Brown Envelope W/order That Says Service Connected!

[carolyn]

For all the help that we, Stu and I received here...I am sending a heartfelt Thank you, and Merry Christmas to the most Blessed people in the world...you veterans--to be blessed, one must bless. I believe Stu has been awarded service connection. We received a brown envelope with an order in it saying service connection. I called the 800 number and the guy told me it could be a year or more until it is adjuticated. It is still in Washington DC and awarded by the board of veteran appeals. We don't know what to expect now, but we want to thank Alex and Wings specifically and the most. You both are the reasons that Stu was awarded service connection and we appreciate it so much.

Highest regards,

Carolyn

[Berta]

This is stunning news- I remember his claim-

I assume this was remanded in the decision?

Remands get expeditious treatment- hope it doesn't take a year-

I think the 800# vet rep was wrong-

[vaf]

Although the Board tells the VARO to handle remands expeditiously, it's been our experience that this is not done. We had a remand kicked back to the VARO twice from the Board. On the third remand, the claim went to the Appeals Management Center. We're now talking over five years. We called the AMC last week, and were told they had no idea how much longer it would take to decide the claim. We reminded them that the Board said to handle the claim in an "expeditious" manner since 2001 and again in 2003. The lady said they were aware of that, but they've got thousands of remands to wade through in an "expeditious" manner. So, I take that to mean there's no teeth behind the Board's directive, and it will take as long as it takes.

Another reason why veterans should have access to attorney representation. Maybe then there would be some accountability for not enforcing the law.

[Berta]

This is odd to me- based on my recent experience-

My claim was transferred to the BVA in July containing three major legal errors.

(Violation of VCAA and ignoring my IMos under 38CFR 4.6-also they put an additional claim I had on appeal that had not even been decided at the RO level))

I wrote to the BVA requesting immediate remand based on the legal errors and also sent them an additional IMO I had just got-and the RO got it all back on Sept 12th and immediately began working on this claim again.-so they said- Also ,just prior to the remand the RO itself filed a Motion at the BVA in an attempt to re-open an old CUE claim I had there.

Then again I base this on the movement of the claim since the remand-on the COVERS screen info-they have said this all involves the remanded AO claim as well as 2 CUE claims I filed.

I actually don't know what they are working on and have asked for an email status.All I know is it is all with the rating board.

I received the usual "we are still working on your claim" letter a few weeks ago.

[Pete53]

Carplyn:

Congrats!!! Call your Service Officer and they should be able to explain it to you. I would like to remind that although the VA is fairly predictable they are alos unpredictable and until the facts are known no reason to doubt the award based on VA past performance.

I sispect that VA Managers may be looking at kicking some claims through now that there is going to be some oversite by Congress.

[vaf]

I'm always glad to hear that the Board has actually awarded a claim to the veteran instead of remanding it back to the VARO. The VARO must have really screwed up the claim to have the Board directly make the award. Congratulations to you. Are you happy with the amount of percentage the Board awarded for each condition, and the effective date?

Just remember, if you're not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal it to the Court of Veterans Appeals, the next step in the appeals process.

[Wings]

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Congratulations Carolyn and Stu !!

Keep us posted !

Happy Holidays !

~Wings