Thank you for your detailed response. One big point and one small request.
Small Request... would you tell me about your successful CUEs please? I’d love to learn more, especially since many sites say that it is rare to win even one.
Big point (and just for your information)... you referred to the one year time frame with relation to my law firm filing a timely response to my intent to file. Since they filed a Supplemental, albeit within the year, it is not relevant. A Intent to File is to be followed up by filing a claim, not a supplemental to a claim. There is no timeframe which will allow a supplemental to have a effective start date to the Intent to File, only up to 60 days if filed under certain circumstances.
FOR YOUR REFERENCE...
38 CFR § 3.155 - How to file a claim.
§3.155 The following paragraphs describe the manner and methods in which a claim can be initiated and filed. The provisions of this section are applicable to all claimsgoverned by part 3, with the exception that paragraph (b)of this section, regarding intent to file a claim, does not apply to supplemental claims.
AND
(i) Supplemental claims. Upon receipt of a communication indicating a belief in entitlement to benefits that is submitted in wiritng or electronically on a supplemental claimform prescribed by the Secretary that is not complete as defined in § 3.160(a) of this section, the Secretary shall notify the claimant and the claimant's representative, if any, of the information necessary to complete the application form prescribed by the Secretary. If VA receives a complete claimwithin 60 days of notice by VA that an incomplete claim was filed, it will be considered filed as of the date of receipt of the incomplete claim (see § 3.2501).(
Cross Reference:
Effective dates. See § 3.400.