View Full Version : A Simple Solution?
From: Shooting Industry 58.4 (Apr13) pg. 31
A Simple Solution?
Last August, when a representative of the Inspector General’s office visited the regional headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Winston-Salem, N.C., he found a serious and immediate threat to the lives and safety of employees in the building. The sheer weight of unresolved, backed up claims had actually bowed the deck of the sixth floor, threatening imminent collapse. Officials acted quickly, removing the excessive files to other locations.
Myself and other veterans have long suggested another approach to the problem: Process the claims!
Guys like Jose' Harris (Mi Vida), who are drawing 100% disability from the VA because of his fraudulent claims, make it difficult for guys who actually need the services of the VA. :mad: :mad:
We discussed him here and IIRC there's a VA IG investigation going on over his claims and his drawing around $1200/mo from the VA.
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31950&highlight=jose+harris
Sorry MFers. :mad:
Richard :munchin
The pile is currently 900,000 claims and counting.
The VA should reinforce the dead load of that floor with trussed tubes.
http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2013/03/va-comes-under-fire-claims-backlog-tops-900000-again/62124/
My son filed his claim back in November. When initially filed, they said it would be 13 months before he would even be scheduled to see a Doc. He has gotten 3 letters since then, all telling him the timeline has been slipped another few months, each time.
Class action? Wouldn't work of course - but it just might attract some attention-seeking congress critters to get the people riled up about it. If only for the veterans children...
I applied for a re-evaluation in December 2011 and just got my decision letter yesterday. Upgraded disability backdated to Dec 2011. 16 months to the day.
ZUG_master
04-04-2013, 12:06
I filed a dependency change in 2010. Only took 26 months....
medic&commo
04-06-2013, 08:49
Filed a claim in Aug 2011, still waiting. Do get notices every 3 - 4 months.
m&c
This just sucks. There is something seriously wrong with our country when it takes months, if not years, for soldiers/veterans to see a doctor, yet out here in Kalifornia, a prison inmate must see a doc within 24 hours or people cry foul about civil rights being violated. :mad:
My son filed his claim back in November. When initially filed, they said it would be 13 months before he would even be scheduled to see a Doc. He has gotten 3 letters since then, all telling him the timeline has been slipped another few months, each time.
This just sucks. There is something seriously wrong with our country when it takes months, if not years, for soldiers/veterans to see a doctor, yet out here in Kalifornia, a prison inmate must see a doc within 24 hours or people cry foul about civil rights being violated. :mad:
Wait 'til illegal immigration's legalized. Then, the whole Country will be California.
If the dem (including Mclame and Grahamnesty) plan goes through, we're sunk as Conservatives for decades, regardless of what happens in 2014.
Once you've let El Genie out of the tequila bottle, dem voters will be the supermajority, and vets will go all the way to the back of the bus.
I started a claim about 15 months ago. I am service connected, priority group 2.
Just had the 1st C&P and another is planned at the end of the month.
So I must be lucky??
I am trying to get into the Outpatient Clinic in Viera Fl, as my primary.
They tell me they are out of doctors. Maybe 12-18 months before they have openings.
Yesterday I was talking to an NR at the clinic who is 30% service connected. She said they are short 4 doctors just in the Walk-in section..
Team Sergeant
04-06-2013, 10:23
I consider myself lucky I have a local MD that takes Tri-Care and would see me in less than a week if need be. I've been to the VA about 3-4 times in the last 12 years. Mostly for paperwork. The Phoenix VA is pretty nice, seems to be well staffed.
@ Dusty, But of course, we (veterans) are the single biggest threat to a left-wing, progressive socialist nation. If I were a democrat the VA would be the last agency on my list to assist.
Dragbag036
04-06-2013, 10:28
I applied for a re-evaluation in December 2011 and just got my decision letter yesterday. Upgraded disability backdated to Dec 2011. 16 months to the day.
My Dad down in Dallas, TX just got his letter back for re-eval, and they back dated his as well a year, and was upgraded.
As a point of reference, I know that in the late 90s the expected processing time for a VA comp & pen claim was close to a year. Mind you, that was before a decade of continuous war, the prevalence of IEDs and before the emergence of the protective equipment, TCCC protocols and medical expertise to keep folks alive that had been blown up and lost limbs. Frankly, I'm surprised it doesn't take at least 2+ years to process a claim nowadays.
The Reaper
04-09-2013, 19:43
They have had it down to 90 days for AD personnel who were retiring, but it would appear that they have lost control again.
I have a friend who is a clinic manager at a VA hospital and they pay her serious overtime to review and eval claims.
Lots of people working on it, but I believe that troops getting out today have significantly more complaints and claims than their counterparts did in the past.
TR
They have had it down to 90 days for AD personnel who were retiring, but it would appear that they have lost control again.
TR
Interesting point TR.
I asked the nurse about how they are setting priority for acceptance.
She said 1st the current AD/sand box guys & gals,, then the old crowd. They are not using the priority group classifications.
Guess us old farts are not the voting age group they are targeting. After all, wait a little while and we are gone.. :mad:
I filed for a re-look in 2011. Entire process from filing to decision took about 6 months. To me thats to long.
They did hire 400,000 new people for the IRS thou.
FlagDayNCO
04-12-2013, 07:40
Interesting that I received a docmunet from the VA in the form of a booklet, labeled my "Presonalized Claim Statement" and included a lot of generic text. The only thing personal was my name.
The document basically indicated I have no service connected injuries. Huh? I have service connected injuries from Real Army 1988-1992, then I picked up some other scars from OEF with 20thSFG. I've considered myself fortunate, compared to many and have been reluctant to push the VA.
Reading through the booklet, understanding what is happening with health care in general, not getting more services from the VA may be considered "refusal of services" in the eyes of health care providers and insurers with my civilian job.
To me, it appears to increase their clearance numbers, they are just dumping claims. :eek:
This latest booklet notes a time limit to respond for further consideration or appeal.
Now, I honestly have not done more than use the normal VA channels, so I now need to look for the VFW, AL, and other Veteran groups to get some weight and sound advice.
FlagDayNCO
The Reaper
04-12-2013, 16:34
Again, you need a veteran's advocacy rep (like VFW, AL, AMVETS, DAV, etc.)working for you in opposition to the VA.
They are on post and have reps at the VA medical centers to assist you with your claims.
TR