Received The Large White Envelope

[mags1023]

I was excited when I received my mail today and there was a large white envelope in it with VA rtrn address. To my disappointment it was another letter asking for more information. What confuses me is it is talking about my NOD for service connected DDD lumbar spine, but it also mentions that this condition is under appeal. I have sent in volumes of evidence and information and anything I send is just a repeat of what I have already sent. My question is, what do you all think. Should I send in the VCAA and say I have furhter info to provide and then prepare another letter with the same evidence I have provided or should I just send the VCAA notice in and tell them to make a decision with what I have already provided. I am leaning towards the former, because maybe they will try to decide on it prior to my appeals travel board.

To ward off a couple of questions you may have, I looked at what they said they have received and it appears there may be some letters they didn't include. I didn't do as good a job of keeping track (copies of what I send) before I found this site. But, I know they have the info that I would be providing.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[Pete53]

Berta is on the money.

[broncovet]

Yes, I certainly agree with Berta and Pete with just a tiny bit to add to it.

After you have done these things, send an IRIS email as to what claims you have pending and what dates.

Make sure what YOU think is going on with your claim is what IRIS thinks is going on.

Altho IRIS is not always accurate, neither is the RO!

I like the new IRIS..its done nationally and not through each individual RO.

I discovered HUGE discrepencies this way..I thought I had a TDIU claim pending, IRIS says no.

I thought I had appeals pending, IRIS says NO. It is ONE way you can stay on top of your claim and Identifiy, for example, if the RO has shredded your NOD.

By doing this, it probably saved me at least a year.

JMHO

[Philip Rogers]

I agree w/Berta. Just two points. You stated "But, I know they have the info that I would be providing." How do you know?? Have you seen your c-file and it's there?? Or you know you've previously submitted it?? If it's the latter, then send in the additional evidence, even tho it may be duplicate, and list the evidence in your statement. Also, if you have a DRO request in, for the same claim, it "must" be heard prior to the traveling board. If it is not heard, prior, the board will remand it for the DRO decision, which will add an extra 2-4 yrs to your claim decision. If you haven't viewed your c-file recently I strongly suggest you do, so as to verify what evidence they do have. Remember just because you've submitted it doesn't mean it's there. Also if you are assuming the claims people have evidence from your VA medical file, DON'T! The various entities within the VA don't talk to each other unless you mention where the evidence is and request that they get it. jmo

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