Fw: MOPH Region VI Weekly Report 1/23-29/2014

Weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 1/23-29/2014.

San Diego VARO:

Contacted Region VI NSO offices for various confirmations of equipment, various veterans and status along with follow-up.

Started my quest again for an office somewhere between Fresno and Bakersfield.

Researching data for BDD claims as well as various research for veterans claims.

Continue with training of new NSOs and AAs in both VARO San Diego and VARO Los Angeles locations. Continue on Follow-up with NODs and Appeals, as well as responding to phone calls, emails, claim review, etc.

Also, continue to review data in VCMS and checking Share/Vacols, Virtual VA, etc. for accuracy. Continue daily sign offs.

Eddie Kimes, NSO - Las Vegas:

Checked VCMS and SHARE for claim statuses and awardsto prepare for Monthly Report.  Conducted  veteran consultations.

Returned phone calls and made appointments.

Filed new service connectedclaims and POA�s and submitted various claims and evidence with signature paperwork.

Went to Vet Center  for veteran consultation and made future appointments.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

I continue seeing Vets about a myriad of veteran�s services.  I inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries.

I received a DVA Letter dated 01/16/2014 stating that one of our clients is incompetent to handle his VA funds.  It was initiated by his HUD VASH Case Manager. I have been corresponding with his Case Manager since Feb of 2013. She has mentioned on several occasions that she can only deal with the Vet in the mornings because he is intoxicated usually by 12 noon.  The Vet was recently granted TDIU and is no longer eligible for reduced rent.  He will continue to be followed by his HUD VASH Case Manager for the prescribed time period.

Continue general offices duties.

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Very busy week with filing new claims and appointments with new veterans.  Had a VCMS conference call 01/24/14.

Continued entering award letters and rating decisions into VCMS.  Preparing for several hearings coming up in February and continue training of new AA.

General offices duties, returning calls, emails, purging and checking VACOLS for appeals, SEP, VBMS, Share, etc.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

This week�s number of phone calls has been normal and I have three appointments with veterans two for new claims,  one was explanation of 100 percent benefits.  Continued VCMS updates checking SEP and VBMS rating decisions and checks all have been done this week as well. 

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.  New employees received OGC letter for accreditation, and began the Basic NSO online training.

Traveled to our offices in Wadsworth and Sepulveda to ascertain information regarding office equipment capabilities.

Johnnell Jackson, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

I�ve received numerous phone calls, helped veterans with questions as well as their claims, faxed off forms/request to their designated areas, filed award letters/correspondence, sent out mail, and finished final exams.

Continue with my NSO training.

Daniel Soto, NSO - VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth:

I have completed the NSO training manual tests.  I have also completed all three phases of the VCMS trainer and waiting further instructions.  I have also assisted the staff with interviewing clients and preparing all necessary documentation for clients.

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

Assisted appointments, walk-ins veterans/dependents.

Assisted by John/IT, HQS upgrading Computer and Honolulu VBA IT folks.  I am now able to access VBA Programs, i.e. SHARES,VBMS etc. thanks to our  IT, John and IT folks in Honolulu.

Continued administrative work in the office i.e., updating VCMS, following up on letters received, filing
letters received, at least 20 telephone calls, email responses.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

This week I spent some time as I often do at the shelters, CASS and US VETS.  The state of AZ, and VA claim the homeless veteran problem has been solved.  This we know is false.  These shelters and others are full. We also know there will always be full shelters because a large number of people/veterans choose to be homeless.  I gained a couple of clients after explaining to them they can remain homeless if they so choose and still draw benefits.

VBMS has been down twice this week and SEP has only been up twice this week.

I visited the hospital twice this week and the vet center once.

General office duties, writing claims, data entry, purging.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

I have submitted claims, all of which were FDC.  I have helped Veterans with their pending claims.

I returned messages and emails some trying to find out what they need to bring in to start a new claim and some to get updates on their pending claims.

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

I have reviewed decision letters, worked on filing and general office duties.  Continued other normal daily activities, filing, reviewing , I completed the pending claims report ,etc.

I continue to do research on Korat so I can do a fully developed claim for a veteran that was stationed there.

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu: 

Conducted interviews with veterans seeking help for service connection compensation, submitted 21-22 for representation.

Several veterans came in to find out status of claim, also from NSO Guam I submitted medical documents  in reference to veterans response for VA propose reduction.  Met with veteran from Guam who submitted BDD claim with Honolulu benefits office, veteran was escorted by public contact officer to submit 21-22 with this office.  Submitted per veteran request direct deposit information.

Received correspondence and award letters for both Honolulu and Guam, mailed out letters to Guam. Returned/receive calls from veterans asking for status of claim.

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 Medical center was fairly busy.  I saw quite a few Vets week.   I signed a few new POA�s and submitted several new claims to the Regional Office.  Since the last day of the month fell this week, I worked on getting all mail sent out.  I entered all claims and updates  into VCMS.  I returned phone calls and as usual Fridays are my filing days.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

It was a very busy week.  I answered calls, returned messages, I saw a lot clients, I submitted evidence for existing claims,  and I entered a good amount of ratings.  Other than a higher volume of clients than usual, it was a pretty typical week.

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

I have been making and returning numerous phone calls, seeing numerous clients by walk-in but no appointments.  I reviewed Utah Rating Decisions, BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions and no PLCP SOCs.  I forwarded PLCP Development Letters, submissions, and 1 Revoked VA Form 21-22.