Appeal With Dro Over 6 Months

[11cvolley]

So my appeal has been with a DRO for over 6 months and nearly a year and my lawyer hasn't gotten anything from the VA other than accepted as my lawyer. I'm so tired of this hurry up and wait game...

[GLW]

How true. VSO gave no advice, no education, 18 months and no C-File. Dropped VSO, got a lawyer, Things changed, C-File in 30 days. New words from the VA. i.e. we will work with your attorney to resolve your claim. I think VSO's like to play lawyer at the appeals board and they are not very good at that. Let them help with the initial claim. Any appeal, find a good Vet Lawyer.

[11cvolley]

On the VSO's side of things, they deal with a wide range of veteran needs. Not just claims and appeals. The whole C&Ps, ROs, are like using your left hand to wipe, your right to eat, then shaking each other. Just doesn't work to well in the end. The ROs are also being thrown under the bus. Who came up with the idea to make denying claims so much easier and faster than approving them? I wonder how things would be today if it were easier and faster to approve claims. Especially with mental health.

[Fat]

"NEVER GIVE UP"

[ArNG11]

The VA does this because of the mentality of Veterans not wanting to rock the boat. Not bitting the hand that feeds you. I say the hell with that mentality. Bite the hand and eat the rest. This process is ALL adversarial. If it wasn't there would be no need to go up the chain and reach the Supreme Court. Counting on people who have coffee with the very people your fighting is just not smart. I'm not going to knock specific organizations or state that all VSO are in this for their own interests. These organizations do some good but don't loose sight of the prize, if there is such a thing. We are all adults here and we can come up with rationale and make educated decisions with the facts that are presented to us. NO ONE will care more about your case and livelihood than yourself and the family you support. Even a good attorney only has a 20% stake in your claim. It is still up to you to make things happen and not be caught up in the very bureaucracy that you are fighting. JMO

[ArNG11]

Staying with in the topic. My timeframe for DRO has been as such. First claim filed Aug 2012. First decision made June of 2013. Filed for secondaries Aug 2013. Filed second claim Sep 2013. Filed NOD May 2014. Filed 3rd claim June 2014. Filed 4th and final claim on Oct 2014. Currently DRO hearing set for April 2015 for first claim. That is timeline I have which includes the DRO hearing. 3 years 7 months to get to the DRO phase or at least to get to meet the person face to face. Interesting ride so far and still even more to come.

[air1]

My DRO hearing was Oct.2014,my hearing officer told me and my lawyer that she was going to do something.My question is will they contact me or my lawyer when they make decision or will they just mailed the decision.Also.try to expedite decision through Senator office brcause heart problems and VA said be finish in two weeks,that was December 15,2014.