RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,171460,00.html

No wonder it has taken over 2 years to make a decision on my claims. Every 6 months they send me another request for more documents. The problem is that they had all the proper records and then they mysteriously vanished. Now I have to try and find my crew after 33 years to replace what they lost. 21 years in the service and this is what I am entitled to. More Hassles!

Well Mr. Philpott, you might have it correct or you might not. The VCAA in no way inhibits claims processing. The attempts by the DVA to emass and promulgate huge confusing rules, which are made to their benefit, and which they routinely ignore is the reason claims are delayed. Let me give you an example of their abuse and misuse...all factual, and all personnally verifiable.

The first VCAA response to a 2006 claim was to ask me for evidence of my conditions, which are verbatim from my VA medical records, which have been in their possession since 1990. They asked me for dates of visits, which again are in my VA medical records. They asked me for statements from service medical personnel, which are in my military health records, which have been in the possession of the DVA since 1990.

I gave them not only the proper release forms but also gave them information as to exactly where and for what periods of time missing military retiree health records were. They accidently sent me back my original, signed VCAA response letter, and several other documents including the request to locate these records (i.e. health records from a USAF Base Clinic and CHAMPUS contracted clinic), which are both US Government Agency records and it took me 8 months to get them to recognize their mistake! One form from my C-File actually admits they lost a volume of my records, but a C&P exam stated there had been no treatment, and they have no record of them searching anywhere but my previous VAMC.

In point of fact it will be the VCAA that may save my butt. It is not the VCAA that has caused the DVA to illegally hold my claim due to the Ribaudo stay of Haas even when Mr. Ethan C. Kallet, staff attorney for the Haas case, says my claim is not Haas related. It is happening to every claim Vets file or attempt to file that is not 'boots on the ground', even when the claim is for exposure outside of Vietnam. The DVA administrators are criminals, who use the Feres Doctrine to protect their activities. (Please read the attached).

I personally do not support any of the major service organizations, and rank the DAV as the absolute worst! But the DVA has created its own morass by attempting not to help veterans per the law through its own interpretations (always anti-vet) of the law. That should be apparent due to a Supreme Court case on VCAA now before the Court. And it will not be in the DVA's authority to disregard objections to reducing the 60 day limit for response in a Federal Register request for comment. It will go through the Courts. When will these unethical criminals put a requirement on themselves to respond? No, please don't tell me, I know the answer.

Kurt Priessman, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
Vet Advocate/Researcher

heaven forbid you get taken care of before you die. they can spend 250 million dollars researching gulf war, and still no answers, but helping vets is out of the question. the whole system is a runaround.

Well hueyherk,I can give you an example of the same thing you are going through.A ship mate of mine,a vietnam vet was exposed to AO and asbestos.He has COPD,and diabetes (as do I ).He had one leg amputated last year after months of agony,and is still fighting the VA for comp.He sent them his medical records and proof of "boots on the ground".Twice he has sent every thing needed,"via regersted mail" and twice they have claimed they never received it,even though he has the signed recipts.He has been in touch with his Govenor and state Rep.but the VA tells him that he will have to wait for the appeal (Hess/Nickolson vs the VA) to be settled.What one must be aware of is the VA works for congress,and are rewarded for each case they deny.I had fewer problems because I was awarded the CAR.20% for a leg injury which put me out of the service after 14 years of serving my country,( 39 months in country),40% for neuropathy from my knees down,as well in my mid section which effect my bowels.I was awarded 30% for PTSD but the VA only gave me 10%.I survive on medication,and just wait for the other shoe to drop,and at my age of 69,and the deterioation of my health,that other shoe is not far from dropping.Am I able to work? of course not,(the PTSD being that biggest factor).In short,I was fortunate to get a total of 70%,but a lot of Vets are getting nothing.The money goes to the war profiteers,and to keep the war going.The VA should be re vamped.We need more real Vets running things in the VA.

I applied for SS disability in '90, and about the same time I applied for VA disability. My SS was approved in '92. The DAV was my rep. but they never told me that I was eligible for non-service connected pension while I waited for the VA decision.It wasn't until 2003 that I 'accidentally' found out I was eligible for the non- service benefit, which would have made life alot more bearable for my family had I been receiving it all those years. Finally, in 2004 during an eval, someone with some sense 'connected the dots' and I was awarded full service connected disability, 13 years after applying!

quote:

Jimmoshier

I totally agree with what you are saying. Veterans need to be running the V.A. Not the uncaring bureaucrats who run it now. They are clueless to the plight of veterans because they have never been anywhere near a combat zone. If Vets ran the V.A., there would be alot more compassion shown.

