Claims process

[alageezer]

Question for any of you that has recently went thru the claims process. I submitted a claim for disability six months ago (mid Feb), and just last week got a call and a followup letter setting up what I take to be screening appointments at the VA medical facility in Montgomery, Al.

My question: Is this close to the end of the process, or am I just now getting started? According to the research I have done, I submitted "creditable medical evidence" to qualify for 100% for heart problems.

[num1dgh]

It is a LONG process. With the VA, it is so hard to say if you're near the end or not. Don't give up, though . . . you need to be persistent with them! Because DH's knee and ankle have continued to deteriorate, he put in with the VA again in Oct. 2010 for an increase in his rating. They sent him a letter 3 months later denying him, but when he disputed it, they sent him another letter scheduling an exam by a VA doctor. After the exam early this year, the doctor told him that he felt he certainly needed to be rated higher. DH is STILL receiving letters from the VA that his case is still "pending."

Stick with it! The VA is a large, slow machine!

[Perry White]

You need to keep at it. Their position is to deny everybody hoping that most will give up on the first try, even though you deserve it. It's all about cost. It's a game with them.

[patty98311]

It can take a long time, my last claim(which was found to my favor) took over a year do they(VA) had redireced it to the wrong reqion after origanaly being asked and questioned as to the status., hang in there!

[ajlcal]

It's impossible to predict anything about the VA claims process. And don't get too upbeat about what doctors tell you. Their notes could say that you're on deaths door step but if the Compensation and Pension Board that makes the final decision on your claim doesn't agree or doesn't make the connection between your medical condition and your military service then you're out of luck. I don't mean to discourage you about your claim but all you can do on your end is to initiate the claim and provide medical evidence to back up the claim. It's helpful if you use the DAV or any other veteran service to help with your claim. Don't forget that the most important thing is that there has to be a connection with your medical condition and your military service. Lastely, DON'T MISS ANY APPOINTMENTS.

[alageezer]

I went thru one of the service reps with an office at the VA facility. He just recently moved on to greener pastures, and the position is vacant at the moment. That's the reason I asked here instead of talking to him.

I fully figured it would take a year to hear anything, but was merely curious. According to the research I have done, I fall under the presumptive conditions for Agent Orange and heart desease. I am confident it will be approved. I was awarded 100% from SS several years ago.

[ajlcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alageezer I went thru one of the service reps with an office at the VA facility. He just recently moved on to greener pastures, and the position is vacant at the moment. That's the reason I asked here instead of talking to him. I fully figured it would take a year to hear anything, but was merely curious. According to the research I have done, I fall under the presumptive conditions for Agent Orange and heart desease. I am confident it will be approved. I was awarded 100% from SS several years ago.

Your SS award could be helpful. If there is any medical documentation other than VA hospital documentation on your SS claim, then it would be helpful to add that to your VA file as supplemental evidence. If you have other evidence, you really need to find another service representative to handle that evidence as soon as possible. You could bring it to the VA yourself but there's a good chance it will get lost. From my experience, a service representative is a must. It's all about documented evidence. I've been through this myself and know what your going through. Good luck.

[Acker1]

Another point about an NSO (National Service Officer) is that they know how to word your claim so it meets the VA requirements. They say the same thing you would say only in VA language. Believe me it makes a difference.

DICK

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acker1 Another point about an NSO (National Service Officer) is that they know how to word your claim so it meets the VA requirements. They say the same thing you would say only in VA language. Believe me it makes a difference. DICK

Yep, gov't "speak" is different than English!!

[twoinabox]

I've had a claim in at Houston RO since 11/5/10. I've had my C&P exams but still waiting for a decision. Prostate cancer on the presumptive list for Agent Orange.

CWO Army Aviation, 1st Cav.

[W4RLR]

A Social Security claim is harder to prove than a VA claim. I know because I have made both and was awarded both. In my case, the VA claim took eighteen months. The Social Security claim took two and a half years.

It helps to have a NSO from one of the veterans organizations in your corner. In my case I used the DAV. I am a life member of that organization in part because I was impressed with their ability to cut through layers of bureaucratic bull****.

[alageezer]

OP here again. I fully expect the claim to take time, and didn't figure I'd hear anything for a year. Was just curious when I got the appointments for the C&P exams. As I said, I've done the research, know I qualify for 100% because I have a defribulator implanted in my chest.

I was lucky when I applied for SSD. I also did the research, learned what it would take for a successful award, and was able to talk with the girl handling my claim. When she told me she was having trouble getting records from one particular doctor, I went and got the records myself and forwarded them to her. I made sure that the records contained the evidence I needed to qualify. From the time I originally filed until I got the award letter was just over two months.

Thanks for the responses.

[alageezer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoinabox I've had a claim in at Houston RO since 11/5/10. I've had my C&P exams but still waiting for a decision. Prostate cancer on the presumptive list for Agent Orange. CWO Army Aviation, 1st Cav.

When did you do the C&P exams?

[Wayne M]

Be patient. Can you imagine how many claims are being processed? Us old geezers go back a few wars. What about the young military coming out of a war zone now. When you think of how many claims are being process, given the number of veterans there are, it is a very large amount. I just hope the VA does not run out of money. Agent Orange presumptive conditions may not show up in us old geezer for decades, and when it does it usually hits with quite a bit of ruckus. Heart conditions are one of the presumptive conditions if you served in an area that is listed as having Agent Orange.

Now, for the good part. Once your claim does get approved you will received retroactive pay going back to the date you applied. That can be in the thousands of dollars. It could be a good down payment on something.

Also, if you disability is 60% or more (for others) you can apply for unemployable and received 100% pay. I guess they feel that no one wants to hire someone who is disabled 60% or more.

Good luck.