Anyone Ever Req A Diff Varo?

[autumn]

it was mentioned to me today that veterans can request moving claims to different VARO.

why would one do this and is this wise?

[john999]

Can you request a specific VARO? If not you may end up at a worse VARO like St. Petersburg.

[broncovet]

The "Why" is easy. If your claim is stuck someplace like Cleveland, St. Pete, Buffalo, etc...its easy to know why: The bottom line is that Veterans in some states are more likely to get awarded benefits than those in other states.

This explains WHY Vets would want to change Regional Offices:

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/04/tracey_boulian_hank_vasil_of.html

As far as I know the Veteran can not switch RO's ...or else the bad ones would have to shut down for lack of customers. I would "LOVE" to switch RO's...to one like Maine or New Mexico. It would almost certainly mean a higher benefit level.

The VA OFTEN "farms claims out" if they are busy, allegedly to get claims out faster. My RO "farmed out" my claim at least twice, and it resulted in further delays. The VA can switch you...but I was not awared if/how Vets can switch, especially if they have not gotten a fair shake in their first RO.

[Berta]

"it was mentioned to me today that veterans can request moving claims to different VARO."

I don't think that is possible otherwise I would have requested ANY RO but the one I have as AOJ.

When you see the initials AOJ in BVA cases it means Agency of Original Jurisdiction -the first RO who held the claim.

If you move to another state then I guess you transfer over to that state's RO if they have one.

I was thrilled when my AO claim went from Buffalo to Togus but then it went instead to Philadelphia RO which is A OK with me.

VA's policy of "farming out" to me is synonymous with saying Let's deliberately add some more time to this one.

[autumn]

>>I don't think that is possible otherwise I would have requested ANY RO but the one I have as AOJ.

the one in this state doesn't seem to grasp there are secondary issues with MS. the c&p doc in not so many words said that. that leaves me a bit cautious with this VRO

>>VA's policy of "farming out" to me is synonymous with saying Let's deliberately add some more time to this one.

that is certainly the result

[autumn]

The "Why" is easy. If your claim is stuck someplace like Cleveland, St. Pete, Buffalo, etc...its easy to know why: The bottom line is that Veterans in some states are more likely to get awarded benefits than those in other states.

>>This explains WHY Vets would want to change Regional Offices:

http://blog.clevelan...k_vasil_of.html

exactly (see my reply to ms berta)

>>It would almost certainly mean a higher benefit level.

>>if/how Vets can switch, especially if they have not gotten a fair shake in their first RO.

if the rater /and/or RO doesn't quite understand the nature of the medical issue(s) even to the point of not being able to schedule adequate exams for secondary issues, what is a vet to do?

[carlie]

if the rater /and/or RO doesn't quite understand the nature of the medical issue(s) even to the point of not being able to

schedule adequate exams for secondary issues, what is a vet to do?

autum,

They know what to schedule.

If you are having a difficult time getting what is needed

my suggestion is to get an IMO - I know they usually cost but

it is an investment.

JMHO