Rating Team

[Armyvet1987]

I called the VA hotline today to ask the status of my claim and they told me it was accepted by the rating team on march 2nd, after that it will go to a something or another team to verify your claim...Anyone have any idea this part takes, I started my claim October 28th, 2010.

[deanbrt]

It is a well known fact. the Nehmer cases have been given priority based on a court decision NVLSP gained. Just Google Nehmer and read some of the other posts here. Just scroll down. I don't begrudge old AO claims getting priority but for brand new ones to go to the head of the line I have a hard time with...

Deanbrt

You belive everything someone at the VA tells you? I don't think your claim has been pushed aside to allow some vet under Nehmer with IHD who is 65 years old to get a fast track. I think that is what the VA told you just to get you to blame other vets for their incompetence. If you claim has been in appeals for all those years blame the VA. I have been from the RO,BVA to Court of in five years. Nehmer did not slow it down. It is just slow because the VA is slow. They told you that cock and bull story to get you off their back.

[carlie]

I don't begrudge old AO claims getting priority but for brand new ones to go to the head of the line I have a hard time with...

deanbrt,

I don't think you are understanding the process of claims adjudication levels.

The "brand new ones to go to the head of the line", they aren't even in the line you are in !

You are in the appeals process line and they are in the Original Claims line,

these are two completely different sections.

[Chu Lai69]

My husband began his claim at the end of June 2010. His stuff went up to the rating board at the end of October 2010. We have been waiting since to receive his rating. Every time we call the VA, we are told his claim is still in the rating process but that right now the Phoenix VA (which is where his claim is being handled) is severely backlogged due to Congress's recent decision for Agent Orange claims. Apparently those claims have priority and everyone else has been pushed aside. What the heck is up with that? I understand that Congress should have allowed this business with Agent Orange to go through a long time ago, but why does everyone else have to be shoved aside?

NO, its because Veterans with Agent Orange Claims most of the time are presumptuous meaning these are easy fast cases to decide because all the vet has to do is prove boots on the ground. Besides that alot of vets have been waiting along time also in having their claims decided. God bless Congress for approving these extra added presumptive agent orange cases. Im sorry you feel like you have been pushed aside. A lot of us vets have had that feeling at one time or another. It is what it is and it will be rated when its rated. Just try and be a little bit happy that its at the rating board. Tons of vets have not even got that far yet. I know, been there done that!! Not good for the ole PTSD!!! PS, I try to tell my vet friends to stay off the 800# now, because you can get mixed results that can or can not be correct. Only causes more stress. I know its hard to do, hell I used to call every single day just to give me the satisfaction that at least I talked to someone, good or bad. Again, IT is what IT is.

Edited April 16, 2011 by Chu Lai69

[deanbrt]

Just read below from Maine...

"Despite the large volume and the fact that these cases are proving to be very complex and time consuming, we

have a mandate to complete the entire Nehmer project before October 1, 201l. To have any chance of meeting

this target, it was necessary to shift much of the claims- processing capacity of the Togus Regional Office to

this special project and, unfortunately, this has dealt a severe blow to our ability to process our normal

workload of claims for Maine veterans and their dependents in a timely manner.

For many years, Togus took pride in being recognized as an office that consistently completed quality claims

much faster than the national average. In terms of timeliness, this is no longer the case, and it will be some time

before we can make that claim again. As always, we will continue to give expedited service to those claims

involving a documented terminal illness or severe financial hardship. But aside from these special cases, it is

extremely difficult for us to provide meaningful estimates of when any other individual claims will be

completed. In many cases, we anticipate unavoidable delays of three months or more beyond the normal

processing time.

I can assure you that we are making every possible effort to complete the Nehmer project as soon as possible

and to process all claims in our jurisdiction in a thorough and accurate manner and to complete them as soon as

possible. I apologize for these unusual and unavoidable delays and beg your continued patience and

understanding as we work our way through this process. "

It is a well known fact. the Nehmer cases have been given priority based on a court decision NVLSP gained. Just Google Nehmer and read some of the other posts here. Just scroll down. I don't begrudge old AO claims getting priority but for brand new ones to go to the head of the line I have a hard time with...

[john999]

deanbrt

Your claim was in appeals for five years before the IHD claims. Whose fault is that? That is the VA's fault for letting your appeals sit for years gathering dust. If you have to wait 3 more months that is just a fraction of the time you have already waited. Blame the VA for their horrible treatment of AO vets over the last 45 years. Do you know how many have died waiting for help? Do you know how many will die before their conditions are every recognized? Most AO vets will probably die from an AO disease. You want to join the club. I know waiting is hard.

[Berta]

Nehmer claimants are not pushing anyone aside.

"I don't begrudge old AO claims getting priority but for brand new ones to go to the head of the line I have a hard time with.."

A Nehmer claim means the claim was already denied by VA in the past and in some cases-very long ago.

Many vets still tried to succeed in those older claims ,appealed and still couldn't succeed.

Any Nehmer veteran (or Nehmer widow like me)has already put our time in with a past denied claim.

Seventeen years have passed since my husband died of AO so I don't consider myself at the head if any line.