diabetes IRIS Response

[green]

Hadit-teers, I submitted a FDC over 190 days ago.  The claim was for secondary contentions related to my primary disability of diabetes type 1.  This RO processes FDC's within 90 days on average.  I received the following email from IRIS today and I just don't understand.  The RO has requested archived medical records from Oregon (a State I haven't lived in since 1993).  Any idea what may be going on here?  As this was a FDC I don't understand why the RO would be requesting records from 22+ years ago.  This claim was in prep for notification for over a month before it went back to gathering evidence.

This is in response to your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated December 22, 2015. (Actually sent in November)

We are grateful for your service to our country.

We apologize for the delay in providing a reply to your inquiry. We strive to respond to all inquiries within five business days; however, we have experienced an increase in the volume of inquiries received, which are being responded to in the order of receipt.

We apologize for the incorrect status of your claim currently showing via eBenefits.

Your claim is currently in the development phase of processing. During this phase, we will gather the evidence needed to decide your claim. We are currently waiting for archived medical reports from the Portland VA Medical Center. These were requested on December 12, 2015 (actually requested on November 9th), and can take up to 10 weeks for receipt. Your claim will be reviewed and we will contact you if additional information is needed.

At this time, it is estimated that your claim should be completed by May 18, 2016. Please understand that this date is an estimate and that your claim may take longer based on the specifics of your claim and VA's pending workload.

It is our privilege to assist you today.

Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message or see our other contact information below.

Sincerely yours,

A Name
National IRIS Response Center Manager

[Navy4life]

I would venture to say they are wanting medical records pertaining to your FDC claim but without knowing what your FDC claim is, I am just guessing.  I think it is good that they are making sure they have all the information in order to render a decision.  I know it's frustrating to not know and wait, but I am sure it won't be long.

[broncovet]

  It sounds like VA converted your FDC to a regular claim, as they apparently needed additional evidence.  

Yes, records from 1993 could well be important or even outcome determinative.  They probably can not tell that until they see them.  

For example, if you were in service then, those records may be needed to document an in service injury.  

VA and VSO's hype the FDC.  It seems like a rather cruel joke to me, mostly, and largely gives a false hope your claim will be complete in 90 days and you will start getting checks.  While that is possible, it is so rare it sets you up for disappointment.  You might just as well buy a lottery ticket and count on your future winnings to pay your bills in 90 days.    It assumes you turn in all your records and evidence, which is a very big assumption, and yours is a very good example.  Do you know what records are needed for Va to make a decision?  Unless you work for VA as a rating specialist (or maybe had lots of experience reading hadit) how would you know what all records are required?  

MOst FDC's are converted to regular claims, if not denied all together, and then you start over.  You might have good luck with FDC, but you also might get a quarter under your pillow if you put your baby tooth there.  

[green]

broncovet, actually I was here surfing the site and asking questions for about a year b4 I submitted the claim.  I realize that compared to many on this site I am lacking experience, I provided all supporting documentation, covered the four pillars, the C&P's all agreed that it was greater than 50% the secondary conditions were a result of my primary.  I certainly don't pretend to understand the VA and I am clueless as to the angle they are coming from.  I honestly believe it is a very straightforward claim and would be easy to assign ratings and process given the evidence, nature of the disease, and the fact I've had it for 33 years.  All my contentions are noted on the diabetes fact sheet.

The only hiccup I can anticipate is that it may (should) take me from 60% to 100% scheduler and maybe that increases scrutiny?

[Andyman73]

At least the tooth fairy is reliable!

[Chuck75]

20 hours ago, green said:

Hadit-teers, I submitted a FDC over 190 days ago.  The claim was for secondary contentions related to my primary disability of diabetes type 1.  This RO processes FDC's within 90 days on average.  I received the following email from IRIS today and I just don't understand.  The RO has requested archived medical records from Oregon (a State I haven't lived in since 1993).  Any idea what may be going on here?  As this was a FDC I don't understand why the RO would be requesting records from 22+ years ago.  This claim was in prep for notification for over a month before it went back to gathering evidence.

This is in response to your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated December 22, 2015. (Actually sent in November)

We are grateful for your service to our country.

We apologize for the delay in providing a reply to your inquiry. We strive to respond to all inquiries within five business days; however, we have experienced an increase in the volume of inquiries received, which are being responded to in the order of receipt.

We apologize for the incorrect status of your claim currently showing via eBenefits.

Your claim is currently in the development phase of processing. During this phase, we will gather the evidence needed to decide your claim. We are currently waiting for archived medical reports from the Portland VA Medical Center. These were requested on December 12, 2015 (actually requested on November 9th), and can take up to 10 weeks for receipt. Your claim will be reviewed and we will contact you if additional information is needed.

At this time, it is estimated that your claim should be completed by May 18, 2016. Please understand that this date is an estimate and that your claim may take longer based on the specifics of your claim and VA's pending workload.

It is our privilege to assist you today.

Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message or see our other contact information below.

Sincerely yours,

A Name
National IRIS Response Center Manager

I can think of a couple of "reasons". Continuity of conditions and treatments. An RO delay tactic made necessary to meet a production number. 

[broncovet]

Hiccup's, glitches, delay's, and confusion are the VA's forte.  They are very good at those.  What else could possibly explain my 14 year delay?  And, Im not the only one.  Most Veterans, who get 100%,  have to go through appeals, and have one or more glitches or delays.  

Most Veterans claims are a "glitch magnet" that attract glitches where none is there.  I just usually say that because the VA would have the public think that we get our benefits with 95% accuracy in 125 days.  That is so rare that it happens, if it does happen to you, then you should be buying lotto tickets.    

Please dont get me wrong.  I hope you do get your benefits in 125 days.  I had the same hope about 13.6 years ago.  Now, I realize that was just a fairy tale.  

Edited February 3, 2016 by broncovet