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Geeky, its cool no worries. Buck52, I chose the Supplemental lane and provided relevant evidence as such please look at ETS diagnosis prior to getting out of service. I am just surprised that VA states that it was not service connected when numerous documents show that I was diagnosed with anxiety in service. ETSinservicedocument.pdf

ram-esq, Thanks for the advice, I do believe that RAMP being a pilot program was risky and therefore seemingly getting a decision prior to the new appeals process is what was anticipated. I am disappointed in the VA and how they continue to give us false hope in believing that they are truly here to assist, when this whole process is not only new but beginning to get quite frustrating. I was already a little over a year into my DRO appeal prior to opting into RAMP and would seem as though I lost my place, having to start over into the new appeals process. I really hope not but I am not getting any responses to individuals that are still in RAMP from my DAV office, speaking with PEGGY they don't have much if any at all from what representative is saying, nor on this site. I may just have to reach out to DAV on Monday and start asking for them to do more than just a status update.

GeekySquid, I would have been notified if I received a SOC or SSOC correct? This is my first appeal and am not to familiar with the process. If they usually notify of SOC/SSOC, well they haven't done anything yet.

vetquest, This is the same question that I had asked my DAV rep. I was never sent to a Pysch for PTSD on any C and P exams, it was strictly anxiety. My IMO was for anxiety and my C & P exam was for anxiety. I was confused as well how they could send me to another C & P exam. My DAV rep states that they never really got an opinion (due to first psych. doc stating mere speculation) so they could send me to another one. I then question that fact that how could they deny such a claim?? Both my IMO and most recent C & P exam matched the verbiage "at least likely as not."

Shrek, I think if in the next few weeks nothing changes then I may just have to start "poking the bear." I wish McCain was still alive I know that he would have assisted me in the process but now I am not even sure who is the senator here in AZ and how much he supports veterans. Thanks for the advice.

Hello everybody, I wanted to post this under the RAMP program but seems to be disabled or discontinued area to post. Anways short background is I a filed claim for anxiety and PTSD in Sept. 2016 was denied, appealed to DRO Aug. 2017, accepted to be put into the RAMP program Aug. 2018 in Supplemental claim with the initial completion date to be June 8th 2019. Called PEGGY yesterday to find out if they have had any movement and was told by individual that he really doesn't see anybody in RAMP anymore. Asked if he could dig a little deeper and he stated he would send an inquiry to the RO dealing with my claim (assuming its still in Phoenix AZ). So I checked VA.gov today and now my estimated completion date was pushed out from a completion date of tomorrow to July 10th, 2020. I thought that RAMP was a pilot program that basically the VA was attempting to complete most claims submitted for the results and find out if this new appeals process would work? Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like I should have just stayed in the DRO and not taken the risk if they are going to take the same time to complete if I didn't opt into RAMP. I was initially denied for mental health disabilities due to my psychologist doing the C and P exam (in 2016) stating "I cannot answer whether the disabilities started in service without mere speculation." Then the VA asked her to give an answer along the lines of most likely or not, direct, less likely, etc. She wouldn't answer and I was denied benefits. I had an IMO which gave me a an "at least likely as not" for service connection and filed an appeal. Then during this RAMP in March 2019 VA sent me to another C and P exam offsite and was given the same "at least likely as not" for anxiety service connection. I was diagnosed with anxiety, insomnia, shortness of breath/panic attacks during service which seemed kind of straight forward when applying for anxiety but I guess not. I guess I am asking is there anybody else out there that has a RAMP with a completion date of July 2020 or later? Does the claim seem relevant, meaning diagnosed with anxiety in service and given diagnosis of anxiety from VA mental health/private provider within few months of recent C and P? Is RAMP a long term appeals process or should I be hounding my back burner DAV rep. who seems to be busy all the time? Also I have been in a preparation for decision phase since the last C and P exam which was March 2019, for all my other claims once it hit this stage it went a lot faster. Any advice would be great, thanx! Christopher Herrington

With some of these RAMPS getting denied are any of you getting a C and P exam? Or is the VA still utilizing the old C and P's that are dated over a year ago? I know that in this current DRO appeal I have since Aug. 2016 and now currently in RAMP I have submitted a Medical Opinion which the psychiatrist believes "Is at least likely (50%)" service connected. I agree with some of you as well that even if the RAMP get's denied I am willing to go as long as possible with the VA through all hoops to find a competent individual (referring to both C/P doc's and VA). I am also in Phoenix AZ. Originally my DRO was in Phoenix AZ, then was told by PEGGY that Phoenix AZ is one of the RAMP startups area so RO sent my DRO to St. Louis where it collected dust, then since opting into RAMP will go back to Phoenix AZ. I will keep posting updates regarding the RAMP process as it moves along but I believe I am caught in another dust pile for a minute.

