AFMedic09

I am just so sorry for your experience. My heart broke reading your post. Certainly it has turned out for the better, but to have to go through that - I can't even imagine. For your blood pressure to be that high after that exam speaks to the stressful situation and pain you were put through. What a nightmare. Some of these "specialists" have such a "god syndrome" that they forget to be freakin' doctors!!!!!!!!! Burns me up!

It's terrible the length of time you all have had to wait. I feel silly after only 15 months feeling so frustrated. Hopefully resolution will come soon for all of us and we can get on with life.

WOW. The wait times seem just out of this world! I am expecting I will have to appeal, so this is such a long long road to travel.

Holy Cow Cav. That is a long time. I wonder why so long in one phase? Especially Decision Phase? They must be very backed up. However, according to the Monday Morning Workloar report Houston has a lower Appeals load than St. Pete. This leads me to thing that maybe that's because they give better ratings the first time around. Hopefully you will get some resolution soon!

I did an IRIS the end of Feb, and then got the notice on March 22 that my claim had moved to Decision phase. Was told that this phase was taking 70 days at my particular RO. It has only been 31 days (from change to phone call from rater) I am hopefull, and my stomach is in knots waiting for word on the decision. However, I am thankful that it is moving and I am not in an endless halding pattern. Have you submitted an IRIS inquiry? In Eben. you can ask a question about your claim...Not sure if it helps, but it did help me.

Cav, I had about 14 contentions. I filed everything at once rather than individually. I filed on Jan 24,2011. Had my C&P's in March 2011. Stayed in Gathering Evidence until March 2012. Just moved to Decision Phase March 22,2012. Got a call yesterday from the rater verifying my dependents and my banking info, and now I am in Prep. for Notification. My RO has the highest for appeals so that doesn't give me a warm fuzzies about a fair initial rating. However, I am glad I at least have 30% according to the rater who called me....

Thanks Carlie! Ugh. Honestly I can't keep myself from checking ever since the rater called me yesterday. Ok, I'll put myself on controls and just try not to check again until tomorrow. Really, he said the paperwork would be mailed within 4 days, so I shouldn't check until Friday or Sat...but I can't help it. I know you're right. I just feel the need to know as soon as anything is posted and not a moment later. lol The waiting is gut wrenching once you know you're colse to the end of the first hurdle.

Just tried to check out my documents on ebene. as I am in Prep.for Notification. Got this error message. I can't even see my AB7?? Anyone know what's going on or having similar issues? Download VA Letters We are unable to locate records in VA files indicating eligibility for the VA letters that are currently provided in this on-line service. Please call the National Call Center at 1-800-827-1000 if you need additional information.

Thank you NJ! :) I will for sure. I am just so thankful that there is movement, and hoping it will be a fair decision. There is a weight lifted a as a part of me worried they would deny it all. lol At least I know at least 30%.

Thank you 71M10! :) I will let you all know as soon as I hear anything else. Seems like people find out and fall off the board. So thankful for those of you who stay on here, and help us newbies. I am trying to stay busy and just let this happen. I know it's at least 30%.

The VA just called ME. lol The guy said he had to verify my dependent's SS#'s because in cases where veterans receive 30% or greater they are eligible to receive dependent stipend. I said "Yes sir." He said "Well, this is the case with you." He went over my first marriage, that I am still in my second marriage, and the children produced from each. He had my oldest's birthdate wrong. Once he fixed that he said "Oh there it is. It's verified. Now let me make sure I have your banking information correct." He did. Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LORD LORD LORD!! I almost threw up when I hung up the phone. I tried to play it very cool, but I wanted to just SCREAM. He said I should have my letter within 10 days. HOLY HECK!!!! EDIT: Just checked and I am in the Prep. for Notification stage now. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LORDY!

So, I filed my claim with St. Pete RO Jan 24th, 2011. C&P's in March 2011 and stayed in Gathering Evidence until March 22,2012 when it moved to Preperation for decision. Today I checked and it says Pending Decision Approval. Ok, I admit they told me Prep. for decision was taking 70 days in my RO...this has been just over 30. My stomach is in knots. No new forms under my download forms.... I know it could go back, I expect I am going to be disappointed when the decision comes in, but the waiting...the waiting is KILLER. UGH. THANK YOU GOD for some movement though! I'd like to get the decision and know what kind of battle I have ahead. According to my conditions, and the 38, I expect 50% to be a fair rating. However, I know fair isn't what the VA tries to give you. They want you to have the smallest rating possible, IF they even SC your conditions. Such a frustrating process. I am just staying in prayer, and TRYING to let it go. This is really gut wrenching.

