tdiu So What Good Did It Do To Send Claim Certified Mail?

[Nathan104]

The first of February I sent in my TDIU application along with a new claim. A week later I sent in a request for reconsideration for a denial for depression which they rated even though I had asked them to hold it while I gathered my records. I sent both packages certifies mail and both show received the first part of February at the VA. I had not heard anything so I called to check the status. Well, the computer does not show these as being logged in or pending. I asked if the mailroom was backed up and she said that mail has already been processed from that timeframe. She said she would look around and try to find them but if she could not locate them I would have to refile them. So, what is the point of sending certified mail? If they are going to lose it, it doesnt seem to matter how it is sent. Now, Ill have to refile it and Im going to be losing a month or two from my original filing date. Plus, I was stupid and did not make a copy of my actual TDIU form so now Ill have to figure out how to fill that stupid thing out again. It's just so frustrating. I had all the evidence and supporting letters in there with it. It was a nice complete package with everything needed. Im pulling my hair out. Just needed to rant I guess.

[john999]

Nathan

Make a trip to the RO if you can and hand deliver it and get a date stamped copy of all the evidence you give these idiots. I have the same problems with my RO. They lose everything at least once. Never send original documents. They lost my DD214, but I had the orignial.

[Pete53]

Be sure to put in your claim that you are refiling a claim that VA lost and expect the appropriate effective date. Include a copy of your certified paperwork. Trust me on this if you don't they may treat it as new or reopened claim.

[Berta]

Did your service vet rep send in a 21-4138 in support of the claim?

This too can be evidence that it was filed.

I suggest filing an Iris inquery but click on Service complaint and state all this in the complaint.

They really might have it but it sure pays to check-

If the VA loses our stuff -the have saved money in the potential retro award due to the EED.

If VA loses our stuff they should be held accountable for it-

Service Complaints , under the IRIS system, go first to the VBA and are documented there as to the complaint and the RO it involves and then sent on to the RO.

Regular Iris inqueries dont get the VBA documentation.

At some point the gov will have to start adding up these complaints at the VBA and see if they were properly resolved.

[Philip Rogers]

The first of February I sent in my TDIU application along with a new claim. A week later I sent in a request for reconsideration for a denial for depression which they rated even though I had asked them to hold it while I gathered my records. I sent both packages certifies mail and both show received the first part of February at the VA. I had not heard anything so I called to check the status. Well, the computer does not show these as being logged in or pending. I asked if the mailroom was backed up and she said that mail has already been processed from that timeframe. She said she would look around and try to find them but if she could not locate them I would have to refile them. So, what is the point of sending certified mail? If they are going to lose it, it doesnt seem to matter how it is sent. Now, Ill have to refile it and Im going to be losing a month or two from my original filing date. Plus, I was stupid and did not make a copy of my actual TDIU form so now Ill have to figure out how to fill that stupid thing out again. It's just so frustrating. I had all the evidence and supporting letters in there with it. It was a nice complete package with everything needed. Im pulling my hair out. Just needed to rant I guess.

Nathan104,

First off you should "always, always, always," keep a copy of anything you send to the VA. As for the certified, return receipt, mailing, it's so you have proof you sent it and will protect your claim date. It's best that you photocopy the actual certified sticker on the evidence you're submitting, at least the front page. This helps to prove what was sent. Then if the VA loses it you're protected.

pr

[sixthscents]

Philip makes a very good point. It is to protect the claim date... I never really considered that before, I just did all the stuff because they kept saying the needed copies of the same stuff over and over, but the main reason to do it would be just what Philip says.

Thank you Philip, I will use that point when I brief my vets...

I reccomend that a vet who is filing for VA and SSD keep 2 3-ring binders, with the same evidence in both, but all the coorespondence and the copies of the replies in whichever applies. This includes all the certified mail receipts, and a journal of who you talked to at the VA, or Social Security with date time and reason...

I know it sounds anal, but it helps to have 2 copies to cross check and make sure you sent the same stuff to both, with the same updates like new tests, or follow-on appointments etc.