HLR since pandemic

[flynsolo2]

******UPDATE---4-13-2021*******

 

I received my decision letter for my duty to assist (although I never did receive a full explanation on why a duty to assist was flagged or what basis and I think I never will)...they note that from my C&P exam, my symptoms are:  pyrosis (heatburn and/or reflux), regurgitation, substernal pain and vomiting, and the decision is to continue my GERD rating at 10%. I don't know what else to do here. Shouldn't I be rated at least 30%, if not 60%? I mean, there are times, (as I told the C&P examiner), that I have had to come home from work to take medicine or reschedule a meeting during a flare-up because, ya know, belching etc., isn't professional. My examiner wanted to hear none of it. Did not even look at my file when I tried to show him all the documentation that this has been going on for such a long time. Now, a week later, I get a decision letter that it is to be continued at 10%....Any suggestions? Should I do a CUE at this point?.... 

 

 

***NEW UPDATE-April 3, 2021

Okay, so I received a letter about the duty to assist for my GERD claim, and scheduled a C&P. My file online for disability claims also updated to show the GERD claim. I went to my C&P exam this past Wednesday, where the claims guy went over the whole sheet about my symptoms and whatever for my GERD. Then, on Thursday, it updated on my disabilities page-except now it says PTSD claim? Same thing yesterday, it says, "what you've claimed-PSTD, claim received March 31st (when I had my C&P exam". Who do I contact about this error? OR do I wait for them to catch it? It still says it today (obviously, since the VA is closed). But, all the way up to this point, it HAD said GERD. It also has listed my GERD files stuff under the files section of the claim.......

 

 

 

*****NEW EDIT AS OF FEB. 14th....

 

Okay, it says that the HLR review was completed on Jan. 28th. I STILL have not received a letter, and on Monday, the 15th, it will be three weeks. The rating looks to be the same on my e-file, but, when I called the VSO on Friday to see if he could see anything on his end of what the VA said about the HLR, he said that my file showed nothing-not the claim or my disability percent(s), or the HLR. Anyone else run into issues with HLR decisions and taking longer than the 10 days to receive your decision letter? I would like to know why I was denied (I am assuming I was, since the percent is the same)...

Thanks everyone!!

 

 

Good Afternoon,

 

I know the time frame for a HLR is normally about 4 months (they state on their website 125 days), however, I am wondering if anyone has filed a HLR since they opened up the VA more in August? Just wondering if there is a huge backlog now. I have mine just sitting there since September, and no status change, even though I was thinking it would be until January, but, as most others have said, still checking often to see if there has been any updates!

Thanks!!!

Edited April 13, 2021 by flynsolo2

[Buck52]

flynsolo2

Good Question.

Maybe member brokensolider 244th can give you an answer?

All I know is some take 125days or less and some more that the 125days...lot of it depends on how well grounded your claim is  if its complete with your favorable evidence,  it may not take as long  but this is something we never know just how long it will take   

After 125 days you might want to call the 1-800# and ask them what the hold up is? MOST LIKELY ALL YOU WILL GET  IS

''WERE WORKING ON IT''

[flow1972]

I filed an HLR back on July 21st, and it's still not done.  I haven't gotten a call to schedule the call with the reviewer I requested on it yet either.  It's been over 90 days for me so far.

[flynsolo2]

@flow1972 ya, that was what I was wondering-if they are now even further behind. Well, that sucks. Hope you hear soon. Mine hasn't changed yet, but, it's only been 6 weeks. I keep checking. I wish they had a better "update" system, so you could at least see where your claim is and what is going on with it along the way.....

[flow1972]

4 minutes ago, flynsolo2 said:

@flow1972 ya, that was what I was wondering-if they are now even further behind. Well, that sucks. Hope you hear soon. Mine hasn't changed yet, but, it's only been 6 weeks. I keep checking. I wish they had a better "update" system, so you could at least see where your claim is and what is going on with it along the way.....

Well, my friend at the VARO said the same thing as I got if I called the VA Line.  It's in "Ready For Decision" status..and they haven't even called me yet.  And it's been in that status for a long time.  Which means...it's just sitting on someone's desk somewhere; and there's nothing you can do but wait till they decide to process it.

[flynsolo2]

@flow1972 That is frustrating! I hope you get a decision soon!!

[Foxhound6]

Same here.my VA attorney filed my HLR on July 8. Nov 8 will be the 4 month mark. It is also "ready for decision". I figure though with HLR, as soon as they receive it and assign it to someone, it transfers to "ready for decision" as that's all they have to do, review and make new decision.. So I have no real idea how far along it is. The good news for me now is that the VA finally finished my C-File request from January (a few weeks after my state senator sent a congressional inquiry to the VA in regards to that request) and it should at least tell me what I need to know on my case including what the contentions were for my HLR specifically.