Criticism of Veterans Affairs Secretary Mounts Over Backlog in Claims

NDBravehart84 said:
I FILED A BDD WITH 32 CLAIMS... AND IT IS A COMPLETED CLAIM (that is the distinction that makes it different)
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Happy for you that you were legacy and lucky that your claim came back in 4 months for 32 claims, but some of us don't have that luck and are being neglected and ignored. 19 months and waiting. I retired a full year before you and still have no rating on 19 claims.
 
AmyGallay said:
Yes. Now members get everything done and laid out before they have to return to civilian life. They can prepare and get they help they need before getting out of the military. They even get their VA ratings, CRCS, everything, before hand.

Yes it's better now than it was for you then, I thankful for your service and I'm sorry for your pain... But the system is not as great as you make it sound... and they don't have final ratings or CRSC claims filed as you infer...

I was given a Dod rating and kicked to the curb 2 months later. I can't even get the VA to cover my gas for mandatory appointments and medical appointments because I don't have my rating. I've been getting billed from the VA for getting care and meds for items I was MEDICALLY RETIRED for because even though I have service connection proof, hello-MEB ratings, it is not considered service related until a VA rating comes. I can't get treatment or seen for things because the sytem is awful and everytime I try to get any of this fixed, I get told "Oh we're not responsible for that" transfer, transfer, transfer, again you need a VA rating to qualify.

VA tried to tell me that I had to pay... I fought it and won... You have three years of free medical care from the VA after leaving a warzone... ask for a patient advocate and that may help.

I can't even look for a VA or gov jovb and get the points because I don't have a rating yet.

With your DD 214 you are awarded 5 Veterans Preference Points. So we are really talking the 5 points for disabled status. I think there is a way around it but I don't remember it right now

So I get put on PAUSE for 2 years of care because I can't get a freakin VA rating.
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You have three years of free medical care from the VA after leaving a warzone... ask for a patient advocate and that may help.
 
AmyGallay said:
Well they need to inform the Outprocessing civilians at all the units. Because I did mine online with the civilian and it only had room for 9 and he said "oh put the 9 worst ones" they'll find the others during your records review. Yeah- BS.

Been told a lot that the info they give us is wrong, so don't yell at me.
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Don't assume your always correct...
 
AmyGallay said:
Happy for you that you were legacy and lucky that your claim came back in 4 months for 32 claims, but some of us don't have that luck and are being neglected and ignored. 19 months and waiting. I retired a full year before you and still have no rating on 19 claims.
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I was boarded for TBI and a 25% loss of brain function.. and nobody was very helpful along the path except AW2, The Ombudsman and the Wounded Warrior Project. There was no luck in receiving my 90% DOD Rating or my 100% VA rating. I only found out about the BDD through a National Service Officer that I meet and discussed everything that your now saying... That Was Luck
 
NDBravehart84 said:
You have three years of free medical care from the VA after leaving a warzone... ask for a patient advocate and that may help.
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I know. I get seen in the OIF/OEF clininc and still get billed.

I have seen a patient advocate. I was told I can't have representation unless I am desprite, such as being homeless. Which I am under the VA definition but too embarrassed to tell them.

I am told I need my VA rating changed to get my "tier" level changed higher where I really belong.

This whole system is idiotic. They need to have put people in charge of the system who have been through it. and understand where the deficiencies are. Instead of more BS words of promises and fixes with no plan of action.

Same way Cleveland has been saying for the last 17 months, "oh our system is having a 10 month turn around. " And at month 19 "oh our ssytem is having a 15 month turn around". Uh, yeah, where?, cause I'm not seeing it. And I'm supposed to be one of the veterans they are supposed to be helping to fix in this broken system. Not seeing any changes on my end. The VA center can't even tell me if they have my record, which was sent on CD. And after 19 months said, "oh we still don't know, why don't you sent a hard copy just in case"

Have you seen the pictures they posted here of the Cleveland VA center? Yeah mine will be tossed on a pile and lost.

I would like to hear from anyone that has seen any positive fixes, answers, ratings, anything that has been promised.
 
AmyGallay said:
I know. I get seen in the OIF/OEF clininc and still get billed.

I have seen a patient advocate. I was told I can't have representation unless I am desprite, such as being homeless. Which I am under the VA definition but too embarrassed to tell them.

I am told I need my VA rating changed to get my "tier" level changed higher where I really belong.

This whole system is idiotic. They need to have put people in charge of the system who have been through it. and understand where the deficiencies are. Instead of more BS words of promises and fixes with no plan of action.

