lawrencebe

Tomorrow will mark 7 years that I’ve been waiting for the VA to make a decision on my original claim. Currently I’ve been waiting 6 years for a DRO review to be completed, since August 2013, and while things were moving earlier this year with exams, it seems as if my claim has stalled since July of this year. I’m currently Hardship flagged and hopefully waiting for something soon but I’m just seeing if there’s ANYTHING I can do to get this thing moving. 
I have a current White House VA case pending, I’ve contacted lawyers who can’t help until I get an SSOC, my VSO can only give me the “hang in there” speech and my congressman hasn’t replied to my email for assistance. IRIS gives me the same statement that the 800# gives and I can’t opt into any AMA lanes until I get an SSOC. The RO in Oakland has no answers either and after tomorrow I believe it will be time I move on from this VA circus and focus on something else. I just need to know is there anything else I can do?
If I’ve done all I can and need to wait then that’s ok. I feel like I’ve given this a good fight since last April to at least get this far but if there’s anything I can do can you guys let me know?
Thanks for your guys help...

We cannot tell you hold long it takes as it goes into the hopper and is decided on by the next rater that has an opening.  It is no longer handled exclusively by your RO.  I wish I could give you a timeframe but I cannot.

Vetquest is of course right; no way of knowing how long this can take. Maybe I missed something here but you are talking about back pay. Have you seen a copy of the C&P and was it favorable? You still have to be rated after that and sometimes, as you know, the VA doesn't act or do what it should. And then you have the additional hurdle of EED; be prepared to have to appeal what they give you for the effective date. Basically, I am saying don't get overly optimistic; wait to see what your decision letter says.

Update 6/30/2019
 
Made it to my appointments yesterday for razor bumps,  back, knees, and ankles. Luckily I had the EXACT SAME examiner from last year who remembered me. While I understand updating about appointments isn’t exciting I want to point this out to those who will be reading this later.
IF YOU ARE APPEALING YOUR DECISIONS MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE CLAIM THAT WAS DENIED IS ON THAT APPEAL. 
What do I mean?
If you were denied for certain parts of your claim, and you choose to appeal (I suggest you research other options before appealing), please ensure you have everything on that appeal form that was denied. When I mean everything I mean everything. 
Let me tell you why...
My appointment yesterday was literally done for a second time because my VSO failed to properly fill out my paperwork. He only put 5 out of my 10 claims on appeal. My decision that was won earlier this month took 6 years because of incompetence on that VSO and my ignorance not researching what to do on my own. I was also screwed out of an earlier effective date because 5 of my claims were a “Reopen” instead of being on appeal. 
While winning is great I want you to calculate, let say, $440x81. That’s a lot of money right? 
Your back pay is the major reason why double checking your paperwork is important. I lost possibly over $25K due to inaccuracies in paperwork and fighting what you signed in a legal document, in the form of a CUE claim, will be next to impossible. The VA will overturn errors on their end but things you fail to do, like filing the wrong paperwork or not paying attention to what is written on/in that paperwork that you turn in or someone else does for you, does NOT qualify as Clear and Unmistakable Errors. 
 
Until next time...
peace

Update - 5/19/2019
All of my requests have beeen closed for my October 2018 “Repoen” and my DRO decision is still pending. 
I will continue to update this thread whenever I get some traction for those who will read this in the future. I know it’s gona be tough, I know the anxiety is going to kill you, but just keep going. If you’re like me you’ve already contacted the White House Hotline cause yo weee fed up. 
Some things Im doing to keep sane during this process:
1. Went to every apppont I had and responded to all VA correspondence PROMPTLY. 
2. Had a 3-n-1 printer (with fax) in my home. Faxing is almost $2.00 at places like FedEx Kinkos so this little investment will pay off.
3. Had a binder oganized and ready to go at ALL times. C-File, VA appointments, C&P exams, originals of faxes, military records all the way down to the Memorandums I had from different units. I also made sure 
4. I STOPPED contacting my VSOs unless I had an update or wanted to check in. 
5. I regularly check VA.gov (2x a week Tuesday’s and Thursday’s) to check my status. Checking everyday stresses me out but not checking made it worse so 2x a week was a good balance. 
6. I called the hotline once a month. Listen you’re gonna get the usual VA when someone answers the phone. 
And last but not least
Lived life
I’m in my Sophomore year of college on the VAs dime, getting my monthly stipend. I work, spend time with family and friends, I do cardio 5x a week, whether it’s walking or the treadmill or or riding the stationary bike, and just live normally as best as I can. This process can be hard and lengthy but at this point I’m living so VA money or not I’m going to keep pushing.
I also read and post in this forum, not to find pittt or wallow in self doubt, but  to keep hope alive and see the many who have fought and won. 
So until my next update
 
✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾
 
 

Called them today and they’re only looking for 100% Disability cases where vets are unemployed. They sent my situation to one of there other partner firms. It’s a definit start!