Lady Sailor

Did the same thing to me in December. The DAV rep who was helping me walked my paperwork through and my thyroid condition went from 10%-100% and I had payment in a couple weeks. Sorry that you're having to deal with the CUE on top of this "normally" frustrating process. Good luck to you.

After approval, it took less than a week to get back pay.

I think a claims movement along the status bar thing is related to the individuals responsible for working on the claim. I've heard so many horror stories about C&P exams being rescheduled several times because after an exam the paper work was put to the bottom of the pile instead of being forwarded on. It's hard to say. I think I'd do as 71M10 suggested and drink some fiber before going to bed. At least you might have an applicable expletive the next morning.

Congratulations! You're right, be proactive.

A couple times I had put in for an increase, was shot down and just didn't pursue it. I received severance pay back in 92 after more than 15 years in the navy. I finally started receiving my 20% then 30% a few months later after over 19 years. Had to pay back the amount of severance pay including the taxes I had to pay--OUCH! Finally, a great social worker/therapist at the VA, a caring DAV rep and another disabled vet gave me the incentive and support to see this through. I always had thought that I'd do without (like you) until I couldn't any longer. If I had to do it over, I'd aggressively work on my claims from the beginning. Did not get P &T. I have severe hypothyroidism and I don't see it getting any better so I don't understand this.

Congratulations! I was approved Friday for 100% (up from 30) and dependent pay so I'm interested in seeing how long it takes to get paid and get the retro pay too.

Thanks to everyone. It wasn't easy but keeping in close contact with the DAV rep, reading all the inspiring stories here, the encouragement of the mental health counselor I see at the VA helped tremendously and a disabled veteran who lives next door helping with advice and his experiences with the VA. To everyone who is still working on their claims, persistence seems to be the key. Good luck and God bless to all of you.

Congratulations!

Thank you very much everyone. My DAV rep told me the big mistake I made that many of the other older vets make too is not going after the increase sooner because so many of us waited until we really needed the assistance and that makes it harder. I have 10% for hearing, 10% for tinnitus and 100% for thyroid. Finally this week, was approved for dependent pay too and that took a few days short of a year. You have to just keep after them and be persistent. Reading many of the posts here helped to keep me motivated.

With the help of a very competent DAV rep and despite numerous errors of the RO I have been upgraded to 100+ percent! We went the DBQ route in September to relook at one of my disabilities. In December received a letter from the VA and it sort of/ kind of shot me down. What I mean by that is the cover letter said that there wasn't enough new evidence to support an increase. Turn over a few pages and it said I met the criteria for an increase to 100%. That's where the great DAV guy comes in to play. He personally walked into the VARO to find out what was going on. He called me bright and early and told me I was awarded 100%. That was on Monday, 07 Jan. Latest Ebennies status was notification. Ebennies isn't cooperating since yesterday for me so I have to be patient. Sigh...

I was looking for the thumbs up to click on for Master Chief's post. Finally, after months of not being able to access anything more than the basics on e benefits I'm able to get in and then I note that evidence submitted for a medical claim has been posted on claim for dependent pay--oh, and the dependent is the same spouse I've had for the last 26 years as of the middle of this month and the VA acknowledged him 10 years ago when I graduated college under VoRehab. I will only use E benefits as a clue as to when I need to talk to my adviser at the DAV.

Lucky you. I submitted my claim for dependents in January and it's still pending. Submitted a reevaluation for thyroid in September and it was shot down--got the letter today. Of course, they didn't look at my medical records from Ft. Knox, only the VA records and I haven't seen them for several years.