Dro Info Needed

[Christopher]

According to An IRIS response my case is with the DRO being reviewed because I elected that route.

Several days later I received the election form asking me to choose between the DRO process or the traditional appeal process?

I promptly selected DRO again and mailed it back via certified return receipt. They received it the next morning.

I waited several days and called the 1-800 #..the woman on the line was better than most..and she said that my file is not with the DRO it is in a filing cabinet?

The above mentioned IRIS also stated that the DRO would not release my file for the copying of my complete C-File that I requested in writing?

I suspect that my ex-POA was keeping me out of the loop..which is one of the reasons I cut him loose.

Any insight would be appreciated cause I am confused.

I sent another IRIS yesterday tactfully asking for an explanation as to what is really going on.

I thought that once I didn't have a representative that the DRO had to go through me?

[Berta]

You sound like your ducks are in a row on this claim!

It just galls me to see where a VA doctor themselves fail to provide medical rationale for their opinions.

It is right in the C & P exams that they are supposed to do this and when they dont it only adds to long delays in the claim.

This 2006 BVA decision shows how they rate sleep apnea:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp06/files5/0638298.txt

[mobie16r]

Remember now Christopher,a Division Review Officer (DRO)is located in your regional office who can give you a higher rating, and if you are not satisfy, you can go the traditional route,which is the Board of veterans appeals (BVA) located in Washington D.C. Now that i said that! You asked for your claim to be review by the DRO,evidently IRIS response was quicker than the DRO election letter and, If you resubmitt the DRO form thats ok.The DRO will handle your claim,but this is done on a claim dated basic.which means there could be quite a few claims ahead of yours and if i was you i would not request c-file,because it could delay rating of your claim.I hope this helps.

mobie

[Christopher]

Imagine the surprise I felt when I just opened my IRIS response. The VARO VSR responding to my IRIS stated that he/she was going to get my file and personally bring it to reproduction for copying! Today!

I actually received good service..My perception of the VARO has been less than optimistic lately but this was a pleasant turn of events.

Hopefully the file gets put right back where it came from without causing any further delays but I don't think it will be a problem.

[Ricky]

Chris - even though a vet asks for a DRO review in a letter the form is simply a process that it required by law. Many a time the file will already be with the appeals team but they must have your desire properly documented so they send you the form. Please remember when the 1-800 guys or an IRIS response says "your file is currently with a DRO" or "the DRO has your file" it simply means the file is in the appeals team area. The only way a person can truthfully state that a DRO is currently working on your file is if you have a POA who walks down the hall and sees the DRO looking at your file. The information people use generic terms such as with a DRO or with the rater all the time. Although we interpert this as they are working on my file, that is not what it means. Also, although the IRIS responses are better (most of the time) than a phone call to the 1-800, they guy or gal providing the IRIS response is simply one of the 1-800 guys that has IRIS duty. Therefore, if you get a stupid response such as the DRO will not release your file, simply respond to it and more than likely you will get it straightened out. There is no reason for anyone not to release your file for copying.

Edited November 8, 2007 by Ricky