Looking for some advice...

[CH88]

Hello everybody, 

I wanted to post this under the RAMP program but seems to be disabled or discontinued area to post. Anways short background is I a filed claim for anxiety and PTSD in Sept. 2016 was denied, appealed to DRO Aug. 2017, accepted to be put into the RAMP program Aug. 2018 in Supplemental claim with the initial completion date to be June 8th 2019. Called PEGGY yesterday to find out if they have had any movement and was told by individual that he really doesn't see anybody in RAMP anymore. Asked if he could dig a little deeper and he stated he would send an inquiry to the RO dealing with my claim (assuming its still in Phoenix AZ). So I checked VA.gov today and now my estimated completion date was pushed out from a completion date of tomorrow to July 10th, 2020. I thought that RAMP was a pilot program that basically the VA was attempting to complete most claims submitted for the results and find out if this new appeals process would work? Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like I should have just stayed in the DRO and not taken the risk if they are going to take the same time to complete if I didn't opt into RAMP. 

I was initially denied for mental health disabilities due to my psychologist doing the C and P exam (in 2016) stating "I cannot answer whether the disabilities started in service without mere speculation." Then the VA asked her to give an answer along the lines of most likely or not, direct, less likely, etc. She wouldn't answer and I was denied benefits. I had an IMO which gave me a an "at least likely as not" for service connection and filed an appeal. Then during this RAMP in March 2019 VA sent me to another C and P exam offsite and was given the same "at least likely as not" for anxiety service connection. I was diagnosed with anxiety, insomnia, shortness of breath/panic attacks during service which seemed kind of straight forward when applying for anxiety but I guess not. 

I guess I am asking is there anybody else out there that has a RAMP with a completion date of July 2020 or later? Does the claim seem relevant, meaning diagnosed with anxiety in service and given diagnosis of anxiety from VA mental health/private provider within few months of recent C and P? Is RAMP a long term appeals process or should I be hounding my back burner DAV rep. who seems to be busy all the time? Also I have been in a preparation for decision phase since the last C and P exam which was March 2019, for all my other claims once it hit this stage it went a lot faster. Any advice would be great, thanx!

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by CH88

[ShrekTheTank]

I am not a part of ramp, but for me I like to be the squeaky wheel.  I would dig in for some answers at to what is going on.  Call your senator, call PEGGY (once a week), Whitehouse hotline, and your DAV rep.  I would make it hard for them to ignore you.  I know the old saying was don't rock the boat, but with the digital age it is much harder for them to say oh we never saw that or shred all of your documents.  I know I have got some movement from being loud, but that does not work for everyone.  

[CH88]

Shrek, 

I think if in the next few weeks nothing changes then I may just have to start "poking the bear." I wish McCain was still alive I know that he would have assisted me in the process but now I am not even sure who is the senator here in AZ and how much he supports veterans. Thanks for the advice. 

[vetquest]

I am most interested in the fact that you got an IMO and then the VA sent you for a C&P that contradicted the IMO.  I know that only VA docs can diagnose PTSD so they might have set you up for another exam for this reason.  I am also aware that the VA cannot get a medical opinion to refute another opinion.  This sounds like a question for @asknod if he is willing to make a statement on this.

[GeekySquid]

4 hours ago, CH88 said:

RAMP with a completion

 

I don't know if this helps, but the VA just put out a new statement, last month I think, that has RAMP decisions moving to AMA once a SOC or SSOC is issued. Since I am not in ramp I did not save the notice from VA, but you might want to check that out. It sounds like you might be affected by that situation.

[CH88]

vetquest,

This is the same question that I had asked my DAV rep. I was never sent to a Pysch for PTSD on any C and P exams, it was strictly anxiety. My IMO was for anxiety and my C & P exam was for anxiety. I was confused as well how they could send me to another C & P exam. My DAV rep states that they never really got an opinion (due to first psych. doc stating mere speculation) so they could send me to another one. I then question that fact that how could they deny such a claim?? Both my IMO and most recent C & P exam matched the verbiage "at least likely as not."

Edited June 7, 2019 by CH88
wording

[CH88]

GeekySquid, 

I would have been notified if I received a SOC or SSOC correct? This is my first appeal and am not to familiar with the process. If they usually notify of SOC/SSOC, well they haven't done anything yet.