Help with some VARO and NOD questions

[Rootbeer112]

Hello,

 

   First time user so please bear with me

 

I got a phone call from my VARO yesterday, apparently the Appeals department he said. I entered an NOD in 2016, for PTSD and Migraines. I sent in DBQ's for both, Nexus letters for both etc... After they received the NOD they requested more information from my Psychologist, which she in turn sent them 38 more pages of treatment. Since then I have heard nothing until yesterday. The man from the VARO said he just had a question about one of my stressors and asked a few questions. He said he had all my other paperwork and DBQ's and Nexus.  He then stated he was the one who gathered the information so I am assuming he was a VSR. At the end of our conversation he said my claim was flagged and needed to be completed quick. I asked how long till it was done, as the cost of my Meds alone is killing me as I have six children to care for etc..... and he said he would give it to the VARO as soon as he was done reviewing it which would be the end of the day, and said by next week!!!!

My questions, is it normal for a VARO to call with questions, and if so how long after will the claim be completed, he said next week but is that even possible I have been waiting awhile, and according to my VSO, VA doctors and my own Psychologist there is no way it shouldn't be approved, which of course now has be thinking it will be ugh.. anyway, any thoughts would help, and thank you all for your service.

[Rootbeer112]

Gastone why do I need my direct deposit set up to real time, I don't know if I am gonna win my appeal, from the information I gave you does it sound that way to you?

[jfrei]

3 hours ago, Rootbeer112 said:

Also what is the phone for? How will that help me

They can help you find out what's going on exactly with your appeal and why it's taking so long. Also if needed they put in an inquiry to RO to help get it moving again. Calling between 9-1030 usually gets a pickup quickly if not just wait after 17 it's hang up don't fret call again until you talk to someone it's an Office in DC of like 4 people it's the office of case management. Tell your story to whoever pics up they will help you get moving in the right direction open on not to sure when they're holiday if it includes Monday off.

[Berta]

How do you know they lost some of your STRs?

Sometimes vets have served twice, in two different branches.

And because of that they only ask for one set of STRs from NARA In my case the obtained my husband's USMC SMRs and I didnt need his USN records. 

Good thing the VA got the right ones.first time around  ....otherwise all of his claims would have been denied, because all of his disabilities were from Vietnam.(USMC)

 

[Rootbeer112]

1 hour ago, jfrei said:

They can help you find out what's going on exactly with your appeal and why it's taking so long. Also if needed they put in an inquiry to RO to help get it moving again. Calling between 9-1030 usually gets a pickup quickly if not just wait after 17 it's hang up don't fret call again until you talk to someone it's an Office in DC of like 4 people it's the office of case management. Tell your story to whoever pics up they will help you get moving in the right direction open on not to sure when they're holiday if it includes Monday off.

Thanks so much

[Rootbeer112]

47 minutes ago, Berta said:

How do you know they lost some of your STRs?

Sometimes vets have served twice, in two different branches.

And because of that they only ask for one set of STRs from NARA In my case the obtained my husband's USMC SMRs and I didnt need his USN records. 

Good thing the VA got the right ones.first time around  ....otherwise all of his claims would have been denied, because all of his disabilities were from Vietnam.(USMC)

 

The guy who called me the other day from the appeals department told me they lost half of them and they are not archived. He then asked the questions he needed about one of my stressors and then said it was to be fast tracked to completed. My question is I hope its a positive for me, why would they call if it was gonna be denied?

[Berta]

When the VA loses Military records that belong to a  veteran claimant, they have an enhanced duty to assist.

The regulation is here at hadit somewhere on that.

They probably put your missing SMRs into someone elses file.