MarkInTexas

Congratulations! Mark

Does anybody now what the average (if such an animal exists) wait time is for an open records request for a C-File to be processed at the Houston VARO? I was one of "those people" who worked their own claims, and didn't obtain a copy of my C-File before filing. Of course, after I filed my initial claims, I kicked myself for not doing it, but put off making an open records request for fear that I would delay my claim longer. Bad part is that I waited 32 months before finally receiving a rating. Now that I'm in the NOD phase of my claim, I know I have one year to get it filed properly. I'm also in hopes of obtaining IMO's this time around for the other conditions denied, and believe that it is imperative that I have my C-File. I mainly would like to know how long it takes to get it from Houston, if there is a normal amount of time. Or if I should go ahead and file my NOD with my own language, and then shoot IMO's over to the VARO after I receive my C-File and receive an opinion or two. Btw, I already mailed off my open records request via U.S. Mail yesterday for my C-File, so at least that part is done. Any advice, horror stories, input or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again! Mark

Congratulations! Thanks for your service, and I hope you have a healthy and happy future. Mark

Congratulations! And thanks for your service. I'm planning to do the same thing. I'm paying off a couple of hospital bills that have been hanging out there with a portion, but the rest I'm hoping to use on IMO's as well. Good luck to you and your future! Mark

Steve, thanks! I'm down in Southeast Texas, but would make the drive if it were worthwhile. Did you have good luck with them? Thanks again. Mark

Berta, Do you still think that Health Information Search, Inc. is a good place to start for an IMO? I want to file a NOD on my recent denials, but that I should go ahead and obtain IMO's on my conditions to submit. Any advice? Mark

Here's What I posted in the eBenefits "Kentucky Windage" thread: Whew! OK, here's a new update from the firing range. On Monday, I believe my claim was sitting on Pending Decision Approval, but by Tuesday evening it showed Complete on ePeggy. I checked my VA Letters area, and sure enough there was an AB8. It's showing a whopping 10%, and yes, I was....and still am.....aggravated, but I didn't throw a fit. I tried to call my VSO (American Legion) at the Houston VARO on Wednesday....Thursday....and Friday, but no answers, just a voicemail. I really wanted to know what was going on. On Friday however, I received retro in my bank, which equates out to what I would have gotten at 10% from my original filing date of June 19, 2010. That all fit so far. Then on Friday when the mail was delivered, I received the magical "brown envelope" that everyone talks about. And sure enough, I only received a rating of 10% for Tinnitus. I also received a 0% rating for hearing loss in my left ear. (Makes sense because I'm left handed and all firearms use for the most part was left handed.) Everything else was denied. I do plan to file a Notice of Disagreement, but first I want to do this the right way. (If there is a right way.) I'm mailing off a VA open records request form for my entire C-File, including all documents within, the folders, the flaps, the post-it notes and any old napkins from donuts that the raters may have left it while they were snacking. Then I guess I need to file my NOD. OR.....should I file it first BEFORE I receive my C-File documents. Any thoughts, prayers or "told you so's".? I want to thank everybody for the instruction, help and moral support over the years since I started this journey, and I hope y'all will put up with me a while longer as I trudge through the NOD and maybe even the longer appeals process. Any suggestions or input will always be greatly appreciated. Mark (And just a side note to all of you just beginning your journey. I want you to know that I probably did everything possible that was not a recommended thing to do. I didn't have a VSO to help when I first submitted, I had medical records, but no "Opinion Letters", I did not request my C-File first. I added conditions in the middle of the process. And I also contacted my Senator who although trying to help, probably slowed things down even more. Don't make my mistakes.) - Mark

