StrikeZ

I did a full claim when I retired about 11 years go. Been 60% and steadily working. After surgery and other back problems, I finally quit procrastinating and filed for an increase due to my deteriorating back. From the time I submitted, which was super easy online, to my C&P exam was two weeks. My most recent MRI showed severe foraminal stenosis on both sides multiple levels. I also added radicupathy to the list. The examiner only measured me bending forward. It did not help that I was having back spasms at the time of the visit. How long is it taking for the VA rater to complete?

My claim is in the BDD VARO in Raleigh NC. It went from gathering evidence to prep for decision last week. I can only hope it means it is moving forward. I think I saw at http://www.app.hospitalcompare.va.gov/index.cfm the average for BDD is 176 days. I am approaching 150 days. My biggest concern is getting rated to qualify for the home loan fee exception.

I just got another email dump and thought maybe my claim has moved. Still the same, gathering evidence... I only check after I get emails, maybe they just spam every month. So it must be good to see some movement. Everytime I get the email I say, yes I could get a federal job, if you finished my claim and I got the extra five points, yes - work for the VA - but I applied to many, was referred to several, and never got an interview. I am wondering if the VA will ever correct itself.

Papa, I am retired military. I retired last summer. After attending to retirement brief by the VA, I did the BDD program. It seemed so simple and so promising, if I did everything 90 days prior to retiring, I would start receiving benefits within 60 days. What I found, even though I did everything I needed to 90 days in advance, the processing does not start till after my retirement date. When I look on EBenefits it claims they are gathering info? I call, they say they got everything. Now the year rolled over and I thought the tax benefit from disability has been lost. I was fortunate that I landed a public service job, but it would have been nice to be a 10 point vet vice 5 point.

Yet another negative impact on the servicemenber caused by the VA incompetence. So my retirement year (2011) I could best benefit from a tax break, but it will not happen. The year I will not need the tax reducuction, I will get it? This will cost me close to 2,000 in taxes How does the tax situation work out when the of VA's average 200 day disablity review roll from one year to another. Do I have to refile or just claim the benefit in the year payment is received. I am already losing state and federal employment benefits, home loan benefits and other benefits because of this "too busy" delay. The VA is an embarrassment and must he over hauled. I just learned this week, the VA has a lower percentage of veterans than the DOT. How does that make sense? Sorry for he rant - I am sure you all have been or are going through the same thing.

I got another massive email dump from the VA today. Ebenefits is down so I don't think it was movement on my claim. I have been in development gathering evidence for months. Ebenefits shows they need my DD214, I sent a certified copy and original months ago. They say ignore ebenefits and wait another 3 months for the process to run its course. This started six months ago with me doing the Benefits at discharge program.