What's This? The Va Can Walk And Chew Gum At The Same Time.

[rdawg]

I am waiting for a DRO denovo review on one denial from Nov 06. IN Jan 07 I submitted additional evidence on another issue and opend 2 more issues. The 2 additional issues never show up on the computer and when I asked the RO (Balt) they said the folder can only be in one place at on time. They will not work the new issues until the denovo review is done. OK.

I call the 1-800 today and get Atlanta RO, not Baltimore. They look and say I don't have any new issues showing and ask when did I submit them. I told her Jan 07. She said the new issues should have been worked already. I told her what Balt. RO. told me about the folder being in one place at a time. SHe had no idea what I was talking about. She said they keep seperate folders in Atlanta and regularly work new issues while other issues are on appeal.

What gives??? Any help would be, well, helpful.

[allan]

Hello rdawg,

"ANY" delay, means they don't have to pay.

It''s easier to understand how it all works, if you think of assistance to proccess your claim, as a constant obstical.

If your told they can't, 99.9% of the time, they probably can. If your told they don't have it, 99.9% of the time they do. If they tell you they will take care of it, they won't.

If you have already submited the evidence & they have the claim, request a "FORMAL" local hearing in writing, from your VA regional office. Resubmit everything at the hearing, "under oath" & recorded. That will get the ball rolling & start the clock on the claim, as far as getting them to acknolledge it has been filled.

ANYTHING submited "under oath", is "evidence of the record".

good luck!

PS..... have you ever tried to nail a catfish's head to a board? It's alot like that.

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I am waiting for a DRO denovo review on one denial from Nov 06. IN Jan 07 I submitted additional evidence on another issue and opend 2 more issues. The 2 additional issues never show up on the computer and when I asked the RO (Balt) they said the folder can only be in one place at on time. They will not work the new issues until the denovo review is done. OK.

I call the 1-800 today and get Atlanta RO, not Baltimore. They look and say I don't have any new issues showing and ask when did I submit them. I told her Jan 07. She said the new issues should have been worked already. I told her what Balt. RO. told me about the folder being in one place at a time. SHe had no idea what I was talking about. She said they keep seperate folders in Atlanta and regularly work new issues while other issues are on appeal.

What gives??? Any help would be, well, helpful.

[rdawg]

Hey Allen,

Yes, I've done the catfish thing. It was a long time ago but I think I remeber it hurts.

I just spoke with my AL rep. She said, in a heavy voice " I guess I can ask them to work on the new claims while you are waiting for the appeal." I need to dump the AL but I'm afraid no one else will take me and then I'll be on my own. Wait, I have HADIT. I can do it. Really, this site has taught me more and been more responsive than everyone else.

I think I will try the local hearing to get things going. I really am afraid that if I do something wrong it will slow down the claim even more.

Rdawg

[allan]

It ain't easy to nail them down, but it can be done. They flip/flop all over the place & try to stick it to you if they can.

The local hearing is the quickist, as far as getting results.

I would keep your currant POA, untill after the hearing. Request in writing that you want your AL service officer be present.

IF, your still not able to get any help from your service officer(SO) after the hearing, than request the change of power of attorney, (POA)

I've tried many, but prefer the PVA.

[Pete53]

Many times I believe that the 800 number people will tell you anything just to get you off the phone or call someone else.

[Ricky]

My RO, Montgomery is just like this. I have two appeals pending along with two new issues that I submitted in August 2005. Although both issues show up as being received no action has been taken on them. The RO told me that only one folder exists and it can only be in one place at a time. The appeals take priority, if there is such a thing as a priority within the VA, so the new issues will not be worked until the appeals are settled. When I asked what was meant by "are settled" they told me that the appeals, if necessary, would be sent to the BVA and once a final decision was made then the folder would be sent back to the RO so the new claims could be worked. This is sure not what the M21 says.

If this is true, the way my appeals are going it could be two to three more years before my new issues are even looked at. An Iris inquiry provided that 18 months for resolution of a new issue was not excessive! What a crock of whale crap...... The folder has been setting in the appeals team area for over two years now without any action. I am sure that it would not be too hard for the development team to grab the file and work the issues. The DRO probably would not know it was gone.

Any way I finally convinced them that they owed me a DRO hearing and they gave me one on 16 April. Now I would assume that the decision on the appeals could be made within 30-60 days but you know what assuming does to a person. The 1-800 guys told me it would probably take another 18 months to get a decision from the DRO!!!!!!!!!

\My RO is the worst in the system - excessive delays in the process - the first DRO that looked at the file could not write, spell etc......He provided NO reasons or basis in the SOC and the SOC was a carbon copy of the rating decision (which also contained over 100 spelling and grammer mistakes!!!!!! Guess I will just have to sit back, twidle my thumbs and wait some more.

[Pete53]

Ricky:

You are not the only one who thinks that they have the worst RO maybe we should have a poll. I know that I was going to the worst VAMC but it has improved a lot in 2 years.

Good Luck on your claim