Fw: MOPH Region VI Weekly Report 2/13-2/19/2014

Weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 2/13-2/19/2014.

San Diego VARO:

Contacted Region VI NSO offices for any questions they may have for our Roundtable Discussion at Annual Training.

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

Researching and preparing powerpoint, handout and test questions for Suvivor Benefits for active duty personnel KIA, (spouse, parents, children), for class during Annual Training.

Following up with questions and responses from various NSOs.  Meeting with AAO re ALS veteran awaiting automobile adaptive equipment.

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.

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,VBMS and SHARE for claim statuses and awards.  Conducted  veteran consultations.

Outreach to assisted living facility to file elderly veteran�s aid and attendance claim (2/14/14).

Returned phone calls and made appointments.  Filed new service connected claims and POA�s and submitted claims evidence with signature paperwork.

Went to Vet Center and assisted veteran with filing original claim and new POA.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

Continue seeing Veterans about a myriad of veteran�s services.  I inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries.  I am continuing to correspond with VAMC Long Beach personnel in completing DBQs.

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Was a very busy week of walk-ins and phone calls here at the office.  I had a hearing for a veteran, that went well.  Several new claims entered and a lot of documentation submitted to the VA.  Preparing for another hearing for next week.  Great week.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

This week we have been updating VCMS to include daily checks of VBMS and SEP.

There was also a meet with the management at this RO.  The discussion of the meeting was the problem with our RO and the dependency claims to include the transferring of claims to the Philippines.

Had appointments with new veteran and other with veteran attempting to change POA, however he was denied due to pending issues currently.

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 attended two videoconference Travel Board hearings.  In one hearing, the veteran�s debilitating lumbar spine condition prevented him from physically attending, I requested permission in advance to read aloud the veteran�s written testimony.  This request was granted and the veteran�s testimony was read to the law judge, and afterwards the written testimony was faxed directly to him for further appellate review.

Continue training of new NSOs/AA and general office duties, receiving and responding to various emails/telephone calls.

Johnnell Jackson, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

I�ve received multiple phone calls, faxed information where needed, filed award letters as well as correspondence, mailed paper work to their designated areas, made appointments for veterans, helped veterans with various questions, and sent claims to the VA to be date stamped at the end of each day.  Also continued with filing/purging, office duties.

Daniel Soto, NSO - VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth:

No report received, notified NOS of importance to submit.

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

Assisted veterans with appointments and walk-ins, as well as some of their dependents.

Attended VSO VideoConf Meeting, 02/14/2014 with HRO Service Manager. Reported on claims status, shared different scenarios/problems/Remands.  Attended monthly MOPH Chapter Meeting,
02/13/2014.  Continued administrative work in the office i.e., updating VCMS, setting up appointments, following up on letters received, filing letters and telephone calls received, and  email/telephone call responses.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

The VA in recent months has been making veterans have medical evidence that their S/C condition has worsened. Just yesterday an e-mail was sent to VA employee�s reminding them of M-21 3.400 that a veteran only has to state His/her S/C condition has worsened for them to be required to give an exam.

The fight for I.U. clients to get the 100% discount for fishing License continues.  D1BC will no longer be a team as of March 1^st.  I suppose BDD claims will be assigned to a segmented lane.

General office duties.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

I have completed research on Korat.  I returned messages and emails to veterans who are looking for help to file FDC claims and some were looking for status reports.

I met with one of my Veterans who is now in Hospice from SC Disability, we are working on the papers needed for DIC for his Wife.

I reviewed VA letters, worked on files and general office duties.

I attended a VSO meeting at the Hospital on 2-18-2014.

I gave paperwork to Veterans who want to file for disability claims.

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:

Met with veterans who requests representation through MOPH, submitted POAs, and claims for compensation benefits.

Spoke to veterans in person and by phone about status of claims.

Attended monthly VCSM/VSO meeting, agenda was 1^st Qtr VSC data.

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-Floyd, NSO - VAMC Lome Linda:This week was a busy week at the medical center.  I saw several new Vets and signed new POA�s as well as submitted new claims, and also submitted additional claim evidence for pending claims to the RO�s.

I worked on updating VCMS, and doing my weekly status updates.  Friday will be my admin day where I will make new files, do all filing and make sure all mail is out and all phone calls have been returned.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

It was another slow week for me at the hospital.   There weren�t many appointments or walk in�s, but I answered calls, returned messages, and submitted some evidence for existing claims.   The month of January was very busy, but February has been quite slow so far.   I also attended the hospital directors monthly NSO meeting today.  Continue general office duties/purging.

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

I moved to a new office space on 2/14/2014, and am still arranging the office as it was not just moving furniture.  The Regional Office provided all new office furniture, except for the file cabinets, so I am still unpacking boxes and setting up electronic equipment.  I reviewed BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions.