Supplemental Claim Denied w/IMO, High-Level Review Next?

[lawbro]

Hi All

To make a long story short, last year the VA granted my right-knee tendinitis 10% but said my left-knee was NOT service connected. I reached out and obtained an IMO from Dr. Anaise whose IMO opined that either my left-knee tendinitis WAS service connected or that it was secondary to my service connected right-knee. 

I filed a supplemental claim at the end of June and just received the decision back that they stuck with the original decision to not grant me anything for my left-knee tendinitis, stating that it was still not service connected. 

How should I go about the next step in the process? I seem to read a lot that High-Level Reviews are a waste of time and perhaps go straight to BVA. Also, should I also look into getting an attorney for the High Level Review or just wait to see if it goes to BVA or not?

What do we believe is the best way to go about this?

[Guest]

We all should know that there are times when VA will just push a veteran to file an appeal.  You want to read a crazy story read mine. 

oops wrong post should be 

Appealing Ramp Decision

It is up to the veteran to file an appeal of just let it go.

Edited January 31, 2020 by pete992

[lawbro]

Just saw on VA.gov that the HLR got closed as of today. Anybody know how long it normally takes to hear the result? It doesn't even look like they've mailed a decision letter yet. I called Peggy and they told me that this most likely means the rater has made their decision on they just haven't processed all the paperwork to get it mailed out yet. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

 

[63Charlie]

On 1/2/2020 at 8:47 PM, Dustoff 11 said:

 

Many of the raters are from a group of low energy persons.

And that's putting it nicely.

[Vync]

@lawbro Peggy should be able to tell you if the decision letter has been placed in the system. Once it is there, it might take a week to 10 days to arrive. I was just in your situation a week ago.

Information in this article should be very helpful:

 

 

[lawbro]

Thanks @Vync. Very helpful info!

[JKWilliamsSr]

On 2/4/2020 at 1:26 PM, lawbro said:

Just saw on VA.gov that the HLR got closed as of today. Anybody know how long it normally takes to hear the result? It doesn't even look like they've mailed a decision letter yet. I called Peggy and they told me that this most likely means the rater has made their decision on they just haven't processed all the paperwork to get it mailed out yet. Anybody have any thoughts?

 

 

If there was an increase I believe it should reflect on Ebenefits by now.