Appeals Modernization Act AMA

87 questions in this forum

1. BVA AMA Appeal with New evidence

   Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with BVA AMA with new evidence appeals. This is where I am at. See pictures below.

   Asked by NAVY NC, August 2, 2022

   • bva appeal
   1 vote
   29 answers
2. Aid and Attendance to be reviewed under AMA Guidelines

   I am 100% IU for over 21 years (degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain, ruptured disc, inner body fusion with pedicle rods/screws) plus SMC-S (60% cervical arthritis, radiculopathy of both upper extremities- with crippled drawn hands, no grip, no strength). I was recently granted in OCT 2022 100%PT with elgibility to SAH (loss of use of lower extremities) due to radiculopathy, stress fractures - shin splints (residual), arthritis, flexion, extension, instability. I was NOT given any increase in my pay- I was under the understanding that loss of use should be inferred automatically to SMC-L….but was not for me. The decision did say there …

   Asked by Bella, March 14

   • smc
   • remand
   • appeal
   • bva
   • sah
   • loss of use
   0 votes
   7 answers
3. Higher Level Review

   Do higher level reviews ever result in reductions? I have one in for PTSD. Awarded 70% but fighting for 100%. Am I rolling my dice too far? Worth withdrawing my HLR request?

   Asked by Coffee123, January 31

   0 votes
   2 answers
4. Finally apart of the group

   I finally made to 100% P&T, I can tell you Hadit and it's contributors helped me out a lot. Thank you. Have to relax a little while. It is has been a long engagement dealing with VA but I did it and did it "alone".

   Asked by Miken2c74, May 21, 2022

   • @gbarmy
   • @buck52 @broncovet
   • @t-bird @berta
   0 votes
   10 answers
5. Help understanding AMA timelines

   Greetings all. I need a little help understanding the new AMA timelines. My HLR was returned in November 2021 for DTA on 3 different claims. From what I am gathering, once it gets returned, it goes back to the supplemental lane. The VA estimates an average of 125 days for a Supplemental decision. My last C&P exam was on 21 Feb. Does the time starts after my last C&P exam or the date that I had received the DTA letter? Also I have read that once a claim has returned for a DTA error, the RO was suppose to expedite that claim, is this statement accurate?

   Asked by Whodat, April 13, 2022

   • appeals
   0 votes
   5 answers
6. Supplemental claim experience

   As of 9/25 my Supplemental claim was placed in for ready decision phase. It’s being processed ar Houston RO. What’s was experience and wait time in this process?

   Asked by FlyboyLeRoy, November 1, 2021

   • supplemental claim
   0 votes
   2 answers
7. Higher Level Review Question

   Hello Everyone I received a call on Wednesday from the law firm that is representing me and they told me that they had just finished my HLR with the Waco RO. I wanted to know does anyone know about how long it will take to get a decision after the HLR is done. I look forward to your replies and have a great weekend and everyone be safe.

   Asked by scooter318, June 11, 2021

   • higher level review
   0 votes
   1 answer
8. Higher level review

   OK, I need some advice. I started a HLR in March 2020, and had a new C&P in August of 2020. VA has been waiting on records from JSRRC since then. By my MOS (11B1P), and awards (SWASM, etc.) , plus being in a combat zone and my C&P I'm uploading, should I file to have the VA process my claim with what they have, or wait for them to finish with the records request that could take God knows how long.

   Asked by Joey Ross, April 17, 2021

   • ptsd
   0 votes
   37 answers
9. Secondary condition effective date

   Hello All, If a secondary condition was awarded on the same original effective date of the primary condition, would the secondary condition also receive an earlier effective date, if one is award for the primary condition. Example: Initially awarded shoulder rating as the primary condition and rotator cuff as the secondary condition with the same effective date (2012). And in 2021 BVA granted a revision of the 2012 rating decision for an earlier effective date. Will the secondary condition also receive the earlier effective date? Thank you.. Add

   Asked by add55p, May 23, 2021

   • secondary
   0 votes
   9 answers
10. M 21 Modification coming up.

    Just got this from NOVA. https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000173130/2021-05-10-Memorandum-of-Changes "Compensation Service established an integrated project team consisting of regional office personnel (quality review specialists and coaches), as well as representatives from within Compensation Service’s other staff groups, the Offices of Field Operations and Administrative Review, and Pension and Fiduciary Service, all of whom collaboratively examined means for making the M21-1, Adjudication Procedures Manual (M21-1), a more consumable and navigable resourc…

    Asked by FormerMember, May 13, 2021

    • m 21
    0 votes
    3 answers
11. High Level Review Timeline

    Question was moved to forum VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Research Forum

12. Higher level review

    This is crazy. It's the 7th of April. I've been wait since my C&P in August of 2020 for the VA to finish records request. This is because of a Higher level review that found a number of errors to include the VA not getting my records to begin with. AT what point will the VA stop a records request to JRSSC? HLR started on March 5th 2020. I'm still waiting over a year later.

    Asked by Joey Ross, April 7, 2021

    • jsrrc
    0 votes
    0 answers
13. Supplemental in AMA Timeline

    Original claim opened in Nov 2013 (Legacy) Claimed Denied Dec 2014 (Legacy) Submitted NOD in Jun 2015 (Legacy) Opted into RAMP July 2018 Denied Ramp May 2019 Supplemental Claim open June 2019 ( In decision phase now per VA) Flat feet (aggrivated due to ) From original claim date ( new DBQ, Medical opinion, Nexus, lay statement) On supplemental claim Knee condition from original claim date also supplemental claim (New DBQ, Medical opinion, Nexus , Lay statement) on supplemental claim Back condition from original claim date rated 20% Fibro Denied Hip condition denied I am waiting to see how this comes out (nerve…

    Asked by Miken2c74, August 9, 2019

    • @gbarmy
    • @buck52 @broncovet
    • @geekysquid
    • @t-bird @berta
    0 votes
    145 answers
14. Heart Attack Secondary to Depression, Should I appeal?

