Fdc Pending Decision Approval - Timeline - Recent Experience

[rootbeer22]

Folks:

Anyone have recent experience with how long the Pending Approval Decision Phase is now taking? I know that are a lot of variables by location, # contentions, and complexities but it's clear that the "big push" to clear the claims backlog is on. Also, today I saw something said that claims prcessing accuracy is almost at an all time high?

[rootbeer22]

broncovet

I'm really sorry to hear that "everything" was denied...for your case...that is brutal at best...did they not have any of your SMRs? Generally, I've heard that the usual denial rate is about 85 percent but not 100 percent? Also, that most vets spend about 2-5 years working the claims system to get to the point where they have what they believe is a fair final set of ratings? That said, I've been reviewing all of my options in case things don't go my way for this first FDC Claim. On another forum, I said a lot of what happens is the "Luck of the Draw" in terms of whom a vet draws to work their case and it created some heartache for some folks? Frankly, if all of the raters looked at all of a vets evidence and followed all of the rules..a good rating would be favorable in most cases....but we've seen time and time again where those things don't get done.. Then years later and after numerous appeals, they get what they should have had in the first place When the identical evidence is reviewed and used to give the rating? Certainly, it's an evidence based system but because human beings are involved, there is a lot of subjectivity in the overall process that influences the final outcome of a rating. I'm just hoping for the recognition that my severe service relate injuries are recognized properly. I started reading some of the BVA appeal cases this week and they are very detailed and I can see why they take a lot of time to complete? Anyway, I hope it all works out for you and yours and you finally get what you deserve....

Edited May 10, 2015 by rootbeer22

[rootbeer22]

Hi Folks:

As an update, no movement yet and I'm going into the 2 month next week in the Pending Decision Approval Stage. What I've learned is that two things can cause a delay like this. One is a second supervisor signature if the retro is over 25 K -which is possible? The second is the denial of Gulf War issues and based up the CP exam that I got, that's the most likely reason for delay right now. Patience is something that I have very little of an my wife says, "I need to cool my jets" and she is usually right about this kind of stuff.

[Navy04]

Sorry to hear that it is dragging on my friend. Wish you the best and hope you have a good Memorial

[rootbeer22]

Navy04:

Thanks, I guess each week that I don't get a decision, just brings me closer to one? That said, I'm ready for whatever comes my way in terms of the ratings outcome, and will be ready to respond to whatever comes based upon what I'm learning on this hadit.com board. I've learned that it takes about to 2-5 years to get what a vet usually fully deserves anyway and it's not as black and white like I first believed with the disability rules? As an example, I really studied the VA Guide for CP Examinations and also studied the questionnaire for one of the CP Exams that I eventually took. Anyway, when I had the actual CP exam, I was very careful to ensure that I covered all of the key points with the Doctor. However, later, when I got the results of the CP Exam, those key issues like the number of incidences/flare-ups and problems with dressing myself where never mentioned on the CP Exam? That's when I got a taste of why there are so many NODs, CUES, DRO Reviews and Appeals that are necessary and one of the reasons why only 15% of contentions are accepted on a Vets first claim submission. So, most of it is a big waiting game that Vets have to learn to get used to and there's just no way around it. Certainly some folks with very old claims or appeals have gotten help by contacting Mrs. Hickey and or Mr. McDonald but I'm not at that point and want to save it if I can...

[MarkInTexas]

I think I sat in "Pending Approval" about a week, and then saw a small amount of retro hit my bank account. They denied everything with the exception of two conditions, rating me a whopping 10% and 0%. I think it took them about 2 years and 8 months to come up with that prior to "Pending Approval".

So here I am sitting in NOD Magic Land, 2 years and 3 months after my decision. I haven't pulled the McDonald/Hickey trigger yet, but instead started working on getting IME's and IMO's to bolster my case with new and material evidence first.

Good luck and have a great weekend!

Mark

[Fat]

Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

I would use some of the downtime to "map" out a NOD argument if denied.

Hopefully it wont come to that, but be mindful.

The luck of the draw (good diligent DRO vs inept DRO) has a lot to do with claim approval.