I did lot of research for timelines while waiting for my hearing and for what to expect after my hearing. I was legacy appeals and chose not to RAMP in Feb 2019. I hope this does help any other veteran wanting to know the process and hopefully the timeline helps. This is my experience for appeal with the VA and as always every case is unique and different. Im willing to follow up with any questions people might have. Tried to get lawyers involved but they said they wouldn’t touch my case (all the major ones you would find on google). So I just kept pushing along using the DAV for insight to the RO when needed or to file correspondence for the case.
You know the rating you deserve!, the BVA law judge literally said VA erred and this should have been granted in 2014 but the C &P examiner failed to do their job accurately in my July 2014 exam. My follow up C & P exam conducted in 2017 warranted a 70% rating and the examiner noted everything correctly (however since the case was on appeal RO could not use the evidence to rate me at that time the exam was completed). Best Advice I can give is KNOW YOUR CASE! Know one knows your case like you and when talking to the judge, it helped I knew what the criteria was so I could talk to those points. File everything on-time, accurately, and with a way to show it was given to the VA. Find a hobby because worrying, over planning, and checking ebennies 20 times a day will drive you crazy. Don’t let your claim fall through the cracks but know that every day you worry, you drain yourself! Finally, NEVER GIVE UP!!!
May 2014 Filed a claim for increase
July 2014 C&P Exam at the VA
October 2014 Claimed Denied
October 2014 Filed for Decision Review Official to review case (legacy appeals)
August 2015 DRO Denied increase
August 2015 Filed NOD
October 2015 Filed Form 9
December 2016 Case sent to BVA
August 2017 C & P exam scheduled (non-static condition; this was the date of my revaluation)
December 2019 BVA Hearing at RO
January 30, 2020 Called WH hotline (not sure it did anything however I saw traction once I did)
Feb 10, 2020 Case was given to judge and expedited due to homelessness
March 10, 2020 Decision Made (Grant specific rating and effective date since it was an increase appeal)
March 17, 2020 Ebennies was updated reflecting new rating
TBA: waiting backpay but my rating has been reflected for April indefinitely