[ARCHIVED THREAD] - VA Disability Claim (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/14/2013 2:06:23 PM EDT
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So, I filed a claim in Nov of 2011. It has been under the status of "Gathering Evidence" for 15 months. It changed this week to "Preparation for Decision".
Anyone who has gone through this process have any idea how long this period of the process takes? Appreciate any input! Aviator |
| Find an Advocate. You will likely need one. After two years of fighting with the VA over my claim ( They refused to change inaccuracies in my claim ) I contacted a VA advocacy group and had them do some work on my behalf. The VA granted my 10% claim less than a month later. |
| it changes all the time I have had an emergency claim (cat 4 cancer) in since last July normally decisions are done by a board of doctors you cannot be there for the first one the DAV can represent you at it though., expect them to deny you out of principal you can be present & have a lawyer for the 2nd one. Usually 4-5 weeks for the board to meet and get paperwork started. |
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Originally filed in Oct 09, got my first payment and back pay Nov 2012. Holy shit! I've been waiting since June 2011. Another thing I've heard that helps is contacting your congressperson and requesting that they place congressional interest on your case. This will require the VA to update that congressman's office at least once a week with your claim status. Usually resulting in it being done within a month. |
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Best buddy filed a claim in 2010 and they started paying may 2012. He had to refile some of his paperwork august 2011. They retro-paid him from the august 2011 date but refused to back pay till the 2010 date. He filed his appeal for the back pay a few months ago and is still waiting on a decision. its close to 18k he is fighting over.
Get help and don't give up the fight. |
They denied me for a 100% back a few years ago when I really needed it. Well I just got home from FT Bliss a few weeks ago and had a back pay check for a 100% that I was supposed to get for a few years. Yes it was a very nice check  But they told me that they RE evaluated my claim and came to a NEW decision and that they were awarding me back pay. Just be patient and if it is legit it will get taken care of. I definitely recommend seeing your local VA rep. Preferably one that doesn't work in the VA try going to your county or state VA Rep offices. They get the ball rolling as they did for me. When My VA rep at the VA told me "just be lucky they paid for your treatments and your medical bills" I said bullshit whatever as I had plans on getting back active duty anyway. Well when I took it to my country VA rep he sent it higher up and bypassed those lazy fucks at the VA and sure enough a few years later BOOM a nice back pay check. Just be on top of them. Good luck!
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If you've already gotten your physical and any necessary supporting exams/tests, you pretty much just watch and wait.
I filed in Oct of 2011. I followed up a couple months later, and I was told that I shouldn't expect to be contacted for the physical until I was at least 6 months in. Sep 2012 rolls around, and I still hadn't heard anything. I call the DAV, and I get a return phone call the next day saying that the VA can't find my packet. I took my physical maybe 2-3 months later, and I didn't receive my rating until last month. |
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I filed a claim in 1984 for tinnitus/hearing loss from small arms fire. They lost my paperwork. I was asked to refile in 85. I called multiple times.
It's now 2013 
I was honorably discharged. They got their monies worth and i wasn't missing a limb so I guess they said fug it. I talked to some guys at my American Legion Post. They said I was nuts for blowing it off, but it was an exhausting endeavor that I got tired of perusing. |
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Mine took about 7 years. The last year of it was done by my service rep.
This was a while ago and it seem like the process got better but there are more vets with issues than when I went thru it. Just don't let them wear you down and stop the process. If you feel the rating is low, appeal it ASAP. Mine went as follows: 1. Not service connected. 4 years of working on it by myself. 2. Service connected, 0% rating. 2 years on the appeal. Myself also. 3. Service connected, XX% rating. 1year appeal with service rep. Hard way to learn something's you should just get help with. But a 7 year back check made the lesson less painful. ETA: Gunner, that's what they seem to count on. Time is on their side so they just drag it out. I was hard headed and refused to stop. |
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Quoted: I filed a claim in 1984 for tinnitus/hearing loss from small arms fire. They lost my paperwork. I was asked to refile in 85. I called multiple times. It's now 2013 I was honorably discharged. They got their monies worth and i wasn't missing a limb so I guess they said fug it. I talked to some guys at my American Legion Post. They said I was nuts for blowing it off, but it was an exhausting endeavor that I got tired of perusing. Don't let them beat you. I applied for tinnitus and hearing loss and was turned down and appealed and got turned down and, just like you I got tired and gave up. Nine years later I refiled and this time it was approved. Some frikin' bureaucrat got a bonus screwing vets--what the hell else could motivate them? The system is fucked up. About a year ago I found out that facial scarring is compensable and filed and am waiting and waiting, but they can't run from this one. It would have been nice if someone told me about that when I got discharged so that I wouldn't have lost all those years of (earned) compensation! ETA Am. Legion represented me both times. The second rep. was much better than the first. |
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Originally filed in Oct 09, got my first payment and back pay Nov 2012. Holy shit! I've been waiting since June 2011. Another thing I've heard that helps is contacting your congressperson and requesting that they place congressional interest on your case. This will require the VA to update that congressman's office at least once a week with your claim status. Usually resulting in it being done within a month. Congressionals on these are generally a bad idea and often times cause further delays. Your file will get a few minutes of review so the inquiry can be answered, but you just made extra work for the guy adjudicating your claim. I just finished up my increase in December (50% bump). It took a little more than 6 months out of the Denver office. If you're not used to successfully putting together paperwork for the government, I would suggest getting some assistance from DAV, etc. Best of luck and thank you for your service. |
