well I'm on day 40 or 50 or something.. I don't even keep track anymore. Anyway, I check my mail yesterday and had a package from the VA, that said "to opened by addressee only". Of course I got excited and worried.. hoping maybe somehow a step was missed and I got my ratings directly in the mail. I opened it up and it was some damn benefit book that had a letter that said a decision was made on my claim.. but of course it was wrong because it put me in priority 6 which was 0% or if I served in a combat zone. Basically it was just something you get before you normally get out of the Army and not related to my MEB. Yes that ruined my freaking day.
Seattle Regional VA Timelines:
- Thread starter SGT Nova
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Yes, it does take time. I have been in the WTU since 13 Nov 2009, that is 1258 days if you include today. My packet is at the DRAS waiting to get rated and most likley will not be touched until at least the end of the summer.
However rather than focus on all of the things that suck during this timeframe I choose to focus on the positive things I have been able to accomplish since the process has begun.
Tough times never last, tough people do. Make a plan, implement the plan, refine the plan, implement the refined plan and start over. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
However rather than focus on all of the things that suck during this timeframe I choose to focus on the positive things I have been able to accomplish since the process has begun.
Tough times never last, tough people do. Make a plan, implement the plan, refine the plan, implement the refined plan and start over. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
Why won't your packet be touched until after the summer???
Finally got my NLT date yesterday! They sent it to me and then called and asked whether or not I was planning to take or sell my leave. Looks like i'll be heading down to Carson to clear really soon!
NLT date was for 18JULY2013. I was told to retire between the 21-29 of the month, so I guess that means I'll pick 2xJUNE as my retirement date.
NLT date was for 18JULY2013. I was told to retire between the 21-29 of the month, so I guess that means I'll pick 2xJUNE as my retirement date.
Well, screw that last post. Just got a call from Fort Riley today confirming I'm in Colorado. They told me "for some reason you came down on our TRANSPROC list, but we can't out process you since you're out of our regional area. You have to clear through Fort Carson. We're sending your name back to PDA so you can hit Fort Carson TRANSPROC".
W-T-F!!! COME ON!!! Also now I feel bad I had Sascha check Fort Carson TRANSPROC since I was never going to hit it anyways. Guess this means I waited 2 1/2 weeks to hit TRANSPROC for nothing :-(
W-T-F!!! COME ON!!! Also now I feel bad I had Sascha check Fort Carson TRANSPROC since I was never going to hit it anyways. Guess this means I waited 2 1/2 weeks to hit TRANSPROC for nothing :-(
I'll keep checking our TRANSPROC. It really shouldn't take long to transfer over, but as with everything else in this process we'll see.
Agreed.....I think there is a serious lack of tracking and monitoring where the cases are and what they need. I really can't understand how the VA can tell Soldiers that it takes 5 months to gather information. The issues that are most important in my mind is keeping Veterans informed about the CURRENT status of their claims. I know many people on this form have called the 1800 number or inquired about their claim status and had to deal with the person at the VA call center that cannot update you on anything, so what is the point of employing them if they can't update you on anything. We should not have to call the VA they should be actively combing case files to ensure they are being worked continuously and updating us (especially if there is a problem). Bottom line is there should not be any reason a case sits for 5 months waiting on information. In my case it sat and sat, I opened the congressional, I called the VA and they said I went to an appointment and my required information was received. This is all good except I never went to any appointment other than the appointments in June of 2012. How can anyone really know that their case is not sitting on someone's desk collecting dust? How do I know that they are not "punishing" me for the congressional I opened? Where is the transparency in this process? Who is our advocate at the VA in this process? How do we get accurate up to date information about our claim? These are the questions I have and I think most people would have if they were in my situation. It shouldn't be a huge mystery or an unknown to give a person in the IDES process a personal timeline. This whole process lacks standards because if there were standards the VA could be held accountable. No one at the VA in Seattle has been separated from their family for over a year because they were waiting on a process that if were to happen all at one time could probably be finished in one week. No one in Seattle really wants to know what anyone is going through because it would mean them accepting they are failing on a huge scale and people are suffering emotionally, physically, financially, etc. Anyway....here I go ranting agian.
We're with you smedrok. I actually went so far as to get a meeting with the NRMC Commander/SGM. Only by that is my case now finally being looked at after waiting 142 days and counting for my initial ratings. They were trying to tell me that some exam was inadequate and that is why it took so long, when in fact my exams were done last summer and the additional exam they were referring to was just a picture of my scar taken a couple weeks after. All told, they reviewed this information and gave me an unfit on 3DEC2012 and from that point I heard NOTHING, until I started raising hell with more important people. It should not have come to that though. I shouldn't have to meet with my ombudsman, OIC of the VA office here, IG, DAV rep, WWP rep, VFW rep, OIC at PEBLO office and then finally the NRMC Commander just to make any headway.
I am so sick of people telling me new timelines, and to be patient, because as you said, these same people are in permanent jobs or locations with their families and not dealing with doing NOTHING every day except just waiting on ratings.
I am so sick of people telling me new timelines, and to be patient, because as you said, these same people are in permanent jobs or locations with their families and not dealing with doing NOTHING every day except just waiting on ratings.
