Singularity

Thank you all. It's encouraging to know others have been there and I can come here and get some advice or even a small boost. I was going to go VA first because I heard SSA would expedite things once I had a proven VA claim (which I know I have if they would just be honest and do their job with a little consideration and timeliness)..... I didn't count on the VA screwing me over this way for this long..not with a FDC- didn't even see that coming. My case should have been open and shut. ...nothing I can do I guess...........thanks VA, thanks a lot

I would be interested in anything anyone might share that could help. I have a FDC filed 10 months ago. Since active duty, my condition has gotten worse and worse over the years. I now can't hold a job and have been unemployed 35% of the time since release from active duty. I always get fired because of my disability & none will hire me because of my record of being fired (because of my disability) so many times. Last time I was unemployed for over 18 months straight and right now am unemployed for going on 6 months. I may never be able to get a job again. I am unemployable and submitted evidence to show this. As of today, 'Eben' says 'final review complete, still collecting evidence and that they cannot determine a date it will be done'. I filed a hardship/expeditie request 4 months ago, but still stalled out and no info from anyone. I have a nexus letter saying my conditions are related to incidents during my active duty. I can't figure what the delay with my claim could be. There is just no reason why my FDC should be stalled like it appears to be. FDC's should be solved in a max of about 6 mo, right? I am thinking of filing for SSD using the nexus letter from my doctor & my evidence. Thanks to all reading

All, thank you. A little update. I called her and asked her if she could & if she would feel it was appropriate to provide me with a 'nexus' letter stating service connection was more than likely. Without hesitation she said yes and within the day, I had a letter that stated "it is more likely than not that the veteran's current condition is related to his service on active duty". She is certified but not a full on psychiatrist. You are all so helpful and I am grateful you are here.

I am really overwhelmed by all your answers and willingness to even offer support through all your experiences and information. So many thanks to all for listening- I apologize for sounding distressed, I just don't know what to do and I feel the last bit of hope for my family to even be able to exist, is now gone.

Hi all & thanks. To clarify some details I left out (sorry), I did file my FDC at a VA office close to the 'regional' office. I filed with a VA employee who is supposed to also be a member of the VSO they highly recommended. I've never visited my VSO in person, I am trying to get hold of them so I can go there but they have failed to return all calls to date. I should have been clearer on the VSO & VRO being in the same place, as I put it.........they do have different phone numbers but they also have the same physical address. Yes, I did find out Georgiapapa; that when I call the VRO # they never accept the incoming call, it always says they are "experiencing high call volume" and there is no way I can even leave a message. I wonder if I just went down there and showed up, would they let me in so I could ask questions and see my file? To answer as to if I have proof of my claim being seen. Yes I do. A few days ago I was FINALLY scheduled for my c&p exam and I have gone on 'Ebenefits' just a couple days ago and can see a list of what appears to be all documents I submitted with my FDC. Of course I can't tell for sure because the documents are named whatever the VA chose to name each one and there is no way to download anything to view it on 'ebenefits' (and verify they are the documents I gave them). I guess my next move is to continue to hound my VSO and hope I can schedule a time to go there in person to view my 'c-file' (to see if it's accurate)?? And if I can't get them to answer up, get rid of them as my VSO and go it alone as Lotzaspotz says (although I am afraid by giving them the "axe" as my VSO, it will make me into a marked person if they are also VRO employees). Thanks to you BOTH for the answers, questions and info / impressions so far. I was mainly wondering do they treat everyone like this (ignore and BS them), or is it just me? And what the heck did I do to deserve it.

Hi to all. New member here. I filed a fully developed claim over 8 months ago and since then I haven't received even one call or communication that originated from my "VRO" or "VSO". I looked up the number for my VSO and they gave me a number in my state. It rings the VRO, but when they answer the phone they say they are also the VSO. Is this normal? (VSO "officers" taking VSO calls at the VRO? It seems like a conflict of interest and it's confusing because I don't know if I am talking to someone objective or on my side vs. someone at the VA who might not be objective or even want to talk.) Any advice appreciated on this. Also- When I called my "VRO", the claims person I spoke with wouldn't even give me an email address to send a document to that they said they have been seeking from other sources (the gov). The very document that was supposed to be "a reason" for my claim being delayed. So they said they need this document, have requested it from another source (the gov), but would take the copies I have of them, and then basically told me I couldn't have their email or anyone's email there because they are evidently treated like "state secrets". What gives? To sum it up- no one has ever called me (VRO or VSO). When I call them, both numbers ring the same place. When I call them, they tell me nothing. They won't even return a call (not ever- not even once). That doesn't fill me with warm feelings considering I have a document on my claim that I signed giving them the power to be my "VSO". As far as I can tell these are all VRO employees, but i don't know - how can they possibly represent me in any good way when I know for a fact the VRO put my claim on "silent hold" because the gov was missing a document that would not have any impact on my condition, anyway (and they would have never told me what the deal was, had I not called them). Is this all 'normal' VSO & VRO behavior toward a claimant? I thought the VSO was on my side but it appears to me they have little interest. Frustrated - thanks in advance for your help.