Approval steps within the pending decision phase

[Mikey33T]

Does anyone know the steps that occur within the pending decision phase? Background: my claim went from preparation for notification to pending decision approval. I asked for a status a week later And was informed that my claim had 2 of the 3 required approval signatures. Does anyone know what that is all about?

 

[broncovet]

It "could" be a good thing, and here is why.  Sometimes, with very large retro, the VA requires 3 signatures.  However, VA is NOT supposed to do that.

EAP = CUE:

source: http://thomasandrewslaw.blogspot.com/2010/08/macklem-eap-equals-cue.html

[ShrekTheTank]

Hey Mikey33T,

It sounds like it is moving, but no one can guess how long this part will take.  Could be next week could be months.  My advice is check weekly as there is no way to speed them up.  

[Mikey33T]

Shrekthetank1, thanks for the response. I agree with checking periodically as the decision cannot be rushed. I was curious about the procedures within the process. I have had my claim in since June 2014. Some of my challenges were awarded in 2015 and my PTSD was recently acknowledged in 2018 - my claim/appeal is based on the service connection date.

Over the last year’s I have read about the struggle some have with getting a status and others pointing to the codified steps of the process. I believe, that if somehow we knew what the actual steps were it would provide a level of transparency that could relieve some of the anxiety with waiting. My experience is that when people don’t have the truth they will develop their own narrative; which may be why many criticize the VA’s bureaucracy.

During my last status update, the service desk person informed me that I had 2 of the 3 required approvals which led me to believe that there are multiple steps in the pending decision phase. However, the online explanations on this phase only speaks to one approval to move to the preparing notification. I was hoping maybe someone familiar with the process could shed some light on this for me and for others.

P.S. I truly appreciate you responding. Thanks

[Mikey33T]

Broncovet, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[ShrekTheTank]

13 hours ago, Mikey33T said:

Shrekthetank1, thanks for the response. I agree with checking periodically as the decision cannot be rushed. I was curious about the procedures within the process. I have had my claim in since June 2014. Some of my challenges were awarded in 2015 and my PTSD was recently acknowledged in 2018 - my claim/appeal is based on the service connection date.

Over the last year’s I have read about the struggle some have with getting a status and others pointing to the codified steps of the process. I believe, that if somehow we knew what the actual steps were it would provide a level of transparency that could relieve some of the anxiety with waiting. My experience is that when people don’t have the truth they will develop their own narrative; which may be why many criticize the VA’s bureaucracy.

During my last status update, the service desk person informed me that I had 2 of the 3 required approvals which led me to believe that there are multiple steps in the pending decision phase. However, the online explanations on this phase only speaks to one approval to move to the preparing notification. I was hoping maybe someone familiar with the process could shed some light on this for me and for others.

P.S. I truly appreciate you responding. Thanks

From what I have seen through my appeal from 2013 if it is and initial rating for a disability and it is approved this will happen in a timely manner(for the VA).  For me it what just over a year.  As for the appeal, this has taken the longest, and I can understand why.  I did not give them the 5 star evidence they needed to award me the correct dyability.  I now have a good process to stop this wait, but it has now come at the cost of 6 years+.  Another piece I did not realize was if you condition is not laid out straight forward for them to award, this makes it 10 times harder to rate.  

I have also heard depending on the amount of money about to be awarded, this will take even more time as multiple people must approve it.  

As for the VA updating, sometimes you can believe Ebenefits or va.gov, but the truth is they just want to put a carrot out so we have something to look at.