manning01

I submited two FDCs to the Phoeninx AZ RO and one took 92 days and the other 111 days. So if you do a complete package with all records, DBQ's etc up front then it should speed through relatively fast. But if you forget one thing or you ask them to get something guess what it turns into a regualr claim so beware ensure you give them everything they need at the begining. Both my FDC's had the DBQ's done by outside Doctors and were granted. I didn't want them to do one of thier shady C&P exam on me by some minimally trained trained PA that couldn't work at a real hospital on a medical condition they are not a SME on.

I did a A&A package for my mom since my Dad was also a Vet. Even though all my stuff goes through the Phoenix VARO I had to submit her A&A package to the VARO in St Paul MN per the directions on the website for A&A. If you give them all the paperwork and medical info upfront it's rather fast. Her A&A package only took 4 months from start to the 1st check direct deposited. That was not even 2 years ago. In fact I just put in for an increase once she went into assisted care and the increase came back approved in less than 2 months. So start off prepaired and give them what they need up front and it will go fast. There is a really good website on A&A and what to submit etc. I did everyting they said to do with no help from a VSO and had great results. http://www.veteranaid.org/apply.php

I see they didn't uphold her firing due to the mistreatment of vets at our local VAMC. I see they only got her on for taking gifts i.e. plane tickets, concert tickets, trip to Disney and some cash. Either way she was curropt and a shamefull Gov't SES glad they canned her.

Congrats!!!!

Same here it saved me a lot of money visitiing the Grand Canyon and few other locations last year.

This may clear up on who depending on where you live to what location to send or fax docs your documents to. I wish I knew about this earlier. I had my DRO conference a couple of weeks ago and he said to send a couple of items he needed right to the RO and then they would send it off to be scanned so he could review them before he reschedules a new C&P on my NOD. He could have had me fax or send them straight there to speed it up but no he doesn't let me know this new way of sending things in. If Location of Residence is: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia. Then, send all written correspondence to: Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center PO Box 4444 Newnan, GA 30271-0020 Or fax your information to: Toll Free: 844-531-7818 Local: 248-524-4260 If Location of Residence is: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, The Caribbean, The U.S. Virgin Islands, The Philippines, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands. Then, send all written correspondence to: Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center PO BOX 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 Or fax your information to: Toll Free: 844-822-5246 Local: 608-373-6690

Thanks Charlie for all the great information you posted. I just printed this all out so I can complete my overall plan for the DRO meeting. I'll make sure to follow all your great suggestions.

I emailed Bob last week and I was just contacted by someone from the Phoenix RO. He said I was finally scheduled for my long awaited DRO hearing for this Nov 19th. Wow that was fast. BTW I didn't asked to be put ahead of anyone in line etc all I asked is someone from the VARO to call me and explain what my status was and correct thier error in the computer system on what I actually put my NOD in for. I put in for Kidney Cancer found within a month of retirement from the USAF and when they inputted the NOD in they put in lower back DDD not Kidney cancer wow what a dumb mistake. I don't have lower back issues not sure where they pulled that from. I couldn't have made it any clearer on the typed paperwork. Well we'll see what happens in a few weeks atleast I'll know if I need to push it to the BVA if the DRO denies it. Thanks for the contact info for Bob it really worked better than I ever expected.

Thank you.

I wonder if they are already doing it tonight. MyHealthy Vet is down for website maintenance this evening hummm.....

Congrats Tela. John

90% Congrats. Thank you for your service. John

Congrats

I forgot to add to my post about when I had my C&P for the renal cancer that the VA found in a CT scan within a month of my retirement. First of all the Dr was like 75years old and a retired internal medicine Dr that the VA contracted not a urologist. He said that my RCC was from smoking, drinking and being too fat and was not present while I was in the service even though it was found within a month of my retirement. RCC doesn't grow overnight or in a few weeks it take many months to grow. Anyways I was always under my max weight in the military 170lbs at 5'9", rarely drank and never smoked. It's in my SMR physicals etc to back up all that about me and he still wouldn't listen. So beware I noticed from other RCC denials they all tried that same angle of a accepted etiogy of smoking, obesity and alcohol to deny SC of the RCC. I guess that is how they look at us all as a bunch of fat drunks that smoke and trying to game the system to live off the gov't really sad to be profiled like that. That is why if you can afford to be be seen by an outside urologist to fill out the the DBQ do it and get an IMO from him or her if they will do one for you. Am I jaded against the VA C&P Docs sure I'am. I'll be the first to admit it since they have given me great cause to doubt thier qualifications and intentions to helps us vets.

HI KySoldier I was exposed to 21 years of hazardous chemicals on aircraft and even Hydrazine H-70 which is a known bad carcinagen. Even our technical guidence had lots of cautions and warnings about it being a cancer causing agent. We even had to rope off the area if there was a spill from an aircraft that the sign even had the cancer warning on it. I was doused several times all of this was in my records the VA still denied my SC for Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (RCC). Even the surgeons when they fille dout thier IMO's said I had the RCC while in service. The VA found my RCC 1 month after I retired. Duh and they still denied it, the darn RCC was there for many months. I have a NOD/DRO review in for it now going on 1 1/2 years and don't expect an answer for a few more years since they are so backed up. I'd still get it in so you get the clock started. Get good IMO's if you have an outside the VA system urologist and have them also due the DBQ for Renal issues. Ifd you have any private DR records get copies don't let the VA request them or it will hold up your claim for a while while they request them under thier duty to assist BS. If you have all your ducks in a row do a FDC with all your required paperwork and objective evidence and submit. Have a strong case and if they deny get your NOD in quick so you can get in line for the long wait. Doing a FDC is the way to go I did two and both were done in less than 110 days from start to finsh here at the Phoenix VARO with 80% awarded.