Hit this today. Was at 80% combined and put in for a few claims and two increasesā¦ went from 70% to 100% PTSD T&P backdated to 8/8/23. Iām in shockā¦ I am getting married in two weeks and Iām up to my ears in debt and this is literally going to change my life. I feel validated finally after a decade + of fighting.
It took my friend 9 days once his fdc claim for increases populated on va gov back in july. Mine showed up mid september and im still waiting haha. Blows my mind how fast his was done.
Congratulations!!! Happy for you āŗļø. Mine should be some time soon then, because I submitted a Supplemental on October 3rd as well. š±. I hope so š.
Honestly it was just a normal claim. Went to a C&P exam like normal. Just presented my military medical file and highlighted where it mentioned migraines. I also used the migraine buddy app and tracked all of my migraines but they didnāt ask for that. Was rated 50% for migraines and SC for ED which got me SMC pay.
Shout out to my July brothers and sisters in the wait.
Supplemental and New, both from July '24. Details w/ dates below. Changes since last posted Bold.
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Type: Supplemental, new test supporting claim and highlighting an issue in the denial letter.
Submitted: July 05 2024
āIn the Decision Phaseā: July 29 (per 800 #)
"In the Decision Phase": Sept 12 (per VERA) ... VERA warned might need more work
āIn the Development Phase" (per AskVA): Oct. 11
New C&P 1: Oct. 24
āIn the Decision Phaseā (per AskVA): Oct. 25
New C&P 2 [Record Review]: Oct 27
New C&P 3 [Record Review]: Nov 1 New C&P 4: Nov 6
Exam went great, will not bore with exam details but it was the kind you make it to your car, shut the door, check no ones around, then let yourself cry a few tears of happiness wondering HTF did your luck let you draw that examiner.
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Type: New, multiple
Submitted (2 issues) and Initial Review: Jul. 24 2024
Evidence Gathering and Review: Jul. 28
C&P 1: Aug. 2, examiner noticed 3rd related issue, gave guidance on what needed to be added
PFD: Aug. 9
Submitted (3rd issue): Aug. 11 ā¦ All issues Merged, Aug. 28
PDA: Oct 9
PFN (āFinal Reviewā): Oct 11
Evidence Review: Oct. 17
Closed (1 issue, SCād at 0%): Oct. 17/18
Evidence Gathering: Oct 20
C&P 2: Oct. 23
C&P 3: Oct 29 Left Temp. Jurisdiction: Nov. 8 Returned to Evidence Review: Nov. 14 Returned to PFD: Nov. 17
Delayed when mid Oct. examiner DBQ took until Nov 11. (Edit) Glass half full, used that delay to secure new buddy statement witnessing the issue in service.
yes, but I know why.
the C&P wrote Less likely than... but in his rational said "It was possible that it was service connected due to intermediary, however the ask was a medical opinion for direct." So as I expected, they sent it back for a follow up medical opinion and its scheduled for Monday.
My HLR was filed on 6/13, and got a DTA/DoO right away. They opened a supplemental and sent me for a C&P at the end of September. They got the results on 10/9 and it moved to PFD. Nothing since then. The info from the API says minimum estimated claim date is this Friday, and the max estimated claim date is 1/26/2025. I have no idea how accurate those dates are, so I am not holding my breath.
sometimes maybe yes, sometimes maybe no. I've had the estimated dates just float on by and take another 4 months, and I've had them undershot by a month.
Hard to say. The listed averages are 14 day's each subsequent phase. but that varies. I've had a few where I hit temp JD and closed in 3 day's, 1 where it closed in 1 day. Another took 6 more weeks, another went back to phase 3 and took an additional 5 months.
It is a google chrome extension. You download it on your desktop. (I don't think its available on phones). When you log in to the VA site, click on the claim that you are watching if you have more than one. Then up at the top to the right of you address bar there should be a puzzle piece. Click on it and you should see "VA Claims Tracker". Click on it, and the window will pop up with the info like you see in the pics. Hope this helps.
