Who Has Actually Done A Reconsideration, What Was The Outcome And How Long Did It Take?

[pilgrim01]

I just wanted to get an approximate timeframe in mind to relax my soul due to a Reconsideration I submitted. I just wanted to know, who actually has submitted one, what was the outcome and how long did it take? Keep in mind, I am still in my first 12 months after retirement. I submitted under the BDD Program. I retired Nov 2008 and my rating was finalized on 16 March. I submitted the Reconsideration on 14 April. Thanks, for reading.

[Eric_M]

I filed a NOD in Feb 09. I then got a phone call from an actual employee from the VA regional office, in early April.

The VA rep said the NOD could take years, he said reconsideration would take a couple weeks.

Faxed in a note saying pull my NOD and reconsider. Just sent back my duty to assist notice, still waiting to hear something.

This was the Portland, Oregon RO.

I am sure they like the reconsider path, looks better than an appeal. My claim had been farmed out to San Diego RO, and they screwed it up, so I am sure there is some CYA factor.

I am hoping for 60 days, almost there.....Eric

[pilgrim01]

Eric M,

WOW! He said a Reconsideration could take a couple of weeks!?!?! Well, I hope mine takes only a couple of weeks. (probably not) I mean I've only been retired for 6 months. I hope they will take that into consideration.

[Eric_M]

Pilgrim,

Yeah, I asked him twice, because I thought I miss heard him.

Probably meant a couple weeks to get to the rating board, then who knows?

I will post up, when I get some news....Eric

[pilgrim01]

Great. Thanks!

I'm still waiting for them to even acknowledge that they have received my reconsideration.

[john999]

Pilgrim

They granted the reconsideration, but I don't think it was much faster than a DRO appeal would have taken. One thing to remember is that the NOD clock continues to tick while you wait for reconsideration. I would not wait too long to file the NOD. You have one year from the date of your rating decision. Most of us win these things on appeal. Did you write in capital letters "THIS A RECONSIDERATION REQUEST AND NOT AN NOD" on your reconsideration? If there is doubt they will consider it a NOD.

[pilgrim01]

Thanks, john. No I didn't write in all caps as you did but I did state "this is a request for reconsideration".

I have a little bit of time remaining since my decision was date stamped 16 March.