im doing the same thing
Slow VA time....
- Thread starter lownslowneon
- Start date
im doing the same thing
Apparently it worked.... as of today my claim is in preparation for decision, rather than reviewing evidence... Just two days after I sent in my paperwork... either it was a coincidence or it worked.
VA Time Line.....um,
04/24/2011 - Started my quickstart claim (1 day after I separated from the military)
10/05/2011 - They scheduled me for all my appointments. (civilian doctor for each individual claim)
Final appointment was end of November...so pretty much.
12/01/2011 - Entered the "Review of Evidence" phase
1/26/2012 - Entered the "Preparation for Decision" phase
Anything in particular you are looking for?
04/24/2011 - Started my quickstart claim (1 day after I separated from the military)
10/05/2011 - They scheduled me for all my appointments. (civilian doctor for each individual claim)
Final appointment was end of November...so pretty much.
12/01/2011 - Entered the "Review of Evidence" phase
1/26/2012 - Entered the "Preparation for Decision" phase
Anything in particular you are looking for?
thanks for sharing the time-line. actually yes, curious one particular issue the seeing of an civi doc for each individual claim. are you stating that if you have 5 claims all different, you have to have a c&p exam for each one, 5 different times? also can you claim multiple claims on one claim form or do you need separate claim forms? last, the portion of the quick-start claim form that asks you to support or document each claim on a separate form, do you have to do this part and if so what exactly do you need to list? thanks
godspeed
Everything listed in my original post was on ONE claim.
I had the DAV help me with the claim paperwork to be honest with you...so I am not much help there =/
The civilian doctor thing is I think that my VA is so busy (Houston,TX) that they contract out all my appointments and the civy docs send in their review of me. So they sent me to a specialist for PTSD then a separate specialist for my back/knee, then a different doc for my vision, then a separate one for my hearing...
Basically had like 5 different appointments...but they also had a check ready for me at each one. They give you mileage costs....so it took me about 20 minutes to get to the doc and it was roughly a $20-25 check each appointment.
Apparently it was coincidence that it changed status....
Monthly Income: $1700
Monthly expenses: $2600
I even included that if I am not getting my disability soon that I'll have to file for bankruptcy...I guess since I am not filing bankruptcy right now it's not considered financial hardship.
Once again the VA pisses me off...they will wait until I am living under a bridge before they consider me for financial hardship.
I just LOVE how they treat veterans.
I don't even know who to call.... the 800 number gets you a random idiot every call.
Monthly Income: $1700
Monthly expenses: $2600
I even included that if I am not getting my disability soon that I'll have to file for bankruptcy...I guess since I am not filing bankruptcy right now it's not considered financial hardship.
Once again the VA pisses me off...they will wait until I am living under a bridge before they consider me for financial hardship.
I just LOVE how they treat veterans.
I don't even know who to call.... the 800 number gets you a random idiot every call.
So I noticed my claim is still in the same status...even though the average time is like 25 days for this phase...
Mines at 30+ now.
Anyways, I also noticed that my regional office changed from winston salem (I think that's what it was) to...
Regional Office of Jurisdiction:
Columbia
Is this a good thing? Bad? Doesn't matter?
Mines at 30+ now.
Anyways, I also noticed that my regional office changed from winston salem (I think that's what it was) to...
Regional Office of Jurisdiction:
Columbia
Is this a good thing? Bad? Doesn't matter?
I went through the des system was active Army. Terminal leave ended Feb 26 was not able to get on ebenifits anymore. Then two weeks ago was able to get on the site followed by a letter saying reviewing everything like you have. And I was able to get on the site for the first time today I guess it happens to eveyone that gets out and it said it's done. I also just got a big packet the explained everything I had about 12 things get rated too (I think thats alot) 80 percent worth. But it didnt take long I suppose I am still waiting for my money though. It had a break down of how much I would be getting at lest there not holding any of it because it was combat related.
Yea mine says incurred in a combat zone, so I'm hoping they won't hold any of it....they shouldn't.
Gavinpedrick is in the pilot program and that is one of the difference with the legacy. I tried hard not to look at the length of time even when I was going through the MEB. All it does is cause anxiety but at least one thing is missing, all the crap from work trying to make your life more miserable. Today I go to my happy place or as the wife calls it, the junkyard. Lots of antique vehicles and very few people.
I had heard the same but did not believe it at that time, I believe it now. I've spent the day trying to redo my budget and I got it stretched to 17 months as long as gas don't go up, it is another warm winter in 2012, and nothing bad happens. I think I'm going to make it, I also think I'm lying to myself.
Just moved to the "Pending Decision Approval Phase"
I know it's not much but it's still MOVING a long the process... I'm excited.
I know it's not much but it's still MOVING a long the process... I'm excited.
Moved to Preparation for Notification status today..guess I should be expecting something in the mail soon!
The VA is very slow in making their final decision due to the number of cases they have. I also was in the Air Force and was medically discharged after 13 years and they gave me the same rating of 20% to avoid having to give me any retirement. Like you, I should have fought it but also like yourself I was drained after the MEB taking so long and just took the 20% and severance pay. I went through 3 different surgeries while in and one being on my neck which was the one that put me out due to chronic pain and permanent nerve damage. I was discharged in August of 2010 and just received my decision Monday. I even did a quick start a week before I got out with the help of the DAV rep. I had 7 different claims so that could have contributed to the long wait. I received a 50% disability rating but am appealing a few of the ratings. I've already given all my information to the VA rep close to me. He seems to be very good so far. My main claims for which I was discharged for weren't incurred in a combat zone so the of course are making me pay that severance pay less the taxes they took back by withholding most of my monthly disability pay. I won't receive my full payment until July of 2018 unless my rating is bumped up but it will still be at least 4-5 years if so. Since yours was in a combat zone just make sure when you get your W-2 for your severance pay that it isn't counted as your income like mine was. They took over $17,000 out in taxes and I only got $2100 back and that was with the rest of my income and federal taxes witheld. I'm trying to recoup most of those taxes since what I was discharged was considered service connected by the VA in my decision I just got. I've heard you can but I won't believe it until that money is in my account. It sounds like a complicated process.
Anyway, the sent me a letter about 3 months ago after I called them asking about my claim about 10 times. They letter said the average time if a quick start was done is about 16 months. Needless to say my severance pay eventually ran out and due to my neck issues I'm having a hard time finding a job. The issue is more serious than they put down on my decision. They didn't use any new information and only showed my fusion and one bulged disc but luckily I requested another MRI through the VA and had it done in December and I have 3 more disc that are bulged with 2 pushing on my spinal cord. That's also when I found out the numbness and weakness in my left arm/hand was due to permanent nerve damage at the C7-T1 level. So, now I am going to file bankruptcy once I get the back pay from when my quickstart was initiated in August 2010(that was one good bit of news I got). I've been put in such a finacial bind I have no choice. I couldn't make my payments on my military star card so they turned it into collection and now when I file my taxes they will take all of them unless I can get the bankruptcy to go through or have it taken out of collection before I file the taxes. It is really sad how they treat veterans. I feel really bad for the older vets from previous wars because most of them never received anything because they didn't have near the benefits like today and most gave up on the system since they also didn't have the briefings on benefits and entitlements that we have in place today. They still manage to treat most new veterans terrible as well. I don't put all the blame on the VA either. It's just how our government trys to save money anyway they can because we've put ourselves in such a bind with debt and all the veterans from the current wars. I'll step off my soapbox on all of that and stick to the topic. If anyone has any questions please shoot me a message and I may be able to help. I've learned a lot in the past year of dealing with this stuff. I am also still learning so if anyone has any information they think I may need please give it me so I can use it and pass it on.
Anyway, the sent me a letter about 3 months ago after I called them asking about my claim about 10 times. They letter said the average time if a quick start was done is about 16 months. Needless to say my severance pay eventually ran out and due to my neck issues I'm having a hard time finding a job. The issue is more serious than they put down on my decision. They didn't use any new information and only showed my fusion and one bulged disc but luckily I requested another MRI through the VA and had it done in December and I have 3 more disc that are bulged with 2 pushing on my spinal cord. That's also when I found out the numbness and weakness in my left arm/hand was due to permanent nerve damage at the C7-T1 level. So, now I am going to file bankruptcy once I get the back pay from when my quickstart was initiated in August 2010(that was one good bit of news I got). I've been put in such a finacial bind I have no choice. I couldn't make my payments on my military star card so they turned it into collection and now when I file my taxes they will take all of them unless I can get the bankruptcy to go through or have it taken out of collection before I file the taxes. It is really sad how they treat veterans. I feel really bad for the older vets from previous wars because most of them never received anything because they didn't have near the benefits like today and most gave up on the system since they also didn't have the briefings on benefits and entitlements that we have in place today. They still manage to treat most new veterans terrible as well. I don't put all the blame on the VA either. It's just how our government trys to save money anyway they can because we've put ourselves in such a bind with debt and all the veterans from the current wars. I'll step off my soapbox on all of that and stick to the topic. If anyone has any questions please shoot me a message and I may be able to help. I've learned a lot in the past year of dealing with this stuff. I am also still learning so if anyone has any information they think I may need please give it me so I can use it and pass it on.
ha ha im from RI....yea
I filed my claim the day after I got my 214 in the mail as the local VA wouldn't give me an appointment until I had it so I filed in dec 2010, I was discharged from the AF with 10% and severance in nov 2010. My status has been in the Preperation for Decision phase since early Nov 2011 and the claim was handled in Winston-Salem NC. I've called several times when I had a spare hour to wait on hold and always get the same bs letter about a week later about how they're so backed up. Whatever. I don't so much even care about the disability (it would be nice but I know they gotta do their recoup) but I just want the 10 pref points for federal jobs (I am a current fed employee, just want to try and move up). Anyway, the phase I'm in was supposed to be average around 54 days and its been over 4 months so...... Wish I could tell my supervisor I'm to busy to do my job.