McRay

Yes, well said. I find this to be an incredibly complicated process that is changing quickly. In addition, there seems to be a certain amount of taking things on faith and I'm dealing with someone 2500 miles away. I like to 'kick the tire' and 'bite the coin' to get a gut feeling, but in this case it's impossible. MY VSO recommended the firm, and I took his word and signed with them. However, that doesn't change my desire to try and jump in and understand the process. And.. sometimes my ego gets in the way.

Ok, I'll explain more thoroughly. I'm not sure I understand how this forum works, I don't see the previous posts by Berta that would have made this more clear. Yes, the information that my appeal would be initialized through the traditional process and then switch to RAMP. came from the law firm handling my case. I don't know why he's doing it that way, and I haven't spoken with him to be able to understand his logic as I have been communicating with the firm through a case manager. According to my copy of the NOD, he is also requesting an SOC and will be submitting more info as to why the percentage and effective date are in error.. I've been told this is an exceptionally good law firm and having paid them a substantial amount so far, I will probably take their advice. Or not.

I got the info on the RAMP. They chose the traditional process to initialize the appeal and then will put it in RAMP program when argument is finalized.

Thanks for the reply. I'm amazed at how similar our two situations are. I had a severe schizophrenic episode as I was leaving Germany that may have been precipitated by a concussion received in m/c accident. Truth is I don't know.. Atty is Bergmann & Moore firm (Joe Moore) in Bethesda. I haven't discussed the case with him, only my case manager. She says they've found evidence/records that weren't available during original claim decision. After I was originally turned down in 1978, I was pissed off and gave up. Probably had a lot to do with my psychiatric state at the time... I got a copy of the NOD today and atty is requesting 'traditional appeal process' and a statement of the case. I was in hopes of a RAMP appeal, to speed things up, but I suppose I can wait another couple of years, if necessary. I will mention the case you stated when I talk to atty.

Just remembered to give update. I was awarded 50% on appeal and an effective date of Sept. 2015. My atty has filed a NOD and tells me they will litigate for an effective date of 1978 because VA didn't have all my records when original claim was denied.

First post here. I have just won 3 appeals that I filed, according to vets.gov website. My first claim was submitted in 1978. According to the website, my appeal was granted for PTSD and 2 other conditions on Sept. 10th. I didn't realize this at first because I kept checking on the ebenefits website and all it said was appeal complete. Then a pop-up appeared to try the new website and I saw that my 3 appeals had been granted and for which issues. However, that was Sept. 10, and I still haven't gotten anything in writing. I've had my atty check and they can't seem to find out anything either. I called the Regional number listed on vets.gov and I did find out is that my granted, closed appeal was brokered out to an office in West VA and that there's another appeal for service connection for PTSD, filed less that 30 days later in Salt Lake City? I don't understand why there are two appeals for PTSD listed, it seems like needless duplication that I'm sure will slow down my claim. Anyone else had a situation like this? Any idea of time frame? I would like this to settle quickly, obviously for back monetary benefits but also because I'm having to travel a long ways to get care at a VA hospital. When I question the atty's office, they're positive and tell me the longer it takes to get the decision, the better off I may be. Thanks!