Jump to content
VA Disability Community via Hadit.com

VA Disability Claims Articles

Ask Your VA Claims Question | Current Forum Posts Search | Rules | View All Forums
VA Disability Articles | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users

  • hohomepage-banner-2024-2.png

  • 27-year-anniversary-leaderboard.png

    advice-disclaimer.jpg

  • donate-be-a-hero.png

  • 0

3 months and counting on DRO decision and now I am facing more surgery!

Rate this question


Navy4life

Question

Well good afternoon my fellow Vet's!!!

I am really deflated right now....It's going on 3 months since I had my DRO review hearing with no end in sight.  I was told that it could be weeks to months to up to a year for the decision.  What erk's me is the fact that I had my hearing why can't the DRO take the time to review and come to a ruling?  It's so frustrating!  I am going on 3 years since my initial claim and almost 2 years since I filed my NOD.  I understand there are others in the same boat or worse boat and I do sympathize with all my fellow Vet's!

Now on top of this, most of you know my story.....I broke my right foot in two places on Christmas Eve.  I had surgery on January 6th, 2016 and I filed an FDC January 12th, 2016.  I filed that my left ankle was the cause of my right foot injury.  I was granted 100% temporary convalescence for 4 months due to my left ankle giving out on me and causing my right foot injury.  Now if you all remember, I have my NOD since 2014 trying to get my right foot/ankle and left toe S/C which was denied in 2014.  My medical records back up my s/c as well as my doctor's letters (IMO) that state my injuries are directly related to my active duty.  But here I sit awaiting the NOD decision.

Well yesterday I took a bad tumble and fell down the stairs causing sever bruising and swelling to my left ankle and left leg.  I am sitting here at the West Palm VA as we speak awaiting to see my Podiatrist for the results of the X-rays BUT while I had my visit with him today, he had another doctor come in and look at my X-rays for my right foot and both of the doctor's state I need revision surgery to my right foot because the bone graft is not "uniting" the bone together.  The Podiatrist I had do my surgery in January put pins/screws/plate in the one fracture but only bone graft in the other.  Since then the bone is separating and the doctor feels the surgery is necessary and will require me to be out about 2-3 months once again!  It's my right foot so I can't drive and it's frustrating!  On top of this, my left foot/2nd metatarsal toe has two screws in it that are "coming up to the skin" and they feel that at the same time they do the right foot surgery they need to look into that!

I literally just got back on my feet and was feeling okay!  My feet/ankles SUCK!  I feel so depressed!

I just want to cry!

I will update you with my X-ray findings but I needed to VENT!!!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Recommended Posts

  • 0

You don't need or want IU NOW, time marches on, it may come in very handy in the future.

Hindsight is always 20-20. This is where your experience can possibly help a New Vet understand the possible perils of using the DRO Review/Hearing appeals process. Just think, had the old VA Appeals process (No DRO Review or Hearing choice) been in use, your original Appeal would probably have been receiving a BVA Docket Number by now.

Instead, basically all the time since your original Denial has been for naught. Your not Dying, homeless or about to file Bankruptcy, so any chance of a Hardship advancement on the BVA docket is pretty slim. Then there's always the possible Remand situation to contend with.

It would be interesting to see your SSOC, that's what's probably taking so much time. An experienced DRO Decision, good or bad, looks bad, if reversed on Appeal to the BVA. Before your Appeal can go to the BVA, the RO SR Rater's or DROs have to Certify it as being complete and ready for the BVA.

Semper Fi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

UPDATE - just got a call from my local congressman's office and he is asking me to sign a Privacy Act Form to step in on my behalf.  I know I am about to start WWIII with the WACO office so here goes nothing!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder
51 minutes ago, Navy4life said:

UPDATE - just got a call from my local congressman's office and he is asking me to sign a Privacy Act Form to step in on my behalf.  I know I am about to start WWIII with the WACO office so here goes nothing!

Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

Press on Navy.  Take no prisoners, as this is WAR! Good luck and good hunting to you.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use