Help!

[BFR]

I was finally able to get into eBenefits and found what I expected to find; that my Gulf War Illness claim has been waiting for a decision for over a year. Apparently they've spent more than a year "review it to make sure we have everything we need to make an informed decision."

Is that within the norm? I understand that things take time and the resources are limited, but all I filed for are conditions in the GWI "presumptives" list (with what I think is an awesome IMO) that is written in the "VA speak" that Dr Bash recommended ( it's full of phrases like "more likely than not" type of stuff).

The IMO I sent is from a board certified in Internal Medicine saying "He has CFS. He has IBS. He has FM. And all of them are more likely than not directly related to military service." Do they really need a year to decide?

I'm getting worse and need to get this service connected so I can get VA treatment my private medical bills are huge. Should I get a rep to go to the VARO in Waco to find out what needs to happen? If I do that will it push me to the back of the line?

Please, any advice is most welcome.

From the eBenefits page:

Open Claims

Claim Date Claim Type Claim Status Is Your Attention Needed?

2010-08-24 Compensation Decision Phase No

Details on your Compensation claim received on 2010-08-24

• Regional Office of Jurisdiction: Waco
• Power of Attorney: TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION
• Status: Decision Phase
  Where Should You Send What We Need?
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  Regional Office
  One Veterans Plaza
  701 Clay Avenue
  Waco, TX 76799
  
  
  Contentions
  
  • Gulf War Syndrome
  • Next Steps: Your claim is currently located with our rating activity. We will review it to make sure we have everything we need to make an informed decision. If we have everything we need, we will prepare a proposed decision on your claim.
  • The length of time it takes to complete the Decision Phase depends on several factors, such as the type of claim filed, complexity of your disability(ies), the number of disabilities you claim, and the availability of evidence needed to decide your claim. The Decision Phase is completed on most claims between 16 and 28 days. The number of days provided is a national average of time claims spend in the Decision phase based on data at the end of May 2010. Please be advised that a claim may take longer in this phase based on the specifics of your claim.

[BFR]

I should have added that I have gotten no tasks from VA. There are no C&P requests, no requests for additional information, no nothing except one letter that my county rep told me to expect within 30 days that we answered on time.

As far as I know I've missed no deadlines. eBenefits seems to agree.

[carlie]

I was finally able to get into eBenefits and found what I expected to find; that my Gulf War Illness claim has been waiting for a decision for over a year. Apparently they've spent more than a year "review it to make sure we have everything we need to make an informed decision."

Is that within the norm? I understand that things take time and the resources are limited, but all I filed for are conditions in the GWI "presumptives" list (with what I think is an awesome IMO) that is written in the "VA speak" that Dr Bash recommended ( it's full of phrases like "more likely than not" type of stuff).

The IMO I sent is from a board certified in Internal Medicine saying "He has CFS. He has IBS. He has FM. And all of them are more likely than not directly related to military service." Do they really need a year to decide?

I'm getting worse and need to get this service connected so I can get VA treatment my private medical bills are huge. Should I get a rep to go to the VARO in Waco to find out what needs to happen? If I do that will it push me to the back of the line?

Please, any advice is most welcome.

BFR,

Yes with over a million in the backlog plus the Nehmer decisions, a one year wait at this time is nothing out of the norm.

I noticed your profile states you are 60% SC'd.At 50% SC or higher you can receive medical care and RX drugs fromyour VAMC for ANY medical condition at no charge and no co-payments.

I would say you still have AT LEAST several more months of waiting

before you receive any answers on your claim issues - so you can at least

go ahead and get your medical care and RX meds that you need now.

JMHO

[BFR]

That's true, Carlie. I'll have to work out the prescriptions based on the >50% rule.

About getting a service officer from someone like the DAV involved: does anyone know if that will reset the timeline...in other words, will it put my claim back at the end of the line if one were to intervene on my behalf?

[brokensoldier244th]

It also depends on what RO you are under. Mine, Lincoln, Ne, is pretty small compared to say, St. Pete's or Houston. I can usually get a claim adjudicated in around 7-8 months. I live here, though, so I can fax evidence, follow up with my VSO, get documents from Release of Info, easily. I have no illusions about how lucky I am with a small RO and living here compared to other vets across the state or in other jurisdictions. I manhandle my case pretty regularly.

The "monday morning report" spreadsheet (if you google that, you'll find it) shows how backlogged respective RO's are on the 2nd page. That will give you an idea about your RO's progress as a whole.

[BFR]

Interesting site. The Stats for the Waco, TX RO:

50,973 - Claims Pending

37,546 - Pending over 125 days

73.7% - Percent Pending over 125 days

Mine is at 435 days (for initial rating decision, not an appeal)

Edited November 1, 2011 by BFR

[BFR]

Thanks for the advice and information, but I'm still not sure what I should do.

Should I simply wait it out? Would enlisting the help of a representative who can walk into the Waco RO and find out what's going on speed up or push back the Decision phase?