KB6540010 How can I best use the Claims History Screen?

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KB6540010 How can I best use the Claims History Screen?

Solution How can I best use the Claims History Screen?

This is by far the most important and complex screen. There are ten rows of input fields representing ten possible claims. Each row contains entries for Primary and Secondary VA diagnostic codes corresponding to the condition for which the claim is made. In most cases, with a new claim, you won't know what the actual diagnostic code is until the VA favorably decides the claim. When this happens, the Claims Decision Document from the VA will contain the actual diagnostic code the VA assigned. Double clicking in the diagnostic code field causes a dropdown list box to appear with all VA diagnostic codes and the name of the related condition. When the input field is blank and you double click in this field the index box appears with the cursor bar sitting on the first diagnostic code in the list: 5000. You may scroll down through the list until you find the appropriate condition and double click on it. The diagnostic code will be inserted in the diagnostic code input box. When you are first preparing a claim, you will have to use your "best guest" as to what the diagnostic code is until the VA reaches a decision. You can also leave the field blank but this is a good way to mark this claim as "arthritis", "PTSD" or whatever best describes the claim. This is for your own benefit as you can readily determine which claim each line represents.

If the input box contains an entry, when you double click on the input field, the dropdown index box appears with the cursor bar sitting on top of the condition that relates to the diagnostic code. Therefore you can look up the name of the diagnostic condition with two clicks of your mouse.

The date filed box and the award date box are self explanatory. The percentage input box is used to input the percentage amount awarded for that particular claim. Use 10, 20, 100, etc., as entries in these fields. If the percentage boxes on two or more lines contain entries, VetRex automatically calculates the combined rating percentage at the bottom of the screen when you move the cursor from the percentage box. You may manually recalculate the percentage by clicking on the 'Calc Comb Rate" command button at the lower left side of the screen. In order for the calculation process to work properly, claim #1 percentage box must contain an entry. This is most useful when you are representing a veteran that already has certain disability ratings and you are attempting to get the veteran an increase in disability or need to record the information so that you can determine the actual total rating percentage.

The balance of the input boxes on the claims line are for recording the dates of NOD (Notice of Disagreement), SOC (Statement of the Case), SSOC (Supplemental Statement of the Case), Form 1-9 (Appeal to Board of Veterans Appeals) and Form 646 (Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Case).

Retroactive Awards

Clicking the 'Awards' command button causes the rightmost four columns of the claims screen to disappear and to be replaced with three columns for data relating to awards. Enter the 'Effective Date' of the award, the 'Monthly Amount' of the award and the amount of any 'Retroactive Award'. As in the previously discussed percentage column, the Retroactive Total at the bottom of the screen is automatically calculated when you move the cursor out of the 'Retro Award' field. The information in the Retroactive Awards column is used to calculate awards in reports and is automatically transferred to the "Total retroactive awards in this case" block on the Personal Data Screen.
Click 'Hide' to remove the Awards Overlay.

Appeals

Clicking the 'Appeals' command button causes every block to the right of the secondary diagnostic code box screen to be overlaid with new columns labeled "Off Code', 'Agent'. 'Type', 'EPC' (End Product Code), 'Clmnt' (Claimant type), 'Received', 'Review', 'Hearing', 'BVA Date' and 'BVA Status'.

'Office Code' is used as an optional field to record where the claim originated (such as an outlying county office, a VA Medical Center office, satellite office, etc.). Double clicking on this box causes a dropdown list box of preconfigured codes to appear. Double clicking on a selection will cause it to be automatically inserted in the data field box. Just be consistent with the codes. Create your own code system and stick to it. You can change the default codes in the dropdown list box by changing them with the configuration wizard.

'Agent' is an optional field for a two digit code describing the agent who worked this particular claim. For example, the agent who's name appears on the Personal Data Screen might have been out of the office when the veteran came in and another agent filled out this claim for him. The two digit codes should be established for each agent who uses VetRex. As in 'Office Codes' above, double clicking causes a dropdown box with preconfigured codes to appear. Change the default codes as described in the previous paragraph.

'Type' is an optional two digit code describing the difficulty level of this claim, 00 being a slam-dunk and 99 being the most difficult claim ever filed with the VA. These codes will be used in a later version of VetRex, in conjunction with the 'Agent' code to generate reports concerning the types of claims being handled. This could be very important for requesting increases in budgets and manpower. This is another dropdown listbox when you double click on this field. Configuration is the same as in the previous paragraphs.

'EPC' is the three digit 'End Product Code' used by the VA to describe the type of case. Double clicking causes a dropdown index list to appear. Double clicking a selection will cause it to be inserted in the 'EPC' field. This list is not configurable as these are End Product Codes as used by the VA.

'Clmnt' is an optional alpha-numeric three character code describing who the claimant is in this claim: 'V01' is the veteran, 'W01' is the widow/widower, 'C01' is the child, 'P01' is the parent, 'G01' is the guardian, 'F01' is a funeral home and '001' is anyone else. Double clicking causes a dropdown index list to appear. Double clicking a selection will cause it to be inserted in the 'Clmnt' field.

'Received' is the date this claim was received from a field office.

'Review' is the date this claim must be reviewed. This date is used in printing pending action reports.

'Hearing' is the date of a VA hearing either held or to be held.

'BVA Date' is the date the BVA will hear this claim or whatever is significant to you regarding BVA appeal dates.

'BVA Status' is an alpha character describing the status of the claim from the Board of Veterans Appeals. Double clicking causes a dropdown index list to appear. Double clicking a selection will cause it to be inserted in the 'BVA Status' field. Possible choices are 'A' for awarded, 'G' for partial grant, 'D' for denied, 'R' for remand and 'P' for pending. This dropdown list box is configurable by using the configuration utility. These letters correspond to the letters used by the BVA to identify the status of the claim.

Click 'Hide' to remove this overlay from the screen.

Why do I have to manually put this information in? Why can't VetRex do it for me?

There is no form or other place VetRex can get this information from other than you entering it manually. Some service officers prepare a claim, send it off to a service organization at the regional office and never have anything further to do with the claim until the VA decides it. Other service officers prepare a claim, follow it up directly with the VA, handle hearings, prepare appeals and generally live with the claim until its favorably decided or hopelessly denied. VetRex manages claims for both types of service officers and at every level in between. Because you can use as few or as many features in VetRex that you need, you will need to decide how much you want to use the claims screen, if you use it at all. If you don't use it, VetRex will ignore it. If you do, there are a lot of other features than will fall into place and use the information that you enter on this screen.

Article details

Article ID:	11
Category:	VetRex 6.54
Date added:	2009-07-26 12:14:09
Views:	215

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