Agreed, I don't get it either, I've tried to explain my situation to mulitple reps but basically its the same all around. its..."f/o"...Its kinda annoying and its really starting to piss people off that I'm being such a persistant ass about everything. but i can't help it, my wife will be having out second child in august, our lease will be up in 2 months, my ETS date is july 14th and my wife will be moving back to ohio if she gets put on bed rest if she has any more complications with her pregnancy, but I guess i'll just be patient and wait it out...like everybody else....and think about my family while is sit and do nothing....
Where are you at Hannibal? You at a WTU? And when did you get your unfit memo?
I feel your pain with your wife/kids issue. Before I was here I was in Korea for 18 months as I had to wait on my permanent profile before they even let me leave the country. I missed my kids growing up for the past 2 years now from ages 1-3 and 3-5. It is so hard on my wife having to be a single parent to them while I am away, and the uncertainty of everything is so absurd. I had to pass on some good job offers and now feel annoyed that I must restart my job search all over again.
I feel your pain with your wife/kids issue. Before I was here I was in Korea for 18 months as I had to wait on my permanent profile before they even let me leave the country. I missed my kids growing up for the past 2 years now from ages 1-3 and 3-5. It is so hard on my wife having to be a single parent to them while I am away, and the uncertainty of everything is so absurd. I had to pass on some good job offers and now feel annoyed that I must restart my job search all over again.
Awesome man, I picked June 27th as my retirement date. My orders go corrected today. Now I have 2 weeks left. I had to sell a total of 37 days. So that will tack on another 2 grand only last pay. So ill be good for e month I don't get paid!
5 March, and Ft sill
Sorry to hear they screwed you like that. I really don't understnad why they don't attempt to ascertain the Soldiers family situation prior to starting this process. That would fix my issue at least and a few others I know going through the MEB/PEB process. I am not even asking for anything crazy....a no cost move to a different post to wait for my ratings, or fo rthem to move my family here with me. I think this is an issue that really needs to be looked at. I could care less how long it took me if my family was with me. I don't think the Army agree's with Soldiers having families they just tolerate it....that is how it feels at least. You shouldn't have had to wait to leave Korea just to get a permanent profile....any doctor at any hospital can issue a permanent profile. Messed up.
I don't know who else to talk to. I went through all my congressman and that didn't get the results I wanted. Their official reply was BS. Who's next CNN? I was thinking maybe making a petition or a group letter and seeing how many people would sign it. The letter could be a call for action and policy changes. I could get as many signatures as possible and forward it to the Senate and House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. Maybe that would get them to change their policies. It wouldn't help me out at all but would help others behind me coming through the system. I don't know it is an idea.....something has to change because all our situations can be improved if the leadership injected some commonsense into the mix. Maybe even a form letter that everyone sends to their respective congressman. I don't know but something should be done that's for sure.
Does anyone remember who we can call after we get out. I called the toll free
Number and they keep
Reading the script
Your case is in the development stage and could take up to one to 2 years.
I need a better status than that. They got my dd 214 last month.
Number and they keep
Reading the script
Your case is in the development stage and could take up to one to 2 years.
I need a better status than that. They got my dd 214 last month.
CNN
1-2 years!!! That's ludicrous!!! No government agency should be allowed to take that freaking long to make a decision.
1-2 years!!! That's ludicrous!!! No government agency should be allowed to take that freaking long to make a decision.
I need some serious legal advice!! I see legalon Monday.
I'm satisfied with the proposed ratings of TDRL 80 DoD and 90 VA, but very upset that they only provided the VA with only 1-1/2 years of medical records that caused many of my conditions to be not service connected. I came in 1991 and these records should have been submitted, and I don't think it was my fault to ensure that the QC was being met for those responsible to submit my records. Totally unacceptable!
6 were not service connected and got 11 - 0%s on many of my fitting conditions. 1 was 0% for a fitting condition, hallux rigidus, which was according the VA exam wasn't sever enough I guess. I just underwent a surgery for this issue because I didn't have any cartilage left on my big toe and I had severe pain. It's been 2 months and pain has resumed as probably as result to a screw not being completed inserted to join the big toe bones. I also don't agree, as at the time being evaluated for my skeletal portion that the ROMs were not done correctly on my hands, knees and ankle. I have arthritis on my hands and knees so severe that I have pain in my joints with just a slight motion. I recall how fast that exam went, and seriously don't recall the DR having me checked for ROM on my knees..
I'll stop venting..
Ben
I'm satisfied with the proposed ratings of TDRL 80 DoD and 90 VA, but very upset that they only provided the VA with only 1-1/2 years of medical records that caused many of my conditions to be not service connected. I came in 1991 and these records should have been submitted, and I don't think it was my fault to ensure that the QC was being met for those responsible to submit my records. Totally unacceptable!
6 were not service connected and got 11 - 0%s on many of my fitting conditions. 1 was 0% for a fitting condition, hallux rigidus, which was according the VA exam wasn't sever enough I guess. I just underwent a surgery for this issue because I didn't have any cartilage left on my big toe and I had severe pain. It's been 2 months and pain has resumed as probably as result to a screw not being completed inserted to join the big toe bones. I also don't agree, as at the time being evaluated for my skeletal portion that the ROMs were not done correctly on my hands, knees and ankle. I have arthritis on my hands and knees so severe that I have pain in my joints with just a slight motion. I recall how fast that exam went, and seriously don't recall the DR having me checked for ROM on my knees..
I'll stop venting..
Ben
Get a hold of your Congressman or woman. Or you can try your Senator. Or any organization like VFW, Military Order Of The Purple Heart, American Legion.
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