16 replies to this topic

[ks1k]

I got in a bit of a tiff with the travel folks last week when I was at the Gainesville VAMC.

I had just come from an appointment at the VA Dermatology Clinic which is located at a different location than the VAMC. The Derm clinic is in zip code 32605 and the VAMC is in zip code 32608, both in Gainesville Florida.

I asked the travel clerk why I was being paid to the VAMC and not the Derm Clinic which is a bout 7 miles from the VAMC. I was told that they paid zip code to zip code from my home to the VAMC. I asked why I did not get paid to where I went and they said it is all the VAMC. Not a good answer. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that they all were in a meeting. I was then told I could bring it up with the Patients Advocate, which I did.

The PA said she would check with the supervisor later in the day and get back to me. When the PA called me I pointed out the VA FAQ at: http://www.va.gov/he...faq.asp#mileage

She said that was just a FAQ and not the regulation. I asked for the regulation and she again said she would get back to me.

I looked through the CFR 70 series for an hour or more and found no reference to how the mileage is figured.

Mapquest calculates my home to the dermatology clinic as 81.73 miles or 163.46 miles round trip. Using these figures the travel pay would be $67.84 minus the $6 deductible for a total of $61.84. It calculates my home to the VAMC as 81.1 miles or 162.2 miles round trip. Using these figures the travel pay would be $67.31 minus the $6 deductible or $61.31.

Using either destination the pay would be in the $61 range rather than the $54.59 I was paid.

Does anyone know of a regulation or directive that tells how travel pay should be calculated?

Thanks,

[carlie]

This should answer all of your travel pay questions.
Hope this helps a vet.
carlie

https://www.va.gov/h...#currentmileage

[Vync]

Travel pay is kind of wierd. I go to the VA medical center and get travel. Sometimes the agent at a particular clinic wants to argue that I don't qualify for travel. When that happens, I just go to the Travel office at the facility and they straighten it out.

[ks1k]

Carlie,

Thanks for your reply.

I have been through USC 111 and 38 CFR 70 and find all kinds of information on eligibility and procedures but nothing about how the mileage is calculated.

The only place I can find a reference on how to calculate the mileage is in the FAQ at: http://www.va.gov/he...netravelfaq.asp

#13 is the one that deals with calculating mileage.

This is not how any of the VA facilities I have been to figure the mileage.

Dave sends

[Commander Bob]

That's an excellent example of why I don't go near the travel window. Ending my VAMC visit, smiling at another disengaged bureaucrat with borrowed power, telling me dribble. No thank you...

You can file a NOD for the three dollars. Of course, you should send it certified, returned receipt requested, with tracking. It could get lost...

I once spent hundreds on a bogus VAMC parking ticket. I took it all the way to a Fed. District court. I cleaned their clock.

Edited by Commander Bob, 19 October 2009 - 03:34 PM.

[ks1k]

Good for you commander. I just want the VA travel folks or the Patients Advocate to show me the regulation, letter, directive or whatever they use to figure travel. The money is not the important thing. Them doing what they are required to do is the point.

It seems that each facility does it their own way. I use one VAMC in the summer when I am in Connecticut and one in Florida in the winter when I am at home. Each one does the travel business the way they please. When I went to the VAMC in Brockton Massachusetts they did things their way as well. Same for the Va facility in Daytona Beach Florida when I went there for a C&P.

Seems to me that there should be one way and that there should be some kind of directive that tells them and us the correct procedure.

Dave sends

[USMC_HVEQ]

Is the VA milage only for C&P exams? will it cover normal PTSD appointments? PCP appts? is there any way to get backpay for prior C&P exams?

thanks

[Commander Bob]

Is the VA milage only for C&P exams? will it cover normal PTSD appointments? PCP appts? is there any way to get backpay for prior C&P exams?

thanks

Hi USMC_HVEQ.

Carlie posted a link to all the travel info earlier today, on this thread. https://www.va.gov/h...#currentmileage

Effective November 17, 2008 VA reimburses 41.5 cents per mile for ALL veteran travel, including C&P exams.

Who is eligible for travel?

