Called VA, in "Final Review"

[Mover1993]

Good afternoon everyone,

 

On thursday I called the VA and found out my claim is in final review. Does anyone know where this falls along the timeline of being complete? 

 

Thank you

Mover

[broncovet]

Well, no.  It does not mean a lot.  It can easily go back to gathering evidence, or it can push forward to decision.  Is this the ramp you opted into in July?  

Everyone wants to know how long it will take, and, tho that is a good question, it does not have a good answer:  It takes exactly how long VA wants it to take and not a second earlier.  

This said, VA had a goal of 125 days for Ramp, but they may or may not meet that with your claim.  They did "not" meet the 125 days with my Ramp elected decision.  I opted in last August, and it was not complete until Feb 11.  Yours could be faster or slower.  

Again, it depends on whether you opted for HLR or SCL.  HLR is faster (supposedly), but SCL allows resubmission of evidence.  We dont know when/if you resubmitted new evidence, but it would likely be around 125 days after you sent new evidence, if applicable.  

[broncovet]

Further, we dont know if you sent a FDC, ITF, etc.  It used to vary with VARO's but now there is a national work que, so it could be processed by any RO.  I wish I had a better answer, lots of time your VSO will BS you into saying it will be 90 days, or something unrealistic like that.  

I dont like to be the bearer of bad news, but its not my idea, I promise.  About 80-85% of first time claimants are denied.    Not a high percentage are overturned at HLR or SCL.  Frankly, most (more than half, at my guess, VA does not publish these numbers) people who win benefits, win them at the BVA.   

The BVA chairmans report publishes the averages, but I have no idea if you are at the BVA or not.  (It sounds like you are not).  

You can also check MMWR . (monday morning workload reports) to see how long its taking.  The problem is, of course, VA cant be trusted they fudge numbers more often than a candy store.  The entire RAMP thing was, in part as a result of VA fudging delay numbers, claim times, etc.  

The VA had "2" wait lists.  One was the wait list they reported to the media, then there was the real one.  

[Mover1993]

27 minutes ago, broncovet said:

Well, no.  It does not mean a lot.  It can easily go back to gathering evidence, or it can push forward to decision.  Is this the ramp you opted into in July?  

Everyone wants to know how long it will take, and, tho that is a good question, it does not have a good answer:  It takes exactly how long VA wants it to take and not a second earlier.  

This said, VA had a goal of 125 days for Ramp, but they may or may not meet that with your claim.  They did "not" meet the 125 days with my Ramp elected decision.  I opted in last August, and it was not complete until Feb 11.  Yours could be faster or slower.  

Again, it depends on whether you opted for HLR or SCL.  HLR is faster (supposedly), but SCL allows resubmission of evidence.  We dont know when/if you resubmitted new evidence, but it would likely be around 125 days after you sent new evidence, if applicable.  

I didn't opt in for anything. My supplemental claim was filed with new evidence in May. I understand you don't know it will be complete. I was just wondering what final review meant, really.