Click To Ask Your VA Claims Question
Read Disability Claims Articles
View All Forums | Chats and Other Events | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Search | Rules
Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'dro'.
-
C&p' Scheduled - Round 2 Here We Go
MarkInTexas posted a question in Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams
Ok, here we go again. Got a call a few days back from a DRO at the Houston VARO. They are doing a de novo review of my case, and scheduled me for a series of C&P examinations, which will be my second round from the VA. Sure enough, got a call from Veterans Evaluation Service, who advised that the VA had contracted them to do my C&P examinations and to do bloodwork. Looks I'll be heading to Houston for the examinations and Beaumont for a blood draw and CBC. (They used VES on me last time too.) Keep in mind, I've been through a prior round of C&P examinations, but this is the first time with a CBC blood draw, and I have on file an independent medical examination and opinion report from the Ellis Clinic and an IMO from my oncologist of 17 years, along with a ton of medical records and SMRs. We'll see how this goes. I'll keep y'all posted on what went on. Looks like I have the examination on July 18 (Saturday) and the blood draw on the 21st. Mark- 15 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- blood work
- c&p
- (and 8 more)
-
Just have a quick question. Gulf War Veteran. Awarded only 10% disability in Oct 2013. Appealed with DRO choice in Feb. 2014. Just had my exam for the 3 denied claims in May 2015 (this is about 450 days from when I appealed the decision). I see now where the ebenefits website for appeals status is down until September. Can't get anyone on the phone. Most the time, can't chat with anyone online. Does anyone know the best way to find out a status? Also, does anyone know (since it's been about 450 days) when I might actually get a decision on the 3 denied claims. My claim would be in Nashville, TN Thanks
-
Nope.
-
Just looking for some help. VA sent me back a letter and ask if wanted a DRO review and selected yes....so when will I hear something from them concerning that and how long will the process be. -
A little background before I get started. I filed for compensation for my lower back condition back in 2009 and was subsequently denied. Then I applied again with new evidence and was denied again because the VA stated that my condition was not service connected and no evidence was in my SMR. I was awarded other service connected disabilities and others denied. Anyway, I appealed the denial of service connection for my back and requested a DRO to review my case. I went to my hearing in April of this year and was approved for service connection at 10%. She stated that she is not sure why they denied my claim because all of the evidence showed that I was clearly service connected. Keep in mind that I brought my own SMR to prove this during my hearing. This just tells me that they did not request it back in 2009 or review what I sent to them. So I disagree with the percentage I was rated by the DRO and I think it should be much higher. I am filing for TDIU for my migraines rated at 50% and my lower back. Should I file the NOD and the TDIU at the same time? Also do I file the NOD and request a DRO to review it again or file the NOD and ask for BVA review? Please help. Also I think that there could be a CUE for the effective date for my initial denial for my back. Not sure what to do next. -
My husband received the form asking if he wants to be heard by a DRO Review Officer or traditional appeal. From my research it seems he should opt for the DRO but there is no option on the form for formal or informal. Should this be written in or just check DRO and that's all? Is one better than the other? Also, they sent the NOD back saying it wasn't signed. We could have sworn it was but will sign and return as requested. For the date signed, should he use the date of the NOD or the date actually signed (today.) Thanks Kate -
I am wondering what is the best option, IME or an IMO, for wading through the VA's appellate process after a NOD has been filed? Would it be wiser to go with a good quality IME examiner first, or just do an IMO with a records review, and then wait for the VA to decide to order any additional C&P's? Part of me thinks that by going through a C&P process with DBQ's in obtaining an IME might be a time saver. Thoughts or advice? Mark
-
Hi, I am a new member of HadIt. I've watched anonymously for years. I have an old claim that has been plodding through the system since 2008. There are 12 issues I am pursuing. In July, 2013 I had a face to face with a DRO. In September, 2013 (2 months later) I received a SOC from the DRO for one issue (entitlement date for depression/anxiety) that denied that claim. I subsequently filed a Form 9 for that issue. I have checked and double checked the SOC and it is only for the one issue. No mention of the other 11. I have not received a SOC for the other 11 issues. E-benefits shows that everything is awaiting processing for the VBA. I submitted an IRIS. I also called the 1-800 number and spoke to someone there. I also emailed the Director of Benefits at my VSO (co-located at the Regional Office with the DRO). The IRIS, the 1-800 number and the Director of Benefits are all saying that a Form 9 has been received for everything and that my file is awaiting processing for the VBA. I have been waiting a year thinking I was waiting for a SOC and decision on the other 11 issues. I thought maybe the DRO thought the effective date was perhaps clear-cut in her mind and so she quickly denied it while everything else needed a more thorough review. Is it possible I am still waiting for a DRO decision and SOC for the other 11 issues? Or is IRIS, the 1-800 number and the Director of Benefits from the VSO all correct in that my file is awaiting transfer to the VBA? I feel jipped if the DRO only reviewed and decided on one issue and then passed me off, ignoring the other 11 issues, and now my claim is moving to the VBA. Is there any chance the DRO may still be reviewing/deciding the other 11 issues and when the DRO is complete it will process to the VBA? Thanks, j-a-g -