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fuck the VA i refuse to file a claim. and im starting to understand this now, especially after today. i was going to make a VA healthcare horror stories thread to see what others experiences were but opted not to. maybe i will now. as for OP i did all my stuff while i was still in. they make you do separations classes now before you get out and took all but a couple months. good luck in your battle |
| I filled for Tinnitus in 2009, it took two months for approval. During this last election when I seen the news clip where the FSA bitch was bragging about her Obama phone, my head exploded. The next day I went and seen my VA rep and filled for agent orange. All my vet buddies keep telling me to file and I keep putting it off. This was last Sept. 2012, sounds like I have a long wait. Give me some of that rainbow soup. |
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Quoted: I received my Med discharge in June of 01, filed my claim while still on AD. In Oct of 01 I had a VA physical and had a rating and receiving payments in Dec. That was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, will probably never be that fast again.... Same, except in 1996. Filed at retirement physical (Sep 96) and had physical in November. Rating received in Jan / Feb 1997. It probably didn't help that the Army sat on my medical retirement board - trying to spin it out so I would retire - but I had copies of the board narration and the VA doctor was infuriated when he saw that. |
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My PTSD and Tinitis claims went fairly quick. PTSD from start to finish took about 6 months and Tinitis less than 1. My sleep apnea/sinus condition claim is going on 17 months now and I'm on my 2nd appeal. It just depends on how cut and dry your claim is. If you have the physical evidence to back it up, your claim usually goes through quick.
Most importantly, if you get denied, file an appeal immediately. |
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Quoted: Never let them hold your medical records .copies only. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile hmm. My records went from the Army hospital directly to the VA. While my records were still at the Army hospital, I was given the choice to receive a paper copy and a copy on disk of my medical records. |
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Originally filed in Oct 09, got my first payment and back pay Nov 2012. Holy shit! I've been waiting since June 2011. Another thing I've heard that helps is contacting your congressperson and requesting that they place congressional interest on your case. This will require the VA to update that congressman's office at least once a week with your claim status. Usually resulting in it being done within a month. This is not entirely true. In fact, it will slow down your case because now a VA liaison has to send form letter back and forth every time your congress critter requests an update. A congressional interest claim does not move to the head of the line. |
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Best buddy filed a claim in 2010 and they started paying may 2012. He had to refile some of his paperwork august 2011. They retro-paid him from the august 2011 date but refused to back pay till the 2010 date. He filed his appeal for the back pay a few months ago and is still waiting on a decision. its close to 18k he is fighting over. Get help and don't give up the fight. Good luck with the appeal, claims are backed up for years in regards to appeals. |
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My PTSD and Tinitis claims went fairly quick. PTSD from start to finish took about 6 months and Tinitis less than 1. My sleep apnea/sinus condition claim is going on 17 months now and I'm on my 2nd appeal. It just depends on how cut and dry your claim is. If you have the physical evidence to back it up, your claim usually goes through quick. Most importantly, if you get denied, file an appeal immediately. You do realize that an appeal could take years, and its not a guarantee that it will go in your favor? |
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Just got my rating a few days ago, took less than 6 months to go through. My claim was regarding combat injuries, so that might explain the quick turnaround. It really depends on the office and how much evidence a veteran has in regards to his/her claim. Some claims are easier, such as a veteran just getting out as opposed to a WW2 veteran that has never file before and the VA now has to look through 60 years of paperwork. |
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Never let them hold your medical records .copies only. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile hmm. My records went from the Army hospital directly to the VA. While my records were still at the Army hospital, I was given the choice to receive a paper copy and a copy on disk of my medical records. Correct. The actual original paper medical records are DoD property. Upon separation, the service member has the option to receive a copy. The original records are transfered to the VA if the service member files a claim during transition. If they do not, the records go to the warehouse in St Louis (I thnk it's still St. Louis), likely to never be seen again. I filed a valid VA claim on retirement for minor issues. I did it for one reason only. I did it so that the VA would have my original medical records and not have them stuff somewhere in here.... And, of course, I have my paper copy. Digital wasn't an option at the time. As for my claim, I never followed up and don't care to. |
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Never let them hold your medical records .copies only. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile hmm. My records went from the Army hospital directly to the VA. While my records were still at the Army hospital, I was given the choice to receive a paper copy and a copy on disk of my medical records. Correct. The actual original paper medical records are DoD property. Upon separation, the service member has the option to receive a copy. The original records are transfered to the VA if the service member files a claim during transition. If they do not, the records go to the warehouse in St Louis (I thnk it's still St. Louis), likely to never be seen again. I filed a valid VA claim on retirement for minor issues. I did it for one reason only. I did it so that the VA would have my original medical records and not have them stuff somewhere in here.... http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4515076708436007&pid=15.1 never to be found again. And, of course, I have my paper copy. Digital wasn't an option at the time. As for my claim, I never followed up and don't care to. A veterans claim file will go to a "retirement center" if there is a long period of time where they havnt filed a new claim. This happens even if the veteran is receiving benefits. The reason being that some local regional offices simply do not have the space to house thousands of claims files. So, its possible that your file is at a retirement center. |
