I hate the VA

[Bravofiveone]

Just found out that the VA screwed me again on my claims. So sick of fighting for what I have earned.


"That wizard came from the moon."

[BigFreeze99]

Tim,
Who was your representative (advocate) on the claim? Check with them to see what recourse you have.... and a word of advice AVOID going the route of an Appeal. I can help with the next steps if you need me....


Semper-Fi
Mike

[Bravofiveone]

Didn't have one going to get one I guess


"That wizard came from the moon."

[sickpuppy79]

Why u say avoid the appeal route for bigfreeze?

[UH1FE]

I am also curious as to what the other options are other than appeal. Also what is going on Bravo?

[Bravofiveone]

They denied my PTSD, migraines, and vertigo claims and only upped my knee by 10%


"That wizard came from the moon."

[sickpuppy79]

Check out pebforum.com this site was made by Jason perry a attorney for ppl that is fighting va n meb n some other shit a lot
Of good info tho

[BigFreeze99]

Didn't have one going to get one I guess


"That wizard came from the moon."

I will post you a link for your area to start, with. Recent experience is showing local advocates are lacking with the assistance. So I will post a link for some state of Alabama assistance.

Mike

[BigFreeze99]

Why u say avoid the appeal route for bigfreeze?

I have only been doing this for a bit more than a decade.
In short, lawyers are good, HOWEVER... if you don't get the right one (veteran's interest in mind), they will appeal or drag the case out. It is the only way they make big money. They usually get a percentage of the final take. It is not worth it if they only get one month of back pay.... let it go a year or so and get the bigger money. This is much like the Social Security Lawyers mentality.

There are work-a-rounds to the 'appeal' process ( "Appeal' is usually the first 'knee-jerk reaction for the 'do it your selfer' or 'sea-lawyer' to suggest/try first).

Common appeals take anywhere from 3-5 years (state appeal), and the individual can opt for the Federal Appellate process (up to 7 years).

Two avenues (one which I personally had a hand in bringing to the VA system) are:
1. Reopen the claim: But, the Veteran must provide 'new' and 'material' evidence'. This claim type is treated as a new claim (6-18 months).
2. DRO review: (DRO - Decision Review Officer). The DRO used to be standard within the VA claim system, as was known as the 'STAR' program (STAR, was the quality control for claims. Second opinion). Tim's denial letter should identify that he can opt for the DRO. Now quality control has to be requested.
All these decisions are best made with the consultation of the trained advocate to go over all options.
I have attempted and was successful helping Veterans on a 'long distance' advocacy basis. But, I feel a home town advocate is far better, to assist in the myriad of SHIT (paperwork and procedures) that must be navigated in the VA system to have a fighting chance of winning any claim.

There is also another option, which I have used (more recently than I would like) and that is the Nuke option. You are a constituent to some Congressional Rep (Congressman or Senator). Each have a Veterans Representative that works for them. They are MORE than willing (especially these days) to help with claims or other Veteran matters. This will also greatly speed up the process of any claim. We have heard a "Red" letter is attached to the claim or inquiry and it is pushed through ahead of the waiting line. This is the 'silver bullet' of options and I would NOT use this as a first response, because.................................. (I am getting too long winded).

If any here, do not want my opinion on these matters I will happily butt the fuck out of the way. My final word is that anyone dealing with these governmental agencies (i.e. VA) should seek out those that are certified/accredited in this realm.

Semper-Fi
Mike

[Bravofiveone]

Thanks Mike! I just feel like it's fight the enemy then fight the VA.


"That wizard came from the moon."

[BigFreeze99]

Thanks Mike! I just feel like it's fight the enemy then fight the VA.


"That wizard came from the moon."

You are not alone, Brother. Unfortunately, no one will tell you who is on your team.
You have a PM from me. I will send my number (business and Cell) if you need to talk.

Semper-Fi

[sickpuppy79]

You are not alone, Brother. Unfortunately, no one will tell you who is on your team.
You have a PM from me. I will send my number (business and Cell) if you need to talk.

Semper-Fi

Hey freeze sent u a pm

[BigFreeze99]

Hey freeze sent u a pm

Either the PM mailman is off today or slow.... I didn't get anything.....

[sickpuppy79]

Either the PM mailman is off today or slow.... I didn't get anything.....

It's in now I posted bout the pm before I wrote the pm lol but it's there now bro

[BigFreeze99]

It's in now I posted bout the pm before I wrote the pm lol but it's there now bro

Response sent.

[BigFreeze99]

It's in now I posted bout the pm before I wrote the pm lol but it's there now bro

Now I will just blow up your mail box with some info...

Mike

[Thunder720]

i just want to throw in my 2 cents and get love pm's from Biggie Freezer about how to make the VA be less of a twat.... Please sir!

[BigFreeze99]

i just want to throw in my 2 cents and get love pm's from Biggie Freezer about how to make the VA be less of a twat.... Please sir!

I have been contemplating writing an article for this site's home page on some helpful hints for all our Vets/Active duty folks here. However, I do not want to take away what this site is created for "gaming community". The Owner and Mods were courteous enough to let me have at it in my own 'sticky' thread (once upon a time).
I will respond to specific questions on dealing with the VA, Military, and other benefits that I am knowledgeable in. You will just have to deal with my strong opinion on the struggles facing those that serve or have served; in my responses.

