Fw: MOPH Region VI Weekly Report 3/6-26/2014

Commander Small and Jim Richards:

Weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 3/6-26/2014.

San Diego VARO:

Traveled to VARO LA to complete training with AA.  She ended up resigning and we are in the process of hiring a new AA for that office.  Was out of the office during our monthly VSCM meeting, but was told nothing new was discussed and there were no hand outs or new FL's.

Completed annual Privacy/Hippa training on the VA TMS training site.

Traveled to Orlando, FL for MOPH Annual Training.  Previously completed data research for Veterans KIA for family benefits, (spouse, parents, children), and gave a presentation at MOPH Annual Training in Fl.  Training went quickly, but always come away with learning new ways and ideas of helping out veterans.

In the process of hiring new NSO for the Phoenix office and will be interviewing in the near future.

Continue with training of new NSOs and AAs in both VARO San Diego and VARO Los Angeles locations.

Continuing with follow-up on NODs and Appeals, as well as responding to phone calls, emails, claim review, etc.

Continue to review data in VCMS and checking Share/Vacols, Virtual VA, etc. for accuracy. Continue daily sign offs and checking both Concur and ADP entries.

Eddie Kimes, NSO - Las Vegas:

Checked VCMS,VBMS and SHARE for claim statuses and awards.

Joined SEP training meeting on Thursdays (3/6).

Conducted  veteran consultations.  Returned phone calls and made appointments.

Filed new service connected claims and POA�s and submitted claims evidence with

signature paperwork.  Perused veteran�s c-file to prepare for DRO hearing.

Mailed claim forms and VA information to veterans.

Thursday,  last day of Annual training in Orlando.  Traveled home on Friday and on Monday came back and checked VCMS, VBMS and SHARE for claim statuses and awards.  Returned numerous phone calls and made appointments.  Filed new service connected  claims and POA�s.

Perused veteran�s c-file to prepare for May hearing.  

Went to Vet Center and consulted with veteran, and mailed VA information to veteran.

 

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

Continue seeing Vets about a myriad of veteran�s services.  I inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries. I went through files and removed unnecessary documents.  Assisted homeless Vet with getting an intake appointment at the Villages of Cabrillo (US Vets).  I assisted daughter of a surviving spouse on survivor�s pension with aid and attendance.   Enjoyed and learned a great deal at MOPH Annual Training.  Maintain 11 flyer holders with flyers on VA benefits. 

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Had a very productive week.  Met with several veterans to discuss claims status and also possible new claims.  Also submitted supportive new and material evidence in support of pending claims with the VA.   Two hearings were delayed for new exams that were requested by the DRO�s as information in C-file was 2 yrs or older.

Returned from annual training and began preparing for upcoming hearings for April.  Entered Award Letters & Rating Decision and also trained new NSO from VARO LA over the phone regarding reports in VCMS.  Submitted several claims to the VA.  Received 3 nice Retros: $30,870.00, $36,719.00, and  $47,389.00.   Has been a very busy month with Annual Training, new clients and hearings. Busy month for April coming up.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

This week I have been reviewing files for an upcoming hearings, I have completed my VA security training that was about two hours long.   Updated VCMS to including the reviewing of my approved claims including the filing of new claims.   

Tennell Brady, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

During the week, this office conducted numerous live interviews, responded to telephone calls and submitted claims to the VA. I accepted the resignation of former Administrative Assistant, Ms. A. Eady. Retroactive benefits in excess of $64,000.00 received this week. Attended a VSO meeting for our station�s in Information Security/Privacy �face to face� meeting.

Completed annual training in Florida & returned home to end the week. Current week began with participation in VA required online training for CRIP procedures. I conducted a video-conference Travel Board hearing. We began repair and updating procedures on office files at the beginning of this week.  

Johnnell Jackson, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

Received multiple phone calls, faxed veterans information where needed, file award letters as well as correspondence, mailed letters to their designated areas, made appointments for veterans, helped veterans with various questions, sent claims to the VA to be date stamped, and the filled out necessary paper work for veterans claims such as the 21-526EZ ect�. 

