Dro Hearings "informal Conference" Request

[Gastone]

2 NOD filed with DRO hearing requested and pending, 2010 and 2011. While reviewing DRO instructions in 38 CFR, I came across the "Informal conference" section. I have as of 4/12/14 requested that I be allowed an Infromal conference prior to the DRO Hearings.

Anybody with "Informal Conference" experience?

[carlie]

DRO Hearing 6/27/14. Advised by DRO that it was a formal appeal hearing that would be recorded and transcribed. He stated it would take approx. 15 months for me to receive a copy of transcription. I advised him that I didn't know which of my 2 outstanding NOD Hearings were being addressed and that I had requested an "informal conference," within the past year. At that point, the DRO advised me that we could proceed with an "Informal Hearing" and would address both my pending NOD's, if I was prepared to address the 2nd NOD, which I was. Best move I could have made. After about 30 min. of back and forth, the DRO said he was granting my 2 NOD's Issues of primary concern. TDIU and SMC-K. Later that afternoon, my VSO called that he already had the DRO AWARD letter on his desk. SMC-K back to 2008 and TDIU 04/2011. Merry Xmas to me in July.

Thanks for your input and support.

Semper Fi

George

Great news.

Spend wisely.

Check out all benefits to include State.

I believe you also get dental now.

[hmcquade]

Hugh, what is "IMHO?" It's been my understanding of the NOD with request for DRO and Hearing has been supposedly faster than a standard BVA Court appeal, at least back to 2010, when I filed my 1st NOD with Request for DRO Hearing. As far as what's currently going on in the press, I don't know if or what effect it has. I do know that the DRO at my hearing was very apologetic regarding the length of time from my 1st NOD to this hearing.

I have to admit, a big reason for the lag time, was on my initial involvement in my claim. 08/2008 filed with help of VSO, he did nothing after initial filing and neither did I. I really didn't get involved in my own claim until the 11th month after denial date of 1st claim. Stupid, ya I know. That being said, I have to take 1 year off the 1st NOD DRO Hearing because of my own procrastination. But I've been all in since. Once involved, I realized, it was all on me, to win or loose. I like to think, it was a combination of info from these Vet Sites and all my efforts, that resulted in my recent DRO Hearing Success

Thanks for your interest and I wish you the best. It ain't LUCK, it's YOU and your effort that will determine the outcome>

Semper Fi

George.

IMHO= IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

Hugh