Appeal Process In General

[71M10]

Greetings all:

while doing some research I came accross this CRS report. You may find it handy due to the footnotes that cite the CFR, M21, other reports and VA publications ect.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42609.pdf

Best regards,

[john999]

I think 2-3 years is more like it. I would go out and hire me a lawyer. Are you going for 100%? If so get a lawyer is you are going to have to wait that long. It means money for the lawyer and money for you because it comes out of retro to pay the lawyer. You may end up at CAVC. You should think in those terms.

[jhilly]

thx john999....do you recommend one??? do most of them charge like civil ones do, 33%???

[justrluk]

For two of my issues, certification of appeal was 12/2010, hearing 1/2013 at the ATL VARO. Time to get your facts, issues, etc. on paper and I agree with John: get professional help if you can. My VSO did OK during the process, but mentioned things that slowed down the process. I still haven't had the C&P directed by the remand for the issue that was actually in my written appeal/NOD.

[jhilly]

thx justrluk...

[john999]

VA lawyers are supposed to charge 20% of retro. If they ask for more than that get a different one. They all want you to sign a contract. Read it well. They do work on contingency. With the sort of waits facing vets it takes a lawyer with a lot of irons in the fire to make a living. Look up NOVA and they have lists of lawyers in your area who are qualified to represent vets. You don't need one from your hometown.

John

[Chuck75]

Well, Here I go again!

Earlier this week, A fat brown envelope filled with VA verbiage, Partial awards, Bi-lateral awards, no changes,

and omitted issues arrived!

Most notable was the lack of a summary page, and any reference to "CUE" able past decisions, and a reply due date shorter than

that listed on the form 9. It looks like SMC at some level was also ignored, and downplayed, as awards for various conditions

were at maximum 40% (before any Bi-lateral consideration.) I'm already at 100% schedular for one condition not mentioned.

The bi-laterals were 40% and 10% for each side. If I directly added every thing beyond the 100%, and then added the 100%,

I'd end up close to 200%