Let me know if I can help.

Semper-Fi
Mike

[comanche_warior]

I have been contemplating writing an article for this site's home page on some helpful hints for all our Vets/Active duty folks here. However, I do not want to take away what this site is created for "gaming community". The Owner and Mods were courteous enough to let me have at it in my own 'sticky' thread (once upon a time).
I will respond to specific questions on dealing with the VA, Military, and other benefits that I am knowledgeable in. You will just have to deal with my strong opinion on the struggles facing those that serve or have served; in my responses.

Let me know if I can help.

Semper-Fi
Mike
Mike you won't be taking away from the site I can guarantee that, this place is for vets as you know to come and get support as well as play video games.

Sent from your mommas house

[GhostOverride]

We are a military gaming community, but it's not all about the games . We also support each other, so it would not take away from the community only add to it's knowledge base


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sickpuppy79]

This a community n in a community u play, learn and support the community.

So bring on the knowledge bank

[UH1FE]

I look at USMG as support community. Gaming brought us together but we are here to support each other however we can. Any thing you can provide to help us out is great. Especially with the VA!

[WHIT3C3LL]

Please bring on the info it can help all of us that will have to deal and already deal with the va

[indyred99]

Sorry to hear about these stories. I work for the VA some of the things I've seen the VA do I just have to shake my head. Thankfully I had no issues with my claim. Hope everything works out for you. If you were in the northern IL area I would get you into contact with my rep she was amazing in my process and got me pretty much everything but one thing.

This goes to anyone in the Northern IL area let me know and I'll get you in contact with my case worker!

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[WHIT3C3LL]

Indy do you have any contacts in missouri

[indyred99]

I don't I'm sorry.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[BigFreeze99]

Sorry to hear about these stories. I work for the VA some of the things I've seen the VA do I just have to shake my head. Thankfully I had no issues with my claim. Hope everything works out for you. If you were in the northern IL area I would get you into contact with my rep she was amazing in my process and got me pretty much everything but one thing.

This goes to anyone in the Northern IL area let me know and I'll get you in contact with my case worker!

Sent from my Galaxy S5

Matt, I have run into many great employees of the VA. However, the leadership seems to be lacking, as indicated by the recent bad press.
Thanks for your dedicated service.
Please don't take my comments or articles to heart. They are not a reflection on those that still keep the Veterans/Active Duty folks a priority.

Semper-Fi

[WHIT3C3LL]

I don't I'm sorry.

Sent from my Galaxy S5
Damn that sucks

[indyred99]

Matt, I have run into many great employees of the VA. However, the leadership seems to be lacking, as indicated by the recent bad press.
Thanks for your dedicated service.
Please don't take my comments or articles to heart. They are not a reflection on those that still keep the Veterans/Active Duty folks a priority.

Semper-Fi
I understand. The VA I work at was catching a lot of bad press lately too. I don't deal with anything clinical, I'm just a Police Officer for them. I think in my opinion, part of the problem is them hiring students or people that have never served.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[BigFreeze99]

I understand. The VA I work at was catching a lot of bad press lately too. I don't deal with anything clinical, I'm just a Police Officer for them. I think in my opinion, part of the problem is them hiring students or people that have never served.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

I have been screaming this exact thing for years. Have our Veterans serve the Veterans.
The problems are not just on the clinical side, but the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease'. They need a boot in the ass on all accounts... Benefits and Claims, Fuduciary program, Transportation program, and many other areas.
Once again there are many good people serving as VA employees.

Semper-Fi

[WHIT3C3LL]

If yall hear about va openings in missouri let me know because while im unemployed im thinking about doing some dav volunteer work

[indyred99]

If yall hear about va openings in missouri let me know because while im unemployed im thinking about doing some dav volunteer work
Did you look at USAJOBS.GOV? That's the only way to get a job with the VA now. For volunteer work you can go to the VA voluntary service and see if they need help.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[WHIT3C3LL]

Did you look at USAJOBS.GOV? That's the only way to get a job with the VA now. For volunteer work you can go to the VA voluntary service and see if they need help.

Sent from my Galaxy S5
Ill look into that. Because after my knee surgery my wife thinks its gonna be me back to the norm but im looking at the realistic side of things

[BigFreeze99]

Did you look at USAJOBS.GOV? That's the only way to get a job with the VA now. For volunteer work you can go to the VA voluntary service and see if they need help.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

That is always a great link for the government jobs. Try this one if you are wrapped around working on the dark side (VA) lol. http://www.va.gov/jobs/

This is straight off the VA website.
Now some self promotion. If you have the time. I had posted up plenty of job links in my Veterans Info thread....

Semper-Fi
Mike

[BigFreeze99]

For all having trouble with the VA... here is the Secretary's Cell Phone number.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/09/08/want-the-cell-number-of-the-new-head-of-the-va/

[GhostOverride]

For all having trouble with the VA... here is the Secretary's Cell Phone number.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/09/08/want-the-cell-number-of-the-new-head-of-the-va/

lol nice , start blowing up the phone boys and girls


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