Does Anyone Know Why Its Longer For More Complex Claims?

[USCG CWO4]

I recently retired and submitted my BDD claim. There were multiple items claimed and from what I have read it will take longer to get my claim processed. As a matter of fact they estimate late Dec 2012 to April of 2013 and I filed and had my C & P exam in February but my retirement date was 01 May. I understand that it will take longer for my claim because there are more items and its more difficult, but do they take the easier claims and put them on top of the pile? Don't they process claims in the order in which they are received? If so this would mean all claims would take about the same amount of time.

I am a patient man so I understand it will take time, just curious about the process.

[Tbird]

Everyone is going to offer different opinions. Fortunately this is healthy discussion and it involves some very knowledgeable people.

There will always be a disassociation between an employee or someone who either works or has worked at the VA or a Veterans Service officer and the Veteran.

They are looking at this from their own point of view that was hammered into them from their training.

The Veteran looks at it in a different light. They only know what they have either been told or have learned through research.

Don't let this issue bother you too much as I will tell you from a Quality Assurance point of view exactly why complex claims take longer.

The greater the number of issues a Veteran has as well as the information provided to Prove service connection can be consistent on many factors. This information must be gathered. Then it has to be processed and organized in the claims folder before it even goes to the rater.

This takes time. The Rater also has a time limit he or she can work on an individual claim as the system pays on productivity. (Bonus)

The bottom line is the more issue you have the more adjudication is needed and that takes time.

Basser

Oh and one additional thing. Lets keep this professional. We need this discussion so we can kearn from one another.

I agree with Jbasser.

[broncovet]

Some VA employees, a few years ago, admitted they "cherry picked" claims. That is, they go through the pile and find a "single issue" claim and adjuticate it and let the others sit.

It helps their production numbers.

Now, if they have changed it so that 5 issues counts as 5 claims, it is probably way different.

[jvretiredvet]

Sounds like hearsay to me.

Some VA employees, a few years ago, admitted they "cherry picked" claims. That is, they go through the pile and find a "single issue" claim and adjuticate it and let the others sit.

It helps their production numbers.

Now, if they have changed it so that 5 issues counts as 5 claims, it is probably way different.