Dro Interview Over ..

[jcolwell]

I promised an update to the group on my interview at DRO Phoenix.
My appeal is Ischemic Heart Disease with ICD, perimeter augmentee 1970 and jet
engine mechanic with travel to test cell site weekly.
I used the Dave D map( thanks Dave) to show where I went on base. I never
mentioned my barracks. Also in appeal is Chronic renal disease secondard to IHD
and GERD service connection. DBQ in file for both of these.
VSO advised to go with informal interview versus formal interview. Informal
interview was more like a conversation , questions from all parties back and
forth. He did ask about travel and stopping in Vietnam ( I did Travis to Udorn
)He used the term AO throughout the meeting. Despite the casual atmosphere of
the meeting I knew he was evaluating my demeanor etc.
He was most impressed with my statement from my Colonel who also signed my
evaluation and went back to this several times as very strong evidence.
Initially he wanted my SSDI file but then changed his mind and said he would not
need it after all. I have all private records and never had a C and P.
My wife an RN was present and allowed to speak to my history of indigestion
since DC and ongoing GERD and Barrett's. I had 2 statements from family RN's. He
also referred to John G buddy letter as evidence. Thanks John G on this site.
He noted that everything was in order and the DBQ completed was excellent. He
fell short of saying I might get a approval but told the VSO , " you know this
will be 100% with the ICD". He repeated several times " you have strong evidence
from your prior Colonel". He also said if IHD approved then DM2 would be
approved as well ( another claim ). After meeting VSO spoke with us in hallway
she said she thought he would probably approved the claim.
I cant count the chickens yet, and the fat lady has not started singing. I would
retro back to 10/2010.
Then VSO took me back to office and filed 5 more claims on secondard stuff like
ED etc.
Thanks Jim and Patsy

[carlie]

I hear you about the new claims being filed now.I have always heard it will slow things down. I filed for DM2 and HTN and depression about 6 months ago while my appeal was pending and really I don't think it slowed the appeal down at all. We were prepared to wait 2-3 years from what VSO said. During the interview he mentioned all the others diagnosis he noticed in the history and physicals. Despite this being about an apeal for 3 issues he did allow my RN wife to show him a list of all of my diagnosis and a list of all of my meds............I am honestly glad they put it all out there so that I don't have to file them myself. My health is such that I wanted to get everything filed just in case.

We are hopeful but know the train could derail at any time for a variety of reasons. I do have confidence in the VSO we had at the meeting. Lucky for us the guy that was suppose to sit in on the meeting was ill and we got the one we really like. Time will tell.

Thank you for your interest.

PS : One thing we learned from our VSO which we just got 6 months ago..........file for a DRO interview in person. We sat on our case for 1.5 years and finally I felt we had done everything we could to move it along......we went to DAV met with VSO and she immediately file for a hearing which we never thought we needed. The meeting happened 6 months after our request.

it is funny how we learn to accept the " Deviant of the Normal. Jim and Patsy

Keep in mind that for the record and as far as the appeal process goes,

no DRO hearing was either scheduled or held.

A claimant can request a hearing at the VARO at any time and sooner or later

one should be scheduled - but that is not the VBA action process for a DRO hearing.

[jcolwell]

Keep in mind that for the record and as far as the appeal process goes,

no DRO hearing was either scheduled or held.

A claimant can request a hearing at the VARO at any time and sooner or later

one should be scheduled - but that is not the VBA action process for a DRO hearing.

Thanks , When we filed our NOD we never formally asked for a DRO meeting to discuss our claim. I kinda left it to he DRO to call us etc. Because the medical is not of question we really felt comfortable meeting with the reviewer , to provide our direct exposure evidence which was some new and old which we felt was not considered for a Thailand perimeter exposure. I appreciate your sobering comments and expertise.

We will get a formal interview for a BVA appeal ? Right?

Help me understand , the reason a formal would have been to my benefit ? The evidence and witness we gave really is what it is and wont change that information in the future.for the BVA. Jim

[71M10]

Whether you get a hearing at the BVA level is dependent on the choice you make on your form 9(waive hearing, in person DC, Travel Board, or Video).

I had a formal DRO hearing for two seperate appeals in March of 2011(filed in Jan 2011). The day after the hearing I had a SOC in my mailbox with a 20% award for the range of motion on my cervical spine. They do not have to wait for that transcript to make a decision (telling you that it would delay a decision by months was an outright lie). The transcript would only really have relevance if they do not make a full grant of benefits. The transcript on my hearing came 5-6 weeks later. The other appeal has been pending for 2 years and supposedly a decision was made 3/36/2013 (still waiting for a copy of it).

If this DRO was such a "Good Egg", why did this DRO review sit for 2 years? As for the Witness and evidence given during the Informal conference. Depends entirely what the DRO puts in his notes for the meeting( They actually have a form for this). If you have to appeal this to the BVA, what your witness's actually said will not be part of the record. The evidence you turned over should be put in your C-File, but as we know the VA often times does not do what it should. Did they give you date stamped copies of the evidence you turned in or a receipt for it?

Sorry for being so negative, If the DRO was on the up and up with you, you should have no problem. My concern is if you have to go to the next level.

Best regards,

[jcolwell]

thanks , makes more sense now. When and if we do form 9 we will ask for travel board or video.

I never had a VSO until 11/2012. We did all the work ourselves until the wait became so long. On the first day we met VSO she immediately signed us up for a DRO meeting. My fault we missed that step. I only wish we get news as quick as you did. JIm

[71M10]

Well i wouldn't call it quick when you consider they were aware of the cervical issue since jan 2006 and refused to work the issue for 4 years. They have had the medical opinion on sleep apnea and refused to work it for 4 years, and now have taken 2 years three months to work it. They say the decision was complete 3/26 and mailed, but i still don't have it. The SSOC that was mailed the same day they say they mailed the decision was here on 3/28.

I do hope you get good news soon!