Va Suspense Dates

[tdak]

Hi.

What does it mean when the suspense date in the VA computer changes? A few days ago it was Dec 5, 2006 and now it gives May 5, 2007 and the new suspense date. Does this mean I have to wait for an answer until May? I haven't even gotten a computer generated letter form the VA telling me they are working on my claim. The last info that was sent to me was Oct. 2006.

Thanks,

Tamara

Edited March 7, 2007 by tdak

[Philip Rogers]

A suspense date is merely the next date they plan to look at your claim. Nothing more, nothing less. You can make what you want of it but that's all it means.

pr

[tdak]

ok. So a suspense date is when they will supposedly get to the file. I get it. In my case, they sent me an award letter in October 2006, deferred the rest, then put a suspense date of 05DEC06, after the first award, then decided to change the suspense date just a few days ago to 05MAY07. They can look at it long enough to say, hey we're really not looking at it and lets just change the date another 2 months to say we looked at it long enough to change the date, but as they have already proved, by not looking at it til March to change anything, that the suspense date seems to mean nothing to them. So back to square one, military style.......hurry up and wait!

[Vike17]

tdak,

Many, many times when the VA puts a suspense date on your claim and then looks at it on that date, they end having to do some more development, such as sending out a second request for something to a third party asking them to submit the request info with 30 or maybe 60 days. If they have to do that, then they will enter a new suspense date reflecting the date they asked the third party to submit the evidence by.

For example, let's say the VA has put a supense date of 1 April because that was the date they had give say a doctor of yours to submit any medical records they may have that pertain to your claim. The VA takes a look see on April 1rst and notices that your doctor hasn't yet submitted the request info and they send him a second request asking him to again send the records. They give him an additional 60 days to do (or until June 1rst). They would then set another suspense date on your claim for June 1 to see if that requested evidence as arrived from your doctor.

I hope this makes sense. There isn't anything sinister going on, the VA would be more than happy if the could move your claim on faster. It's just sometimes things outside VA may be the hold.

Vike 17

[tdak]

Vike 17,

It just seems odd, that when I went for my original C & P exam in May 06, in Montrose, the VA Dr. looked at my knee along with the rest for my Chiari and wrote info down. They already had every shred of info from me in regards to my knee as well as connecting military records. So I was examined, sent home then got my award letter in Oct., only to have the 2nd claim (knee) be deferred. They said they are requesting a medical examination. You will be notified of date, time and place to report. Well ok. I already had one, but a second one to get this moving is ok too.(remember this is Oct, 2006) I haven't gottent one single piece of paper from the VA since this award letter. Before this I would receive the computer generated letter every 2 months stating. We are still processing your aplication for COMPENSATION. yada yada. I just can't figure why, one I haven't gotten a date for another C&P and two, why I haven't gotten a computer generated letter. Nothing. the only thing that changed was in Nov. 06, my rep and I sent in application for the TDIU. So maybe, just maybe they are looking at that and forgetting the knee since it would bring it to 100% if they grant me the TDIU. It all boggles the mind that they changed the suspense date, which is a good thing I am presuming but not until 3 months after the original suspense date. So even if they had to get updated info from doctor (which I already provided when filling out form for TDIU in Nov.) What could they be possibly be waiting for? maybe spring thaw...lol (I know i am). I do know they have a lot of files to go through and it keeps getting busier.

We all want the same thing. quick results, but correct results too.

Thanks

Tamara

[tdak]

I never thought of part of my claim(s) being "DEFERRED"..... but, I'll bet that will happen to me, also. I have eight (8) claims active now. I'll bet 2 or 4 will be deferred...... deferred to what?

1968 Army,

I'm not sure where deferred to, maybe nowhere. They stated that for me, they needed additional information or evidence, then under that they requested a medical examination. Which I will be notified of when, where and time. I really didn't have a lot of info on my knee, because most of my medical records from 87-95 were gone due to doctor retiring, I had alwayw kept all my medical records from the beginning of time, but somewhere along the line a box of important papers of mine came up missing. I'm thinking hubby thought it was box of trash to be shredded etc. So no worries for you. I think mine was because of the little information I have, which is all good info and connecting info, but still nonetheless only a few things.

GOOD LUCK!! ;)

Tamara

[sixthscents]

Tamara,

I have run into retired doctors, and doctors who destroyed all records after a certain period of time. How in the world do you handle that? I bump into it again and again, and simply dont know what to do to answer the VA slam I know is coming over it... "records were silent of the complaint from 89-95" etc...

As far a VA suspense dates, and deferred claims... I have seen TDIU deferred alot for some reason, even when all the other claims were adressed. I have seem some others things deferred for medical opinions, even after they alreday had one, for some reason they wanted a specialist. Often it helped the claim... so I dont know that its necessairily a bad thing except for the wait... and that can be a problem admittedly.