VetNY12

Thanks all, sorry for late reply. Yes I am working on Appealing it all. It is now in the Lawyers hands and they too don't move fast (probably the longer my claims are delayed, the more backpay they hope to achieve). So I'm being patient and will keep all updated on the appeal. One interesting thing that is new in the decision letter is the listing of "Favorable Findings". Everyone of my claims have a favorable finding, they just noted for all the claims there is no evidence of in-service complaint. They even said for a couple I did complain, yet they decided to say "Not Service Connected " anyway haha. So I will see what the lawyer says and we shall go from there. I'll keep you all posted, hope everyone has more success.

Almost took two years to finally get a decision I have been given a rating of NOT SERVICE CONNECTED for all 7 of my claims. I'm hoping others are receiving better outcomes, this time around I had gone through a lawyer thinking that may help, but at this point not really. Next steps will be to appeal unfortunately since there is a massive backlog of claims. But when the VA cannot make a reasonable determination, this is what happens. One thing I will point out if it helps others, these claims did not have to do during a time I was deployed over seas. Could this be a reason why I was denied completely, who knows this game is very subjective. My other disabilities I have received were from overseas service, and I had actually applied for them myself, no help from law firm. I also have been working a veteran who also received a NOT SERVICE CONNECTED decision not only for his issues he was being treated for throughout his military service, but he also got denied for Tinnitus. Very surprising, maybe VA is working on budgeting, deny a bunch of claims, budget looks better. I even have my deceased fathers claim which has been ongoing for almost 2 yrs and my family are waiting for a decision there for the sake of my mother receiving the benefits she is entitled too. For our OLDER veterans to go through this crap process is horrible to see and for their widow to to have to standby for way too long wondering if they will received benefits needs to change. Just sharing my experiences, hoping you others have a better outcome.

After 1 yr 6 months and doing the same cp exams twice with both contractors, a decision has finally been made and I have been told by the VA all 7 of my claims are NOT SERVICE CONNECTED woooo! haha Time to see what my lawyer can do. The fight continues.

I'm about to appeal to get back my 30% Rhinitis back. Even after extensive going to Drs getting ct scanned showing proof, documenting a years worth of daily rhinitis episodes, evidence of time off from work, Dr letters point blank explaining what I am dealing with and having the claim for over 5yrs, the VA decided one day they saw improvement. Now I fall under the presumptive scenario, which although I do not have to show I had it from service over in the middle East, I still have to fight to get back my 30%. I never had to do a Gulf War DBQ, not sure if it even matters since the VA Raters are so SUBJECTIVE. I am on the registry, but we shall see what all that does for me when I go to appeal my case. So even when you have your ducks in a row, you can still deal with shenanigans, but I'd suggest to make your case stronger: Go to an allergist Get tested for Allergies Get CT SCanned for Sinuses Keep a yrs worth documenting episodes of rhinitus and allergy episodes Document days you miss from work due to allergic episodes Keep track of all medicines I have been doing this for years and even though the VA still reduced me saying they saw improvement, this can only strengthen my case.

I am from NEW YORK so what I have been told is reason for these claims to be taking over 1 yr and 6 months now, is due to the fact that I live in a very dense populated area of veterans. I'm just outside of NYC. How long has your claim been taking to complete? I too never knew about Compensation until I started working and a coworker spoke to me about it, even after I had been to the VA to register after I separated from the Air Force. I also didn't later about Lawyers that can help you file and them legally can only take 20-30% of your backpay if you win. So be sure you DO NOT pay an upfront fee to a lawyer who will hep you file claims, that is not legal. This will is now a MONTH since my claim moved to the Evidence gathering, Review, and Decision status. I understand covid hit, but I agree with what others said about raters not doing their jobs. I had my one disability for over 5 yrs at a 30% which last yr VA decided they saw improvement and reduced me to 0%, EVEN after my Dr. had written numerous letters stating "Veteran continues to suffer from disability with no improvement after a yr of treatment, recommend to stop treatment at this time". Also I had sent in other evidence to show illness still exists with no improvement, but I get this crazy decision and all the VA states is "The evidence you sent us is how we came to the decision" haha I was baffled. This whole process is very SUBJECTIVE and disturbing at times the way they rate. You gotta hope your rater had a good week for him/her to give you a proper rating basically I shall keep you all posted, awesome feedback I greatly appreciate it and lets keep it going to help others.

My claims are going on 1 yr and 6 months since the time I filed. Been taking so long due to the months it took to schedule these exams. I had completed all my CP Exams with LHI contractor, then VA requested I redo all those same exams with VES contractor. 1 exam due to DBQ questionnaire changes 1 exam due to it being conducted over a year ago Another exam which was done 4 months ago, also had to be redone. Anyone else deal with this lately? First time I ever claimed it took less than a year, completed CP Exams once then received a decision.

Yea my lawyer has the ability to check VBMS, but nothing in there showing what is taking these claims over a year. Again I was just curious how much longer veterans in NY and other areas are taking to get a decision from start to finish. My first attempt took less than a year. Now waiting for 2 weeks it'll be tomorrow I am waiting for a decision to be made. So like you mentioned, nothing has gotten faster, just slower, but also I have never heard of anyone having to do cp exams over twice like I have done with first going through LHI, then VES. Very frustrating. Thanks for your reply.

I live in NY and was wondering if any other NYer has been waiting over 1 yr to complete their claims? Been told it is due to high population of veterans. Claim started in April 2020, and had to conduct all my exams with LHI, then had to conduct all my exams again, but with VES. First time I have ever had to redo exams, first time was due to DBS questionnaire changes, the other time was to redo psych eval since it was done over a year ago, it has been nothing but a long wait for cp exams to be setup and to finally be at the point now, of HOPEFULLY having done everything and waiting for a decision. I have also been waiting for my deceased Vietnam veterans claim as well to be completed, trying to get my mother the benefits she is possibly due. Sad when it even takes this long for a veteran who has past away. Understanding covid had something to do with all this with workers working from home, I'm just curious if anyone has been waiting as long as me or longer and if they too had to conduct all their exams twice under both contractors? From one veteran to another, THANK YOU ALL hope VA is treating you better.