Colt

I decided to call the 1-800 number and see if I could get anyone. Usually, they just tell me they can't help me and hang up (automated). Today I got a lovely gentlemen who started to ask me and then said that my claim has been sitting there waiting to be decided since December 2010. I don't know if it will make a difference but he said he was going to put in an inquiry and I should hear back some kind of status in 5 - 10 days. If I don't, that I need to call them back and she what happened. He was very very nice and helpful. I hope it's still being worked. That would suck if I was just waiting around for nothing. Lol.

Hi all: Looking for a little guidance if there is any to give. My story: I got out in August 2010 and filed my claim. It's my year mark and I haven't heard anything so I started researching some stuff and found you guys and your plethora of information. I'm going with the assumption that some of my items claimed will get denied due to reading a lot of people's experiences on here. I figure since I've done absolutely nothing on my part so far, you know, since the past year just sitting and waiting--that after reading some of your stories and seeing things I could be doing to help myself out, why not try? I haven't heard from the VA in a while. The last I heard from them was in November 2010 and they sent a letter stating that they needed further evidence for the "following conditions" and listed everything I originally claimed. I contacted my DAV and she said it was normal that they list everything and since I turned in all my medical records to send it back stating to decide the claim. I’ve had no movement since. I check my ebenefits weekly. I went and picked up my C&P exam copies today (completed September and October 2010), since many of you suggested it. However, I don’t understand everything on there and I couldn’t find my eye and hearing test in there (they were done in the following month of Oct). The records woman said that they combine everything into one document after it’s done so that it prints all at once. Can that mean it is potentially missing? Or maybe I just didn’t get it? Also if the C&P doctor didn't really give a write-up on a specific item claimed does that mean that item will be denied or that maybe there is sufficient evidence to support it in my documents? I’m not even sure if there is anything I can do right now except wait to see what they come back with and then go from there. I was trying to be proactive, but at this point I think it’s just a guessing game until I hear from them. I haven't contacted my DAV or anyone else since I didn't want to pester anyone. However, I'm hitting that antsy phase, and thought it might be nice to hang around with other 'hurry up and wait' individuals. On a side note. One of the items I'm claiming is my back. I've got 5 items listed that fall under that. 1. Degenerative Disc Disease 2. Bulging Disc L3-5 w/arthritis 3. Bilateral Leg Pain 4. Synovitis 5. Scoliosis Will all of that be one combined rating? Also, two weeks after I got out of the military (figures, eh?) I severely herniated and ended up having two discectomies. Can that alter ratings?