% increase and timeline of decisions for VA????

P

pfen

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Good morning all,
Was curious to know if anyone has the ball park area of how long it takes for a VA % increase evaluation to go through the system. I filed with a VSO at my local VA.
Had some mri and surgeries done while still actice duty but the evidence that was sent with my Package at the time only had evidence up to march 30 2012. Since than the surgeries were conducted but did not have time for a reconsideration durring the med board process.
Have final rating letter with combined 30%.
So since i have filed with my VSO....... any thoughts on a timeline for the increase???????
Thank you in advance!!!
 
Unfortunately, there's no way to know. Each claim (even for increase) is unique. The VA posts average times for each VARO, but they really don't stick to a timeline. The best you can do is to check with your VSO and make sure all the documents are in. If you have any outside agency or doctor's notes, you need to get them together and submit in support of your claim. If you already have, and your VSO can verify that the VARO has the documents (what they have and what you submit may be very different), you can request they rate with what they have on hand (fully developed claim). Still, it could take 6 months to a year or more depending on how complicated your existing c-file is (records at the VARO).
 
Thank you for the info. What i did was compile all my eveidence ie: NMCSD Balboa medical facility in San Diego, eveidence ... Mri... surgeries and what not. I had them in chronilogial order. When i went to file and increase with the VSO he told me they dont take any paper work that i have and as long as there is no outside cicvilian doctors involved, they just look at all the ALTHA and VA records and notes to make a increase decision. Than I was handed a piece of paper with a big blank space to talk to the VA in writing to tell them why and about my increse beliefs.
 
Well, I agree with some of what you were told, but am not a VSO. If they already have the info on file (you can't know this unless you have a copy of your c-file. If you don't, get a copy through a FOIA request.) you would be giving them duplicate information. My file, though, is about 14" thick (not kidding - I have a copy) so when I send info, I send all relevant information and since I'm almost done with any claims, I don't mind sending duplicates in. Still, if you know what was submitted (JMHO), you know they have what you want them to look at. Personally, I provide colored tabs and an index (chronological order) with the pages highlighted so the rater can go straight to the issues and evidence. My wife is a paralegal, so she's trained me well. I've been successful since 2004 in dealing with the VA this way. I say successful as all but one my ratings to date are at what I consider the appropriate percentage. Again, this is in my own mind as to how I feel the conditions are equitably rated. I have two appeals: the first is for something the VA said was pre-existing yet I have proof it wasn't, the other for something they said was not service connected even though I've provided evidence that the condition was treated several times (and still is) while on active duty. Someone just didn't read the documents, so now I'm in appeal. It's frustrating because now the cases have been in the works for over three years. Enough of my issues, though. Bottom line: follow your instincts. There's no such thing as too much info when the VA is involved.
 
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