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

[flow1972]

34 minutes ago, flynsolo2 said:

@flow1972 Yea, I think I might. I honestly think the VA, with their overly complicated system and jumping through hoops can be the cause of some of my anxiety!!LOL but seriously.....so I may have to get a lawyer. They literally stated on their decision all my symptoms and then stated the symptoms for the higher rating include-and then restated MY symptoms, so IDK what else to do This is stupid. I was thinking of doing the CUE since they excluded my hiatal hernia that was shown on images already (and stated on the findings) that they clearly choose NOT to state in my symptoms. IDK. You may be right about getting a lawyer, which will be another headache, I am sure....

We went with a lawyer for my husband’s claims. They literally violated their own process regulations on his claim even after we specifically stated their required process. There are just some things I’d rather let someone who knows how to handle them deal with.  I spent 2.5 years on my own claims. I didn’t have it in me to work through more ridiculousness for his. LOL It’s worth it for us to let the legal people handle it from here.

[GBArmy]

Flow1972 Unfortunately, your experience is not unique. Drives you up the wall when they don't do what they should after telling them what they messed up on.