Earlier backdate claim question

[11cvolley]

Today my appeal for an earlier backdate was placed on the docket. Typically how much longer will this take until they decide if I should have an earlier backdate? 

[jlrith]

Having just consulted with the Denver VARO, that office is currently taking 3.5 years to certify appeals to the BVA.  That is the Supplemental Statement Of Case step and the last local review before the BVA.

If you have already passed that step, the BVA is currently distributing appeals with docket dates up to May, 2014.  Add in many months for the BVA to review and make a determination on the appeal and then months more for the local office to implement it. 

[broncovet]

The answer to the question which begins, "How long will it take VA to ____________________?" are always answered the same way. 

We have no idea.  

However, if you have a docket number, you are "years" ahead of the game, because your claim has already gone through the 2 year or so delay at the VARO.  

Each time I got a BVA docket number, I usually had a BVA decision within a year.  However, sometimes the BVA sends your claim back to a VSO to prepare a brief.  That can take 18 months, like it did for me.  

The VSO then lied to me, saying that (them taking a year and a half) wont delay my claim.  Stay on top of your VSO if ebenefits says your appeal is "with VSO", which means your VSO has a long waiting list delaying your claim further.  For more information, read the BVA chairmans report, as it gives "average" times at the BVA.