Whew! OK, here's a new update from the firing range. On Monday, I believe my claim was sitting on Pending Decision Approval, but by Tuesday evening it showed Complete on ePeggy. I checked my VA Letters area, and sure enough there was an AB8. It's showing a whopping 10%, and yes, I was....and still am.....aggravated, but I didn't throw a fit. I tried to call my VSO (American Legion) at the Houston VARO on Wednesday....Thursday....and Friday, but no answers, just a voicemail. I really wanted to know what was going on. On Friday however, I received retro in my bank, which equates out to what I would have gotten at 10% from my original filing date of June 19, 2010. That all fit so far. Then on Friday when the mail was delivered, I received the magical "brown envelope" that everyone talks about. And sure enough, I only received a rating of 10% for Tinnitus. I also received a 0% rating for hearing loss in my left ear. (Makes sense because I'm left handed and all firearms use for the most part was left handed.) Everything else was denied. I do plan to file a Notice of Disagreement, but first I want to do this the right way. (If there is a right way.) I'm mailing off a VA open records request form for my entire C-File, including all documents within, the folders, the flaps, the post-it notes and any old napkins from donuts that the raters may have left it while they were snacking. Then I guess I need to file my NOD. OR.....should I file it first BEFORE I receive my C-File documents. Any thoughts, prayers or "told you so's".? I want to thank everybody for the instruction, help and moral support over the years since I started this journey, and I hope y'all will put up with me a while longer as I trudge through the NOD and maybe even the longer appeals process. Any suggestions or input will always be greatly appreciated. Mark

Sigh......now that's just plain depressing..............

It should be on the left hand side of the screen. Your phase completion dates appear when you hover your mouse pointer over the block that shows what phase you are in. The latter is the newest feature, but the estimated claim completion dates have been around for a few months now. Keep in mind that they are constantly fluctuating and really don't portray anything certain, just that 'something' is happening with your file. Good luck on your claims and thanks for your service. Mark

Thanks, Cav! I've been waiting about 2 years and 8 months on my initial claim thus far, so we'll see how this goes. I'm not sure what "Pending Decision Approval" actually entails, but I reckon I'll find out soon. Thanks again! Mark

Congratulations! And thanks for your service! Mark

Well folks, I checked ePeggy today, and it shows that I moved to "Pending Decision Approval". They are showing that this phase will complete between 02/18/2013 and 03/07/2013, with an actual claim completion date being between 05/13/2013 and 10/10/2013. I know you can't trust the dates given, because it's all in constant motion either backward or forward, but once again, it is a relief to see some form of eMovement to another stage. I won't get my hopes up yet, because I know I can get knocked right back down to Gathering Dust. I'm hoping that Pending Decision Approval is a good sign for me though. I'll keep y'all updated as it plays out. Not sure what it means though. Have a great week. Mark

Congratulations and thanks for your service, and your determination! Mark

New update. Although there has been no change yet from my Preparation for Decision status, I did receive a large brown envelope in the mail from the VA. I was excited when I opened it, but no decisions or ratings. It was a bit confusing because the VA had sent a letter to me, along with the original copies of documents I had previously mailed to them (certified/return receipt requested) from my military service. Basically, they said in the letter that they already had copies of all of the documents they returned back to me in my active military personnel files. Anybody ever have this happen before? I would have thought they would have kept them. I spent a good bit of time organizing them, highlighting certain portions, and preparing them to be sent off, not counting the cost of postage, etc. It really didn't even look like they went through them. (But they were all definitely "my" copies because I had hand-written my name and VA file number on every page in blue ink.) What do y'all think? Mark

Congratulations!!!! That is awesome. Great work! Mark

Wayne Newton still sings?

