#1Cavtrooper

As of yesterday, my claim moved to Preparation for Notification.

I checked with the 1800# this morning and was told my claim was in the notification phase. It now reflects that on ebenefits. I had a Neurology appt down in Houston today, so I decided to drop by my Vso (Dav) . I told him my claim was in notification and he verified that, then went to find out the award. 80% total award 70 % PTSD 20% Right Shoulder The following contentions deferred for further developement: Scheduling C&P exams for 1. Back 2. Cervical Spine 3. Migraines 4. Tdiu Exam TBI - Denied They are going to release the the 80% retro on the 2 contentions granted = $23,648.00 THANKS to my "Friends in High Places"

I got someone on the phone and explained my situation to him. He asked me a few questions and also if had easy access to a fax machine. Mine's broke now so I told him that I would have the papers faxed within the hour. (It's 20 miles to town) When he received the fax, he called me back in less than 3 minutes. Guess what the 1800# just told me under type claim they have it listed as BDD. Btw, check your PM.

I checked ebenefits on Sunday and still shows "Pending Decision Approval" but now, underneath it says "View Required Evidence" The 1800# tells me that they are proof reading and dotting the i's and crossing the t's.......... I guess.

They just added it on Sunday May 20 when the site was under maintenance.

Simple advice, young man.... DON'T spend it!

Carlie, I submitted my bank info about 5 months ago to the 1800#. Yesterday the 1800# told me that my claim says "complete" and the Houston Dav office says it shows "Rating Decision Complete." as of Wednesday May 16. The 1800 agent says Houston is avg. 8 working days for notification. The countdown starts from May 16.

810 Vermont Ave, NW Washington D.C. 20420

So the 1800# called you and asked you what you wanted? Lol I agree.....Good Grief Charlie Brown I guess that I will wait and see if the ever elusive brown envelope will arrive. And checking my letter generator.

Well, I contacted the 1800 (as a good many of us say "the Peggy #") and they tell me my claim is "Complete" as of Wednesday May 16. The 1800 agent tells me to start checking my mail. You are absolutely right about contacting in extreme situations only. Berta, once a claim file is picked up, how quick can they complete? In 2 days? I faxed that up there on Monday at 1300 CST. Btw, on Monday, he (man in D.C.) told me that the Houston hasn't even read my hardship paperwork that they picked up from my DAV office on (April 13) in the same bldg as rating authority. The key thing was he asked me if I would be able to "redeem" my financial situation. I told if action was taken quick enough I might be able to.

Well, I contacted the 1800 (as a good many of us say "the Peggy #") and they tell me my claim is "Complete" as of Wednesday May 16. The 1800 agent tells me to start checking my mail.

You might have seen my post "Nothing Short of A Miracle". I will pass this info on for it may help others with hardship or extreme cases like mine. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Communications and Case Management Washington D.C. (202) 273-5674 I had post the address on Monday. If my claim is completed quickly......then I know it has done some good!

Maybe I'll get lucky like a friend of mine in Houston. Her claim was only in Pending Decision Approval for 1 week. Her's was expedited due to hardship also.

Does anyone know the average time a claim stays in the "Pending Decision Approval" stage?

Papa, That is the one! I knew you would hear something! Mine still says Pending Decision Approval. Do you remember how long some of the others claims stayed in Pending Decision Approval?

Congrats!

Papa, Check your PM. Thnx

The most backlogged one in the nation.> Houston

Well, After 16 months (5 months in preparation for decision) stalled since Dec 14, 2011, my claim has moved to Pending Decision Approval. It took a Big jump start to get it going!

I post on Monday how I contacted an agency in Washington D.C. about my situation with my claim. He told me to have my phone with me that I will be contacted by Houston within 5 days. My anxiety got the best of me so I call Mr. xxx back today and I ask him which dept. at Houston Varo did he contact and he said he couldn't tell me that and "trust me you WILL hear from them." Well I checked ebenefits this morning and still read preparation for decision. (where it has been since Dec 14) I checked again at 3:30 pm today and claims status read "PENDING DECISION APPROVAL"

It's working fine for me right now, I just checked it.

Papa, There is a number that I have that from my understanding handles these sort of fiasco's by the RO's. It is: Department Of Veterans Affairs Office Of Communications and Case Management Washington D.C. I've had 3 Iris submitted since March 12 with no response from Houston. I faxed some paperwork to this office in D.C. today. I was told I would hear from Houston within 5 business days, and then he said it would be probably in 2 days. That leads me to believe that whatever he put on the cover sheet would definitely get their attention. If you need the contact info let me know.

I feel the same way! But look at it this way...... At least you are sc and some of us are still waiting to get that. Btw, how long did it take you on your initial claim at Houston? May 23 will be 16 months for me at Houston Varo. And May 14 will be 5 months in the decision phase! And this is my initial claim. And nothing out of Houston in Success Stories. The 800# did tell me that they were through with all the " living' Nehmer cases. I really don't know what to believe anymore though. Hang in There!

Yeah SSDI was fast for me considering it was during the holidays. Also it seemed it was granted about 2 weeks after I submitted my VA mri's of my back and cervical spine. No exam by SSA either.

I guess that it took me only 4 months to be awarded SSDI. Upon my VA doctor's advise, I quit work Oct 1, 2010 and filed for SSDI that same week. Two months later in Dec 2010, I was denied. I filed a reconsideration and was granted the first week of Feb 2011. I then received my first check which was for April in May. Boy how I wish the VA was that quick!