I couldn't believe the route I went after the proper paperwork needed and filled out while in the US Navy and the class to take to make sure the paperwork is completely filled out.I started my claim while on active duty in April 2005.Had my physical done before leaving the military .DAV had tranfer my file to my home state which I went back to.A copy of my medical file was provided (they requested the orginal from ST. Louis twice) First they didn't have a DD 214 (so I had to provide it after I called)I received the two letters which needed more info.I did another physical in Feb. 2006 and was awarded my compension in June 2007.What a run around.

I started my VONAP just before my discharge and submitted it on my discharge day in September 03; I had a Comp settlement by November. I had two appointments prior to the settlement. What was the shocker was that after a complete line of duty investigation was signed and posted in my record. They gave me 0% because I stated I was working at the time of the interview. What I don't understand from that remark was am I suppose to become a dirt bag and let my family starve and become homeless so I can get a couple bucks. I have since sent in another claim and waiting for a response, now in this economy I am unemployed and barely making it, I will be homeless and starving by the time I get an answer. At least that is what I am reading here. It went faster because I had a job and was given 0% for my Leg and knee, but gave me 30% for PTSD when I didn't even put a claim in for it. The Dr. I was interviewed by must have seen something I didn't. Since I have been diagnosed with PTSD with what my counselor says is more than 30%. He had asked why I only filled once, I told him the military teaches you to suck it up and drive on, that is what I did.

The VCAA was just another way of Congress and VA frustrating the GI into dropping claims. I had to wait 3 yrs, not 60 days, but three yrs to an increase on VA doctor verified information that my disability had worsened. Now my type II has worsened requiring oral med. Under Title 38 if you need oral med, or insulin you are automatically bumped to 20 percent. That is per their own decision letter. Walk in the park? I think not. If the VA and the service orgs (AmLeg,DVA,VVA,VFW,etc) really wanted to get the word out, you would see a lot of public service adds and information then what you see. Most vets are never informed of their congressional given RIGHTS to compensation. And the VA gets more money to them every time one of us goes. WWII vets are dying at about 1200 daily. But congress wants to concentrate on the baseball scandal. Give me a break. Better yet, give me what I deserve to have, instead of waiting 60,90,120,180,360 days for an answer. And dont forget guys and gals when you call 1-800-827-1000 they have changed the format so much, they are hoping you will give up and not try to speak with a human being.

Folks,

I'm a disabled vet and my wife is 100% disabled Iraq vet. Her claim took a total of fifteen months to complete after the Army retired her due to her injuries.

I realize that there are issues with the claims process. OK - lets be honest - It sucks!!!

This piece lays the blame at the feet of our courts and quite honestly I reject that out of hand. You should too!!

As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, I make my living evaluating processes for value add and non value add steps, determining if the metrics used to measure the process have value as leading indicators of success within the process and if the process itself is in fact robust enough to meet its required standards.

This process fails every one of those tests. I am offended that this reported piece fails to investigate the process as it really is. Rather it appears the journalist who did the piece listened to a couple of VA PAOs and they gave him a union reps name to confirm what they told him.

This system is failing because there is no incentive for the VA to clear claims more quickly when money is incredibly tight. The process is obscene and needs to be rewritten to meed the needs of the customer - yes thats us. If Boeing can learn to build a commercial aircraft, with three thousand different vendors, in half the time and at a lower cost than it used it there is no excuse for the VA to continue to fail.

I am sick of excuses. They need to committ to excence and provide congress with clear metrics and be held accountable to those metrics. If they cannot perform - they need to go. End of story.

It is not my intent to get political on this forum,but some things need to brought to light.I was watching BBC a while back,and the topic was " Daylight Robbery",and it told how the biggest contractor in Iraq (we all know the name) is ripping off our Govt. at the tune of billions of dollars.The list of things they are doing is too long to go into.Dick Cheney claims no ties to the company anymore,but that is a lie.My point being is,no wonder there is no money to help the Vets.If you follow the money trail,it will lead strait to the White House.I do not think you will ever see this on the major U.S.news media.I apologize if I have over stepped the boundries of this forum,but the VA,while a major problem,is only a small part of the whole.Again,I apologize if I have offended anyone,but it is something that needs to be addressed.Maybe it is time to take off the gloves on some of these forums.What say you?

Being retired military and a volunteer Veterans Service Officer I see first hand at what is going on with the VA and why they can't process claims. I know of some VA personnel in Washington that are paid $220,ooo and get a $50,000 bonus at the end of the year to keep veterans from getting their benefits. The DAV is the worst people to go to to get help. The paperwork is sent back from regional offices to get it out of their office and they do not always go to the Private Dr.s and get medical records. Most of people that work the regional offices are not qualified to make decision because they do not have the educational training or background. A lot of paperwork is now being "conviently lost"that is why I make two copies of the claim, on for the Veteran and one for my office records, the original is sent in.