Hello, Thanks you all for great help and advice so far in our adventure with the VA. I am helping my father with most of the grunt work for this process and he is represented by the American Legion. The backstory: Claim filed in 2005. Finally awarded in 2012 @ 50%, but they failed to infer the claim for TDIU, even though he has been on SSD since 2003, and the VA mentioned SSD with service connected symptoms in his VA award letter. His doctor letters also declare him permanently disabled from working (VA doctor). He filed a NOD 2013 stating that his claim should have been inferred automatically for TDIU (including back pay) and that his rating should have been higher and considered permanent due to the evidence they were already aware of. Where we're at: We received a letter this week from the VA notifying us that they received the NOD and that our appeal is for entitlement to service connection for anxiety, nos and depression, nos (claimed as PTSD). It states that we have a choice between" traditional appeal process" or DRO. Here is the problem. We are not appealing entitlement to service connection! (Why would we NOT want service connection?) We are arguing that our claim should have been inferred for TDIU since he has not worked since 2003, has been on SSD since 2003 and the VA has acknowledged SSD for "anxiety and depression" in the award for disability which was in fact granted for "anxiety and depression". By two questions are: 1. Why are they claiming we're appealing our service connection when its already been granted? 2. We want to argue that we should have been inferred for TDIU in our original award. Should we pursue the DRO or "traditional appeal process" route? Thank you all so much. I'm sorry I went inactive on my last post, but we are again in the process of moving as indicated in that post. More information about this case can be found here: -
How Long For Ab8 Letter And Monthly Pay Update
Rx7mike posted a question in VA.gov Questions (formerly E-Benefits)
i got called by my vso today that i was awarded my DRO NOD from 60% to 100% P&T woo hooo. Now i had 8 contentions but MH went from 50 to 100 and she said the others will be in a soc. Winston Salem is my office How long will i have to wait for Ebennies to show the AB* letter and most importantly will My monthly pay change for this month comming june 1 2014 to the 100 rate or do i have to wait for that as well. My vro said i will recieve Retro back to 2011 when filed but my Army pay was 1789 and va waiver was 1400 so i know they pay the army back will that hold up recieving my new monthly amount. not to worried about the retro right now just the new monthly. Thank you. this is ebenie Details about your BVA Appeal received on no date Local VA Office of Jurisdiction: Winston-Salem, NC Power of Attorney: A - American Legion Current Progress: no data Current Progress Description: Timeline of Your Appeal Date of Progress Progress Progress Office 06/13/2011 Local VA Office Decision RO 08/16/2011 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) RO 09/16/2011 Appeal Pending RO 05/14/2014 Statement of the Case (SOC) RO -
Greetings all: while doing some research I came accross this CRS report. You may find it handy due to the footnotes that cite the CFR, M21, other reports and VA publications ect. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42609.pdf Best regards, -
I know we are all staring down the barrel of a govt shut-down right now, but aside from that, if I had my DRO hearing for two NOD in last week of August, when under normal circumstances might I find the outcome/decision of my hearing appeals? I have made annotations on the hearing transcript and sent it back to the VARO this past week. -
Hi all, I think that I have stuck my foot in it.....while my claim was under administrative review I sent in 7 more years of medical reports to prove continuity of symptomatology and to ask for reconsideration. Well, it was showing in ebenefits that they receive my medical records after I notified them that I disagreed with the VA examiner's medical opinion. I find out today that they are mailing me a form to request either a DRO review or a Traditional review. I am in way above my head!! I have found a VSO not too far from me and he sounds like a good representative. I am afraid that if the keep denying me because I don't have an IMO to dispute theirs, I might not have a fighting chance!! I would love some advice about what to expect or what to do from here. Thanks in advance Shyne -
Greetigs all: The VA has me scratching my head on this one. After 2 years 2 months into a DRO with the issues of Urinary dysfunction (increased urinary Frequency) and restrictive lung disease (Sleep Apnea and Kyphoscoliosis). The VA has sent me a VCAA letter that only addresses the Urinary issue. I already responded to a VCAA letter on both issues prior to the initial decision. I oinly thought a VCAA letter would be completed during an appeal as a correction action if one was not initially done. Since they didn't include the respiratory condition, is that a possible indicator that they have all the evidence necessary for a grant for that? I have kyphoscoliosis (in thoracic spine SC with a Bone condition and arthritis for 24years) and enlarged right ventricle if they SC it it would rate at 100% due to the elarged right ventricle. I guess the alternative explanation would be that they thought they needed to do a VCAA letter and as usual did it bassaackwards? Does this mean anything or is it just another indication of the inconsistancy?
-
I recieved a call from my regional office and they said that there was a mistake with some paperwork that was sent because of residual problems with TBI was not addressed with my DRO Review and they also wanted to call to make sure I knew. Yesterday I got my statement of case letting me know what conditions were not Service Connected and a small paragraph stating my ptsd is now service connected along with fractures of both arms etc. I went to Ebenefits and I looked at my verification letter and I was blown away.... Service connected at 70%! (minus the 40% for headaches, shouldure, tinnitus recieving). Plus I think I have about 20 months of Retro comming my way! I just got the official breakdown 50% Ptsd 0% Tbi 30% Headaches 10% Tinnitus 10% Sholdure Dislocation 0% Right Fractured Elbow 0% Right Fractured Wrist 0% Right Fractured Little Finger 0% Left Fractured Wrist 0% Skin condition I have been living off of the cheapest food possible (even going to pantrys and soup kitchens) and feel like I have been living under a rock for the last 2 years with bills piling up etc. Thank God for the DRO Review. Two of the things that I think helped is I would send several News articles or military documents (AFI policies etc) off to the va every couple of weeks, and I would send every 3 months a status and progress check request while I was waiting for the DRO Review. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and guidence! A BIG THUMBS UP TO HADIT.COM!!!
