harleyman

ok enough already! I really admire all of you at Hadit who have hung in and helped Tbird over the years fullfill her dearm of helping Veterans and making sure NO ONE is left behind.

You know I must tell you. There was a time at the VA when VA employees were not able to access Hadit from their computers. Hadit was "blocked". It was a while ago, but NOW I can take my lunch at my desk and log onto the computer and read posts on the Hadit forum. So times are changing and things really are looking better at the VA.

It's just that technology has changed so rapidly the VA was not able to stay caught up like they should have been, I do agree things have been pretty screwed up in the claims process. But I do see progress. I just hope the mandate to clear claims isn't at the cost of processing claims and NOT ordering exams for Veterans who have in the past not been afforded the "modern" records keeping, such as the computer saved and processed records system that our Gulf War vets have. The records prior to Gulf War are sparten, incomplete, burned, distroyed, lost, and just plain tossed in the trash.

I am one person, but together we are many and we can make a difference. Thank you all for your service in helping Veterans and helpig me with my claim as well.

This past couple of weeks the VA has changed the way FDC claims are processed. We have just received more training and Fast Letters and emails on the FDC claims processing. These FDC claims were originally processed by the special ops team, then they were moved to the express teams. As FDC claims have increased, partially because the word is out that they move more quickly, but mainly because VA has been working with the VSOs, asking them to "push" FDC claims. The number of new claims filed as FDC claims has skyrocketed.

The FDC claims are now making up about 29% of all new claims filed. The VA has moved the FDC claims where they will be worked by all teams depending on the issues claimed. And they will have priority status on all teams.

1 to 2 issues only -worked by Express Team - called quick easy claims- usually less experienced VSR/RVSRs

3 or more issues (and /or all issues of IU and DM) - worked by the more experienced CORE team

FDC that includes priority processing such as homeless, MST,TBI - worked by the Special Ops Team, handles special issues

All teams will work these claims as a priority with working toward a 90 days completion average. (remember average) some will take longer than others for sure. This is based on the amount of development needed on the Federal side. There is no development on the Veteran's side in an FDC claim. Once you file the claim you cannot send in any other information or respond to any letters the VA sends you about your claim or it will be excluded from the program.

You may have to decide if the information you are being asked for will have an affect the decision, and is it worth pulling the claim from the FDC program in order to get the results you want in the end rating decision. It might take longer for a decision but remember all decisions are ultimately based on the evidence. If VA asks for something and you don't send it because you want a quick decision, you may get a denial because the VA needed more evidence.

Inherently, FDC letters are suppose to be complete when they are submitted with no further involvemnt needed from the Veteran. So if you file a FDC claim, and VA sends you something regarding your claim,, read your correspondance from VA very carefully, and then decide to respond or not to respond. As once you send in addtional information your claim is excluded from the program- H

The VA does get credit for a denpendecy EP 130- because there is an Award involved but it does NOT require a rating decision. The VA gets credit for all the work it does it is like T8r said, it is tracked under a specific traking code called an End Product (EP) with a 3 digit number following the EP.

This allows everyone to know what is going on with your case by lookin at the VOR report. This report list all pending EPs for all claims within certain dearch criteria. The report tells them your name, file number, how old the claim is, location of the claims file, and more.

At our RO we do not generally stop everything to send your file to the FOIA team for copying. Once all action is complete it goes, or once there is a break in waiting for evidence it goes. There is usually about a 4 to 6 month wait for copying files.As we go papaerless it will be easy to get copies as you will be able to print them yourself through eBenefits. (hopefully).

If you have filed an FDC claim and you want your claim to continue to be processed as an FDC CLAM, DO NOT send the VA anything having to do with your FDC claim. The minute the VA gets anything, including a VA FORM 27-0820, which documents a telephone call asking the VSR or RVSR a question about your claim, (other than when will it be completed) will KNOCK YOUR CLAIM OUT OF THE FDC PROGRAM and your claim moves to the regular claim process. Do Not send in records, all extra information received will exclude your claim from the FDC program.
The information about 5103 is not totally accurate. I am planning a post with regard to 5103 and the up's and down's and in's and out's about this topic as soon as I can.