Latest Update On My Current Claim

[Rockhound]

Current claim for secondary issues associated to SC nasal fracture with deviated septum due to trauma. Secondary issues are Chronic Sinusitis/Rhynitis due to deviated septum causing at least 50% nasal passage obstruction and/or at times 100% obstruction to one or both nasal passages and painful scars to each side of nose bridge due to fracture nasal bone.

Received letter from the VARO appologizing for the delay in my claims process and that they are proceding with my claim. The basic, don't call us, we'll call you letter.

The claim is so basic and all the evidence is in and a new C&P exam was found to not be necessary, So I can't understand the delay, this claim should have been at the Raters at least by now, but apparently it is somewhere between the collection of all evidence and being sent on to a Rater. If it follows the same time table of my last claim, I have at least five to six more months to go before I know what the decision will be. But I am not going to hold my breath on that assumption.

Rockhound Rider

[john999]

Rockhound

I had a DRO Hearing 6 months ago, and I am still waiting on the decision. The VA says they are "working" on it. I bet they are just trying to find a way to get out of paying me via the legal office.

[Rockhound]

I know for a fact that they cancelled a previously scheduled C&P exam. They made a mistake when they made their request and did not ask for the proper exam or rather they forgot to request a complete exam that covered each aspect of my new claim. Now they are probably waiting for a medical opinion of my medical evidence, prior C&P exam that was less than a year ago, and the current evidence I sent in with my claim. Once that medical opinion is issued, then my claim can be forwarded to the Rater. That is IMHO and the fact that they Holidays have also slowed things down to a snail crawl.

I'm looking for three 10% ratings, but even if they disallow the chronic sinusitis/rhynitis, I cannot see how they can disallow the two painful scars. Untouched photos do not lie and the pain is subjective, in that if I say they are painfull, it would be very difficult for the VA to prove they weren't. Either way, I should end up with a combined 30% VA math, which is OK for me.

Each higher percentage I can get, gives me room and funds to seek out additional SC conditions that the VA has denied me in the past. It's a slow process, but now that I know how and what is needed, gives me the strength and patients to follow through until I get all that I believe I deserve.

I just wish they would realize, that I am not going to go away like I did in the past, so they might as well stop trying to delay things and get on with the process.

Rockhound Rider

[poolguy11550]

The C&P exams will most likely still be forthcoming when sorted out. The rating team could rate your claim without but that is very rare in today's VBA.

[Rockhound]

I found the redicules letter they just sent me, according to the date of the letter, it took a day better than a week to be mailed and for it to reach me. Take in mind it was mailed in the same county and city. This is the first paragraph:

"We are still processing your application for COMPENSATION. We apologize for the delay. You will be notified upon completion of processing. If you need to contact us, be sure to show the file number and full name of the veteran."

The rest just talks about any change of address and how to contact them by using their 1-800 number.

I wonder if a letter like this could just as well have been sent via E-mail and saved a few trees in the process. If they wanted to let me know anything, they could have sent me a letter saying my claim has been finished being developt and was now being forwarded to the Rating stage. Movement of the claim like that would mean more to me than an apology for taking so long when we already know they haven't been able to process a claim in a timely manner since the very begining of VA claims processing from times long ago.

Rockhound Rider

[pattrick]

I recieved the same letter the day I had my C and P exam. Funny, but a waste.

[Ron II]

I found the redicules letter they just sent me, according to the date of the letter, it took a day better than a week to be mailed and for it to reach me. Take in mind it was mailed in the same county and city. This is the first paragraph:

"We are still processing your application for COMPENSATION. We apologize for the delay. You will be notified upon completion of processing. If you need to contact us, be sure to show the file number and full name of the veteran."

Rockhound Rider

I believe that VA letters like the one you received are generated periodically and possibly whenever you send in correspondence. I don't think they are related to anything that is really going on.

And...like you implied...it is a waste of trees and time.

Ron