REVIEW OFFICER VS.TRADITIONAL APPEAL...HELP!!

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markinoa1

PEB Forum Regular Member
I'M IN THE PROCESS OF APPEALING MY VA RATING FOR A ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION. YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A LETTER GIVING ME THE OPTION TO EITHER HAVE A DECISION REVIEW OFFICER BE ASSIGNED TO MY CASE FOR REVIEW OR SIMPLY TO FOLLOW THE TRADITIONAL APPEAL PROCESS.
CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME BY TELLING ME WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS AND WHICH ROUTE WILL BE QUICKER AND LESS OF A PROBLEM FOR ME. THANK YOU MUCH!!!!!
 
I've had a claim from VA denied 3 times for lack of evidence or medical opinion. I then would talk to my service rep from AMVETS and get the evidence that they said was missing. AMVETS would re file my claim.
They would find something else I needed, I'm still in the process of this calim.
I never recieved a letter offering me the review you mentioned but looking through my VA research this is what I found.


Currently, a claimant who disagrees with a decision by a Veterans Service Center may appeal that decision by filing a notice of disagreement (NOD). Under 38 CFR 3.2600, a claimant who has filed a timely NOD may also obtain de novo review of the decision of the Veterans Service Center by requesting such review with the NOD or within 60 days

As far as which one is eaiser, I don't believe anything is easy with the VA.
Good luck and hopefully someone on this site has the answer for you.
 
The DRO has the authority to change the original decision and you will be able to submit new material in either case. I am using a DRO but have not heard back on his decision.

If you use the DRO and don't agree with his opinion, you can then use the traditional appeal process. It is a chance for an additional review but it won't speed things up (to my knowledge). I figured in my case that an extra set of eyes wouldn't hurt.

One positive note - it appears that DRO's are usually more experienced than some of the newer personnel reviewing claims, so it may work in your favor.

Good luck!

CSM
 
markinoa1 said:
I'M IN THE PROCESS OF APPEALING MY VA RATING FOR A ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION. YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A LETTER GIVING ME THE OPTION TO EITHER HAVE A DECISION REVIEW OFFICER BE ASSIGNED TO MY CASE FOR REVIEW OR SIMPLY TO FOLLOW THE TRADITIONAL APPEAL PROCESS.
CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME BY TELLING ME WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS AND WHICH ROUTE WILL BE QUICKER AND LESS OF A PROBLEM FOR ME. THANK YOU MUCH!!!!!
Click to expand...

First off welcome. Secondly, I think your caps lock key is stuck on :rolleyes:

Did you have and was treated for your "ORTHOPEDIC CONDITION" on active duty (or any duty). What did the letter state for reason of decision?
 
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