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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 help_icon.gif
  • 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.

_______________

I want to thank TBird, carlie, pete992, Pete53, and Berta for all the help and advice they've given me over the years. And also to the Elders, Moderators, and Admins for the work they do. I want you to know that you are truly appreciated!

-- Ben

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If his/her evidence is good, there may not be a C&P. Ive had an increase once with no C &P, based on evidence that Id already presented.

You said you have not received any requests for C&P exam? If that is correct, you need to expect that. They always request a C&P exam - then you will get a decision usually in a couple of months after the C&P

The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound.Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching. --17 different possible sources, all lacking verifiable attribution.

B.S. Doane College, Mgt Info Systems/Systems Analysis 2008

M.S.Ed. Purdue University, Instructional Development and Technology, Feb. 2021

M.S. Purdue University Information Technology/InfoSec, Dec 2022

100% P/T

MDD

Spine

Radiculopathy

Sleep Apnea

Some other stuff

-------------------------------------------
B.S. Info Systems Mgt/Systems Analysis-Doane College 2008
M.S. Instructional Technology and Design- Purdue University 2021

 

(I AM NOT A RATER- I work the claims BEFORE they are rated, annotating medical evidence in your records, VA and Legal documents,  and DA/DD forms- basically a paralegal/vso/etc except that I also evaluate your records based on Caluza and try to justify and schedule the exams that you go to based on whether or not your records have enough in them to warrant those)

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Some of the very best advice that I ever got on this site was that sitting around thinking, worrying about a claim and/or appeal will only get you depressed and sick. That advice was to get a hobby, involved in your community and/or veterans issues. No one knows when a claim/appeal will be settled, and no one can speed them up. JMHO.

Papa

MY problem is that waiting is bringing closer to death... there is no cure, they told me the next time I get an infection they will remove my pancreas, but since i have complications, it pretty much means a lot of misery!, then shortly after, a horrible death...

so, that adice of just suck it up and wait doesn't work with me.. and yes, I have already seen the head doctors and they know... the va is evil when it comes to people who are very sick... they just round file you and if you die first, well, it's F-U!

but there is one question I have not asked, or if I have I forgot, or not got an good answer..

Does anyone that is powerful read these forums? I mean people who can actually push VA buttons?

Powerful means they are more equal than the rest of us and make bad people do the right thing?

Edited by retiredat44

Not in appeals, since I got 100%, and some of it was winning an 1151 negligence, which the VA turns out does not give ful benefits if you win 1151 negligence they squirm and legal loophhole you and your family out of many benefits, really crapp nasty bunch running the va benefits, they wil backstab and scre wyou even if you win you lose. May 2021.

01-01-11_My_Medical_Records2.jpg

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MY problem is that waiting is bringing closer to death... there is no cure, they told me the next time I get an infection they will remove my pancreas, but since i have complications, it pretty much means a lot of misery!, then shortly after, a horrible death...

so, that adice of just suck it up and wait doesn't work with me.. and yes, I have already seen the head doctors and they know... the va is evil when it comes to people who are very sick... they just round file you and if you die first, well, it's F-U!

but there is one question I have not asked, or if I have I forgot, or not got an good answer..

Does anyone that is powerful read these forums? I mean people who can actually push VA buttons?

Powerful means they are more equal than the rest of us and make bad people do the right thing?

Can't answer your question but, I just sent this to my senator's email box!

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