Pedro Monge

Analyze claims to determine if diseases and injuries were incurred in or aggravated by the military service in the line of duty for purposes of compensation, hospital treatment, prosthetic appliances, and related employment and compensation benefits.
Determine the need for examinations or re-examinations for observations of veterans and their dependents and the character of such examinations.
Determine the permanent incapacity and/or competency of veterans and their dependents.
Apply VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule) and prepare rating decisions, informing the Veterans Service Representative and/or claimant of the decision and the reasons and basis for it.
As dictated by the circumstances of the claims case, we may directly communicate with and interact with veterans and their representatives or advocates.
Determining the eligibility for federal or state-administered benefits, such as: disability, education, housing, medical, and/or veterans' benefits;
Applying federal and state laws to process claims pertaining to a service, disability or benefit program;
Gathering and requesting evidence to build service program case files, respond to claimant inquiries, and identify errors, inconsistencies or omissions;
Explaining decisions to claimants, customers, special interest groups, dependents, and/or representatives in an effort to gain understanding of determinations;
Processing claims for eligibility for workers' compensation benefits to determine appropriateness and amount of worker's compensation claims;
Performing, ordering, and/or evaluating diagnostic tests to identify and assess the patient's condition, reporting symptoms or changes in the patient's condition, and maintaining accurate, detailed reports and charts.

reviews and analyzes the case to ensure the sufficiency of evidence or documentation and to ensure that the case is ready for hearing.
responsible for obtaining both medical and nonmedical evidence needed for the hearing. This includes contact with the claimant and/or representative to secure current evidence of record or to independently request current evidence from a medical source through the state agency.
Prepares case summaries by outlining, in narrative form, information from all documents that reflect the prior medical history of the claimant, the treatment undertaken, and any conflicting medical evidence.
Based on a thorough knowledge of the disability program, select pertinent exhibits to be included in the case record. Marks exhibits in preparation for the case.
Summarizes pertinent and factual data extracted from the claim file describing the development taken to determine whether or not a R/H should be dismissed as untimely or as not meeting sufficient legal and regulatory requirements. Drafts Dismissal, if appropriate.
identifies cases for which the record supports favorable reversals and prepares supporting summaries of medical evidence and legal issues to be incorporated into the final decision.
Upon receipt of additional evidence received after the hearing, reopen the record to admit the exhibits or close the record if no additional evidence is received.
Assists claimants and other visitors by responding to a variety of questions, often providing the claimants with information about their rights to be represented when additional evidence is necessary, and providing other background information as requested