Just read this article and thought I should share http://www.jdnews.com/articles/military-102896-attention-need.html

Does the appointment come up in ebenefits? Maybe you coul print it out, or fax the letter over to the QTC and have them follow up on it. They should be gathering the needed medical records for your appointment, and if they don't even show you coming in they will be ill prepared.

mrp - Maybe a personal questions - ok - it is a personal question. But you are rated 70%. What claimes did they deny? You filed a NOD within the one year time frame (2009) and STILL have not had word back?!?!?!?!?!? Anyone know what he can do to get some sort of movement on that? I would think at this point almost three years is ridiculous by anyone's measurment.

Georiapapa - What a LONG road. :( That does not give my any confidence at all in this process. Seems like conditions that are serious and require huge medical expense, the VA doesn't seem to want to acknowledge. Praying you get the rating you need and deserve to cover the expenses of your SC diseases. Reddit- Here's hoping you have a swift response in your favor! Seems like after 15 years the VA would give up their shinanigans and do the right thing!!!! Gotta give you guys credit for keeping up the fight.

WOW. Very ungreatful. What a shame. So many people who are looking to just make end meet, what a slap in the face that is to go out and buy a truck? Depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot....You are right about her being broke. All I can say is, I hope the one bad apple doesn't sour the bunch for you. I know as a newbie here your input, and that of the other senior members has been invaluable to me. I would just withdraw your input and let her know honestly how you feel. Maybe she doesn't have anyone offering her sound advice regarding the $? It will eat at you unless you confront it. You've certainly earned a say-so here. IMHO

What a debacle. I hope you are awarded for any appeals you may have pending. It would seem, logically, if they adjudicated fairly the first go around they wouldn't have to deal with appeals for years to come. But maybe that is job security for them. Backlog = job security? I wish you luck!

AWESOME NEWS!! Congratulation!! :) That must be a husge relief.

Holy Heck, Carlie!! I praise your tenacity!! If it were me, I'd have given up and be sitting with zilch just like the VA wanted. Thank God you stuck with it to get what you deserve. I can work, and I know many are worse off than I am. I have reviewed the schedules for ratings, and what I believe suits my symptoms. The rating I calculate is 60%, but I don't think that I will be rated according to my diseases and symptoms. I HOPE to be, but I hold little faith in the process.

I know everyone's ideas for what they feel they should be rated vary. I am just wondering if anyone has had to wait, but in the end received a fair rating? I am in the St. Pete RO, and am waiting. I tried to seach this topic, but couldn't find one. (Might be an ominous sign) Has everyone had to appeal their initial decision? Did you get a lower rating, but find that the justification was fair, and did not appeal? Just wondering....Thanks!!

For yur sake, I hope it is good news. I'm not sure why your VSO would have told you that without knowing anything more? I've been waiting on my initial claim for 15 months, and I am not working with a VSO. Kinda glad after your post. I get my own panties in a wad over this stuff easily enough without anyone else helping me out. Post when you hear something.

This happens to me if under ebenefits I click "Login". Google ebenefits. If I click "Compensation" and then when that page loads click "Login" in the upper right, it will take me to the log in screen. On that screen it gives the option to click "manage account". Don't click that. Just log in. That takes you to the compensation website. For some reason they changed up how and where you log in for different things. (Doesn't make sense, but I told the VA they need to worry less about continually changing their website bells and whistles, and more about getting the backlog of claims done).

USMCSGTVet: "I guess when you have a strong claim they put it on the burner." Does anyone know if this is true? Or is there just no rhyme nor reason to why a claim from an RO takes 6 months and another claim from teh same RO filed the same time takes 2 years? The thing that raises my blood pressure most is - anticipating the rating, and waiting all of this time - and maybe getting slapped in the face when the rating does come. So all the waiting and stress is for nothing because you still have years of fighting left.

I am in Florida also, St. Pete RO. My claim was in Gathering Evidence for 15 months. On March 22 went to Preparation for Decision. An email I received from them said that it is usually in this phase for 70 days in our RO. However, they give themselves and out by saying each case is different and time frames depend on the complexity of claimed conditions. I am HOPING and PRAYING they stick with the 70 day criteria, but wishes don't change the VA.