CShock

Thanks for the info. I'm also assuming that unlike requesting a cfile while a claim is in progress, this request (copy of C&P exam) shouldn't impact/delay matters of my current claim.

I'm still learning about this system, but I have to ask ; if one is receiving retirement pay why does this impact how timely retro pay is paid out? It seems the more post I read I become more frustrated about this process. I'm only 10 months into my initial claim and I can't even get a logical response from IRIS.

My C&P exam was conducted a year ago at the VAMC located on McClellan Park, in Sacramento VA. I currently reside in AZ. Since I am geographically seperated, do I make the request in writing or does a form exsist that I must use to submit the request? Thanks.

Good Morning hadit, How can one obtain a copy of their exam results? Thanks

On 8 Nov 11 I inquired with IRIS regarding a contention of sleep apnea. My issue is my medical evidence was submitted on 31 May 11 and according to ebenefits it may take up to 21 day for an update to reflect in ebenefits. Well 5 months later and this update has not been aaccomplished. The reason for my concern is this, I'm filing my first claim and while I realize that with only 10 months into this process I shouldn't hold my breath , however I do want all my contentions to be considered at the same time. On 10 Nov 11, I received a response from IRIS which basically regurgitated the info I placed in my initial email and provided info I could obtain on ebenefits and I was also informed that once a response WD received from the Reginal Center I would be provided a answer to my inquiry. So now it has been nearly 3 weeks later and no response, this is absurd to me. If the IRIS system serves as a medium for individuals to obtain information, what is the recourse when this fails? Not to mention how long does it take to update a contention, all the other info in ebenefits show the medical evidence had been received, why hasn't it been updated? Is this the norm, you place a request with IRIS and questions still go unanswered? I feel three weeks is more than ample enough time to provide a response on this matter. Any insight on the timeliness of IRIS inquiries will be greatly appreciated.

Received a letter from the VA last week stating my claim was being looked at however two "mandatory" documents were missing. I sent these documents back in November (but oh well), I will resend and make sure same is sent certified. Since my C&P exam was complete in November, I've had a MRI for an issue which I'm claiing and I've been diagnoised with sleep apnea, CPAP scheduled for delivery this Thursday. If I'm sending in the paperwork which the VA hasn't received, should I also include my MRI results/report and sleep apnea report as well. I'm not expecting to hear anything soon regarding a VA rating, so I figured I might as well send the additional info. Any thoughts/ideas on whether this is a smart move? Shock

Received a letter from the VA last week stating my claim was being looked at however two "mandatory" documents were missing. I sent these documents back in November (but oh well), I will resend and make sure same is sent certified. Since my C&P exam was complete in November, I've had a MRI for an issue which I'm claiing and I've been diagnoised with sleep apnea, CPAP scheduled for delivery this Thursday. If I'm sending in the paperwork which the VA hasn't received, should I also include my MRI results/report and sleep apnea report as well. I'm not expecting to hear anything soon regarding a VA rating, so I figured I might as well send the additional info. Any thoughts/ideas on whether this is a smart move? Shock

I served during Operation Desert Storm/Shield and OEF/OIF, can I find out if my records reflect same or does this not matte regarding my claim. V/r Shock

Congrats... over a year for a decision. I'm just beginning my journey with a 1 March 11 retirement date. Out of curiosity which state VA did you make your claim, I filed in CA, just wondering if anyone is seeing an obvious difference from state to state. Congrats again.

That makes sense, I think I'll take my chances at the MTF. Not to mention until I receive my rating and SC is determined it seems little if any benefits exsist for me if I want to been seen at the VAMC. On a positive note my Ed Benefits kicked in effective this month and I have rec'd a payment. Shock

Xnavynuke I will ensure that I request records for any and all future treatments, had an MRI last week for on going issues with left knee. Since I am now also a dependent for at least the next 3-4 years, I shouldn't have a probably obtaining copies of med. records. Not sure how it works with VAMC. Which brings up a question, is their a benefit to being seen a a MTF vs VAMC? Shock

ExAirman, All I can do is sit here and chuckle, (laughing at myself) because I believed if I took care of things on my end... Hopefully in a year (if all goes well) I can still laugh...as a matter of fact lets mark today as day one. Only 364 more days to go, perhaps in the end I will try and file a claim for a failed "funny bone". Thanks for your insight Shock

Thanks, I hope things work out for your son as well, lets try and keep each other posted.

