Abusive Phone Call, from Buffalo VARO Options

[Berta]

The VACO in 1997 responded within 3 weeks to my request for Administrative Review.That matter was resolved to my satisfaction.


I was told to write directly to Secretary Shinseki by VA Office of Communications and Management last week.I think the guy googled my name as we spoke.


I also wrote to the Office of General Counsel-for a second opinion on letter I got from regional counsel here in NY.

Mrsvet28 is right- we cannot allow this crap to consume us-

I have valid legal basis for all of above letters.But I dont recommend using letters like that to attempt to get a claim awarded.

It was easier to write those letters than potentially receive more abusive treatement from the Buffalo VARO.

[deltaj]

Halos -I had a check up appointment yesterday hours after this call and my BP was sky high-
the VA certainly adds to our mental and physical state with their incompetence.
This was not an 800 call but a supervisor calling because I had called the director's office.

All she had was my name and made no attempt to look into what I was calling about.She did say my claim was still in appeals so I guess she did look at the PC screen.

I am going to follow the advice I got from VACO on this.They want a written complaint.

Don't write Central Office. They'll state in writing you made a claim for equitable relief and their decision will be final for all facts in the file at the time of the decision. That is what they did to my husband in 1997 when he wrote Central Office. Don't trust them.

[mrsvet28]

Pete - I just got an apology from IRIS.....due to my "frustrations".

(frustrations my butt-they simply cant read)


I updated my Iris complaint ,told them where I formally mailed it to-in snail mail 2 days ago - and asked them for my money again and rattled off the VA case laws that say they have to pay it.

We are all in a War of the Words.

They also said I forgot to put Rod's branch of service on the complaint so I updated that and then they said upon receipt that info they "will gladly answer your questions."

What a joke!

They haven't answered ANY of my Iris questions- for YEARS!

Pete you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS all when Iris inquires dont really help make sure you send the inquiry again by clicking on the complaint button.
It goes to VACO then back to the RO and there is a paper trail of Iris complaints.

but which doesnt seem to matter anyhow.

Berta,
You are a mover and a shaker, and will get to the bottom of it-you give me strength,
it is just a nice day when there isnt the thought of these claims on our minds-today I took my grandaughter to the park for 3 hours and forgot about it ...do the people on the otherside realize how this consumes us? trying to prove what already has been done and then you gotta do it over and over.........anyhoo-I wish you a nice day when the sun is shining and the air is crisp,enjoy your coffee and listen....to the quiet (IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[deltaj]

I cannot believe the abuse I just took from a supervisor-at the Buffalo VARO-

When she was a VA 800# operator she actually questioned the basis of my claim when it was in appeals telling me I didnt have a potential claim at all.
Now she is a supervisor and the claim she questioned (maybe in 2007?)was the same one I was recently awarded.

Without even asking me why I had called the director's office (and she didnt have my C file or anything else when she called me)
she would not even let me explain the problem I am having.

I complained already to VACO, to the regional counsel and then VBA said to send a complaint letter directly to Shinseki.

I also had the initials of the two RO employees included in the complaint -who still send me clearly and erroneous award letters.

Now I am trying to find out if the letter they got from regional counsel regarding one matter has been put into my C file- or ignored.or destroyed.

I wonder how many vets and widows get treatment like this but dont complaint.

I just let it go when the supervisor , as a 800 number rep a few years ago , tried to tell me my 2003 claim had no basis at all but of course I knew better.I cant help but wonder if she talked anyone else out of pursuing their claim.

Be careful Berta about writing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In 1997 I was tricked over the telephone by VARO into sending a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs requesting correction of an error made when new and material evidence had been received during an earlier appeal period. I sent a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs signed by my husband, the veteran, and an effective date of six months earlier was given but those sneaky creeps at Central Office stated in their decision erroneously that my husband had made a claim for equitable relief. When a veteran makes a claim for equitable relief the decision made the Secretary is final for all facts in the file at the time of the decision. Of course, we appealed to the Secretary but you only get one appeal and those creeps hadn't let my husband have copies of his records yet. Don't be tricked like I was because V.A. doesn't play fair.

[Berta]

Pete - I just got an apology from IRIS.....due to my "frustrations".

(frustrations my butt-they simply cant read)


I updated my Iris complaint ,told them where I formally mailed it to-in snail mail 2 days ago - and asked them for my money again and rattled off the VA case laws that say they have to pay it.

