Remember The Va Form That Wasn't "official"?

[Ron II]

Remember the lengthly discussion about a VARO using a form that was not officially endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs? The discussion occurred a couple of months ago.

That exact form is presented at M21-1MR, Part 1, Chapter 5, Section C, Item 17. Exhibit 2: Appeal Response Form

The consensus at the time of the discussion (on Hadit) was that the form should NOT be used.

Ron

[Berta]

I have the form in front of me- this is often used when a vet has had their claim resolved at the VARO level- or it has been partially resolved and they wish to continue an issue on appeal.

I have never used the form.

I was asked by phone, by my POA, when I won my last claims if I wanted to withdraw my formal appeal-and I did this by phone.

My husband as I recall was asked by AMVETS when he won something after we sent a NOD to the RO to formally withdraw his appeal.They had proposed to reduce his comp but restored it in a few months on the NOD.

Also the DAV asked me if I wanted to withdraw something I had on appeal prior to my other POA-by phone-

I have never received or used this form.

Your vet rep-if you have one -will often ask you by phone or email if you want to withdraw an appeal or make a partial withdrawal.

I am concerned about something-I access BVA decisions that have my POA on the brief.

A rather unusual amount of BVA claims have been withdrawn by their POA vets in 2008.

In one case the vet had succeeded at the RO so this is why he withdrew-the other cases-I have no idea why a vet would withdraw their appeal at the BVA.

If the vet has died the BVA notes that in the decision and the sppeal stops at that point.

I actually wondered if my POA has so many unresolved claims that they are filing these withdrawals themselves.