RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,178191,00.html

Any veteran in the appellate process -whose evidence was NOT considered by the VA in their SOC and got denied should ask them to CUE themselves and re-do their claim and prepare a new decision.
Just attach as evidence for this request any one of the numerous stories on the web as to the VA OIG investigation.
If it isnt listed as evidence on the SOC- it is more than likely or as likely or not----in the crapper- I mean shredder-there really is no Benefit of Doubt for the VA anymore.

And tell the following entities of your personal victimization by VAROs who lost, removed , or destroyed your evidence.
I sure did.
House Committee on Veterans Affairs October 25,2008
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515
and
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Office of Inspector General Hotline (53E)
P.O. Box 50410
Washington, D.C. 20091-0410

I sang like a bird and included information on a complaint I have at the VA OGC against 3 vet reps and their former director here in NY.

Vet orgs knew we couldnt all be paranoid or crazy when those SOC denials came and our medical evidence was never considered.

I had $4,000 worth of independent medical opinions- which they (VA)have completely ignored for over 4 years.(Buffalo RO)

They had help.



Jim Strickland -VA Watchdog- is my guest every first and third Wednesday at SVR veterans show- Stardust.com-interactive radio-via your PC- calls ins are toll free.

Berta Simmons volunteer disabled veteran's advocate and VA claimant

Berta I salute you as a top notch veterans advocate We have a topic on shredding on Sound Off, please visit and feel free to comment!
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8280047191001/m/8110067302001

Also the newest Sound Off board which contains my articles with commentary allowed, agree or disagree:
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/8280047191001

To be a civilian and be Saluted is quite an Honor Dave-we have to make sure the VA fixes this lastest SNAFU for the sake of our active Military today as well as for ourselves.
Someone from the Sub Committee-Investigations/Oversight VA- called me yesterday - they have been overwhelmed with letters and phone calls from veterans on the shredding scandal-

They haven’t gotten my letter yet but will call me when they do with an update as well as to the responses they are getting-

They need to have the official OIG report to act on all of this-but they will take action.

This is serious business and veterans and widows that have taken the time to write or call the Sub Committee (who will also probably have hearing as well as H VAC this coming week)
ARE being heard.
You can be assured that your concerns are being taken very seriously.

The H VAC hearing on shreddergate is next week- Nov the fifth I think-available live thru vide stream on ypur PCs.
The Sub COmmittee is also planning a hearing but awaiting the actual OIG report.


Veteran’s Day 2008 should be the day we all decide to stop giving back the Hill.

Write to
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
335 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.. 20515
(same address but separate entity)

Department of VeteranAffairs
VA Office of Inspector General Hotline (53E)
P.O. Box 50410
Washington, D.C. 20091-0410

Take the time to tell them how you were victimized and how your claim was denied because of the way VA lost or destroyed your evidence.
If your evidence was not listed in the SOC- that means it is as likely as not that they threw it into the crapper (ooops shredder)

Costly independent medical opinions, death certificates, buddy statement that took considerable time to get, SSA records-whatever it was- if it was probative evidence they defied deliberately -the tenets within 38 4.6 and M21-1- to have a record of claims decided and to get bonuses.

ooops I meant the H VAC hearing will be -so far- on Nov 17th-
same day as the GI Bill hearing and available via your PC in living color at
http://veterans.house.gov/

I am assuming it will sure be public via live video feed.
Their archives (H VAC) still have the Shhh memo hearing and the Perez PTSD fiasco.

Men and women-
My Special Guest for Wednesday Night, November 5th , 2008 at SVR Radio , 6:30 ET, 5:30 CT is the very well known veteran’s advocate Jim Strickland. Jim joined Larry Scott two years ago at VA Watchdog, at
edit note: no links allowed per TOS and this site is certainly one of the most popular veteran’s web sites as it contains, daily, the Nitty Gritty- in numerous columns of updated news on many aspects of the VA - with all sorts of information that every veteran should have.

Jim’s recent Special Series-“Understanding The Claims Process”-should be a ‘must read’ by every veteran and surviving spouse of a veteran who has a VA claim in progress or is getting reading to file one -as well as be read by any Military members who can access this site.

The recent posts and news there on the recent Shredding scandal discovered at VAROs is a MUST read too!!!!!!!

Don’t hesitate to access his new site at edit note: no links allowed per TOS for a Wealth of Excellent claims information! This link should be a Tool Bar Icon and Favorite Place MUST READ for all veterans and advocates dealing with the VA.


Jim is a Vietnam Era Veteran who served in the US Army, 1967-1970,MOS 91D20 (Operating Room/Surgery Specialist) and was stationed in 98th General Hospital in Neubrucke/Nahe, Germany.

Utilizing the special skills he acquired in the service, Jim’s civilian career involved cardiaovascular surgery technician, cardiac cath lab tech, manager,director,VP and heart health business consultant until he retired in 2003 due to service connected disabilities.

Also Jim, as a Harley owner, rides with the Patriot Guard Riders, as they escort military funerals and fulfill their superb and poignant mission statement at edit note: no links allowed per TOS

He is an avid photographer as well and still finds the time to present the electronic veterans community with excellent and very well written columns on important veteran’s issues at VA Watchdog. Check out his Mail bag there too and his archived past columns for exemplary information that we, as VA claimants, or potential claimants, definitely need to have.

edit note: no links allowed per TOS

Click on the SVR button and listen live or join our in line chat room and I will try to get your questions to Jim.

Call Ins are toll free- 1-877-213-4329
Berta Simmons Stardust Radio

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DaveBarker,

I put in my claim for increase on a knee injury. The VA moved me from a soft tube to a hard brace, operated on it a year later, and now, 2+ years after surgury they are still denying increas off 10% to a higher level. I did a class/comp exam and they were checking me for SHIN SPLINTS! So I had to go BACK to square one and start all over again. My appeal claim is STILL lin limbo, after denial twice. Other vets in my office went to a local bone & joint center and had the SAME doctor from the VA do their knee work at a private clinic. Go figure....

Copy/paste
RobRodriguez
Forums Administrator
THE ROBOCOP

Posted Thu 18 September 2008 09:02 PM
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: RobRodriguez, Mon 22 September 2008 12:06 PM