Fw: MOPH Region VI Weekly Report 2/27-3/5/2014

Commander Small and Jim Richards:

Weekly reports generated by Region VI NSOs, 2/27-3/5/2014:

San Diego VARO:

Review data for scheduled class at Annual Training in Orlando, FL, on Survivor benefits for service members who died on active duty.

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.

Seems this week was more about putting out fires, (full moon or something).  Have requested further information regarding a complaint, with no response to date.  Veteran who is seeking help with everything, has traveled to various states calling upon MOPH to help, now has my number, though just moved from AZ to CO.  Has been denied many many times, in jail for fraud and continues to seek MOPH assistance.  VA states dishonorable discharge, vet claims untrue, and states he has not received his separation papers yet, but was in for 22 years honorably, (during VietNam era). Will be suggesting NSO who holds POA to Revoke.

The VA is trying to cut down on the number of appeals, and has informed us that any veteran who has an appeal pending that is 100% service connected at this time, will be contacted by the VA.  The VA will try to call the veteran to encourage them to drop their appeal, since they are already 100% and can not receive any more money.

I have instructed my Region, to advise their veterans that fall under this category, if contacted, do not drop appeal, but to tell the VA they will consider and get back to them.  This will allow the veteran to contact the NSO and properly review the appeal, making sure there is adequate evidence to warrant same.  Even though no more money may be awarded, they may be entitled to SMC and/or if later one of their disabilities are reduced, and if appeal is granted, may keep them at 100%.  Several appeals that are completed by the veteran without the knowledge of the NSO, may be frivolous and possibly should be dropped, but the veteran should have the right to proper counsel from their NSO, rather than the VA requesting they drop the appeal, just because they are 100% service connected.

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.  Returned phone calls and made appointments.

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

Traveled to Vet Center and consulted with veterans and retrieved claim evidence to submit.

Mailed claim forms to veteran and submitted change of address.  Had various telephone calls, receiving and responding, as well as emails and general office duties.

Joseph Phillips, NSO - VAMC Long Beach, CA:

Continue seeing Vets about a myriad of veteran�s services.  Inputted award letters into VCMS and updated diary entries.  Received OK to install printer and made an appt for VA IRM  Dept. to install.  Received and returned calls, emails, and general office duties.

Tony DeVore, NSO - VARO San Diego, CA:

Was a very busy week.  Conducted a hearing on veterans appeal.  It was a great hearing and the veteran was extremely pleased that he felt that his voice had been heard after so many years fighting the VA.

Met with several veterans and filed their claims.  Continued to input the Award Letters as they were received into the office.   As is every end of the month is busy, it ended on a great note.

Arthur Harris, NSO - VARO Oakland, CA:

No report received.

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 responded to an inquiry into a conflict involving an MOPH employee.   Conducted an email overseas client indicating what his current options are pertaining to refiling of disability claim.

Continue with training of new NSO/AA and general office duties.

Johnnell Jackson, NSO - VARO Los Angeles, CA:

No report received.

Daniel Soto, NSO - VAMC Sepulveda/Wadsworth:

This week I was able to assist many veterans, (approx. 27), and established several original claims.  I have been receiving more referrals on a daily basis.  The training materials are being put to good use, I have used them on several occasions during this week.

Ron Quinata, NSO - Guam:

Assisted veterans with appointments, walk-ins, veterans/dependents; attended a DRO Hearing (Video Conference)at VBA Guam Benefits Office on an appeal.

Continued administrative work in the office i.e., updating VCMS, setting up appointments, following up on
letters received, filing letters received, 24 telephone calls, email/telephone call responses.

Jay Parker, NSO - VARO Phoenix:

We had another NSO/VA meeting this week.  Everything is going as planned, but they don�t mention the plan changes every week.  D1BC is gone.  They are splitting the team to work on certain tasks such as FDC claims, of which they put on hold a month ago.

I am still waiting on a response pertaining to 21-22�s.

And something that may be of interest to National.  The local VSO for Wounded Warrior Project is pushing to get an office in this RO.  Since he used to work for us, I know why he wants an office.  It is because he wants a badge so he can access the raters.  They refuse to issue a badge to anyone not in the building.  So they are going for the office.  Even though they will never use it.  They have an office in Scottsdale, their whole team works in.  I spoke to the Director; she says it is out of her hands.  Someone higher than her is handling it.  The discussion is along the lines of sharing an office with another Organization.  The WWP is not to be trusted, nor is the ex-employee, and I certainly hope he is not put in this office due to privacy issues with his past and my current veterans.

General office duties.

Cheryl Paden, NSO - VAMC Tucson:

I have been researching Migraine Headaches and any secondary for a Saudi Veteran.

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

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

I gave paperwork to Veterans who want to file for disability claims.  The VA is only accepting the new 21-526EZ (2014).

I went to an appointment for the picture for the PIV card.  The security office at SAVAHCS will email me and I will make an appointment to pick up my PIV badge.

Raphael Paris, NSO - VARO Honolulu:

Met with veterans and submitted personal hearing request for proposal reduction.  Discussed retro payment from VA with veteran.  Spoke to veterans in person and by phone about status of claims.

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.

Followed up on pending claims.

Breana King, NSO - VAMC Loma Linda:

No report received.

Michael Mullen, NSO - VAMC La Jolla:

It was a little more busy for me this week at the hospital.   There were slightly more appointments and walk in�s, I answered calls, returned messages, submitted claims, and submitted some evidence for existing claims.   The month of February was very slow, but I think the office is starting to get busier again.   For some reason it seems like February is always the slowest month of the year. 

I also completed my PPT for my class on Ancillary Benefits and submitted it to Jim to prepare for the annual training in Orlando.

Continue with general office duties.

Erin Hamlin, NSO - Salt Lake City:

Made and returned numerous phone calls.  Reviewed Utah Rating Decisions and no SOCs, reviewed BDD/PLCP Rating Decisions and no PLCP SOCs.  I also 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.