Dro Appeals

[WILLY3521]

-Can anyone tell me how long appeals have been taking at the DRO lately?

-Is there any difference for returning Iraq veterans or is it the same regardless?

[LarryJ]

Well, I don't know about anyone or anywhere else, but I just got a call from VARO in Waco, wanted to know if I wanted a DRO to take a look at my Notice of Disagreements to my last award. I said "yes", he said "two or three weeks, maybe less".

[Berta]

Returning Iraq vets are getting some fast decisions-

they do not appear to be causing delays at many major ROs-

The VA Morning reports show what I mean:

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/201/reports/MMWL...ril%2030-07.xls

This is week ending 4-28-07

I am making an assumption on these reports that Pre-discharge claims definitely means mainly Iraq vets who filed claims prior to their discharge date-

as well as retirees with disability-who could be Iraq vets also-

Winston Salem has 2599 claims of pre discharge-

and my RO Buffalo has 23-

You would think theyir claims are holding up every VARO but they arent -just VA spin on the backlog that was there before the Iraq War.

ANy claim that gets a VCAA notice and is well supported by the evidence the VA asks for can go faster than the ones who dont get the Notice and/or dont have the evidence needed:

current treatment records for diagnosed disability

inservice cause of disability

proof of the nexus between both of them.

[carlie]

From what I gather the Iraq veterans are starting at the front of the line

with their INITIAL CLAIM, but I've not seen nor read much yet concerning NOD's and appeals.

jmho,

carlie

[Pete53]

The VA has always moved more quickly on claims made by separating soldiers and I have no problems with that.

[mobie16r]

I thank Carlie is right about initial claims,but NOD'S with DRO first come first served,

mobie