Wayne TX

I got to 50% on my own (starting back in 2009) doing all the work myself and then just handing it over to a VSO to electronically file for me....usually at VAMC.....to insure VA got it! But once I got to 50% the games started with ultra stupid denial reasons and I knew I'm heading to a VideoConference Judge if upcoming RAMP results are not as anticipated. I have been fighting VA over OSA since 2015, and all they can say despite mounds of evidence, CPAP, two positive tests, and IMO's citing secondary SC connections has been this lame...."active duty records are silent for sleep complaints." They fight everyone seeking a 50% disability rating....not an easy one to win anymore even with a winning hand.

Bronco.....I agree with so much you say. Attorneys are not about hand holding and very short in their email replies if any given at all......phone calls.......hmmm lucky to get one every 6 months. I elected to opt into RAMP. I did not even ask my attorney his opinion because I already knew I was better off giving RAMP a whirl than waiting several more years for my time to come around in Legacy. I have no idea how my 4 Appeals will measure out, but I can say this one positive about RAMP......... I opt in May 10......94 days later (today) I am sitting at Pending Decision Approval, which means something should shake down within the next 30 days. That was never going to happen sitting in my spot in line in Legacy. I was looking at a minimum two more years, and now I should see a decision forthcoming within months. HUGE!

I agree 2 weeks tops.....best of luck. Estimated Completion: 08/27/2018 - 09/17/2018........yesterday it was showing 8-27 to 11-11.

Today Day 92 since I opted into RAMP. eBenefits went from Claim Received silence straight to Pending Decision Approval. These Appeals are all HLR with requested Informal TeleConference, which has still yet to take place. Asking if anyone else here has got to this point and an Informal TeleConference either happened after this notice given or it never happened? I am happy to see this kind of movement inside 100 days but this may still drag out to the full 125 or longer. Status of Your Claim: Estimated Completion: 08/27/2018 - 09/17/2018

Today marks Day 92 since I opted into RAMP and today eBenefits went from Claim Received status straight to Pending Decision Approval. These Appeals are all HLR with requested Informal TeleConference, which has still yet to take place. I am just wondering if anyone else has got to this point and an Informal TeleConference either happened after this notice was given or never happened at all? I said I would let everyone know when I knew something. Status of Your Claim PENDING DECISION APPROVAL Submitted: 05/10/2018 (Appeal) Estimated Completion: 08/27/2018 - 09/17/2018

Your moving along at a nice clip......good luck.

Julio....if I was in your shoes I'd do the same thing. RAMP is suited for those who have filed NOD's over the past two years as they'll still have to wait another 3 years.

Great point! Never give up.

I am at day 86.....RAMP HLR. I actually got a PEGGY who was not scripted and was actually helpful. He told me where my appeal was being processed and that he counted 6 notes made to date. THat is about as much as you can get and more info than most get. They won't tell you the current stage of development so not point asking. It all comes down to what PEGGY picks up your call.......got a few that were borderline rude but all are required to say "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!" I was in Legacy with a Form 9 for two years and was still looking at a good 3 years to a probable Hearing Date so I took a chance on RAMP and so far I am ok with my decision.

Well said and agree.

Well done on doing it right.......hard to beat well grounded evidence.

AVF......was this done through RAMP?

CONGRATS pwrslm on the increase.........that was fast.......when did you opt-in and what Lane....HLR or Suppl? What VARO handled your file?

Hi Buck.....to answer your Q......NWQ = National Work Queue and W-S = Winston-Salem VARO. AskNod knows his stuff......nice of him to explain.......VA prefers to keep us in the dark.

AskNod......thank you for explaining......just a quick Q......if you filed a HLR with an Informal Phone Conversation do they normally tell you then (on the call) what they are granting and denying and if you disagree is making additional arguments at that point make any real difference? I was under the impression the Phone Call was an opportunity to explain Veteran’s position more clearly and where VA has screwed up?

I was told via PEGGY last week that my RAMP Appeal has been with the Winston-Salem VARO since July 9th. Nothing was mentioned about Seattle.......and I have alSO read that multi VAROS were also doing RAMP exclusively like Seattle, Phoenix, Waco, St. Petersburg, Denver and a few others. Please explain what Seattle is about since PEGGY is telling us different info?

Has anyone else here have RAMP working out of the Winston-Salem, NC VARO office. Just curious if any decision outcomes out of that office. Day 77 here. Happy to know it is not at my original Waco VARO.........slow as Hell there.

This is weird........I see where a few here are getting decisions in the range of 90 days or less and others are saying with earlier opt-in dates that they're still showing only CLAIM RECEIVED. In your case to opt-in on April 5 and to have your attorney doing the Informal Phone Conference 2 1/2 months late is outstanding response time. Keep us posted. I am in Day 67 and still showing just CLAIM RECEIVED....nothing more. Do you know what office they are working your appeal?

How in the World did you get from May 17 opt-in to a decision in just two months? This sounds like a RAMP record to me. I am a VSO in Texas........to answer your question file now for Appeal Board Lane, As I understand they will start looking at those Appeals in October 2018 as a test-run leading up to releasing the full model in February 2019. That is the way to go and the sooner you file I would assume the better and earlier your will get in front of a Judge. I would recommend asking for a Hearing....might take longer but you then get to make your case in front of a Video Judge or maybe even a live Judge.....and a lot of times that is the difference-maker you need and want. Good luck and keep us posted with your case.

That's a lot faster progress than I ever expected for an April 5 opt-in.......do keep us informed. My HLR with a Informal Phone went in May 10. I'm sure a phone call is still forthcoming coming especially with attorney as rep..

I took the plunge into RAMP 3 weeks ago.......I got an invite on April 2, but I still waited 5 weeks more because I wanted to hear more and read more reviews. it comes down to exactly what Bronco says.......RAMP is more scary to VSOs and Attorneys than it is to the Veteran. We (Veterans) want results in 125 days - not 4/5 years waiting out the Legacy backlog. RAMP may make some mistakes but it does hold the promise of a faster resolve and even if denied we can still opt into other lanes faster than still staying put in Legacy backlog.

I agree with you Bronco........I have been sitting over 2 years in Legacy now and based on the fact they're still working on 2014 claims I can see another two years of waiting very easily.......no I will take my chances with RAMP.......they may even take longer than 125 days but that still beats a guaranteed 2 and possibly 3 years stuck in legacy backlog.

RAMP is the only option available unless you want to wait 3-4 more years in Legacy to get a decision. 125 days sounds a lot better than 3-4 years.

Excellent information there Bronco....TY!

Got a Q for anyone......I am considering RAMP as well..........here is my Q: If you had more than one Appeal denied in recent months can you just submit the one you think is the strongest of the denied to test the RAMP waters before putting all the rest now sitting in wait with Legacy now into RAMP?