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So, I filed a claim in Nov of 2011. It has been under the status of "Gathering Evidence" for 15 months. It changed this week to "Preparation for Decision". Anyone who has gone through this process have any idea how long this period of the process takes? Appreciate any input! Aviator It took them over a year to figure out they couldn't find my medical records. Luckily I burned 2 copies of the whole thing before I got out. |
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I filed a claim in 1984 for tinnitus/hearing loss from small arms fire. They lost my paperwork. I was asked to refile in 85. I called multiple times. It's now 2013
I was honorably discharged. They got their monies worth and i wasn't missing a limb so I guess they said fug it. I talked to some guys at my American Legion Post. They said I was nuts for blowing it off, but it was an exhausting endeavor that I got tired of perusing. Don't let them beat you. I applied for tinnitus and hearing loss and was turned down and appealed and got turned down and, just like you I got tired and gave up. Nine years later I refiled and this time it was approved. Some frikin' bureaucrat got a bonus screwing vets--what the hell else could motivate them? The system is fucked up. About a year ago I found out that facial scarring is compensable and filed and am waiting and waiting, but they can't run from this one. It would have been nice if someone told me about that when I got discharged so that I wouldn't have lost all those years of (earned) compensation! ETA Am. Legion represented me both times. The second rep. was much better than the first. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll give it another shot. I apologize if I offend anyone with my missing limb comment. I just get pissed every time I think about the VA. My dad was screwed by the VA off and on for most of his life. |
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A veterans claim file will go to a "retirement center" if there is a long period of time where they havnt filed a new claim. This happens even if the veteran is receiving benefits. The reason being that some local regional offices simply do not have the space to house thousands of claims files.
So, its possible that your file is at a retirement center. Sure. Eventually that will happen and it may have happened to mine already. But I've been retired for 6 years and nothing new has cropped up and my minor issues have actually gotten better enough that they aren't a problem for me since I retired. But had I not filed a claim, the original records would have gone straight to the retirement center and trying to file a claim in the first couple years after retirement if something had cropped up would have been a bigger challenge. I also should have said that the gentleman's point was still valid if technically incorrect. Never give up your only hardcopy of your records. Only give up copies of your copy. |
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The VA consists of the VBA and VHA. VBA are the benefits people and VHA are the hospital people. Two separate entities with separate budgets. Both have upper limits of personnel despite the number of veterans involved. Twice budget cuts have occurred resulting in personnel levels being cut to the minimum regardless of the number of veterans to be served.
At one time the budget was to be determined by the number of original social security numbers so each location set about gathering original social security numbers resulting in a set number of people being flooded with paper work and patients. At one time civilian physicians discovered the VA five dollar prescription plan and the VA was flooded with new patients. The pharmacies were paying overtime trying to keep up with the flood of work with a set number of people. As far as I am aware the pharmacy debacle is still ongoing. Construction is ongoing but that is from a separate pot of money that cannot be used for anything else despite personnel or patient levels. Like most agencies if the construction budget is not used it is reduced the following year. Unfunded requirements are handed down from the powers that be. One example was the patient advocate program requiring personnel with no change in the budget. Government salaries do not attract top of the line people in any field. My father had to request a new doctor twice trying to get one who had a grasp of the English language. A lot of the VA physicians are foreigners. The hearing aid Dad got from the VA is top notch. A friend of mine was trying to get a disability percent upgraded and it was an uphill battle. It depended on who reviewing physician was as to whether you were secessful or not. Some are more sympathetic to veterans than others. Employee turnover is fairly high since better salaries and working conditions are available elsewhere. In addition some new employees assume its a government job so they get to sit around with their feet up and they do not last long. A patient's initial contact with the VA is often a new guy trying to learn the system. Overall I've seen an improvement of the employee attitudes compared with twenty years ago. The majority of VA employees are dedicated and sincere people. Article 99 (1992) is an interesting movie about the VA. I am not defending the VA to those who have had problems, Just my view from a series of brushes with the VA over the years. The organization isn't much different from the military. That's just how the government works. |
| Just went thru this. I was stuck in the gathering evidence for to long. After it jumped to preparing to make decision it was just over a month and I got my rating. Watch in E-Benefits, when it gets completed they will mail you a package. But the letters will be posted on E-Benefits before you get them in the mail. |
| Welcome to the government run healthcare we are all soon to experience. As someone who has done comp&pen evaluations for the VA in the past, I would give a big +1 to those advising getting help with and advocacy service. The VA is an enormous bureaucracy and you are one tiny ant. |