Two Hundred Eighty Three Days For Claim

[Guest Jim S.]

The latest update on my claim has the phone clerk telling me it will take 283 days from start to finish for my claim to be processed. I guess they have been taking numbers to see how long the average number of claim will take to reach a decision at my local VARO. So if this is correct, then I shouldn't expect anything until May or June of this year. They have everything they need here in town, everything else is a part of my C-File already and the only thing I can think of is a C&P exam and/or IMO of my records. The rest of my medical files are at the VAMC.

So why does it take so long for a claim to be processed? More to the point, why do they keep changing their story when you call, doesn't everyone at the VARO know how to read a computer screen, and if so, why the different story from them week to week?

If they think I am going to stop checking each week, I think they have a lot to learn.

Jim S. :)

[Stretch]

My claims were originaly filed in 1986. My claims have been open, this time, since November 2002.

[Ricky]

Filed my claims in Feb 04, received rating Jul 05, filed NOD Aug 05, got generic SOC Dec 05. Pretty quick huh? If only they would have read my evidence maybe at least on of my 7 issues might have been approved.

[Testvet]

you are presuming they can read, they get paid on production of claims processed, not accuracy, their theory is let it go to BVA and remand it , or let BVA award it, but they got it off their desk, who cares what it does to the veterans or their families in the process..................

[Angela]

Where are you all from. I'm in Texas, my VARO is in Houston. Filed my original claim while still active, received initial rating 2 weeks after retirement (Jan 03). Just sent in my CUE request in Nov 05. In Dec got request for more evidence, etc. They made it sound like it could be as quick as 60 days for a decision. Are they just quicker on the initial claims or am I incredibly lucky?

Angela

[Guest Jim S.]

It seemed to me that the claim was moving along roughly at the pace I thought it would take. That was until they sent my claim to my SO for his look see. Although I had a POA with the DAV, I had submitted the claim myself. He sent it back with a Memo suggesting that the needed to develop the claim further and get my Social Security Claim File and then shortly after that they made a request on what type of claim I wished to submit, a claim for reconsideration, or as a CUE claim.

Things appear to have ground to a halt after we, that is after my SO and I discussed the matter and agreed, that reconsideration was the best type of claim for now, anyway it appears to have ground to a halt. Now they are putting me off with this rediculous estimate of the number of days it will take to process my claim for a decision.

If they deny the reconsideration, do you appeal that just like a new claim with new and material evidence?

Do you attack the claim as to why they denied the reconsideration, or do you still attack on the issues in your claim you are trying to SC? I'm in new territory if the deny my claim on reconsideration.

I know I'm a bit early, second guessing the VARO, or whoever does the reconsideration claims, but to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. AT least if they give me a broad side, I will have something to fight back with.

Jim S. :)

Edited March 1, 2006 by Jim S.

[Pete53]

Where are you all from. I'm in Texas, my VARO is in Houston. Filed my original claim while still active, received initial rating 2 weeks after retirement (Jan 03). Just sent in my CUE request in Nov 05. In Dec got request for more evidence, etc. They made it sound like it could be as quick as 60 days for a decision. Are they just quicker on the initial claims or am I incredibly lucky?

Angela

Angela:

That may be the exception when you file as you are leaving. Lets hope your claim now goes as well.