tdiu Who Is Giving Me The Correct Info?

[jmlo]

I submitted for TDIU in 02/2008 after a long battle to get awarded for fibro. I'm a GWVet and began the fight in 1998 when I was medically discharged with 10%. I was increased to 60% over the years for other disabilities and they denied SC for the fibro. I asked for a DRO de novo who also denied, then I asked for a hearing by a letter that also stated the facts of the code pertaining to my fibro. They sent me a date for a hearing and get this - THE DAY BEFORE THE HEARING, my VSR calls me to tell me they awarded for the fibro (40%) and that I didn't need to come to Roanoke (5 hours away) for the hearing. I would be getting the paperwork soon. Sure enough I got everything in the mail from VA but what really bothers me is that THEY, the VA never called to tell me this, so if it hadn't been for my rep, I would have made the trip for nothing. Along with the paperwork they sent info for TDIU. I filled everything out and sent it back in. (sorry for the long history) Here is the question: For the last two months the CS reps have been telling me where my claim is, at the raters, it is being written, and as of Friday it went for authorization before it goes out. In the meantime, since I saw everything on hadit about the CS reps making up lies and telling people, I sent an inquiry through IRIS and got this response on 07/07:

Information in the systems shows that your claim file is assigned to a Rating Specialist. It has not been rated as of this date. I can not gvie you a timeframe, because I don;t know what the work load of this individual. If they have claim older that yours; then they must work them first. Once they received your claim it could take them anywhere from 30 to 60 days to make a decision, that is if everything is in order. I suggest you check back in about this days for an update.

Thank you for contacting us. If you have questions or need additional help with the information in our reply, please respond to this message. If at some future time we can help you on a different subject, you may submit a new inquiry at https://iris.va.gov, call us toll free at 1-800-827-1000, or visit our web site at www.va.gov.

Sincerely,

D. Svirsky

Veterans Service Center Manager

Granted, this was on last Monday and the CS rep told me on Friday that it went for authorization (whatever that means?!) So can anyone tell me when I should check back again? They told me it was with the raters since the beginning of May. I thought is would be moving by now?! I sent a reply back to IRIS letting them know that it has been with the raters since the beginning of May and what the CS rep told me on Friday to see if it was true, but should I trust the IRIS reply more than the CS rep, or is it a crapshoot? The CS reps progression made sense to me but now this reply does not and I question whether or not they are even working on it yet.

[vetswife]

It is a crapshoot. I have many responses from IRIS that have NO information when information was available, and have gotten better answers from 1-800, but have seen the reverse of this as well.

I think it depends on where you are (what VARO) and who is answering claims.

[jbasser]

JMLO do you have a VSO representing you?

If you do, contact them, they more then likely have an office at the regional office adjacent to the RO.

Be nice to them and ask them to check on your claim.

If they say they are too busy, tell them toget off their Butts and physically go check it out or they are fired.

They can go to the person handling your claim and get an answer.

J

[jmlo]

Yes, they are the ones that called me BEFORE I drove 5 hours for an unecessary hearing. I will call them and see if they can check it out for me. Thanks for the replies.

[halos2]

[Thats a funny reply...Feel as though pissing them off stalls the processes...feels like they will take away my life jacket if I said what I would like to say...bite my tongue and bear it alot as they did call me early when one claim was increased...wish they would tell vets they(vets) have to do all the work themselves when they initially apply. Basically filed claim then called them as was told needed one and all I was told was "more likely than not" statement to use...that was all.

Have done all alone with books and web help and one va supervisor who helped me last yr but no more as they have demoted his position as he helped too many vets...so no more contact with him for over 7 mths...his personal # at va has been deleted.

So unknown where or to whom do you get the correct info from

quote name='jbasser' date='Jul 14 2008, 10:33 AM' post='98358']

JMLO do you have a VSO representing you?

If you do, contact them, they more then likely have an office at the regional office adjacent to the RO.

Be nice to them and ask them to check on your claim.

If they say they are too busy, tell them toget off their Butts and physically go check it out or they are fired.

They can go to the person handling your claim and get an answer.

J

[jmlo]

UPDATE: Received a reply back from IRIS.

On 7/11/08, it did go to authorization, which means the rating decision has been completed. The authorization unit will complete the claim and issue you a letter along with the rating decision. You should receive this information in about 30-45 days.

Why does it take ANOTHER 30-45 days for it to "complete"? Apparently, they have made a decision and have written the claim so can they tell me what the decision is? Should I send a reply back to IRIS asking for the decision? I know I'm being impatient but I've been fighting this thing for 10 years. I know some of you have been doing this longer and I almost feel beat down. I can't imagine going another minute let alone 30-45 days!!!!!

[jbasser]

The Veteran Service officers are there to help Veterans. That is their responsibility.

A Veteran signs his POA over to these folks and thus they should assist in other ways than just writing statements in support of claims.

My bluntness comes from witnissing several VSO's pass out bad info to Vets and not knowing the Regs.

Be nice but be diligent.

J

[MRRRR5]

JMLO,

In my opinion, great advice given by jbasser.

Use the VSO to get you an answer. They should have more insight and direct contact with the actual personnel handling your claim.

Although it may still take the 30-45 days to get the written decision, the VSO may be able to give you a "verbal" of what he/she obtained from the rating officials.

You have been patient thus far for over 3,650 days (10 years) and that is a real challenge I can imagine. Hopefully you get your claim granted and really soon.