Art J

Thanks everyone... I did the everything for my last claim and it was successful... just hoped that there could be a local shoulder to lean on for this one... anyone have info on the AMVETS or Maryland State VSO's at the Baltimore RO?

Thanks... from my experience the AL at that RO is terrible... they almost never answered the phone, never returned calls or emails and when I was able to reach them, they had no info... I got my brown envelope for my claim in January, and they have never notified me of my decision... I am currently at 10% and 0%... and now want to file for something I didn't know I could file for and AL never told me...

Anyone have a recommendation for a VSO in Baltimore to assist with a new claim? Anyone have a positive experience with a VSO in this area? Anyone? Thanks, Art

Back in 2006 I applied for benefits in an attempt to get the VA to provide hearing aids for my hearing problem that was clearly documented in my SMR's to have started during service. My claim was denied. As my hearing continues to get worse and my audiologist tells me I will eventually lose my hearing, I tried again in June 2010. Thanks to the knowledge gained from this forum and help preparing my documents to reopen the claim I am now at 0% for hearing and 10% for tinnitus. I am just below the level of loss needed for 10% for hearing... I can now set up an appointment to get fitted for hearing aids... Yea.... wish they would have actually looked at my records and submission back in 2006... it should have been sufficient, but this time I overdid the documentation with my claim to the point where anyone could (without effort) see the documentaiton key points and also included an IMO from my audiologist using the format and key phrases found on the board... Thanks everyone for all you do to help Vets... Art, ex ETC(SS) USN

Thanks ... yes it seems that the system would be better off if the resources used for ebennies and Peggy were applied to more useful efforts... I was just hoping....

Today my claim status in eBennies changed to Preparation for Notification. What does this mean? Is everything done and a letter on the way? What is a rough timeline from this status to receiving the big envelope? Thanks for any insights... Art

My Compensation Claim is in "Preparation for Decision" Phase. A new Open Claim line element just showed up in eBenefits - 12/29/2011Regulatory or Procedural Review My original claim is still listed as 06/17/2011Compensation Any idea what this means? Thanks, Art

I called the American Legion Service Officer to ask about the status change and they called up my file... but... they didn't have any details other than what I mentioned in the post I sure wish the VA would update eBenefits to allow us (The Vets) to really see what is going on.... whenever I call the AL or the VA 800 number they don't seem to know and give conflicting and frequently wrong or outdated info... and it really frustrates me that the VA 800 number staff say to ignore eBenefits the VA on line site, because it is and I quote "Never Right"....

My claim status has changed to Preparation for Decision - Along with the status change my file was sent from the Baltimore Regional Office to St. Louis --- any insights as to what this means, is it standard process? Thoughts on time frame from this change to a final decision? Thanks, Art

I wholeheartedly agree... I filed in 2008 - before I had done on line research to know the best way.... and was denied ,,, saying there was no evidence of service connection... event though it clearly shows service connection in my Medical records... then they said there wasn't a continuing problem, even though I sent 15 years of post service medical records showing a continuing and worsening problem... Now fast forward to 2011 - I have refiled and included an Expert independent medical opinion and two more years of data... my case was filed in June, I had my C&P exam in August and have been in Development stage since August. I requested a copy of my C&P exam -- the Dr. spent a total of 10-15 minutes with me... the Dr. hadn't reviewed my case, hadn't read any of the info I put tremendous effort into collecting... 30 years of (Military and Civilian Records (highlighted), Expert Independent Opinion... Nothing... I have since requested and received a copy of the C&P results that in no way match Independent Exam from 3 different experts... the VA Dr. said that while there is documented service connection for part of the claim, the major part of the claim is not in her opinion service connected and may just be due to aging (I am 57 years old) ... more and more I believe that the folks at VA return things denied or with requests for more info just to try to get us to give up... so... I started this round back in June... I called this week and was told that the current processing times at the Baltimore Regional Office are about a year if everything goes through and no information requests come up towards the end of the process...if they do, reset the clock and start over... Argggg...

Would also be interested in your timeline (Start to finish)... Thanks, Art

I understand your frustration. I noticed on the just updated eBenefits site that my status was changed to "evidence Requested is Past Due" despite the fact that I have a signed return receipt from August and the AL DSO personally delivered a copy of my info the first week of September. I have never been contacted asking for more info, so I called the 800# today and they told me that eBenefits doesn't have good information in it. They also told me that for the Baltimore Regional Office the current processing times are ... 323 days in the development phase and 145 days in the decision phase and 23 days after that for a total of 491 days or over 16 months... these are averages... if your claim is complex, or they need more information late in the process, expect more time... Best wishes to you and hope for a fast resolution and positive decision on your claim... Art

I just got a copy of the VA Audiologists exam for my bi-lateral Hearing loss & Tinnitus claim from my ROI request. She spent almost 10 minutes with me. My civilian audiologist that has been monitoring and treating me for 20 years believes my hearing loss and tinnitus is more likely than not due to military noise exposure. My military specialty is classified as moderate possibility of hearing loss. The VA audiologist decided that it is more likely than not that the hearing loss is due in part to military noise exposure. This hearing loss has significantly progressed since military service which may be due to other factors such as aging. It is less likely than not that the veterans tinnitus is due to military noise exposure. Although the veteran had hearing loss in service, the hearing loss has significantly progressed since service and veteran has only recently repoted noticing tinnitus (6 years ago). I provided a nexus letter signed by my audiologist, to the VA ... the VA audiologist hadn't seen it and wouldn't read a copy of it at the exam... there were no other patients waiting, yet she seemed in a rush to complete the exam. At this point I guess I have to wait for a determination and file an NOD? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Art