During the week I conducted interviews, answered phones, general office procedures, continued to update filing as well as paper work, and went to annual training.

Daniel Soto, NSO - VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth:

I was able to visit the OEF/OIF transition team in building 401 at the West LA Medical Center.  I met with several reps at the location and made myself available for any new veterans that have questions or concerns that pertain to benefits. I have heard from several veterans from that location since I last visited. 

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

Assisted appointments, walk-ins, veterans/dependents.  Continued administrative work in the office i.e.,
updating VCMS, setting up appointments, following up on letters received, filing letters received, telephone calls,
email/telephone call responses.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

New office printer does not have a scan option (says IRM).

Lisa completed her yearly VA Privacy Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior this week.

In the VA VSO meeting we learned the RO was just about to get things rolling properly when Central office changed the rules and sent them off in a different direction.

During my hospital visits we are told the hospital is opening a DBQ clinic. It hasn�t happened, most hospital employees are not aware of it. We will wait and see.

General office duties, visiting the VA hospital, Vet center, CASS and US Vets Homeless centers. 

SEP training is down again, canceled for 03/27.  All Mondays are canceled.  Future classes will only be given on Thursday.

The VA has postponed our monthly meeting until next month so that is the fourth month with no meeting since October.

Hospital staff are reeling over the new directive on DBQ�s.  Some are happy they won�t have to get into trouble with their supervisor for filling the form.

The vet center has had a change of staff so I must get to know them again.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

Submitted FDC Claims, and received 4 back, because of the 21-526EZ dated 2013, needed to be changed to the new 2014, 21-526EZ form.

I returned messages and emails, updates and what I wanted to start a claim for VA.

Reviewed decision letters, worked on filing and general office duties, continued other normal daily activities, filing, reviewing, etc.

I met with Veterans to give them packets so they can file FDC claims.

I enjoyed the Training, it will help me with some of my cases.   I learned quite a bit of new information about claims I have had in the past and sure I will have in the future.

I have been answering a ton of phone messages and emails from my Veterans.

I am getting people coming to find out what I can do to help them file a claim from my current Veterans. I just love referrals.

I returned to work and found a few of my cases have been decided.   One of my clients went from 60% to 100% P&T and this was on a reconsideration. Yay!!!!

I have been trying to do general office duties but I have been seeing alot of Clients and speaking to them about their claims on the phone and in emails.

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:

Met with veterans who requests representation through MOPH, submitted new POA�s requests and claims for service connection.  Requested and accepted transfer of 2 veterans who now resides in Hawaii.

Spoke to veterans in person and by phone about status of claims.  Met with vet on upcoming C&P exam.

Received correspondence and award letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam.  

Continue input into VCMS of awards, claims, etc.  General office duties, including making of new files, purging. Follow-up on pending claims.

 

Breana King, NSO - VAMC Loma Linda:

This week at the hospital was extremely busy due to being at training 2 days of this week.  I spent the week still seeing new Vets signing new POA�s, returning phone calls and also trying to get all mail sent out and all documents entered into VCMS.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

It was pretty busy for me this week at the hospital. There were slightly more appointments and walk in�s, I answered a lot of calls, returned messages, submitted claims, and I submitted some evidence for existing claims. By Wednesday, I had caught up on all my emails and messages left by clients during the previous week while I was at training.   During training in Orlando, I taught a small class in Ancillary Benefits and it seems to have gone well. Also, on Tuesday I completed annual Privacy/Hippa training on the VA TMS training site. 

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

Off sick 3/11/2014.  Made and returned numerous phone calls.  I reviewedUtah Rating Decisions and no SOCs. I reviewed BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions and PLCP SOCs. I forwarded BDD/PLCP Submittals, BDD/PLCP Notification Letters, and BDD/PLCP Development Letters for other Service Offices.  I also continue my efforts to go through my office files and get them in order.

Annual Training 3/17/2014-3/20/2014. Made and returned numerous phone calls. I reviewed BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions and no PLCP SOCs.  I also continue my efforts to go through my office files and get them in order. I also had a retro of $33,490.