Do attorneys have certain visibility or knowledge to claim activity that I do not see in eBenifits & VA.gov?

[MKAH]

A few days ago, my attorney sent me this email on a PTSD claim I filed back in 2016 and have appealed to the BVA.  After getting this email, I checked eBenifits & VA.gov and they still read, "waiting to be sent to a law judge".

"I am reaching out to give an update on your case. We are currently pending a Rating Decision in response to the Board Appeal filed 05/18/21. If you have received any recent VA correspondence, please be sure to inform our office"

Thank You

 

Edited December 30, 2021 by MKAH

[broncovet]

Yes, its likely.  "If" your attorney jumped through the hoops to obtain VBMS access, and it appears as if he did, yes, he can see much more than you.  

VA does not currently allow Vets access to their VBMS file, only both VSO's and attorneys who have gone through the VA's vetting process which permits access to files he has POA on.  

[MKAH]

9 minutes ago, broncovet said:

Yes, its likely.  "If" your attorney jumped through the hoops to obtain VBMS access, and it appears as if he did, yes, he can see much more than you.  

VA does not currently allow Vets access to their VBMS file, only both VSO's and attorneys who have gone through the VA's vetting process which permits access to files he has POA on.  

broncovet, 

That is very helpful.  A few minutes before you replied, I called the 800 number, and Peggy could not tell me anything other than it's "waiting to be sent to a law judge". However, Peggy did mention the claim went to the DOCKET on 05/18/21.

I forgot to mention the second part of the email from my attorney.  Not that it matters but it is an interesting question.

" If you have received any recent VA correspondence, please be sure to inform our office.  If there have been any updates to your medications, contact information, etc., please send the updated information."  

I did have numerous mediation changes which I forwarded as requested.

 

Thank you again.

 

 

 

[brokensoldier244th]

FYI- phone people are cleared for very little in VBMS- they can see our notes that we leave on claims as we work them, and more up to date status since VBMS updates in 'real time' and Ebenefits doesn't-thats about it. Plus Ebenefits is going away completely in March. Its been in drawdown for the last year and some as they move everything to VA.gov. I never trusted Ebenefits much when I was a veteran filing a claim, and we as VSRs NEVER use Ebenefits at all for work related, well, anything. Its its own thing. 

Edited December 31, 2021 by brokensoldier244th

[pwrslm]

This is another area that the VA has dumbed down unfortunately. EB gave us access to a lot more information than VA.gov does. We lose more and more every time they "fix" the system. 

[brokensoldier244th]

What can you specifically not see? I haven't used VA.gov at all except for printing up to date letters, or Ebenefits, in about 7 yrs. I finished filing my claims a long time ago. I do have an email to one of the development teams that works on VBMS and I could ask them about the team on VA.gov and who to contact for pushing feature requests if I have a list of something to give them. 

 

[McRay]

I have a substantial claim in for medical reimbursement. It has never shown on va.gov and ebenefits shows I have 2 claims but gives no information. I wonder what the reason is, that in 2021 and electronic communication we can't see what's happening with our claims? I think we should be able to view all claims, their progress and also receive US mail communications by email and by letter. It's a simple process of code and allowing the claimant access. But then, knowledge is power.