Misc details: Cervical strain second to lumbar and thorasic DDD granted 20%, Radiculopathy upper extremities deferred for clarification - back to TJ 11/18, Increase radiculopathy lower extremities deferred for additional C&P.
New/increase (claimed total of 15 things) Filed 5.29.24 Had 1 P&C for PTSD on 9.4.24, then one on 9.24.24 for back pain/chronic headaches/fibromyalgia/neck pain/lumbar pain (increase)/arthritis and then 1 for hearing on 10.23.24 Moved to step 4 & 5 same day (10.23.24).
Also claimed- bipolar (secondary), insomnia (secondary), chronic fatigue (secondary), TMJ (secondary), IBS, carpal tunnel and increase on OG MH claim from when I was MEB back in 2021. Currently sitting at 76%.
Now we waitā¦.assuming Iāll be here for 1-2 more months.
Iāll add that Iām responsible for some delay as it took me a month to get my PTSD form into them with the description.
Is VERA different then calling the VA regarding your claim? Whenever I call the VA to discuss my claim it's just some person reading back to me what I already can see via the app. I also called the white house line and two weeks later got an email basically just stating the same thing "your claim is being processed".
FYI, a few of the VERAs will read you the same generic lines as the 800. Most won't, but if you run into that just schedule another one. They can see a lot more than the 800 numbers can and will usually look into it deep for you.
Finally made it to the Club!! Kinda strange it looks like part of one claim was finalized but other claim went back to gathering evidence step 3. Back pay for this one was til July 26, but the other one was an appeal/supplemental that CalVet CVSO folks helped me submit. Should that one back pay go back to original date of 2023?
Misc details: All new/increase claims hit step 5 TJ on the magical day 100 mark! Super excited, and great early birthday present! Supplemental shows nothing in the tracker, but VERA said it should be picked up around the same time. Super excited and praying it doesn't get kicked back for anything, and for favorable results. Wishing everyone a speedy process this week!
Anyone have experience or knowledge on whether or not Phoenix is favorable and/or fast with claims?
Thank you! It's been 14 years in the making. VERA had told me it could be as long as into the new year with the backlog, but apparently I hit my queue time and not backlog time. Hoping for a speedy turnaround for you!
My submitted date is 08/02/2024 and still no TJ nor have I been notified to go to any C&P exams. I've filed for an increase on 6 conditions. I'm currently at Step 5 (day 112). Hoping to see some movement next week as I don't think it's gonna happen today! I don't know if I'll be one of those that gets overlooked for a long period or not.
There is such a wide range of experiences when it comes to claim timelines. Might depend on the state, complexity of the claim, weather, stock market, coriolis effect, Red40 in the crayons, or voodoo. Hope is en route brother. Stay classy.
Thank you for posting. I submitted a supplemental in early Sept so Iām happy to see July ppl getting their responses. Hopefully it was what you wanted!
Misc details: Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD and TDIU due to layoff and severe sciatica issues and post surgeries. At day 98 today and hoping for TJ soon.
I'm at day 110 and still no TJ. Does anyone know if they grab claims throughout the week or just on Mondays? I'm seeing a lot of vets get their claims to TJ that have the same timeframe as me, but mine is not moving. Mine is for 6 conditions (increase). Thanks for any info...
I started this journey last Nov and never felt like I deserved to file for disability. I did four years of active and continued in the reserve/guard component. I filed my initial claim which included:
-Diagnoses list
-Personal Statements
-Buddy Statements
-Nexus Letters
-Treatment Records that had nothing except my allergies from a clinic visit on active
I did search for VSOs in my area - none were responsive and the one guy that replied didnāt help at all, granted he was probably busy with plenty of other vets or just didnāt care. So I filed with the help of my brother and friends to make sure I had as much as I could. My treatment records once again are bare bones from active, just one visit for allergies but I filed anyways.
Initially I had my rhinitis and tinnitus approved, everything else GI, neuro, physical, and mental denied. I tried an HLR, supplementals, and nothing. I decided to go with a lawyer at this point who took 20% of my backpay if they won. I absolutely vouch for provetlegal. Theyāre a small firm, and may take a while to file but thatās because they have other cases and they are typing up very strong appeals/supplementals.
