Kihr

This is the biggest tragedy of all to me. There are several big VA help forums, reddit VA forums, youtube channels, etc. I consider myself a fairly smart guy and after all the reading and research I did after putting in my claim last year I can see where I made my claim take longer by using imprecise "non-VA" language. The people who are writing the procedures etc are writing it as if to explain to someone who is well versed in the technical jargon (though the BBE's are usually pretty straightforward from what I gather, though confusingly organized). Sometimes I regret ever putting in an increase or a claim because it causes me a headache, it has been nearly a year for an increase claim and I am still waiting. Had I known then what I know now I would have been much more specific, I would have organized my claim better etc. VSO's are hit or miss, it is difficult to have national standards for VSO's as they are all different types of organizations...but the VA itself should put out a template that is easy to use and understand for the layman. In fact, they should investigate which claims were the quickest to approval and see how they were laid out, provide a template based on a "Very good" claim and then instruct VSO's and Veterans to follow it exactly. It may never help, but the current process requires something like 62 decision points, which is an absolutely crazy amount of decision points which increases the length. They seem to have been getting better time for claim completion appears to be reduced (not in my case I put in my claim for increase 9/24/18 and it is still unresolved) but in general this is the vibe I get.

I may not have been clear, you already changed my way of thinking. I used to think it was like a log jam. I think the process could use some serious work, I love improving processes and it seems to be so very convoluted.

There should be examination information somewhere for the conditions that are not permanent.

Did you get your response yet? I think it should be the painful motion, perhaps he averages them?

I have felt a little irritated at times when I see the "keep fighting after 100%" thing, but I guess #6 is the most important and probably the reason that things go in our favor at times when they do. I look at it from the perspective that it keeps VSR and SVSR's busy and potentially clogs up the pathway for new claimees. I guess to shortchange yourself from an SMC would be harmful, especially to those who deserve it so that makes sense. I guess in the end I feel like I may have been looking at it wrong.

Just an update for posterity, it went from PFD -> RoE -> PFD -> RoE -> PFD -> RoE -> GoE currently. In addition, my estimated date of completion has moved to a range of November-January 13. Request 13 - Aug 6 Due Date: Not available Status: No Longer Needed Claim Review Request 14 - Sept 4 Due Date: Not available Status: No Longer Needed Exam Request - Processing Request 15 - Sept 6 Due Date: Not available Status: No Longer Needed Exam Request - Request for Clarification I think that I will have to go for ANOTHER C &P I guess. I had 3 in November 18', 1 in July 19' so who knows. Maybe the examiner didn't fill the DBQ correctly, who knows?

With my issues, I am starting to realize I just want to be able to do things normal folks can, and do them without pain. I am getting tired of the constant pain, I have so rarely had a day without pain in the last 10 years that it is now unimaginable. I keep on keeping on, I went to college, I work, I am going for a masters. I am doing everything to provide a career for myself and stability for my family in the long term. Specifically careers that don't rely on my body, and so far it has been ok. I am concerned because I use school as a way to keep my brain busy and my mind out of darker thoughts. I finish in a week and I don't really know what to do next to distract myself. I really need to seek out some pain management I think.

Thank you for the responses. I have honestly been in denial about how bad things are, having them evaluate has really made me understand just how dinged up I really am. I guess the gravity of my situation has finally taken hold. I really am struggling right now, I am 30 w/ a 1 y.o and another on the way. I wanted more kids, something like 4 or 5 but I don't know now if I should have any more. I worry that I won't be able to keep up, I really am getting down about the situation.

Yesterday my claim moved to Prep for decision, this was a week after my latest C&P, I was feeling optimistic that the estimated completion date of 9/4 was reasonable. Today it moved back to review of evidence and my date oushed to 9/14. This is a claim with 1 increase, 2 new, 2 secondary. I filed my claim 9/24/18 it seems like a long time for a claim. Anyway, my question is: have any of you had the claim move from "prep for Decision" only to regress to review of evidence? If so, what was the timeline like?

Her profile says she has been certified since 2005. I did start my claim with #3, he literally did nothing. Then lefr 4 months later for a VA job. She is the director of the office and just picked mine up after he abruptly left.

I see, she mentions "checking my claim" so I guess I assumed she did. I will ask her, any suggestions on what questions to ask? I put my claim in 9/24.

The VSO says they are a nationally accredited VSO per her profile, so if that is the case are they able to share all that is on the VBMS? She really doesn't seem to give me any information one way or another. I always feel like I am a hassle when I call (about once a month) and see if there is anything going on. I may just not be asking the correct questions when I call.

I only have the initial claim from 2010 on e benefits. I submitted a claim for an increase for my psoriatic arthritis (which apparently is combined w/ the back pain). I will request it when I am able, this was a contractor and will not be available for awhile. I submitted this claim in September and am waiting for my results. I don't know how much longer it will be, I feel like it is never ending at this point (10 months). I think part of the hang up is I am currently 20%, and I submitted simultaneously a claim for 2 dependents in the event I got any increase at all. Would it be rated under the code 5237 Jbasser?

How much can they see, how much can they tell me? I seem to get almost nothing but cryptic information from my VSO. Are they restricted from telling information to me while the claim is not yet complete? Or is it possible that she withholds the information having been burned by changes in the past?

I had a spinal tap while AD, it was as a result of a high fever, they wanted to make sure I didn't have meningitis. I have been having back pain since that time. The C&P Examiner said he would list it as Thorasic Strain, which I think is equivalent to back pain. If I knew then (10 years ago) what I know now I would have been much more aggressive when I made my initial claim. I put almost nothing on there when there are many things that are directly listed in my record that are SC. Even this claim I submitted in September was filed but done poorly. I really regret not doing enough research into this process and how everything is determined. I am very nervous for my claim results (if I ever get them) because of the length of time. It has been 10 months, 3 C&P back in November and then nothing until 2 weeks ago.