Dro And 18 Months Later

[Ken1]

18 months ago,
I had a DRO hearing and have sit quietly waiting the results. This week I
called my senator to have someone with in the group to check status of my
claims. My appealed claims are with the rating specialist

Once the rating specialist completes their part, will the DRO hearing officer review
rating or with be open to any DRO officer?

The senator’s office with recheck status of claim in 45 days.

Thanks for any replies

Ken

[deanbrt]

Your senator may help later on. Right now, all they do is file a form request for info with the VA liaison and that is it.

[Ken1]

Thanks for the reply

[Commander Bob]

18 months ago,

I had a DRO hearing and have sit quietly waiting the results. ...

Thanks for any replies

Ken

Hi Ken,

Sorry to hear about your wait. Good luck.

I agree with 'deanbrt', and, jmho,... save the big guns for when you need them.

Here are a few wait time claims from late last year, I pulled them off of a Vet's Atty's web site, dated feb 11.

"My

Firm has several cases before the Waco VA Regional Office right now.

Here are some of the wait times my clients have experienced; I’ve used

these cases as examples because they are the “straightforward”cases

where there is no reason that the VA should be denying part or all of the claims.

Client #1.

This client is the surviving spouse of Vietnam Veteran who died of his

Agent Orange related illnesses in 2009. Surviving spouse filed claim

for survivor’s benefits in September 2009. Client received full denial

in April 2010. After a timely Notice of Disagreement, a DRO Hearing was

finally scheduled and held in December 2011. After the DRO promised a

full grant of accrued benefits and DIC by the end of December 2011, no

action has been taken on the case in 3 months.

Client #2.

This client is the victim of a Military Sexual Trauma. The initial

claim was filed in May 2009 and denied by the VA in May 2010. After a

timely Notice of Disagreement the VA scheduled a DRO Hearing for

December 2010. The hearing was cancelled so that the Veteran could have

a C&P (Compensation and Pension Exam in January 2011). In the 13

months since January 2011, the file has sat on the DRO’s desk and no

decision has been written.

Client #3:

This client, a Vietnam Veteran, filed a claim to reopen his claim in

November 2008. The VA denied the claim in November 2009. After a timely

Notice of Disagreement, the VA scheduled a DRO Hearing for July 2011.

The Veteran has submitted additional new and material evidence to

support a grant of benefits, but has heard nothing from the VA in the 7

months since July 2011.

Client #4:

This client, a Vietnam-era Veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange

while serving on the Korean DMZ during the Vietnam War, filed his claim

in December 2009, which the VA quickly denied by April 2010. After

submitting a timely Notice of Disagreement, the VA did nothing until

this past week, when it set a DRO hearing for April 2012.

Client #5:

This client, a Vietnam Veteran, submitted his claim in August 2008,

which the VA denied by October 2008. This Veteran was never given a DRO

Hearing, instead it took nearly 3.5 years for the BVA to set a hearing

in his case. That BVA hearing is set for April 2012."

Of course, it depends on where you live.

Best regards,

Cmdr.Bob

[deanbrt]

August of 2006 to July of 2012 for me.....

[Ken1]

Thanks guys, I started my claims Oct 2007 ~ present understand its a long time process

Ken

[deanbrt]

The good news is that the ones that stay the course can win. : )