We are all in a War of the Words.

They also said I forgot to put Rod's branch of service on the complaint so I updated that and then they said upon receipt that info they "will gladly answer your questions."

What a joke!

They haven't answered ANY of my Iris questions- for YEARS!

Pete you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS all when Iris inquires dont really help make sure you send the inquiry again by clicking on the complaint button.
It goes to VACO then back to the RO and there is a paper trail of Iris complaints.

but which doesnt seem to matter anyhow.

[Pete53]

Berta any Veteran who has a claim with the VA better treat it as war between themselves and the VA.

I know when I did I got much better results

[Berta]

Thanks Wings yes VA Central Office -

I forgot I was trained by USMC professors at AMU-DUH-and other branches too of course

in Tactical Warfare-!!! DOuble DUH How can I forget 4 years at AMU -the second civilian they ever had-

-my favorite professor USMC Major stares out at me every day from his picture on my PC-

he would expect me to fight back until I am victorious-----

but it sure is taking up a lot of my time-

and I intend to get this problem resolved. What I learned about tactical warfare at AMU is really fully applicable to dealing with the paper battlefield of the VA.

Take the enemies weapons and use those same weapons against them.....IE 38 CFR, 38 USC and M21-1

[Wings]

Halos -I had a check up appointment yesterday hours after this call and my BP was sky high-
the VA certainly adds to our mental and physical state with their incompetence.
This was not an 800 call but a supervisor calling because I had called the director's office.

All she had was my name and made no attempt to look into what I was calling about.She did say my claim was still in appeals so I guess she did look at the PC screen.

I am going to follow the advice I got from VACO on this.They want a written complaint.

x
x
x


Berta, I apologize for assuming you dialed the 1-800 number ---However, I do feel something akin to envy, as to your inside contacts within the VA System. I'm guessing VACO is VA Central Office, Washington DC? Did they call you at home? Might I suggest a VA Hearing? I hope you get this resolved quickly, by whatever means necessary. ~Wings

[Vync]

Berta,
That really stinks and I am sorry you had to endure that form of idocy. That is clear proof that if someone is a screw up, they often tend to move up.

[Notorious Kelly]

Berta, I'm sorry you had to deal with this person.

Please understand that it wasn't personal but rather a flaw in their personality.

Cuz we all luvs ya *hug* (IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Berta]

Halos -I had a check up appointment yesterday hours after this call and my BP was sky high-
the VA certainly adds to our mental and physical state with their incompetence.
This was not an 800 call but a supervisor calling because I had called the director's office.

All she had was my name and made no attempt to look into what I was calling about.She did say my claim was still in appeals so I guess she did look at the PC screen.

I am going to follow the advice I got from VACO on this.They want a written complaint.

[halos2]

This gave me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am so discusted the way the MAJORITY of VARO staff talk down to vets and their dependents. The VAMC aren't much better. Sometimes I want to call the azzholes every name in the book. Berta, you are and have been a godsend to all of us here.
This makes my b/p rise just knowing how these dum azzes act/talk and try to degrade vets/dependents. I want to start video/audio taping my contacts...they lie so much...they are a bunch of phonies who hold our lives in their hands...shouldn't be this way.
WE should be receiving open arms, for our dedication to serve our country. And the same for dependents who fought along side cheering the vets. These people all need to be removed...FIRED...from their positions (IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) , and replaced with able bodied vets. Too much power is given to inept people. I should always be in charge of my life, my choices what is best, and no game playing...I served my country, and worked in the healthcare field over 35 years. I am not a dummy, and don't expect to be treated as though I am. I give respect to those who deserve it, and I expect the same for me.
I respect you Bertha, blow off the low-life wanna be as she will never receive respect. For she will never be worthy! (IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Just talk to the higher ups, as they seem to have a common respectful relationship with you.

[cowgirl]

Berta, you, or any veteran, spouse or family member do not deserve the disrespect or idignity you described. I am sorry for your experience. I suspect that a few clerks are working hard at the 1-800 # 'give me a clue' office and others are simply there between jobs or really working thier retirement plans. (probably like many companies with good benefits).

Learned the hard way myself, complained to a 'freindly' clerk once about an exam, (supposedly a veteran themself!) who input a 'veterans complaint' and when the decision came suggesting I accused the examiner of doing something incorrect!