Update..A few days after speaking with the Supervisor on Peggy line and relaying the issues of legacy process not transferring into RAMP the issue is resolved. I am now in RAMP and the effective date remained the same as of 8/7/2018. Estimated time of completion is between 6/2019-1/2020, this seems a little longer than anticipated? Anybody have their estimated times be almost a year out at minimum? Thanx.

Well no hiding from this VA rating system. I am in Phoenix AZ, that 1 star should have showed an improvement. I have decided to move to the suburbs outside of Phoenix and seek treatment at another location. Hopefully we improve. VA Phoenix AZ largest problem is the wait times, attempting to get you in and out without follow up, and when follow-up occurs you have to wait the typical 2-3 months for your appointment with primary care.

Buck52, I agree I hear that the RAMP is good and that is why I opted into this pilot program. I am giving information to individuals that may find themselves at a crossroads with RAMP opt-in letters not being validated by RO or PEGGY. Hence, making a stall in the process and end up taking longer/longer/longer which many of have already been waiting long enough. I actually opted-in through my DAV representative and therefore, I thought that all ducks in a row for submission.

Hello everybody, Update. Last Monday (6 days ago) I contacted VA PEGGY who notified me that they would be sending an inquiry to RO to why my RAMP hasn't been changed from the legacy process to RAMP. PEGGY stated to call by end of week to reference a # she gave me and see if it was change. Called yesterday which is Friday to be told that my process is still in legacy process. Notified PEGGY that she needs to dig deeper and fix this issue. PEGGY put me on hold for a while and returned with a supervisor on the phone. I was told, "Anybody that opts into RAMP prior to the FEB 2019 date and is hasn't switched within a reasonable amount of time (old legacy to RAMP) probably 2 weeks needs to immediately contact PEGGY to have a supervisor contact the their RO directly. PEGGY supervisor apologized and stated she would NO longer send inquiries for this matter and should have been handled with a direct phone call to establish RAMP if RO isn't moving." I am happy with the phone call outcome, but well see what happens next. Hope this info helps anybody looking for info if VA continues to mess around with RAMP!

Ladyboxbags, Wow that is shameful. Are you in the RAMP since 3/2018? You say you had many appointments, did they send you to a C and P for your disabilities? Or are you still in the legacy process? I understand the feelings of wanting to give up and just say screw it. But I hope you continue to fight for what is earned and most importantly get the treatment for the disabilities claimed. Keep us posted.

kanewnut, I thought maybe its possible that DRO is looking into my appeal? I wasn't sure. I wouldn't mind moving forward with DRO I just wish the VA would keep me informed on such a decision. That away I don't waste my time calling and waste the VA time. After you sent the RAMP why would the VA send you to BVA? That is weird.

Hello everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if anybody else is having the same problem as me with the RAMP process. I have been in DRO appeal since Aug. 2017, no real movement. I received the Opt-In letter for Ramp end of July 2018. I opted into the RAMP August 1 and was in VA system by August 8 2018. I noticed after 45 days that e-benefits still showing DRO. I thought weird, contacted 1-800 Peggy who stated that they didn't even close out my DRO yet and shouldn't have happened. Peggy states "We got you," I laughed and said its okay your are the VA. Now almost sitting at 90 days in beginning of November. I check E-benefits my DRO is still open, I thought E-benefits is pretty dreadful. Called 1-800 Peggy who stated "I see you opted in RAMP back in August and what do you know your Appeal is still in DRO." I laughed again and requested how many circles do I have to go into before just leaving this damn thing in the air. I attempt to reach DAV with problems and not sure anymore where to turn. Let me know if anybody else is having the same issues with RAMP? Someone throw a 4 leaf clover my way, thx.

Thank you for this information. I will utilize the website and put in a request. I let you know if this website provides useful information that away other veterans are able to utilize this as well.