DRO Hearing

[capitan]

I have a DRO meeting coming up. Please, somebody tell me what to expect. Can my case be approved at the RO level?

[Vync]

Welcome to Hadit!

My experience was in a private office with the DRO and my state vet rep. The DRO swore me in and recorded the conversation on a recording device. The whole meeting was less than an hour for me.

It can vary depending on your situation. My experience was pleasant and had a positive outcome, but I went in prepared and spoon fed them exactly what was needed to win.

Have a plan on how to counter your denial with solid evidence to back it up, prove the VA was in error, etc...

Be sure you can counter whatever reasons and bases resulted in your denial.

[capitan]

By "positive outcome" do you mean it was granted at the RO? Did they tell you that at the time? How did you find it was a positive outcome? I have been looking for cases that have been granted at the RO level, and I have not found any. That makes me think maybe it is always denied and passed to the BVA. I have found numerous cases identical to mine which were granted at the BVA. I don't know if that makes any difference to the DRO? What kind of questions does the DRO ask? I have a VSO but he tells me I will meet with a rep just prior to entering the hearing, American Legion, whom I've never met, so how can he know anything about my case? I assume the DRO will have gone over my case? Can I have my own recording device?

Edited July 3, 2018 by capitan

[Guest L]

I was granted / awarded 70/ IU at DRO level without..... a hearing of any sort in December 2016.

Just a call from the DRO reviewer who had thoroughly read... and review my claim.  One  post review call letting me know how much the retro was and when it would be deposited. 

Blessed I know - Best of luck. 

[toddt]

" I have been looking for cases that have been granted at the RO level, and I have not found any. "   

You will not find any case granted at the RO level. The ones granted at the RO level are not publicized.  You may be able to find the stats on what percentage the RO grants.  Good luck with your hearing.

[jfrei]

DRO can have positive outcomes in ways unheard of like my DRO. Who even the reviewer looked at me agreed with me that I had a cue claim but since the first denial never had a SOC it was still pending even after the other two denials had one. Technically BUllshit but a grants a grant but the RO wouldn’t allow her to grant since the retro was over 90k. Not that it’s never been done I just not have heard of it. That being said the positive outcome of the hearing was she pushed my appeal to be recertified by the BVA and had it expedited after my DRO hearing and I had my BVA grant decision 4 months after the DRO hearing now that’s not usual. But even if she can’t help she or he can help push it along if you have solid evidence in your favor..

[capitan]

On 7/3/2018 at 2:16 PM, capitan said:

By "positive outcome" do you mean it was granted at the RO? Did they tell you that at the time? How did you find it was a positive outcome? I have been looking for cases that have been granted at the RO level, and I have not found any. That makes me think maybe it is always denied and passed to the BVA. I have found numerous cases identical to mine which were granted at the BVA. I don't know if that makes any difference to the DRO? What kind of questions does the DRO ask? I have a VSO but he tells me I will meet with a rep just prior to entering the hearing, American Legion, whom I've never met, so how can he know anything about my case? I assume the DRO will have gone over my case? Can I have my own recording device?

That's what's bothering me.. "solid evidence". What is that?