timelines DRO Hearings?

[AirForceVet81]

hello all.....does anyone know of a ballpark timeline for dro hearings at the atlanta r o ?

[Gastone]

OK, you did say Ball Park,  how's anywhere from 2 to 41/2 yrs? What's the date of your NOD?

I know, that's not much help. Do you know how many DROs your RO Has? Any idea of how many DRO Hearing Requests are in front of you, it's 1st come, 1st served?

There are a couple things you can do in order to remove any self-caused waiting problems. Get the VA DRO Hearing mandated submission of New & Material Evidence submitted ASAP. Late Evidence Submission can add significant wait time, it all has to be reviewed. You could also file a Formal Request for an "Informal DRO Evidence Conference." Read about it in the M21 DRO Section.

A trip to your RO may be beneficial. Make an appointment with your VSO RO HQ for a sitdown with a Sr. Rep or the Director. They'll have more up to date DRO Hearing Timeline info. Keep in mind, any old or new DRO hearing Request that gets a Hardship Advancement will go before you.

[jfrei]

Ouch Gastone what if he has a proven hardship then it could be a lot less. Please add more details

[Gastone]

There are only (3) Hardships that get an Advancement, Circling the Drain (Death imminent), Homeless or about to be and Extreme Financial Hardship (Bankruptcy Filed or in process).

His VSR would be able to give him RO Hardship DRO Hearing Advancement info.

[Guest L]

On 12/21/2017 at 11:57 AM, Gastone said:

OK, you did say Ball Park,  how's anywhere from 2 to 41/2 yrs? What's the date of your NOD?

I know, that's not much help. Do you know how many DROs your RO Has? Any idea of how many DRO Hearing Requests are in front of you, it's 1st come, 1st served?

There are a couple things you can do in order to remove any self-caused waiting problems. Get the VA DRO Hearing mandated submission of New & Material Evidence submitted ASAP. Late Evidence Submission can add significant wait time, it all has to be reviewed. You could also file a Formal Request for an "Informal DRO Evidence Conference." Read about it in the M21 DRO Section.

A trip to your RO may be beneficial. Make an appointment with your VSO RO HQ for a sitdown with a Sr. Rep or the Director. They'll have more up to date DRO Hearing Timeline info. Keep in mind, any old or new DRO hearing Request that gets a Hardship Advancement will go before you.

Here is a link to the reports -  on the claims in your region broken down by types, access the info by area. https://www.benefits.va.gov/reports/detailed_claims_data.asp

[Gastone]

L, I haven't looked at an MMR since about 2013.

After clicking on your referenced VA link I see the info available really hasn't changed that much. Just did a cursory review but I don't see any Specific RO DRO Appeal info listed.

A-Vet81, I still think your best source for a proximal DRO Review or Hearing Timeline would be your RO VSO HQ Office. They know how many DROs are on staff at your RO and the number of Review and/or Hearings that are being handled on a Monthly basis.

Just looked back at your prior posts, your Denial Letter was received after 08/2017 correct? What is the date of your NOD requesting a DRO Hearing? Without the Hardship Advancement, your looking at a minimum of +/- 2 Years for the DRO Hearing. What New & Material Evidence did you submit with your DRO Hearing Request?

[AirForceVet81]

thanks man, nod was filed sept 17, no new evidence with the exception of 2 buddy letters from 2 guys i happened to look up after 33 years, the v a still cant find my active duty personnel records yet, national archives cant seem to locate them either, i think alot of marker evidence is in those records... i just hired a lawyer about a week ago, vso wasnt much of a help to me....i kinda figured it might be in the 2 + year range