Nothing Yet!

[JayBrown1]

Another week goes by an still no news from the VA on a decision on my claim. It's been with a rating specialist for signature since March. I guess they only have a small quota to fill monthly.

[cloudcroft]

When I was going through my claim, friends would regularly ask me how it was going and did I hear from the VA yet (final decision). I told them, "It should be any day now," just like the VA benefits people would tell me. "Any day now" turned into weeks, months and then years...

I said "It should be any day now" for most of about 4 years until I got my final decision.

Every day I went to the mailbox I hoped to see the end of it from the VA via a big (insert color of your choice) decision envelope. It didn't happen until the very end.

I hope your case doesn't take as long (it probably won't), but remember, most people should be prepared for the VA process being very slow and be prepared psychologically for a 3-5 year emotional marathon and along the way -- if you don't get what you're after on the first decision -- more C&Ps, NODs, SOCs, IMOs, Statements in Support of Claims, DRO hearings, Reconsiderations, video hearings, appeals to the BVA, etc..

In the meantime, you need to live your life...waiting expectantly will surely be disappointing and wasting time you could be doing other things.

[EDIT: I'm not saying YOU are putting life on hold, just advising that vets realize it could be a long wait and so they should try to "forget" about it and live life "normally" until they DO get those VARO letters in the mail...then you make your next move depending upon the decision. Actually, have a Plan B and even Plan C ready BEFORE the decision...work on those while you're waiting. In my case, it felt better having a plan(s) available so I could act quickly when I got the decision -- if it was a denial or a lowball -- and not have to start THEN researching my next move]

Good luck,

-- John D.

Another week goes by an still no news from the VA on a decision on my claim. It's been with a rating specialist for signature since March. I guess they only have a small quota to fill monthly.

Edited June 10, 2007 by cloudcroft