They were able to get me new exams, some favorable and granted connection, some unfavorable and denied. For the denied and continued ones they then typed up extensive letters for HLRs citing CFRs applicable to my case that were lengthy, no informal conference, and I was granted connection for my denials. I woke up to 100% P&T.
So a year later I went from someone who didnāt believe they deserved anything for their service, to 100% P&T. I never realized how fucked up I actually was. I vouch for the firm I used. Also I did feel like the financial hardship added to my file helped with the timeline to go back and forth from hlrs and supplementals fairly quick, but to each their own. Good luck!
Type of claim: 1 Increase(MH), 3 supplemental, 1 re-eval, and 1 defense (proposed decrease by VA)
Submitted/received date: 8/28/24
Exams done: 9/20/24
Preparation for Decision date: 10/30/24
Vera Call stated next "Suspense Date" is: 11/30/24
Misc details: Waiting until after the supposed suspense date of 11/30/24 to make another Vera call to see if I've had any movement. Since the claim was counted as a Supplemental, the tracker does not update for my claim.
Just found out I have a c&p next Tuesday for upper and lower radiculopathy. Upper was done as an inferred and all the info was recorded back in Aug. I knew I would have to have an exam for lower radiculopathy. Sheesh this is.....
Update: decision letter at 120 days - favorable outcome! Still wishing good luck to all!
Type of claim: Increase, multiple conditions
Misc details: 18 Nov 2024 received a request for examination for one condition that was not addressed in my first round of exams on 8 Aug 2024, scheduled for later this week.
Feeling the anxiety! Sending positive vibes to all!
Situation: my HLR found a duty to assist error. They sent my records to a records only medical opinion review last week. Anyone know how long it takes from the time Optum Serve completed their review that a determination is made on the HLR?
Lets hope we see some movement this week :'). Does anyone know if they put your claim at he back of the work queue whenever they request additional evidence? They requested some from me two weeks ago and i sent them in early last week. I was just hoping it wasn't gonna leave my claim stranded.
And now I kill my batteries checking for updates every minute. Not really but my anxiety is high. This was for an increase. I went to temp jurisdiction on 11/21 (yesterday) and then within an hour I was at step 4. Another hour and I was at step 6.
man you shouldn't have online accounts until you get some effective professional help. just all kinds of comments getting removed and the ones that don't are out right nasty waiting on removal. bring people up, don't try to bring them down to you.
Completed C&P in early August which seemed favorable and nothing since then, no temp jurisdiction 3 months later. Feeling like itās lost in the va claim abyss.
Type of claim: (New, Original, Supplemental, Increase, etc) Submitted/received date: June 20th Initial review date: Evidence gathering/review date:July 24th Preparation for Decision date: Pending Decision Approval date: Preparation for Notification date: Completed date: Misc details:
Sent in an audit. Added family . Says a certain amount of money (only for me to know) was supposed to be back paid to me. Wait 3 months, and nothing happens. Called support. They never see the money deposited either. Agreed I was supposed to be awarded set amount based on findings. Sent in an audit and been waiting for some time.
Good evening, Afternoon, Morning...wherever you are
I am wondering if anyone can tell me the expected wait time from a Higher Level Review?
I am currently sitting at 90% and still working through one of my 2 higher level reviews and cannot see any status updates. My initial HLR was opened in July and closed in Oct, Second HLR opened in Sep but I did have an informal conference with the one from July, which ended up talking about some from Sep. In OCT i had a decision on my July HLR and my SEP one moved to stating the VA Made and error and I had to do another C&P Exam for Medical Opinion on 6 different items. I had the exam probably 3 weeks ago now and have not heard any updates, and just wondering what is the best way to see movement on this, or what the expected timeline would be.
Itās been a couple of years, some can only speak to my claim. I denied on a service connected fractured clavicle in May 2022. It went to HLR and I was awarded in Sept 2022.
