A must read? (New claims processing)

[Bob698]

http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pres...se.cfm?id=2354

I've only done a quick read-through. It sounds like you can file for a quicker turn around if you only file for one or two serious conditions or are *really* stuck up the creek and facing going homeless.

I think we really need to read into this before saying its good or bad. The down side seems to be that you have to sacrifice other valid concerns in order to get a quick decision.

[gomer]

Thanks Bob..

I looked up your link. It sounds reasonable and logical. The question is how well the plan is actually implemented in practice.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

so just file your " 1or2" major complaints, then when they are approved file the others....people spend to much time spinning there wheels... its all how you word things. approved for ssdi in 4 months and it took only 3 months to get my upgrades to 100 percent all service connected, all from combat wounds though... next i am gonna see how long it takes me to get my MS service connected. I bet it will be less than 6 months.

[Bob698]

Well, its a little ironic in that it sounds a lot like how my first S.O. filed my claim.

What I would question is where do the S.O.'s fit into this plan? Aren't they supposed to be doing all of this stuff already to insure a claim is accurate and properly documented?

If you have five valid medical conditions and only file for two, what happens to the rest?

[Scooter24]

Bob- the additional are applied for under an ammended claim as mine are now, I had submitted mine by myself and afterwards got PVA involved, my second or ammended claim is in now for about 8 months, since those were submitted, my nuero now says I have lost use of my right leg and audiology has determined a 60% hearing loss due to MS nerve damage, these additional items will be submitted as a 2nd amendment once we get an answer on the 2nd group already in, this as per my PVA rep as he said it will just cause everything to start over again, such as C&P exams etc. he said it is better to wait for additional extras plus he already has me in for unemployability and if I get that no reason really to go after any more.

[gomer]

I see one potential problem with this.

Lets say a person had 3 or more issues, files for only 1 or two, then waits to file for the other issues. Instead of a single claim, you end up filling 2 or maybe even three total claims instead of one.

On one hand it seems like it could cause MORE not less paper work etc.

On the other hand, it could save the VA money, by delaying comp payments and their medical cost for the additional issues.

Scooter..did they give you hearing aids yet? After my hearing loss was determined to be service connected, my care in that dept did a 180, from very bad (& nasty) to good (& polite), and given very nice hearing aids.


Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

[Scooter24]

On the other hand, it could save the VA money, by delaying comp payments and their medical cost for the additional issues.

Cost for additional issues are not a factor if you rcv 30% or more initially as all your med care is provided period if S/C or not as are all of mine.

Scooter..did they give you hearing aids yet?

They have them there, but cannot give me an appointment before the 29th of Aug at this time to finish fitting and training and retesting with them. .

[Scooter24]

I also noted that the new provisions do not apply to my VA regional center at his time. quite strange as PVA rep said it is one of the top 3 busiest regional centers.

[Scooter24]

Secondary claim(s), no different then when you start having more problems than you originally did,

[MSkillersnorthwest]

Originally Posted by Scooter24

Secondary claim(s), no different then when you start having more problems than you originally did,

Hey Scooter,
What do you mean when you say secondary claims are no different? The way they handle them you mean??


Thanks!

[Scooter24]

There was a statement asking what if some one had additional problems later on, this was my response, so far my secondary claim is being handled exactly like my initial claim just a little slower.

After my PVA rep met with my nuero + GP 2 weeks ago he is already processing paperwork for my 3 rd claim to cover my left leg and foot and hearing loss but won't submit it until we get an answer on the 2nd one.

[MSkillersnorthwest]

I am new to this forum and my husband has not yet been diagnosed but we suspect he has MS and are hoping if he does recieve a diagnosis that he can recieve disability benefits with a nexxus letter because it has been longer than 7 years since discharge.

In regard to the NEW CLAIMS PROCESSING for VA I suspect that Seattle was a trial city before they decided to actually do this in other areas. I say this because for the last several years now our local VRO have told my husband not to put in more than one claim at a time or it would take longer.......10 years ago he put in 3 claims at once and had 2 approved in no time at all. Now he needs/deserves higher compensation for injury progression and secondary issues caused by the first injuries {the wrist bone's connected to the, elbow bone} yet he is asked to only put in one at a time. So here is how it has worked for us......

He was a bomb loader in the early 90's, He suffered a bad wrist injury when a bomb lift failed and hundreds of pounds bent his wrist backwards as he held on with all his might rather than let the bomb drop. He never returned to that work. He now has arthritis in the wrist,Pain, lack of mobility, jacked up and useless fingers and an elbow that has cubital tunnel syndrome; pain,numbness in fingers ect,caused by the compensating he does for not being able to really use fingers or rotate the wrist. He works maintenance.

Over two years ago he put in for a higher compensation rating for his wrist injury but he really needed to put in for not only a higher rating for an old injury but also needed a rating for the 2 or more added issues that are a complication of the original wrist injury. If it has taken 2 years and no settlement yet, even if they did come back favorable soon, that means when that is done he will what?, Have to wait another 2 years for his added issues to be compensated? If he has 3 issues, seperately putting them in would take 6 years minimum??? With an average of 2 yrs or longer to decide one claim???

I for one do not in any way believe this will speed up claims, but just help them to delay paying people for longer because that is all I have seen happen with our situation. Perhaps someone else has had a better, faster experience......not so here. Perhaps my husband will not be denied, denied untill he's died, but will it be so long that he cannot do his maintenance work any longer and cannot provide for his family?

The only thing I can see that may, just may perhaps speed up a claim,is access to printing out the symptom work sheets for your DR. to fill out off of E-Benefits. Anyone used these yet? Did they help speed up your claim?? I will be using one soon and will see I guess....

i am in everett, i went to the place in tukwila what the VA uses, had 4 claims 2 new ones and upgrades on others, it tool 5 months from start to finish, had no problems and i even had to redo one test.... and i just did things over the phone although i am getting ready for some more upgrades i will use the E benifets for that...guess it must just be my charm that gets things done, only took 5 months to win ssdi without a lawyer, just dont believe in wasting money plus thats most of the fun taking on the so called tough guys. just remember to cross your t's and dot your i's and use facts and dont take all these internet weekend warriors advice as law cause honestly with a little internet savy and get a hold of article 38 that VA uses you will have no problem.. and remember to treat the people with respect, cause they dont make much money on there job and some think and this guy here is getting a 100 percent makes them green with envy, 100 % with wife is about 3 grand tax free then a nice ssdi you do ok .. so did your hubby do time at JBLM?

[gomer]

Hi MSKiller............

I agree with you, it might look good in/on a political paper but its also ripe, maybe even more suited for delaying care & especially comp. They make it a LONG & TOUGH road so we get worn down and give up. (as if we don't already have a full plate!)

The VA is a huge system, there are some good, some bad and some really ^%^%# people in the system.

Some people bat an eye and get treated like gold, while others have no choice but to fight & dig for every scrap they can. There is not always a rhyme or reason,, its just the way things are.

Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

also have to remember there ae how mny 10's o thousands applying for benifets, but human nature thinks are should be first, just saying we always enjoy pointing fingers at others,civlian offices screw up just as much,just call it like it is, but i could always walk thr a dung pile and cme out smelling like a rose..