Now, I vary my inquiries and efforts between 1-800 and IRIS, gotta have the paper copies. The VA needs many things fixed, figure I do my part by using it so we don't lose it.

{{Berta, rock on! }}

Humbly indebted to your wonderful stubborness ~!
Hadit Cowgirl and family

[Commander Bob]

true dat! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

Thanks for the link, Wings. An interesting footnote not mentioned .. the wikipedia link reports that in 1936, Pres. Roosevelt sent some of those same vets to work on the Fla Keys bridge project. A hurricane destroyed that area and killed many of those same vets that were in D.C. four years earlier.

[Commander Bob]

I cannot believe the abuse I just took from a supervisor-at the Buffalo VARO-

...

I am so sorry to hear that you were treated that way, Berta... It's a stressed out world now a days. The 800 supervisor probably knew so little compared to your vast knowledge, and just went to the old game plan..." the best defense is a good offence. I hope she was recorded "for quality purposes". Of course she is probably in charge of erasing the tapes too.

[vaf]

The last time someone at the VARO insulted my husband over the phone, we wrote a complaint to the OIG at the VA, and in fact, we found those records in the claims file the following year, so at least we got our say.

I would urge everyone to just forget about dialing the 1-800 number and instead put your inquiries in IRIS via the VA website, the reason being that you never know when you might need a hard copy of a response you receive as evidence for another claim, or a writ petition, or what have you. With these guys, you need a paper trail.

We're in that position right now. My husband's Board appeal was cancelled when the VARO told the Board my husband had withdrawn it, and of course, he never did that in any way shape or form. No one ever performed the elementary step of checking to see if there was something in writing from him that requested an appeals withdrawal! He didn't even know it was withdrawn until we had a Congressman get involved after a lengthy delay in deciding this now 15 year old appeal-- the VA HAD to answer the Congressman, but they ignored us prior to that. The Board Chairman told the Congressman that if my husband had any questions, he was to call the 1-800 number for resolution, now is that a laugh or what?

We're using their IRIS responses to us in our writ petition over this Board appeal cancellation, clearly in violation of 38 CFR, because only the veteran or his representative (we're pro se) can withdraw a Board appeal. In that IRIS response, at the same time they told us the appeal had been decided and we'd receive something in writing soon, they had two days prior to that told the Board that my husband had withdrawn his claim. The fact that the Board told us to discuss this aggregious error with the 1-800 number shows us that they don't give a damn about due process, either.

Again, I think I mentioned this before. Print up your VA responses in hard copy as soon as you get them, because if you just save the e-mail, you'll find that eventually the link to the answer is dead, and you won't be able to retrieve the VA's response.

[Wings]

It was history....The WWI vets tried that during the Summer of 1932, It was called the Bonus Army, They built a makeshift camp called Hooverville. The army was called out, led by Douglas MacArthur and George S. Patton. Several vets were shot and killed..... I can assure that if you and a few thousand of your comrades went to D.C. and shouted up the place,.. You would be shot like a "mad dog" in the street...

true dat! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

[john999]

A million vets need to go to VA HQ, and not a thousand. Massive numbers need to show solidarity, but that has not happened in 200 years. So we remain beggers.

[Commander Bob]

Wonder how the powers that be would feel if a few thousand angry veterans showed up at the VA Headquarters in DC?

...think I would be history!!

It was history....The WWI vets tried that during the Summer of 1932, It was called the Bonus Army, They built a makeshift camp called Hooverville. The army was called out, led by Douglas MacArthur and George S. Patton. Several vets were shot and killed..... I can assure that if you and a few thousand of your comrades went to D.C. and shouted up the place,.. You would be shot like a "mad dog" in the street...

This post has been edited by Commander Bob: Nov 3 2009, 12:55 PM

[sharon]

The call center was staffed by trained Veterans Service Representative when it was at the Regional Office. Now that it is at a central location it is staffed by operators. They simply read what is on the screen. They have not a clue what is going on. When they don't know they try to fake it. An IRIS inquiry at least has to go to the Regional Office for an answer.

[LarryJ]

"Don't Piss Down My Back and Tell Me It's Raining."

Clint Eastwood...."The Outlaw Josey Wales"
more truth in one two hour movie than in the rest of life, compounded

[jbasser]

It just proves my point that this may have been a former Insurance claims adjuster with specialized insurasnce industry reductuction training. I am aware the VA hires these Insurance Company left overs at alarming rates.

