VA Disability claims

[USMCiscom77]

My wife's claim took 9 - 10 months from start to finish. I've been waiting over 16 months. They supposedly closed my case due to insufficient evidence around the 10th month into my case. Just before the year was up I added to my case along with sufficient evidence and testimony. I've only been seen by the VA hospital. I'm using their records to support my case. My wife had to go see a 3rd party workers comp facility to support her case. She made out. I'm still assed out!

For some reason I have not seen my medical records nor can I locate them. My active duty / exit medical records are MIA. I've requested them and only got my MEPS records. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, what is the best way to track these records down?

[91 whiskey 209]

My wife's claim took 9 - 10 months from start to finish. I've been waiting over 16 months. They supposedly closed my case due to insufficient evidence around the 10th month into my case. Just before the year was up I added to my case along with sufficient evidence and testimony. I've only been seen by the VA hospital. I'm using their records to support my case. My wife had to go see a 3rd party workers comp facility to support her case. She made out. I'm still assed out!

For some reason I have not seen my medical records nor can I locate them. My active duty / exit medical records are MIA. I've requested them and only got my MEPS records. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, what is the best way to track these records down?

Naw man, I keep all of my military records in my safe. Got copies of everything before getting out. That stuff is extremely important to keep close because the gov. Has a bad habit of either losing records or taking forever to get you copies of any paperwork you are missing. Good luck...

[MustangSteveGT]

I've been waiting over 2 years, since september 2010.... I recently gave the DAV power of attorney to figure out what is going on. Still havent got any appt's yet either.

Had DAV "started" mine, it had NO EFFECT on the process and still had to hand feed the VA every scrap of evidense on my own to the regional office through my local CA Vet Service Officer. The DAV also did not notice that my entire claim was completely derailed after the comp and pen appointments, months after the fact. I could have submitted the claim myself through my own VONAPP application myself and been no worst off.
I learned it's not enough to rely on anyone else but yourself in the process, and learn your own way through it, because nobody cares about you getting that check more than yourself.

I guess it depends how recently you started the process. If I were you and DAV coouldnt tell me something reassuring, I'd make sure you get set up with your local CA County Veteran Service Officer and have them do an inside inquiry to tell you whats going on/not going on, and ensure everything gets back on track if you have been waiting too long (a few months).

[m1a1driver]

I filed the claim myself back in 2010, and I keep in touch with the VA directly, they just keep saying "its still pending" the next phase is for the appointments. I just had the DAV look into it as an extra step, I dont totally rely on them of course I trust noone but myself so I try and keep on top of whats going on. The VA just says that there is a backlog of claims, and all my paperwork is in order so far.

[downdiver2]

At first I thought that. I have yet to be given 'premium' or ?? status. It says (Or did say 3 months ago when I last logged in) I have to show evidence of I.D at my VA location. too much hassle

I should try logging on again and see if I can do premium now.

eBenefits is great for adding dependents to your disability rate. and the website gives you some sort of status updates when they happen by logging in and checking as well as an estimated date of completion. The eBenefits premium account (which doesnt require you to travel to a VA regional office, medical center or military base in order to activate anymore) is a great source for all kinds of stuff. Also good place to see what contact info the VA has for you, to ensure the contact data they have is truely correct. You can also update addresses/phone numbers if you move or whatever through the site.
My request to add dependents to my rate got expedited after I submitted for it again through eBeneits (like 4 months faster). Thats long after my original request via Vet Service Officer was done by paper method.

Also activated my post 9/11 gi bill through the eBenefits portal that links you with VONAPP which contains the eletronic internet benefit request forms.

[themailman]

I started mine a few months ago....VA still says they are waiting on my physical which was done in Sep.............

[TMcGuff]

haha soon i will be in the same boat.

[cycle61]

Got out in '02. No problems or delays back then. Last year they sent me a letter, the regular verification of dependents. Apparently it's a procedure they do every ten years. But I didn't get the letter, since I had moved.

So they drop my kids off the claim, re-process everything for the last decade, and decide that they have now OVERPAID me by something like $22,000 and will be witholding all of my disability check until it's paid off.

That was 14 months ago and counting. I filed all the paperwork to re-add my SAME DEPENDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THEIR SYSTEM SINCE 2002, and I've heard nothing. Calls have been made, an inquiry resulted in a nice letter telling me there's a 14 month average wait and to just sit here with my thumb up my *** for another year or so.

Fortunately, my disability does not prevent me from working, and I'm not dependent on it to pay my bills. But this is how we treat our veterans? The men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation?

Thank you very much, America.

[winnre]

7 months initial, 12 months with secondary follow up.

[ir0nclash86]

dude dont tell me theres a 14 month wait to just simply add dependants. I just sent in the electronic form on ebenefits to add my daughter onto my disability. I can't believe the crazy wait. I'm glad my initial claim only took me 6 months or so to do and I thought that was ridiculous in 2009. Might as well try and add my tinnitus while I'm at it.

[cycle61]

dude dont tell me theres a 14 month wait to just simply add dependants. I just sent in the electronic form on ebenefits to add my daughter onto my disability. I can't believe the crazy wait. I'm glad my initial claim only took me 6 months or so to do and I thought that was ridiculous in 2009. Might as well try and add my tinnitus while I'm at it.

Sorry, man. Good luck. My claim is processed through the Seattle office, since that's where I did my ETS paperwork.

And it's not like I went out and got some new kids. These are the same ones that have been in their records for ten years. Somebody just needs to type in three SSN's and hit Enter. For that, I'm waiting almost a year and a half.

[ir0nclash86]

Damn, hearing your wait time feels like a punch in the gut. If mine goes for that long I guess the only sweet thing would be backpay.

[Claybone]

Mine was just over 10 months till I got a deposit in my checking account. It may have taken longer because I opted for the direct deposit. But it is a waiting game my buddy is going on 4 year wait because he is dragging his feet. They (VA) won't push you along.

[winnre]

You only get backpay if you apply within one year of discharge. Hurry! I missed out.

[cycle61]

Damn, hearing your wait time feels like a punch in the gut. If mine goes for that long I guess the only sweet thing would be backpay.

Yep, I'm gonna be looking at somewhere around 8-10k when they finally get my paperwork done.

Tax free and none goes to the ex. HA.

Small consolation right now.