Fw: MOPH Weekly Report Region VI 11/27-12/5/13

-

Commander Small

Please see weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 11/27-12/4/2013:

San Diego VARO:

Out of the office 11/23-27/13.

I have stopped my  quest for MOPH space in Central CA, somewhere between Fresno/Clovis area south to Bakersfield, due to budget restraints.

Catching up on things missed while out Thanksgiving week, emails, calls, reviewing appeals, etc.

In the process of reviewing Region VI reports for VCMS and submission to National.

I continue to do sign offs daily and continue training of new NSO and AA in VARO SD location; as well as, checking progress of new hires at VARO Los Angeles and VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth.  New hires in Los Angeles area have not been granted access to computers yet and new NSOs are in the process of completing their NVLSP for submission for accreditation.  I have followed-up on the NODs and appeals, as well as responding to phone calls, emails, claim review, etc.

Eddie Kimes, NSO - Las Vegas:

Checked VCMS and SHARE for claim status and awards.  Found award letter in Virtual VA to input Monthly Report.

Filed new claims-service connected increased evaluation and NOD.

Went to Vet Center to meet veteran to file service connected claim, made appointments, answered general questions and veteran consultation purposes.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

ALL VSO�s here at Long Beach VAMC to include local chapters have a quarterly meeting with the director of the hospital and other local and hospital agencies.  This meeting had nothing pertinent to veteran�s benefits.  I advised a local non-profit agency, wanting to establish a homeless veterans program on the VA Grant Per Diem Program. I have started to go through all files destroying files without any action in the past four years.  Not all files have a destruction date assigned on the folder.  I continue seeing Vets about a myriad of veteran�s services.  I continue purging files of unnecessary documents to make more room in files drawers.  Inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries.  Any client files that do not have diary entries are being updated when I come across them.

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Out of office Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday, returned to office on 12/02/13.  Have met with a few veterans, submitted documentation in support of pending claims.  Returned several phone calls to veterans.  Currently preparing for two upcoming hearings for this month.  Also doing follow-up on DTA letters and entering Award�s into VCMS.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

No report received

Tennell Brady, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

Conducted several interviews with veteran regarding their claims, responded to numerous calls and submitted claims to the VA.   Continued instructing new employees regarding rules and policies of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, including tutoring during their NVLSP training.   Followed-up with ISO regarding computer access. New employees obtained parking permits, and VA ID cards.   Continued having new employees to sit in on several interviews, and learning the various forms used in the processing of the claim.   Monitored new employees taking final NVLSP examination.

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

11/27-4 hours Administrative per National Commander; 11/28-29 Thanksgiving, Administrative.  Assisted  veterans/dependents and DIC claims.  Entered award letters, BDD claim, Incarcerated veteran, and recurring claims.  Continued administrative work in the office, i.e., several telephone calls, and email responses.  Finally received LexisNexis Books.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

Short week due to PTO/Thanksgiving.  Continued writing claims, reviewing decisions, general office duties.

I attended a meeting about the fact that the VA does not send DTA�s when claims are done in VBMS.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

Submitted claims and additional evidence the VA is requesting for some of my open claims.

Gave paperwork/homework to Veterans, so I can submit FDC claims for them.

I have reviewed decision letters and entered them into VCMS, worked on filing and general office duties.
Continued other normal daily activities, filing, reviewing and responding to emails, telephone calls, etc. 

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:

Conducted interviews with veterans and family members seeking help for service connection compensation.  Met with veterans to discuss VA award letter for increase compensation.  Submitted FDC claim to VA.  Received correspondence and award letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam.   Returned/received calls from veterans asking for status of claim, also spoke to veterans in reference to VA examinations.

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

Breana King, NSO - VAMC Loma Linda:

Due to the Holiday and a medical appointment,  my office was only opened 2 days this week. During those 2 days I did sign a few new POA�s, and submitted new claims.  I tried to get caught up on all phone calls from the previous week as well as sorting mail and inputting in VCMS.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

Out for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, so Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have been a rather slow.   I had normal office activities such as, answering calls, returning messages, did not see many clients; however, I submitted new evidence for ongoing claims.   After having the busiest weeks of the year, week before last and last week, I figure this one was slow, because people were still away for the holiday.

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

No report for week received.  Notified her Mother passed away Wednesday 12/4/13 late afternoon.