indyman

It seems like the VA starts one project, then starts another project to help the first one that was dropped anyway. When a claim gets to the rating process and is being reviewed by a RVSR, in most cases would not be a fully developed claim? My claim for IU went to TOGUS, and fully developed from what I saw on ebenefits, then back to Indy for the rating phase. It must have changed status while with the USPS. Now its just sitting there.

The treatment and discharges these veterans receive stinks. Is this another way of protecting the money and having an easy out to not award disability benefits? So where did this brainstorm come from? Pentagon, DOD, VBA, VA, or higher?

I have been trying off and on all day too. Nothing. It continues to default and advises me to try later.

With the huge backlog and most of us waiting over a year for a decision, how long is a C&P exam good for? Mine just hit the six months mark and I fear they will order another and start the clock over again. I put nothing past the VA.

There is no way the RO Indy should not have your medication list. What I think happened is they lost it. And like jbasser said the RO Indy is one of the most inept RO's of the 56 or so that work claims. They have gone from 330 days wait time, to 417.2 in just a few months. And I bet they don't work OT either. Maybe on paper, but not really worked.

My twins graduate high school in June and start college in August. I submitted the forms in April and was told 7 to 9 months by the VA because they do not have anyone in Indpls assigned to dependant claims. And according to the last call I had, my IU claim could be further delayed since I have the dependant claim in.

Overtime starts at 17:01, not 6 PM. Night differential is an issue that the Union needs to address. VBA controls the union, and they are weak. All that has to be done is the union notify management that they are considering a second shift with night diff, and then there is a vote. Two wks is all that is needed, in a way of advanced notice. Two weeks for change of shift notice. I did 22 yrs + in the Fed, and we had a good union (NTEU), who went to bat for us.

I do not think 20 hrs will really have an effect, other than taking the VA employees to a new all time low in morale and productivity. What I do not understand fully is the VBA has never to my knowledge worked more than one shift, except maybe coming in an hour later and staying a hour longer. Why they don't work two shifts is beyond me. Maybe an 8 to 4 and a 2 to 10? And maybe just until the backlog starts to show some relief. And 20 hours only raises the paycheck that is ate up by the tax man.

I wonder if the VA will start testing VN vets as a precautionary measure? Most likely not.

The audio clinic did the same thing with me. I received one exam, and 45 days later I got a second one. I ask the doctor on the second one why? She told me it was to confirm what they already knew, test my hearing aids, and make sure it had not gotten worse. A lot of vets have told me the same thing. I would not get concerned, but would get a copy of the first one. No harm having a back up.

Thanks meghp0405. I did one better than just the confirmation letters. I also included a copy of each of their schedules, subjects and hours they are taking. Somewhere I was told anywhere from 90 days to 180 days you submit the forms for continued education for dependents attending school aged 18-23. If you file too early, they get lost, too late, a break in compensation. On my last award for tinnitus they approved my twins who were still in high school on my tinnitus award. That was one of my concerns on my TDIU claim which I was informed would be decided in 7-9 months. I am on my tenth month now. Thanks for the reassurance.

My twins are graduating from High School in June and starting college in August. I filed the 21-674's in April so that compensation would not be interrupted. However, I have an IU claim awaiting a decision. The average wait time in Indy is 417.2 days. I am near 300. How does the VA handle the 21-674? Will they process it, or did I start the clock over again? Or will they just put it in the claim file and process it along with my IU claim, and then pay retro. Anyone had this issue before?

Did you mean TL 07-10? I can not find the other referance you made. Thanks.