• Veterans rated 30% or more SC for travel relating to any condition
• Veterans rated less than 30% for travel relating to their SC condition
• Veterans receiving VA pension benefits for all conditions
• Veterans with annual income below the maximum applicable annual rate of pension for all conditions
• Veterans who can present clear evidence that they are unable to defray the cost of travel
• Veterans traveling in relation to a Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examination
• Certain veterans in certain emergency situations
• Certain non-veterans when related to care of a veteran (attendants & donors)
• Beneficiaries of other Federal Agencies (when authorized by that agency)
• Allied Beneficiaries (when authorized by appropriate foreign government agency)

Edited by Commander Bob, 19 October 2009 - 04:27 PM.

[USMC_HVEQ]

hey COmmander Bob,

thank you very much. It helps clarify almost all my questions except, can old exams we had and did not receive travel pay, be pu tin for and backpaid?

I appreciate all the help I get on this site. Thanks for helping other vets out.

I hope this isn't being, repetitive. The last post answered all my other questions, except that back pay question. Is there a time limit on the old visits?

thanks again

[Commander Bob]

I hope this isn't being, repetitive. The last post answered all my other questions, except that back pay question. Is there a time limit on the old visits?

I looked around for an answer to that question earlier for you. and couldn't find a rule for it. It seems like there is a time limit on most things at the VA. Check with the travel clerk, is my only suggestion. Good Luck!!

[USMC_HVEQ]

thanks again commander bob. You are probably right. I was assuming my time had past but was hopeful to backpay for tons fo appoints that were $15.41 round trip, so that was were I was comign from. No biggie, I shall ask. I expect to be disappointed...lol

[Commander Bob]

thanks again commander bob. You are probably right. I was assuming my time had past but was hopeful to backpay for tons fo appoints that were $15.41 round trip, so that was were I was comign from. No biggie, I shall ask. I expect to be disappointed...lol

You'll never know, unless you ask,.. I just googled "back travel pay VAMC regulations", and it took me to this link we are on now... LOL. So it looks like it's up to us to find out, for the future vet that asks.

Article 5 of the U.S.Constitution, concludes that the VA owes you that authorized travel pay. That money, is your property, unless there is a time limit to applying for the travel pay. Let's due the math: $15.41, times, 10 is around $150.00. Times 20, is around $300. 00. Now it's starting to add up. I know you can do it Marine... Please find out what the time limit is, and post it on this thread. You'll help countless vets .


Good Luck

Edited by Commander Bob, 19 October 2009 - 05:32 PM.

[ks1k]

Don't ask me for the reference, but as I recall travel must be claimed with 30 days of the appointment.

Dave sends

[ks1k]

I found it in #24 in the FAQs at: http://www.va.gov/he...netravelfaq.asp

Dave sends

[Commander Bob]

Don't ask me for the reference, but as I recall travel must be claimed with 30 days of the appointment.

Dave sends

One month, sounds reasonable to me. We'll see..

[Commander Bob]

Thanks Dave, etal..

http://www.va.gov/he...netravelfaq.asp

#24...How long do beneficiaries have to submit a claim for travel?
Without a Special Mode of Transportation:
A claimant must apply either in person or in writing for payment of Beneficiary Travel within 30 calendar days after completing travel that does not include a special mode of transportation.


With a Special Mode of Transportation:
For Beneficiary Travel that includes a special mode of transportation, a claimant must apply for payment of Beneficiary Travel and obtain approval from VA prior to travel.


Emergency treatment:
If there has been an emergency treatment and the claimant applies for payment of Beneficiary Travel (without prior approval) within 30 calendar days after the travel is completed, the application will be considered timely submitted.


Eligible within 30 days of travel:
If a person becomes eligible for Beneficiary Travel after the travel takes place, payment may be made if the person applies for travel benefits within 30 days of the date when the person became eligible for travel benefits.

NOTE: The date of an application for Beneficiary Travel is the postmark date, if mailed; or the date of submission if hand delivered.

Edited by Commander Bob, 19 October 2009 - 05:54 PM.

[Vync]

Bob,
Don't forget the $6.00 they deduct from your payment...