Yeah, I wouldn't sweat that the form is now "missing". I would go ahead and resubmit just in case. I submitted my dependent and direct deposit information way back in June, 2010 when I submitted my claim on the appropriate forms, but in June of this year, the VA sent me a notice requested all of this information all over again, stating that I had not submitted it initially. Instead of arguing with them, I resubmitted updated forms. (Same information, new dates) If and when they ever get to finalize my own claims, I imagine they'll hit me up on dependent information again, so I'll do their dance one more. Good luck and stay patient. It'll drive you crazy, but hopefully there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Mark

Congratulations on the progress, USMC! I definitely understand what you are talking about regarding VSO interaction. I met mine once at the Houston VARO, and outside of the one letter from the VA showing that I had given the American Legion power of attorney over my case, that was it for any substantial contact. I will say though that I used (and continue to use) my VSO as a way to bypass the VA's 1-800 system. When I call the AL number in Houston, I usually get a warm body that will tell me if the VSO's are in or not, and if so, I usually can get to talk to one on the phone to get my own status. They pretty much only have what a VA employee accesses, and don't have a crystal ball either. But it beats waiting on the phone forever too. Something tells me that they aren't "lobbying" my case with the VA raters or anything like that, and that they spend most of their time on the phones or meeting new walk-ins. However, as I mentioned, they can be more informative than ePeggy and less of a wait time than the 1-800 number. Mark

Thanks, Cav! Ya gotta laugh about some of this stuff, or it'll drive ya crazy. Have a great weekend! Mark

USMC, thanks! Well, to be honest, I'm anxious about both as well. I've heard so many horror stories on here where the VA kicks things back into Gathering Dust, or sends out a lowballed rating letter. I've resigned myself to being prepared to do a NOD if/when I finally get a rating, just from what I've heard on here and other websites. (It's kind of like making sure you have plenty of batteries and canned food, etc. when a hurricane is still over Cuba, but hasn't decided to go north or west yet.) I know I am ready to know something though. This is my first claim, which as I mentioned was filed waaaaaayyyyyy back on 06/19/2010 (I filed it via VONAPP a day or two earlier, but that is the VA's file date, so I'll live with it.) I've filed a lot of old military paperwork, sent in tons of documents that the VA requested, had two separate C&P examinations and have said "VA Secretary Shineski is cool!" like 30 times a day for good luck. (OK....maybe not the last one.) Today marks 2 years and 7 months for me, and I know that there are others that have waited much longer than I have to get their ratings.....or to get more bad news and have to fight and wait longer, so I try to keep that in mind. I think that I'll really kind of start worrying more on the rating if my ePeggy thingy moves "forward" from Preparation for Decision, instead of moving backward again. I've moved up to Review of Evidence on a couple of occassions already, but always went back to Gathering Dust. When/if I actually move forward, I'll really start wondering what the VA's raters had for breakfast that morning, and if they will be happy campers when they open my old files. I guess this is a long answer just to say.....errr......Yes? Have a great weekend. Mark P.S. - I know there is no crystal ball out there, nor GPS that can navigate any two VA claims the same, but I wonder if anybody out there has any words of wisdom, or thoughts about any claim processes similar to mine whereby there was an extended wait (in Houston VARO of course), where multiple C&P's were scheduled (for separate conditions), and where things finally moved to Preparation for Decision. I'm just hoping that the VA took all this time, money and effort (well, not sure how much effort they took), because they are looking at my claims in a positive manner. - Mark

Holy Smokes! I know I shouldn't get excited, but I just checked ePeggy, and it's now showing the ominous status of "Preparation for Decision" with a new and improved date range of 05/29/2013 to 12/03/2013. (keep in mind that my claim filing date is 06/19/2010). I know that I shouldn't be jumping for joy, because I am also just as likely to get a letdown, but I'm thankful to see some form of "eMovement" .....(can I copyright that before the VA uses it?) I also realize the dates are still not realistic usually, and I'm shocked that I moved from Gathering Dust to Preparation for Decision without visiting Park Place, Boardwalk or Review of Evidence. Sigh, also from reading here over the past couple of years, I also realize that Preparation for Decision may be my next step right before going back to Gathering Dust again, but I'm still happy about the movement. Good luck all, and I'll keep you posted. Mark

Congratulations!

Congratulations! Thanks again for your service to our nation! Mark

Congrats! Thanks again for your service! Mark