ptsd Request For Reconsideration Filed

[midnight340]

I was denied service connection for PTSD, (but awarded 70% non-SC and pension to boost my Soc. Sec. a bit.)

Denial was based on VA saying I was not stationed where my main stressor happened (incorrect) and my not having sent enough detailed info to look into other stressors. I was in the process of writing up a request for reconsideration when the VA social worker for my PCT group (PTSD) offered to help. She actually spent seven (7!!!) one hour sessions over the last couple of weeks writing up a very detailed response both to explain the misunderstanding of records, and explaining how PTSD symptoms affect my daily life.

I was very relieved, and so very thankful for the help. This greatly relieved my anxiety about this. She is much better at organizing thoughts than I am !!! She faxed all the written material to a trusted American Legion person at my VARO to hand in personally. I am writing this to say thanks to the two of them, and to all the people here who have been so helpful. We really need more people like them.

I am hoping that the VARO will reopen my file and assess the new evidence that I have sent. (I believe copies of official orders placing me at the location and time of my main stressor event qualifies as "new evidence"...)

I am happy for those who have reported receiving results, and wish good luck to all the rest of you who are waiting like I am once again.

[carlie]

I was denied service connection for PTSD, (but awarded 70% non-SC and pension to boost my Soc. Sec. a bit.)

Denial was based on VA saying I was not stationed where my main stressor happened (incorrect) and my not having sent enough detailed info to look into other stressors. I was in the process of writing up a request for reconsideration when the VA social worker for my PCT group (PTSD) offered to help.

Be sure to file a formal Notice Of Disagreement on the issues you don't agree with,

on the rating decision within one year - or in most cases you will loose out on your

possibility of an earlier effective date.

JMHO

[midnight340]

The advice that I have gotten so far is to wait on the NOD for now, and see what they do with the reconsideration. This along with keeping an eye on the calendar and making sure I file the NOD before the year is up if I don't get positive response from my current request for reconsideration.

Are there other opinions on this???

Is there anything else I can do, or would doing anything simply get in the way of what I have already sent in? (detailed in original post)

[Philip Rogers]

Personally, I think reconsideration requests are a waste of time. The VA rarely changes the decision of the previous rater, unless it's a DRO decision. In fact they rearely read further than the previous raters decision. jmo

pr

[deanbrt]

There is a lot of differing advice on this but my belief is that if a substantial award is in the works the DRO process is a year and 1/2 wasted that it could have been making its way through BVA.

[midnight340]

First of all, I admit I don't know a lot yet about this process. I went with the reconsideration request because I was advised by a couple of VSO people who told me it would be a faster route...(and they seem to be very highly regarded in this region because, so I am told, they get results.) They said this was the proper route to take as I had specific new evidence that directly responded to the reasons stated for the denial.

Does it make a difference time-wise whether I file an NOD now vs. towards the end of the year?

[carlie]

Personally, I think reconsideration requests are a waste of time. The VA rarely changes the decision of the previous rater, unless it's a DRO decision. In fact they rearely read further than the previous raters decision. jmo

pr

Ditto on pr.

Also, in regards to a request for reconsideration -

During all my years of study and research - I have only been able to find regs for -

Motion for Reconsideration / Request for Reconsideration, at the BVA or Court levels.

I have found NO REGS for Reconsideration at the VARO level, other than this being done during a

DRO De Novo Review or DRO Hearing.