ptsd 149 Days & Counting

[OEF 21B]

Well, it's been 149 days since I submitted my claim for PTSD. I've added my VA Psych diagnosis for PTSD & Panic Disorder (GAF 47) to my file as well as my Psych treatment notes (I go to the VA once a week for the OEF/OIF Group therapy class) and once a month to visit with my psychologist.

Don't know why it's taking so long, and when I call my DAV rep, he doesn't answer my phone calls. I'm still taking my meds (40mg/day of Citalopram & up to 3- 0.5mg/Xanax a day as needed) and going to ALL of my VA counseling sessions.

Is anyone else experiencing a long wait for an initial rating?

Thanks,

OEF 21B

[UsmcSGTVet]

IRIS message.

Thank you for your inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dated April 5, 2012.

Please accept this response as an answer to your inquiries # 120412-002051 and # 120410-000701.

We received your claim on October 6, 2010. Your claim is currently awaiting a decision by our rating activity. A rating specialist will review it to make sure we have everything we need. If we determine additional information is needed, we will contact you. If we have everything we need, we will prepare a decision on your claim.

The Decision Phase is completed on most claims on average in 70 days.

Your claim’s Decision Phase began September 23, 2011. The length of time it takes to complete the Decision Phase depends on several factors, such as the type of claim filed, the number of disabilities you claimed, and VA’s pending workload. A claim may take longer in this phase based on the specifics of your claim.

203 days 3 times the so called average. Im starting to get angry

[ironsaber26]

For all of you that are waiting and feel that the amount of time you've spent waiting is unusual, it took 2 months short of 5 years for my claim to go through. The best advice I can give is to keep gathering evidence and submitting it through your VSO. Overwhelm the VA with evidence.

If you're not happy with your doctor, get another and continue this until you find one that takes you seriously and you can trust. Think about what you want to report to your doctor before you go to the session. This is critical.

Research your illness and make suggestions to your doctor when you feel that your medications aren't working and be ready to discuss availble treatment options that you've researched and are comfortable with.

I feel your pain about the waiting, but it's just like the military "hurry up and wait". OUr country is still at war and there are hundreds of thousands of claims being worked on.

The best thing you can do is be proactive. Never put your future in the hands of another. Your life is your responsibility.

[OEF 21B]

682 days and counting...

VA changed my meds again. Still going to weekly OEF/OIF Group. E-Benefits "estimates" that my claim will be completed 3 OCT 12 ~ 1 FEB 2013... and it still shows my claim in the "Developmental" stage...

[OEF 21B]

729 Days. E-Benefits still has me in the Gathering of Evidence... there are a few notations that have me wondering if my claim is getting closer to the end though.

The first note is in the "Updates" column and it states "Development Letter Sent". The second difference is the "Original Estimated Claim Completion Date:" now shows 10/20/2011 to 6/18/2012... which is a change from the last entry of "3 OCT 12 ~ 1 FEB 2013"

The last difference is when I click on the date of my claim 'link', there's now a list of "What we did not receive?". This list several items that are already listed above in the "What have we received?"

Does any of this mean that my claim might be making some progress?

Thanks,

OEF 21B

[chinavet]

640 days.

DAV says decided but in notification phase for 30 days so far.

Ebennies says estimated completion date is feb 2013.