stinger

The first thing is to maintain your cool and organize your thoughts and documentation. Create a document stating what happened and in what order. You may state your feelings as this is very relevant to your case, but be diplomatic. Use IRIS. It was very beneficial for me when I had to deal with a doctor who didn't give a flip about me. They responded and changed my doctor. This was in response to my continued cancer treatments and the doctor really did not want to deal with it. Make one thing certain, go after the doctor in a calm manner and use all of your resources. This doctor needs to be somewhere else.

Educate me....Where did I advise to send in anything after the FDC claim was filed? I ONLY stated to make sure that ALL evidence is submitted. Be careful how you interpret something.

Need more details about your claim. Why an idiot? I also submitted an FDC claim to Waco and was complete in less than a year. What you include with the claim as evidence makes a difference. They do not want to do any digging for the claim. Submit "anything" that might help.

Dart, You are in a good place when you come here. I wish you could find someone you trust enough to believe they would hold your conversations in confidence. Too many want to make a case out of each patient and use it for their benefit. Feel comfortable in coming here and discussing what is on your mind. Sometimes just expressing your self is some help. PM me if you want a private ear.

What is the part that you did not want noted? Those are reliable facts for any doctor to learn about your health. What was "out of context"? What freedom are you afraid of losing? Why avoid people? It does not help your case to hide in a corner and not communicate to build trust.

My case was filed back in September 2010. It involved both legs, heart disease, and now cancer due to AO. It just won't budge from the Development Stage. They have plenty of medical and records evidence. They even sent some of my evidence back to me, asking for more. However, the evidence they were asking for was included in the packet they returned to me. I am scheduled for cancer surgery in January, they have proof of that stage. I have recieved no updated, or at least word that I will be getting the temporary 100% for the cancer/recovery. I keep hitting a wall, and have been told by IRIS that everything they need is there, but no progress. Any suggestions?

I feel your pain. My case was filed back in September 2010. One of the issues is cancer due to AO. I have sent in the evidence. They even sent a bunch back to me, asking for further evidence. However, the evidence they were asking for was included in what they returned to me. At times I feel like that was a delay tactic. I try to be patient, but it is very difficult. I have the cancer surgery in January, and I have sent proof of that, but there is no word that I will at least get the temporary 100%. I don't know where to go next. Any suggestions.......

I have had a claim in the development stage since early January. I have received at least two update letters stating that it was still active. How log should I let it sit there before I begin to ask questions? All of my records and medical evidence, including doctors' reports, has arrived according to Ebenefits. I signed with the VSO recently. Will that make a difference?

As I recall, I spoke with a VSO at the clinic when I went to get my ebenefits account started. Is this the confirmation that their representation is on record?

Thanks. Why would this entry be made? I am not familiar with procedures enough to know why they would make this entry.

I just checked today. There is an entry dated today: 21-22 TVC. What is this???

I just checked my ebenefits account. The last "suspense dates" were back in December and January. Does this mean they have performed some sort of work on that portion of my claim and it is in progress? I also have an entry of "22TVC" any idea what that might indicate? Last week I received an update letter that stated my claim as still in the development stage. They did not ask anything from me to assist. Generally, how long is the wait from development to decision/rating? I have had o requests for any proof or documentation since January.

I get a call from the Waco office in mid January telling me that everything was in and a decision should be made by mid February. It is now March, so I call the 800 number to investigate. The operator tells me that he does not know the status of my claim as he cannot see that portion of my file. However, I also had emailed IRIS with the same question. This operator confirmes that IRIS had sent them a request for my claim status. Is it true that the 800 operator cannot see all of the file in order to help the vet? If not, why did they call me to let me know that everything to support my claim was in and ready for the decision phase. HELP!!

Maybe they cleared 10,000 claims and received 10,000 claims. That would make it 0%.

So true...patience is all that is needed. Just follow the instructions and in due time things will happen. Of course all are not agreeable, but something happens. While in the military, the "hurry up and wait" phrase was constantly implemented, it still holds true.

JHAWKS What are the standards? Or...are they niot meeting your standards. At any rate, comments like "what are you smoking are unnecessary" as a response for an idea you might consider. Do you KNOW how long I have been reading this forum, or how much I am familiaer with what you have previously posted? I think not. Just like you, I am a disabled vet and have a claim being actively worked. Just like you, I get frustrated. Unlike you, I have chosen a different route to vent, because it really gets nowhere for either me or my emotions. Don't worry. I will respect your "earned" rights, it goes both ways. Karma is ALWAYS there in the end.

Again, let's all try and keep a cool head,,,this will prevail in the end. They are all human and work for a living. There are procedures and regs in place to use as a guideline by the RO's. You have the ability to either be patient or move on to another RO. And...no she is NOT smokin anything. She is only trying to moderate and give you information/advice, not be adversarial. I'll apologize to you for him Sharon.

Try to remember that manpower is sometimes overrun with requests. I realize that we are all on the same bus, waiting for results. Patience is hard to come by sometimes. However, they also get burdened with the constant calls from everybody on the planet that feels as if their claim is the oldest and most important one. I am not here supporting them, I am not behind the lines. However, they are a form of customer service, and for the most part I think they try their hardest to get things done in a timely manner. I am also one of the claims, but in a different RO. Let's all just try andf keep cooler heads and hope for the best.

I have received a request for verification of Viet Nam service. I was on board minesweepers, I also swept the harbors during Operation End Sweep. We docked in Cam Rahn Bay, but they said this is not considered inland. I was inside the Hai Phong Harbor area quite a bit sweeping the mines,and inland harbors at other times. Is this considered inland for agent orange consideration? The are considering my two heart attacks regarding ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy of both my feet. What may I provide to strengthen my case?

I feel your pain!! I just completed my information for submission. I sometimes feel I am missing something that can make a difference. Oh well....I will just sit back and wait for the response. Ya just do what you can do.