Claim Status

[pilgrim01]

I filed my claim prior to actually retiring in Nov 08. I filed mid August and I was calling the VA every other week. My claim had been at the review board/rating board since Dec 4, 2008. Well, I called last Friday ans they told me it was "still at the review/rating board". Well, yesterday I sent a message via IRIS (learned that from this board) and they replied today stating....

"After review of your files, we see that your claim is “Ready for Decision.” Your claim is with the rating specialist at this time. Generally the rating specialist will take 60 days to reach a decision. After the decision is reached, it is reviewed, updated in our system, the updates are reviewed and authorized. Once it is authorized, a letter is sent to you explaining our decision."

What actually is "ready for Decison"? Does anyone actually know how much longer I really have? My VA office is in Roanoke, VA. Thanks, all!

[munchie1017]

thank you for that info. I am really learning a lot on this board. I never knew what i was getting into with this VA thing im just glad i found hadit to help along the way.

[pilgrim01]

Munchie,

No, I will be going to the hospital at Langley. Also, if I do not get the percentage I think I should receive, I can go the the Hampton DAV and they can assit me with an appeal, correct? I hope and pray I don't have to do that and that the VA will give me the percentage I feel I deserve.

I was told by someone who works in the va claims department in Oh that the longer you been out of service the longer you have to wait because it takes longer to retrive your files. I don't know how true that is. And to your question Pilgrim My only complain with that office is i had to send my medical records to them three times because one time they said that they never received it. and after i got my rating they sent a copy of my medical records back saying i sent to many copies. Wil you be treated at the va hospitail in hampton VA cause i heard horror stories about them.

[pilgrim01]

Bronco,

First, Thanks, for the info. How did you establish a dialogue with a rep? Was this person the actual rep that was working your claim? If so, how can I establish a connection with the rep working on mine? :-) Thanks!

[hollywoodnc]

Thanks, for the hope, munchie! B) Yeah, I filed mid-August and it is almost mid-Feb. So, based off your statement, I am really close!

Anyway, how is the Roanoke office? Pros/Cons??

"Anyway, how is the Roanoke office? Pros/Cons??"

It all depends on a few factors...

How many issues were filed in your claim...

How complex is it...

If your claim was retired at any given time for non-activity (1 yr. or more)...

What the evidence says...

Supporting evidence that you submitted...

If service records are already in place in your file...

If you file by the deadline (SOL)

If you file within a week, and ask to waive additional time, and resolve expeditiously...

The Con's...

In MY case, it seemed like it was forever!!! Roanoke is slow, but then I have multiple issues. It seemed that they weren't paying attention to detail!

They kept sending SSOC's/SOC's for each issue!?

I originally filed in Jun/July 2002. It left Roanoke for DC in 2007!

I've been bouncing back and forth with the BVA/AMC since then. I feel like a ping pong ball. :P

After a year or so, I was starting to wonder if these people were Brain Dead?

Each adjudicator is issued a group of claims numbers. It appears that I was subjected to a newbie, someone ready to retire (and preplanning their retirement), or a total dufus!

My POA was pulling his hair out of his head!

The Pro's...

They always sent a periodical "We're still working on your case." letter.

So, when you see and apply the above, you can now gauge your time at this office.

[hollywoodnc]

Munchie

I am at the Cleveland RO..but have been "farmed out" to Roanoke RO. I felt the Roanoke RO service was about 10 times better than Cleveland. IN Roanoke, the guy emailed me back and forth about my claim and, unfortunately, they sent it back to cleveland for rating.

Cleveland shreds about 60% of my evidence, while I have not had anything shredded at Roanoke.

Also, your claim will probably go faster since you are a "new" Vet..and new Vets have priority over us Vietnam era "older" Vets.

Sometimes, if things go good, new Vets can get claims done in a year or so. However, if one thing goes wrong, I think our claims go into "the dead zone"..none of the rating specialists want to work on "difficult" claims..they take longer so they just wind up in a pile and are not touched for years. Rating specialists have a quota..so many ratings per day, so they stay away from the "difficult" cases, like mine, like the plague. They "cherry pick" claims that are simple..only one issue, not a lot of medical history to read, and no IMO's. The "difficult" claims are left in the pile..appeals, multiple issues, IMO's, long medical histories, ..anything "out of the ordinary".

One reason new Vets claims always go first (other than some legislation mandating it..of course, VA pays no attention to regulations..after all, they do have their agenda..)is that the medical history is less, and less reading is required..that is they take the rating specialist far less time. So, why pick an old VN vets claim, which could take six hours, when a new Vet claim may only take one hour.

I have a friend in Group therapy, who applied for benefits in 1973 from a Vietnam war wounds..he is in a wheel chair with braces on his legs. They awarded him NSC pension..and he has been fighting for 100% for more than 35 years. There is really no doubt that his injuries are from the war, (and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out he is 100%) but the Cleveland RO has made him wait more than 3 decades for his benefits anyway. His medical records are so extensive, that his claim may not fit in a wheelbarrow.

That's not necessarily accurate...

Newer Vets do not get preferential treatment...UNLESS, there's a "Campaign" to resolve cases that are sure wins! A specific group of people will handle these claims.

During my term at my RO, there was a campaign to resolve all cases involving Agent Orange to Diabetes. A specific group of people handled this group of claims.

Normally, "Date Tags" are placed on ALL claims to be worked. These claims must be resolved within a certain time frame. As we all know, they ARE backlogged, and NOW they are expecting a slew of new claims to pour in.

I am glad that my claim is in the BVA level. However, they're remanding my case back and forth! This is quite frustrating.

The reason for this, is due to the RO not doing their part to resolve the claim.

On the flip side, we are perfecting this claim/case for the District Court.

This delay also gives me the time and opportunity to seek additional IMO's!

On the FLIP side, I DID notice that their are adjudicators that DO avoid MONSTROUS claims. You ARE RIGHT, with the "Quota Bonus" crap! I've written letters to elected officials, that this bonus is driving Veterans crazy, because in order for the RO to earn that bonus, they ARE resolving the quick cases.

Not ALL are doing this though...!

Regardless...it should be eliminated. This damn quota bonus promotes greed, and it is a violation of law, when a Veteran with a claim consisting of multiple issues, has his/her rights to have a claim resolved in a timely manner/fashion!...aka: Due Process!

Edited February 4, 2009 by hollywoodnc

[pilgrim01]

Thanks, Hollywood. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Also, can anyone tell me how this scenario works: I listed a problem on my claim with numbness/tingling from the bottom of my back down the back of my right leg to my foot. It happens after sitting for awhile (or sitting with a wallet in my pocket) and occurs about 3 - 6 times per year. It is happening right now. I have an appt tomorrow with my doctor. What should I do about this as far as my claim is concerned being that it is still being reviewed? What if they don't give me any disability for this problem? They didn't give it a name, just "foot numbness condition". They checked me for diabetes, but the results were negative. I had a EKG done. I think that is the name. Where they put all these needles in you and electrocute you, checking the nerves, I guess. It was very painful! Anyway, I don't think they said anything was wrong either. What gives?