateral disabilities before other combinations are carried out and the rating for such disabilities including the bilateral factor in this section will be treated as 1 disability for the purpose of arranging in order of severity and for all further combinations. For example, with disabilities evaluated at 60 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent and 10 percent (the two 10’s representing bilateral disabilities), the order of severity would be 60, 21 and 20. The 60 and 21 combine to 68 percent and the 68 and 20 to 74 percent, converted to 70 percent as the final degree of disability.

(a) The use of the terms “arms” and “legs” is not intended to distinguish between the arm, forearm and hand, or the thigh, leg, and foot, but relates to the upper extremities and lower extremities as a whole. Thus with a compensable disability of the right thigh, for example, amputation, and one of the left foot, for example, pes planus, the bilateral factor applies, and similarly whenever there are compensable disabilities affecting use of paired extremities regardless of location or specified type of impairment.

( The correct procedure when applying the bilateral factor to disabilities affecting both upper extremities and both lower extremities is to combine the ratings of the disabilities affecting the 4 extremities in the order of their individual severity and apply the bilateral factor by adding, not combining, 10 percent of the combined value thus attained.

© The bilateral factor is not applicable unless there is partial disability of compensable degree in each of 2 paired extremities, or paired skeletal muscles.

Hope this helps!

Vike 17

[Guest terrysturgis]

jangrin, I'm not sure how the bilaterial factor pertains to my case but my ratings for my 100% TDIU P&T decision are as follows: DMII 20% raised to 40%, PN lower right 20% raised to 40%, PN lower left 20% raised to 40%, PN upper right 10% raised to 30%, PN upper left 10% raised to 20%. I also get 10% tinnitus and SMC-K. I received the decision May 2006 that awarded 100% TDIU retro to April 2004. Wally says the actual schedular is 94.6%.

The reason I posted the numbers from my decision was maybe it will help you to see how my claim worked at the VA and to me it seems a lot like your claim. You never know how it's going to play out till you get your decision and I feel that for the length of time you have been around "HADIT" you should be hearing the news before too long. Take care. Terry Sturgis