On the same day you file your claim for VA disability compensation benefits—if not the same day, then, the business day immediately after—pick up your telephone and call the VA hospital, clinic or medical center where you usually go for service-related medical treatments.
Review all the telephone numbers and mailing addresses they have on file for you to make sure they are current. Doing this could save you from lengthy and unnecessary delays in the processing of your claim, as well as automatic denials for non-compliance. Here’s why:
VA Regional Offices don’t share your contact information with VA medical facilities.
In this age of instant communication, it’s counterintuitive that VA institutions wouldn’t share access to your most basic records—so neglecting this follow up step isn’t at all uncommon. Even veterans who’ve been utterly meticulous in coordinating their applications can forget to reach out to their VA medical facility after filing.
It’s a problem because one of the first steps in the evaluation of your claim is a Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam, something generally handled by the medical facility where you go for service-connected health concerns. The medical facility will attempt to contact you with the date and time of your appointment. If you miss it because you didn’t get the notification, you will have a very hard time getting another appointment, if you are able to get one at all.
It’s a mistake that could stop your claim in its tracks.
Are you a Texas veteran struggling to navigate the VA disability compensation process? Set up a free consultation with a Dallas VA attorney to learn more about your options. Call 800-800-6353today.
by Paul B. Burkhalter Managing Partner of Morgan Weisbrod , Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.