Stats On Pending Claims

[Berta]

"Vets group: VA still struggles with late claims

The new head of the nation's largest veterans group said the Veterans Affairs Department is trying to speed up the processing of claims, but progress is proving elusive so far.

Fang Wong, the retired Army chief warrant officer elected in August to head the 2.4 million-member American Legion, said he trusts that VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is "trying hard to get this under control."

Still, the number of pending benefits claims is bigger today than at the start of the year, as is the number of claims pending for more than 125 days.

On Jan. 1, VA had 764,476 pending claims, and 39 percent of those had been pending longer than VA's 125-day goal. The Sept. 26 workload report shows 849,709 pending claims, with 60 percent pending for 125 days or more.

"Improvement is possible," Wong said. "They are trying a lot of different things at VA. But I just don't know when we are going to see things get better."

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20111002/PERSONNEL01/110020302/

If 39 % had been pending longer then the 125 day goal on Jan 1 that means a good portion of the 6o% on Sept 26th were probably denied right off the bat and might be part of the 60 % now pending on appeal.

But that assumes those denied claims have had their NODs filed already.

These are shocking stats. The BEST thing any vet can do is send them as much evidence as possible right from the git go and make sure they get a proof of mailing from the PO when they send it in.

[TravHill]

As crappy as it may sound, I think one way to speed things up is to get all paperwork up front and send it it all together. That way when you get your letter you can sen in you vcaa response stating you have no further information. That leaves only two options. Ready for decision or C&P. Either way, all evidence is there and done. It may cost you to get your records, but with a hopeful grant will pay for your costs (a stitch in time so to speak).

I wish it was that easy. From personal experience. I filled for an increase Nov 2, 2010. Turned in all information, had C&P early January 2011. Returned VCAA notice that I had no additional information....and via IRIS waived my wait period. C&P exam was very much in my favor, all Dr. notes complete and submitted in a single package.....ll months after submitting, still waiting. Shows that I am still in development phase and cannot get a real answer on what the hell is going on with my claim. No help from VA (on the phone or via IRIS), no help from the DAV rep.

I have come to the conclusion that the VA is on VA time, and nothing we can do will speed that up if they want to delay!

Travis

[JT24usn]

I believe that is dependent on RO's. You did do what needed to be done, but it does vary with RO's and backlogs. Sorry to hear it took so long. Does anybody know if fdc's are helping any? I am thinking of submitting one for my claim next week.

My last claim took 2 mos. Again, depends on RO's. Jmho

Edited October 5, 2011 by T8r