I got a call from the VA RO Indy yesterday informing me that my claim would be another 7 to 9 months befor a decision is made. I have the following questions C&P exam showed worsening lower PN, moderately severe. Upper PN with a severity of moderate. The NP clearly identified the worsening conditions. I contacted my VA doctor in Neurology because of leg cramps and she increased my meds, and she also noticed the C&P exam on my worsening LPN/UPN, with an appointment scheduled in June. If I submit evidence of worsening SC's mentioned above, should I request the evidence be attached to my pending claim for IU, or submit a 21-526ez for an increase. I just can not see waiting 7 to 9 months for the award or denial and then make the appeal, and start another claim for the worsening SC's. The NP C&P notes are with my IU claim. When I go to Neurology and my doctor states upper and lower PN have worsened, should I send in that evidence for attachment or do the 21-526ez for an increased schedular rating.

Oh, worrying about dates is no longer a concern to me after the call I got on Friday, 5-3. The caller was from the Indy RO and was returning my inquiry call about a decision on my claim. Well, it seems that when I called 1-800-no nothing I was just told things they knew I wanted to hear. The caller on Friday told me it would be AT LEAST seven to nine more MONTHS before a decision was to be made. I'm at 10 months now. The caller told me that the current wait time is 18 to 24 months and that is if all evidence is with them.

Today I called the VA at their number (1-800-827-1000) and was told I had a fifteen minute wait time. I then was given the option of leaving my name, and phone number and would be called back by VA. Exactly fifteen minutes later I get a call and I am on hold for another two minutes listening to elevator music. Then I was connected to a very NICE lady who wanted to know the purpose of my call. I explained that I had a claim for IU, and that I had taken the C&P over 90 days ago. She looked up my claim and advised me that my claim has passed the deadline. Deadline? What deadline? She continued to tell me that when a claim is being rated and has passed a certain amount of time she can request an inquiry on the reason for the delay. Further she would have someone from the VA call me and respond in writing within 10 days. I was issued a referance number in case I wanted to call again or did not get a call on my inquiry. Have any of you hadit viewers experienced this? Is is positive or negative? Or as I suspect is my claim setting on someones desk awaiting its turn.

I wonder how many of those high ranking officials that lost their bonuses were vets themselves.

I am not in favor of this over the week end idea that was thought up to make the VBA look like they have initiated a claims backlog cure to everything. I think the benefit of the doubt rule will be bypassed and the claims denied. When RVSR's work under a quota system, denials will become widespread, and the bonuses will keep on rolling in.

Spec4RVN1971 is giving good advice, do not give up. I started out with 10%, and did not walk away all warm and fuzzy. I stayed the course and now I am at 70% and hoping for TDIU. Stay the course, read the law and regs, and remain a thorn in the VA's side. Best of luck to you.

I am a life member of the DAV (since 1987), and I wish I was not. But all the SO'S have good and bad points. So, my next VSO will be my attorney.

If the percentage of denials increases to a higher rate, I think the VBA will implode if they aren't already.

Since mine is a TDIU claim, I presume its a regular claim too? I'm quickly closing in on 300 day wait time; I think I will be sent to the end of the line.

I know how you feel. The grand run around is so wide spread now that it would take an executive order to get things going. The VA has sanctions against right now, but they don't care. There is no accountability. I know that does not help you guys out, but I have been reading so many blogs on what is going on in D.C. with the VA I do not know how the secretary is surviving. The "I don't care attitude, and guarding the coffers mentality" starts at the top. Good luck to you and your husband.

No diagnosis of Pulmanonary HTN that I know of, and one episode of emergency room visit at VA for chest pain. Would I be wasting my time and at the same time gumming up my TDIU claim.

I had appointments at VA yesterday, and when they were taking my vitals my BP was high, and my heart rate was 124. They gave me three EKG's, and had me rest in a "quiet room" for almost two hrs while they monitored my BP and heart rate. It finally went down to within the normal range. I'm currently SC for HTN at 20%, and I take metaprolol for the heart rate. My metaprolol was increased from 40mg X 2 a day to 100mg X2 a day. Is the heart rate secondary to HTN, or a separate heart problem. Also, should I file a 21-526ez if they are linked, or just a statement in support of claim? And how will this effect my TDIU claim currently in the discision phase? Should I wait or follow through with it. Any help out there?