USAFSP79

The award is just for Service Connection. The highlights are: " disability...had it's onset in service"; "disability....was incurred in service." ;

My Brothers and Sisters, I know that some have waited for longer than I for an answer to a claim, but I kept the fight going more than the faith at times. I recently received notice from the BVA that my case was settled in my favor! Only 4 1/2 years in the waiting but worth it in the end. But I do have some questions that maybe some with experience can help me with: How long do I now have to wait until a rater gives a response? It will go to St Paul MN I assume. As well as when does the check show up? My claim was decided in my favor for: patellofemoral syndrome,patellofemoral chondromalacia, and chronic retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee. Any ideas on what the % might be? Thanks in advance!!!

Well, I did an Inquiry earlier this week, and all of a sudden, my case went from prep for decision to complete! I can only guess that it's been denied of course. It states that appeal is possible, so thats how I came to this conclusion. Letter is on the way..... time to start the appeal.

I think the most frustrating thing is the "self frustration". I seem to miss more and more work because of these issues. My paycheck gets smaller and I have to decide what bills get paid this week and don't. If it wasn't for my FMLA claim, I could possibly be "let go". My wife is more frustrated then me with this whole process and the missing work issue; maybe since she wasn't in the service, she doesn't understand. When I try to explain,, she shakes her head in disbelief. My three sons have/are serving and they tell her the same thing. Just venting here.....

My claim has been in the "prep for decision" phase since 26 July 13 in the St Paul RO. No word yet so I called Peggy...last week and this week. The folks I talked to seemed to be very helpful and answered all of my questions. I keep checking ebenefits, my bank account etc. Peggy told me that my claim had been "moved to a different lane" twice in two weeks in December. Something that neither ebenefits, my VSO or DAV rep could tell me. Peggy stated that I should do an Inquiry (IRIS I assume?), since it should have not taken this long in that phase. My question is this: Is this a good sign or bad? Thanks for any help and/or comments. In the defense of the St Paul RO; it is my understanding that they are near the tops in the country for completion of claims. Approved or denied, I don't know. But since we are dealing with the government, we all know what the reward is for doing good work.....MORE WORK! St Paul RO has been given some of the backlog from other regions of the VA to complete. I wish them luck and my hat is off to them, but I hope this doesn't put them further behind.