    Forgive me if this has been asked previously. I am trying to navigate the site and did not find anything searching for it. I am currently service connected at 50 percent for depression, listed as MDD and Anxiety. Had a heart attack last year. STEMI. CAD diagnosis. In discussing lifestyle changes, I was asked what my stress level was as far as job, home life, leisure, prior health, etc. Stress is high and depression is thick and real. Was told that the depression and anxiety COULD be a contributing factor and Id want to be as stress free as possible. Applied for secondary heart attack, due to depression and anxiety with VA. had C&P exam. Saw doctor (contracto…

    Asked by dbgrace1970, October 5, 2020

    • heart
    • attack
    • depression
    • appeal
    0 votes
    13 answers
15. HLR Closed Same Day

    Hello all, We submitted a HLR to contest an EED for TDIU and increased ratings for 2 other conditions. I checked va.gov today and saw this (see below). Nothing is listed under issues. I know that the website is not always trustworthy and that we should wait to receive information in the mail but I was just wondering if anyone else had seen this. Thank you for everyone's support and assistance. This forum is a wealth of knowledge.

    Asked by krooks, November 13, 2020

    • higher level review
    0 votes
    2 answers
16. Supplemental claim

    Filed a supplemental claim 12 days ago. Sent a current diagnosis from VHA of combat related PTSD (they diagnosed me with other stressor related disorder at 30%) and evidence of symptoms and interactions with police that should put me at 50 or 70% in like 50 pages of evidence via . Called 1800 number today to check on status and they said that it had already been decided for 10/20/2020 (tomorrow???) and no new C&P was given. Does this seem a bit fast to you? Does that mean its unfavorable or have you seen favorable decisions made that quickly?

    Asked by XIbodybag, October 20, 2020

    • supplemental claim
    • ptsd
    0 votes
    8 answers
17. Scars, Disfigurement Supplemental..HELP

    I will apologize in advance for the lengthy message but I am looking for insight on what may be happening here. Dec 2019 I filed claim for CCCA - which is a progressive alopecia typically found in certain group of women and very specific symptoms. I combed STR and found first instance of it in 2003 while active duty. I was treated over the years but it progressed (nothing you can do to stop it only slow it down). Based on disfigurement criteria I believe that my records, statements, etc. met at least four of the requirements. Last 3 years I had been treated by dermatologist and this was her specialty. She wrote medical opinion and completed DBQ (although not correc…

    Asked by NCVetGirl, August 29, 2020

    • supplemental claim
    • scars
    0 votes
    14 answers
18. Denied Claim due to Telehealth?

    If your claim was denied due to telehealth reasons please do yourself a favor and read over/ reference this very important BVA case: https://www.va.gov/vetapp20/files3/a20003992.txt

    Asked by ShuMan, September 30, 2020

    • higher level review
    0 votes
    2 answers
19. High level Discussion time! To request a call or no?

    Hey Fellow Vets, Let's talk about high level reviews! Once your claim is denied or you think you should of been rated higher, you can request one of three appeal lanes (HLR, Supplemental, BVA). One of those appeal lanes is called a high level review. You can add no new evidence to a high level review (No new med records, IMO's) but you can request an INFORMAL CONFERENCE WITH THE HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEWER. This is what I want to debate! Do you do the Informal conference or not? In my option, No! The word Informal makes that entire call questionable. When dealing with the VA, you do not want anything informal! Also that call push's your timeline out…

    Asked by ShuMan, September 27, 2020

    • higher level review
    0 votes
    9 answers
20. Claims timeline

    I had a higher level review, in July which errors where found. I had a new C&P on August 7th. I was told they are waiting on records. My question is long long can they drag out a records request? They should have my records since this is just correcting errors.

    Asked by Joey Ross, September 29, 2020

    • higher level review
    0 votes
    2 answers
21. Stressor verification

    I was told this morning that they where waiting on stressor verification. I was in northern Iraq, as part of Operation Provide Comfort, with hazard duty pay. this was almost 30 years ago. Riot control, mine fields, etc.. We didn't have cell phones or video and not everything was reported everyday, like it is today. C&P was in my favor. guess they are trying to deep six me

    Asked by Joey Ross, September 1, 2020

    • ptsd
    0 votes
    3 answers
22. Higher level review

    ok, only thing that have not been closed is records research. Any thoughts on timeline?

    Asked by Joey Ross, August 28, 2020

    • closing out claims
    0 votes
    11 answers
23. Higher level review

    called today, and was told they have requesting my service records, and that was the only thing that they where waiting on. Any insight?

    Asked by Joey Ross, August 28, 2020

    • service records
    0 votes
    4 answers
24. decision review officer

    Found out this morning, that they are awaiting info from VA decision review officer on my claim. Any insight would help...

    Asked by Joey Ross, August 21, 2020

    • higher level review
    0 votes
    10 answers
25. Higher level review

    Ok, update, looks like they are waiting on 20-0999 from DRO. Any insight on this Form?

    Asked by Joey Ross, August 21, 2020

    • form 20-0999
    0 votes
    1 answer