diabetes No Word From Va On C&p Hearing Yet

[devildog 71]

Hi All;

My American Legion VSO (and myself) filed and completed VA form 0781 as well as VA VCAA on July

31st,2006 for SC PTSD (Gaf of 45) ; emphysema ; Type 2 Diabetes ; Low Back Pain ; MDD ; Dysthmic

D/O ; and Other dyspnea and respiratory abnormality - sent my "Statement in Support of Claim" along with

ALL SMR AND med records from the VA Outpatient Clinic and the VA hospital as well as records from my

private Doc - I've been told by my VSO NOT to expect to haer anything until AT LEAST SIX MONTHS ...OR

LONGER. Is this the 'norm' ?? Or is it just here in the State of Fla ( I believe my RO is in Bay Pines , Fl).

Thanks for any input and/or advice ---

God Bless ALL Vets

[RockyA1911]

Don't get your hopes up on a decision within 6 months to a year. I submitted my stuff exactly the way you did back in Mar of 2005, that's right 2005! I am on day 611 and this is the latest status I received via IRIS on 24 Nov 06. Notice they said an additional 60 days, which would make it 671 days for a decision. IMO I don't even believe this response because they have told me these things at least 7 times before over the past 20 months. Be prepared for a long wait of close to or at two years or better. They are really backlogged is what they told me. 2 years is about the average now days.

Semper Fi!!!

Response (Department of Veterans Affairs)

11/24/2006 02:56 PM

Dear Mr. XXXXX:

On November 2, 2006, we received six packages of evidence. We are now looking through all the recently received information and evidence. If you do not receive a decision within the next 60 days, please contact us and we will follow-up with the office that is making a decision on your claim. We understand that you are concerned about the length of time it's taking to make a decision, however, we are making every effort to make sure that you receive the most accurate rating possible.

We apologize for the delay and we appreciate your continued patience. Thank you for visiting our website.

Sincerely yours,

XXXXXX XXXXXXX

Veterans Service Center Manager

XXX/XXX

Veteran/Inquirer

11/24/2006 12:35 PM

Hello,

My existing claim is 609 days old and has been at the rating board in Cleveland for the past 150 days. There must be a reason this is taking so long for a decision. Please tell me what the problem is that is causing such a long delay in receiving a decision. If there is something holding it up please tell me what else is needed so I can furnish it. This is entirely too long of a delay. Is there anything that can be done to look into my claim located in Cleveland and find out exactly why they have not rated it?

[Berta]

My claim for AO death has been at the Buffalo VARO for 1370 days (that counts the 2 month delay due to illegal transfer to the BVA and the remand).

My past claims took at least 3 years.

Except my Chap 35 claim took 3 weeks, and they screwed up, I nodded and then 3 weeks later that was resolved.Same with my daughter's Chap 35 claim.

They screwed up a retro check on my offset to my DIC about 2 years ago as well as they sent me the wrong amount in some of the monthly DIC checks.

I wrote to them that I think they made a mathemathical error of at least $300 or over $11,000.

They erred in both situations and in 3 weeks I got the additional checks.

It shows they can read a claim or a letter from a claimant-and react to it if they want to.

Some of the claims there have taken 3 months.

I helped a NSC vet get TDIU for PTSD in 3 months from the same VARO.

I wonder if the fact that he supplied his private records made a difference as they were not too involved-probably not a big stack-and I told him to send the VA copies of them with the TDIU form.

Whereas my husband's VA medical records are contained in 5 large volumes.

Sometimes when the VARO gets claims I wonder if Size matters!

This VARO does not respond to NODs for over a year in most cases.

Some claimants get a generic VCAA letter that does not tell them what they specifically need for the claim.

There are many remands at the BVA due to this failure at the Buffalo RO to send a proper VCAA notice.

Other claimants at this VARO do get VCAA statements of exactly what they need to succeed.

There seems to be no set procedure as to how they handle claims.

I have had to send them their own regs from M21-1 to show them what they are supposed to do.

There is NO accountability at all over these VAROs.

I wonder too- do they pick and choose----and do they have help from SOs and vet reps as to whose claim should get attention and whose claim will just flounder?

It seems to me a vet rep might find some advantage to push for 3 awards of 30% each for 3 vets rather than support one award of considerable more compensation for just one vet.

That isnt fair but then again there is not much fairness at all to the VA system anyhow.

[devildog 71]

My claim for AO death has been at the Buffalo VARO for 1370 days (that counts the 2 month delay due to illegal transfer to the BVA and the remand).

My past claims took at least 3 years.

Except my Chap 35 claim took 3 weeks, and they screwed up, I nodded and then 3 weeks later that was resolved.Same with my daughter's Chap 35 claim.

They screwed up a retro check on my offset to my DIC about 2 years ago as well as they sent me the wrong amount in some of the monthly DIC checks.

I wrote to them that I think they made a mathemathical error of at least $300 or over $11,000.

They erred in both situations and in 3 weeks I got the additional checks.

It shows they can read a claim or a letter from a claimant-and react to it if they want to.

Some of the claims there have taken 3 months.

I helped a NSC vet get TDIU for PTSD in 3 months from the same VARO.

I wonder if the fact that he supplied his private records made a difference as they were not too involved-probably not a big stack-and I told him to send the VA copies of them with the TDIU form.

Whereas my husband's VA medical records are contained in 5 large volumes.

Sometimes when the VARO gets claims I wonder if Size matters!

This VARO does not respond to NODs for over a year in most cases.

Some claimants get a generic VCAA letter that does not tell them what they specifically need for the claim.

There are many remands at the BVA due to this failure at the Buffalo RO to send a proper VCAA notice.

Other claimants at this VARO do get VCAA statements of exactly what they need to succeed.

There seems to be no set procedure as to how they handle claims.

I have had to send them their own regs from M21-1 to show them what they are supposed to do.

There is NO accountability at all over these VAROs.

I wonder too- do they pick and choose----and do they have help from SOs and vet reps as to whose claim should get attention and whose claim will just flounder?

It seems to me a vet rep might find some advantage to push for 3 awards of 30% each for 3 vets rather than support one award of considerable more compensation for just one vet.

That isnt fair but then again there is not much fairness at all to the VA system anyhow.

[devildog 71]

Hi Again;

I understand that the APPROVAL for a claim can take forever - but i HAVE NOT even heard anything about the P&C Hearing - THAT is what I was wondering about - Can it take 6 months - OR LONGER just to get them to schedule me for JUST the P&C ???

Thanks for all input and Take Care...

[RockyA1911]

I'm sure you mean C&P Examination, it is not a hearing. Yes, the way things are today with the high volume of backlog 6 months to a year is probably the norm scheduling the C&P exam. You normally will not get them all the same day, the VA likes to piece mill them and drag them out once they start. Be prepared to have one for your specific conditions claimed spread out over 6 months once they begin.

[KennyJ]

I filed for secondary conditions in March 2005. Got scheduled for C&P exams 16 and 17 months later (July 2006, August 2006). Hey with VA there is nothing that is cut and dry.