Xnavynuke Thanks for the insight, I hadn't allowed myself to even remotely think this process would drag out until 2012, but after perusing the site I would be jaded (now) to think otherwise, it's just disappointing. Qucik start, BBD, yadda, yadda, yadda... At least I now feel I am informed and I can stop checking the ebenefits site everyday in hopes to see a change. Shock

Thanks for the info. Yes I did, received my letter on 20 Oct and sent in copies of treatment I had received for my left knee since I provided a copy of my medical recods to the VSO on 13 Oct. Perhaps I misunderstood the info which was provided at the time I submitted my claim. Now I know but it still seems confusing to me why the claim starts on 1 March 11, if the decision process is suppose to start 30 days after the date of receiving the VACC letter or I could request to waive the 30 days. Bottom line it seems I am at the mercy of the VA process.

Thanks for the info. Yes I did, received my letter on 20 Oct and sent in copies of treatment I had received for my left knee since I provided a copy of my medical recods to the VSO on 13 Oct. Perhaps I misunderstood the info which was provided at the time I submitted my claim. Now I know but it still seems confusing to me why the claim starts on 1 March 11, if the decision process is suppose to start 30 days after the date of receiving the VACC letter or I could request to waive the 30 days. Bottom line it seems I am at the mercy of the VA process.

Tbird and Carlie, Thank you for the welcome and response. You mentioned that my claim would be retroactive effective 1 March, that's one of my concerns. During TAP and all the other information I have received, I was under the impression that when I initially filed my claim back in Oct, that this would be my claim start date and all retroactive activities (if any) would have the same date. Is this information incorrect or should I inquire about the 1 March date. I had a friend of mine receive his rating the day after his effective retirement date, utilzing the quick start program, all others not as lucky. Thanks for the insight and this is an amazing website full of all the information I could ever hope to find under one umbrella. Truly a benchmark website. Thanks again. Shock

Hello, I’m new to Hadit and this is my first post. I was feeling pretty good about getting what I felt was a jump start on my C&P claiming by visiting a VSO 6 months prior to my effective retirement date of 28 Feb 11, meeting all my appts, providing info and completing my exam the first week on Nov. However after reading several post about the length of time to receive an award, I must say the wind has been taken out of my proverbial sail. I thought by filling under quick start/BBD that I could expect the process to run smoothly and “as advertised” I’m sure that elicits a chuckle from all who will read this. So now for my question/concern, on 1 Mar I logged on to the ebenefits website and noticed that my claim was still in the development phase with a date of 1 Mar 11. This is quite discouraging since I visited the VSO office on 13 Oct and completed my exam the first week of Nov. Should I be concerned about the 1 March date or is this typical since I my last day of active duty was 28 Feb? Additionally before ending my time active duty, I completed a sleep study and was diagnosed with sleep apnea and recommended for CPAP. I think I will wait until my initial results and then submit my paperwork for the sleep apnea. Thoughts? Lastly my contentions are the following, which I don’t feel are a lot but possibly this is also a reason why I haven’t heard anything yet. - hypertension (on meds) - chronic bilateral knee pain (, osteoarthritis right knee, and 5 hyalgan injections. Left knee history of buckling with documented falls) - s/p right surgery (rt knee ACL, PCL meniscus replacement and screws) - scars and physical therapy (from rt. knee surgery 12 inches and eczema) - chronic right wrist pain (frac)tured in 2010, some loss of motion - right shin splints - history of right leg cellulitis (hospitalized 4 days) - chronic neck pain (degenerative and aggravated by the falls caused by knee buckling) - gout - bilateral hearing loss - chronic right shoulder pain (some loss of motion) V/r Shock