Same way Cleveland has been saying for the last 17 months, "oh our system is having a 10 month turn around. " And at month 19 "oh our ssytem is having a 15 month turn around". Uh, yeah, where?, cause I'm not seeing it. And I'm supposed to be one of the veterans they are supposed to be helping to fix in this broken system. Not seeing any changes on my end. The VA center can't even tell me if they have my record, which was sent on CD. And after 19 months said, "oh we still don't know, why don't you sent a hard copy just in case"

On a positive note I heard that something big is about to happen and may start paying on claims that have not been resolved with a rating... Heard it through a Congressman Office

Have you seen the pictures they posted here of the Cleveland VA center? Yeah mine will be tossed on a pile and lost.

I would like to hear from anyone that has seen any positive fixes, answers, ratings, anything that has been promised.
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NDBravehart84 said:
I was boarded for TBI and a 25% loss of brain function.. and nobody was very helpful along the path except AW2, The Ombudsman and the Wounded Warrior Project. There was no luck in receiving my 90% DOD Rating or my 100% VA rating. I only found out about the BDD through a National Service Officer that I meet and discussed everything that your now saying... That Was Luck
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I wasn't implying or infering that your rating was luck.

I stated your quick turn around time was. Please do not misunderstand my comments.
 
AmyGallay said:
I wasn't. I was just stating what I was told, not arguing at all about being correct or that you were wrong. You don't need to be so condescending.
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I call it Direct, sorry your offended... that was not my intent
 
NDBravehart84 said:
I was boarded for TBI and a 25% loss of brain function.. and nobody was very helpful along the path except AW2, The Ombudsman and the Wounded Warrior Project. There was no luck in receiving my 90% DOD Rating or my 100% VA rating. I only found out about the BDD through a National Service Officer that I meet and discussed everything that your now saying... That Was Luck
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You are just more proof the system doesn't work. You stated NO ONE was helpful, and all these programs are put into place to help us. Doesn't anyone check to see if they are working? They spend all this money and we're still given little, no, or incorrect information? Told we don't qualify, although we should due to not having a rating yet. They create more and more and no one checks to see if it's working until it's too far gone and too many of us haven't been helped liked promised.
 
Talk about tug of war!!!! Who won?

On a serious note you both highlight many of the flaws within the system. IDES is a step in the right direction, but still not a road paved with gold and angelic figures trumpeting at you as you walk forward to receive your coveted DD214 and VA rating in the Zzar's hands.

I was also legacy. I was fortunate because I had heard of BDD and applied 180 days prior to seperation. That 180 days was extended another 180 due to medical board so new C&P were required (12 months lapsed from claim date to retirement). I was retired and had to redo all my claims again....yes, three rounds of C&P exams because I was proactive (unfortunate) with BDD.

Anyhow, within 11 months my claims were completed. I was upset that I had to keep driving the mountain roads of the Dominican Republic for appointments at the Embassy, flying internationally to Seattle for others, but in the end I received exactly what I wanted.
 
pittpan2005 said:
Were you medically retired or seperated? I ask because of using Tricare instead of the VA.
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I don't qualify to recieve care at Wright-Patterson, due to being 2 hours away. They have a 50 mile rule.

I'm still confused about the C&P exams. I've never been notified to have them.
I have seen PCM monthly, Rheumo, Cardio, PT, MH and Neuro since being out. Will they just use that too?

I don't understand why my case is taking so long. I have seen my PCM, due to all my meds, monthly for the last 3 years. I don't understand how they would not have evidence or can't complete this in a timely manner.
 
AmyGallay said:
I don't qualify to recieve care at Wright-Patterson, due to being 2 hours away. They have a 50 mile rule.

I'm still confused about the C&P exams. I've never been notified to have them.
I have seen PCM monthly, Rheumo, Cardio, PT, MH and Neuro since being out. Will they just use that too?

I don't understand why my case is taking so long. I have seen my PCM, due to all my meds, monthly for the last 3 years. I don't understand how they would not have evidence or can't complete this in a timely manner.
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Were you retired? If so you can use Tricare instead of VA. As far as using your documentation for C&P purposes; yes, provided you submit as new evidence to your pending claim.

You have a pending claim of 19 months, but never completed C&P exams/appointments?
 
pittpan2005 said:
Were you retired? If so you can use Tricare instead of VA. As far as using your documentation for C&P purposes; yes, provided you submit as new evidence to your pending claim.

You have a pending claim of 19 months, but never completed C&P exams/appointments?
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Yes I retired and pay for Tricare. However, I can't get seen at Wright-Patterson.

I have not had my C&P exams.

I have a rep from the VFW who works at the VA hospital.
 
Here is a simple fact: No C&P Exam... No Rating... ;)

You need to contact the DAV, National Service Officer for assistance: this one is closest to Wright Patterson AFB
VA Contact Ofc, URS Tower
36 East 7th St., Suite 220
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513-684-2676

http://www.dav.org/veterans/NSOffices.aspx :cool:
 
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