Another problem with this is the fact that on single person is handling an issue from step a to step z. Every time it changes hands something starts to go ary. Before it is over it is left as a completely discombobulated mess. Then when you all to ask a question the Phone rep gets bent out of shape because the have no ounderstanding of the claim, where it is, where it is going and most of all who is in control of it.

J

[Wings]

You know - if they were to stick to the mission VA states they have
and just do their F **K**G jobs, just maybe they might accomplish
providing service to their customer's, the veteran/VA claimant.

IT IS NOT PART OF THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION at the 800 # to question
the merits of a claim.

Their job at the 800 # is to provide information to help claimants.
We all know the 800 service is crap, just more BS on how VA is there
for veterans and claimants.

If they weren't so busy finding and manufacturing ways to deny claims -
twisting and turning direct quotes in our medical evidence,
mis-application of regulations, etc...
then I might possibly start to believe some dribble spewed out of a
supervisor's mouth.

Until drastic changes are made at all levels of the VA disability
process - I feel the majority are just about all out to harm, belittle and
degrade veterans and VA claimants.

This topic just really pisses me off as I'm sure it will many.

carlie

x
x
x

You can get pissed off all you want, but a telephone call to the VA DON'T MEAN A DAM THING! If it's not in black and white, take it with a grain of salt, and a chill pill. I would never advise a newbie to put stock in anything an Operator had to say, hellsbells, 411 gives me the wrong number half the time, and I pay $1.50 for each assisted call. ~Wings

[pigdriver]

Wonder how the powers that be would feel if a few thousand angry veterans showed up at the VA Headquarters in DC? Government would probably arrest us all under the guise of the Patriot Act as a group of domestic terrorists. What in the H*LL ever happened to "Unit, Corps, God, Country"? I am so tired of the VA and the government blowing smoke up my a**. Don't these idiots realize they have hundreds of thousands of us they trained to kill people pissed off!! If it wasn't for my wife and all of my friends and fellow veterans on this site I think I would be history!!

[carlie]

You know - if they were to stick to the mission VA states they have
and just do their F **K**G jobs, just maybe they might accomplish
providing service to their customer's, the veteran/VA claimant.

IT IS NOT PART OF THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION at the 800 # to question
the merits of a claim.

Their job at the 800 # is to provide information to help claimants.
We all know the 800 service is crap, just more BS on how VA is there
for veterans and claimants.

If they weren't so busy finding and manufacturing ways to deny claims -
twisting and turning direct quotes in our medical evidence,
mis-application of regulations, etc...
then I might possibly start to believe some dribble spewed out of a
supervisor's mouth.

Until drastic changes are made at all levels of the VA disability
process - I feel the majority are just about all out to harm, belittle and
degrade veterans and VA claimants.

This topic just really pisses me off as I'm sure it will many.

carlie

[Wings]

x
x
x


Berta, I don't understand why, at this point in the game, you would attempt to discuss anything claim related --by telephone. Why don't you ask for a personal Hearing? ~Wings

[Pete53]

Berta:

I am sure that a person like this has cost many Veterans a fair shake.

We all know talking to anyone at the VA on the phone is not a winner. If I were you I would request records so that you can see what this nimrod wrote up in your records.

[Berta]

I cannot believe the abuse I just took from a supervisor-at the Buffalo VARO-

When she was a VA 800# operator she actually questioned the basis of my claim when it was in appeals telling me I didnt have a potential claim at all.
Now she is a supervisor and the claim she questioned (maybe in 2007?)was the same one I was recently awarded.

Without even asking me why I had called the director's office (and she didnt have my C file or anything else when she called me)
she would not even let me explain the problem I am having.

I complained already to VACO, to the regional counsel and then VBA said to send a complaint letter directly to Shinseki.

I also had the initials of the two RO employees included in the complaint -who still send me clearly and erroneous award letters.

Now I am trying to find out if the letter they got from regional counsel regarding one matter has been put into my C file- or ignored.or destroyed.

I wonder how many vets and widows get treatment like this but dont complaint.

I just let it go when the supervisor , as a 800 number rep a few years ago , tried to tell me my 2003 claim had no basis at all but of course I knew better.I cant help but wonder if she talked anyone else out of pursuing their claim.