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Dro Reviews

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free_spirit_etc

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free_spirit_etc Grand Master

free_spirit_etc

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Are the DRO reviews really worthwhile to many vets - or are the mostly designed to give the VA one more chance to obtain evidence that goes against the veteran's claim before it goes before the Board.

Think Outside the Box!
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john999 Grand Master

john999

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If you can get a DRO Hearing I do think it is beneficial. I am speaking from my own experience. A DRO granted me TDIU. I had a hearing for a denial of peripheral neuropathy and I got the benefit of doubt on that as well. A trip to the BVA just gets the claim off the VARO's desk for years. I think these DRO's do want to settle claims. They are not going to give away the store, but since most BVA's decisions end up in a remand why not take a second bite at the apple? The main thing is to get a personal hearing with a DRO so you can look him in the eye and he can see you.

Bring the significant other as well, and have him/her make a statement about how your disability affects you. If you are asking for 30 years of retro via a CUE then the DRO may pass the buck, but it is worth the effort anyway. These guys can horse trade and negotiate with you via your representative. It is done with a wink and a nod.

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free_spirit_etc Grand Master

free_spirit_etc

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Thanks for your answers. It seems like it is part of the process that does work sometimes to grant benefits and does work sometimes to give you a clearer sense of the evidence you need to still obtain in order to succeed on your claim. Looking back though some of my husband's DRO Reviews - they were much more extensive than the SOC - they repeated some and added to.

On the Lung Cancer Claim - it was just a repeat of the same thing. There is really no eviedence that they had looked at anything except for the Medical Opinion in which they had directed the examiner.

But it does sound like they can be a very good thing.

Free

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john999 Grand Master

john999

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Berta

I got a verbatium denial of a CUE by a DRO. This would then be a CUE on a CUE claim. The supposed De Novo Review was a laughable joke. When I got the lawyer my cliam ended up back at the DRO for a hearing. Maybe that is why.

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