correcting error and submitting future correspondence

[Gerri]

hi, this is gerri again.  have 2 questions someone may be able to answer.  No. 1:  as i mentioned in my first post, my mom was denied benefits; and i was expecting this since she is well above the accepted threshhold. i was advised, by a veteran service office rep. to apply now, so she'd have an active file for future appeals, as her assets decline.  however, she was not denied due to assets --but because "there was no evidence to show that the veteran's death was related to military service".  on ALL the paperwork i submitted, i indicated she was applying for A&A due to her health (blind and housebound) and the medical and caregiving expenses.  in a previous letter from V.A., the writer stated that my mom's application was being reviewed for "non service-connected death pension benefits . . . based on housebound or aid and attendance status". 

Since I want to clarify with the V.A. exactly which program she is applying for, (in case they've filed her paperwork under the wrong pension program request) i was going to send a letter explaining error,but wonder if there's a form i should use, instead.  will wait for an answer at this site before proceeding.

Question #2 -- i read in another post on this site that applications from california should go to the pension maintenance center in st. paul, mn.  should i re-file the entire application package with the st. paul office, with cover letter to explain current status; should i keep working with los angeles office exclusively; or, should i send all future correspondence to both los angeles and st. paul??!! 

[Fit2009]

Hello Geri,
You want to point out that you think they looked at the wrong pension on the Statement in Support of Claim Form 21-4138.  IMO you should not resubmit, they will move the file to where it is supposed to be processed.  In fact, yours was so recent, I would expect that the last letter you received is from the regional processing center for your area.

Good Luck!

[Gerri]

thanks so much for your reply.  i will send a letter (certified mail, as usual) making sure the pension we're requesting is corrected in V.A. files.  and, will follow your advice to proceed with the los angeles office, when mom's status changes.  just feel better getting the right direction from folks who have been through the process.  you all have given me some peace of mind and i don't feel so alone working on this process.  my gratitude to all who participate in this forum. 

[vetadmin]

Gerri,

Our pleasure and you are welcome.  Please keep us posted.