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]

Ouch, I had no idea they could take that long to do nothing. Could it be "stuck" in the system somewhere?

[Teac]

Not what you really want to hear, but, I am using the same regional office. My case was sent to them February 2008, and I am still waiting. All i can say is, USUALLY, the longer the wait, the more likely the claim will be granted...I hope that helps you a little, as for as a time deadline, they don't have one, you get it when they are ready to grant it...

I don't know why you think the longer the wait the more likey it is to be approved....... But I respectfuly disagree, the waiting time has no bearing on rather a claim is granted or denied. The evidence decides the status of a claim nothing more nothing less.

[carlie]

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)

Statistics are done, when someone never has to say they're certain : -)

[Papa]

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

[BFR]

@ carlie: There are three kinds of lies: little lies, big lies and statistics.

@ Papa: Good advice. I didn't start getting itchy about it till I realized it had been 14 months. As for getting involved in veterans' issues, well, that's easy. I hip deep in them 40 hours a week. :)

Edited November 3, 2011 by BFR

[vetwife]

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