ptsd Increase For Sc 1 Yr & Counting...........

[marine0311]

Newby here with questions!

I am Service Connected for PTSD, among other things I asked for a increase March 2006. Had my C&P exam August 2006. Called 1-800 the other day and the Benefits Rep informed me, that my records just got to the Rating board, and Rating Supervisor has signed for my file. Took 6 months from Dallas to Waco - WTF Over ! They had a turtle hand deliver it!@!

Maybe I'll get lucky and hear good or bad news shortly! Can someone post exactly what the rating board does and usually how long they take.

Thanks!

Semper Fi

[Vike17]

marine0311,

The rating board is where a veteran's C-file and claim(s) go to be decided. The time frame in which it takes the RVSR (Rating Veteran Service Rep.) to actually look at the claim and make a decision varies from regional office to regional office. It is dependent on many factors, such as if all the development to rate the claim is complete or the individual regional office backlog has a large backlog. To give a time frame as to when a claim will be completed after it reaches the "rating board" is just speculation, it takes what it takes.

You stated your claim went from Dallas to Waco. Why, did you move during the time you applied for your increase? Do you mean from the VAMC in Dallas to Waco regional office? If you moved during the claims process, this could certainly slow down a decision on a claim quite a bit.

Vike 17

[carlie]

Marine,

Hello and welcome - thanks for your service. Basically the 800 # can only provide limited info.

It's not a great or valid source for tracking claims as one department can easily kick it right back to the previous department for many reasons or totally move it to a different area for many reasons.

There is no USUAL amount of time most departments take.

What percentage is your PTSD currently rated at and what additional info were you able to provide

in seeking your claim for increase. Some times the VARO your claim is at can be either one that doesn't have as large of a backlog as others so your claim could move along a bit quicker.

Are you representing yourself or have you done a Power of Attorney to a specific Service Organization? Do you have any other SC'd disabilities or ones that you feel should be SC'd?

Are you currently SC'd at 30% or more - if so, do you have dependents and are you in receipt of compensation for your dependents?

Here's about the best 2 links to find some answers to questions you either do have or will have.

This link is 38 CFR - You would mostly study Part 3 Adjudication and Part 4 Schedule of Rating's

38 CFR is the rules and regs.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-.../38cfrv1_02.tpl

This is M21-1MR - this is how VA is supposed to implement the rules and regs during the Adjudication Process.

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1MR.html

This is some info that deals with Claims for Increase and Mental Disorders, there is more but you'll be able to study that a bit yourself.

From 38 CFR:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....69&idno=38

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....74&idno=38

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....78&idno=38

From M21-1MR

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/...2/ch02_secf.doc

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/...subpti/ch01.doc

I realize I've put alot of food on your plate here, just trying to cover the bases and get what benefits you may be entitled to.

Others will chime in.

Hope this helps a vet.

jmho,

carlie

[marine0311]

Vik,

Didn't move anywhere.They said Dallas just sent the file this month to Waco - VARO. My C&P was back in August, the Dr has like 30-90 days to write it up. Not sure but if it was the later - 3 months the other 3 months were limbo ?

If it takes a over a Year to get an increase, can you imagine regular intial claims. I've been in therapy and on Meds for 2 yrs, my therapist encouraged me to file for an increase, so I did.

1 yr later...... Still waiting..... Kinda ticks ya off when your already SC for something and they just need to decide if your worse than before.

Thanks Vik

[marine0311]

Carlie are you writing a BOOK ? WTF OVER !

Just kidding! Questions....60% SC, VSO - Yes.

S/F

[Vike17]

marine0311,

Then it looks like the Dallas RO has a large backlog and they "farmed" your claim out to Waco in the hopes of speeding the decision up a bit. This happena all the time at VA. Nothing to worry about. Just hang in there and you'll receive a decision shortly.

Vike 17

[carlie]

Marine,

Yes, I am writing a book, but it has nothing to do with Veteran, VA or Claims.

Like I put in my post "just trying to cover the bases and get what benefits you may be entitled to."

If you perfer, I won't put the energy into it.

carlie