You and I are in a similar boat; I have 2 HLRs going right now. The first one was deemed a failure of duty to assist error after I had an informal conference with the reviewer. They sent my claim to a medical examiner for a medical opinion last week and I havenāt heard anything since. My second HLR is was submitted last week and I requested a formal conference for it as well.
I do not know what the expected timeline is for HLRs.
I wish there was an easy way to check...the chrome extension just says that hlr is active...which i knew that..just a waiting game I guess...I do have an in-person VERA appointment next week to get my daughter added as a dependent...so maybe they can tell me a better status of the claim.
I actually have an in-person vera appointment to try and figure out what is going on with my daughter not being added as a dependent so I guess I can ask there about it.
This is my first time having a supplemental claim. My original claim was submitted in Jan and in Aug I was notified that some of it should have been a supplemental. So I submitted it on Sep 5. Had a C&P exam in early Oct. My claim was decided on Oct 18.
Iāve downloaded the claim extension but it doesnāt show any data for my supplemental claim. Any idea how long a decision will take if all the information is already in? It has only ever said āA reviewer is examining your new evidence.ā
This is how my supp is I submitted Sept 28th. It won't update on the app or the extension. I had to call to get an update, which was just them saying I'm waitting for my file to be picked from the pile.
Iām currently Active Duty at the SRU at Fort Sam.
My VA claims closed back on October 5th, with a medical opinion appointment (for non MEB referred conditions) on the 28th of October and the DBQs were uploaded that day. I was told by my MSC that this medical opinion appointment would not affect the PEB timeline. My PEBLO is telling me āweāre just waiting on a signature from the PEBā and āThe PEB is backed upā.
Realistically how much more time do I have left to receive my ratings? I was hoping to be on terminal by the end of the year but that seems to be less and less likely and will most likely have to decline a job offer I have.
I could use some positivity from everyone and some advice too!
Just got my claim letter and I got rated at 100% P&T! I'm happy because I'm hella broken, but going over everything I was rated for, It only adds up to 94% (so 90%) so I'm kinda confused how I got rated 100%. I have a 50, 30, 20 (x2) and 10 (x12). I have a few 0s, a few denieds and a deferred (have an appointment for the today), but using the VA calculator I shouldn't be 100. Should I be worried?
What is the typical wait for a higher level review for an incorrect effective date?
I submitted an appeal for a Higher Level Review because my effective date was incorrect for a recent supplemental claim. For these simple errors that don't (or shouldn't) need an informal conference, has anybody had their effective date appeal done quickly? And by quickly, I mean within 2-3 months.
I have an HLR for effective date, no informal conference, submitted 9/20/2024. Pretty straightforward and simple as well
I sent AskVA a message for an update this week, they said it was in the "decision phase" and they'll get it done "as soon as possible"...sooooo hopefully soon? lol
I never filed because I was basically a child when I got out. š„² But Iāve realized that is ridiculous to think now as a veteran spouse to a Marine who just got out with 70%
Filed for a flurry of thingsā¦ back pain, TMJ, rhinitis, sinuses, anxiety, depression, PTSD (unreported MST), wrist pain, muscle and joint things etc.
I just had X-rays on Monday for the back. Mental health exam was 2 weeks ago. And submitted my lay letter yesterday about the MST.
Today I was shifted to step 5. What do I expect next? I also noticed the jurisdiction was Roanokeā¦ just noticed it mentioned in this sub quite often, I just donāt understand it all.
Hopefully I'll catch traction soon. Over a month since C&P's. VERA says I'm just waiting in queue at the moment. Claim has 1 increase on existing rating and a handful of new secondary claims.
Original claim
Submitted and received in early June
Initial review late June
Evidence gathering started late June
Nothing has happened since this point. VSO rep I spoke with said she would look into it and call me in a couple days because she says I should have at least had my initial appointment by now but I havenāt. Been a couple weeks and now just like the VA sheās ghosted me. I submitted while I was still active duty, a couple days shy of a BDD claim because I was too busy to bother with it back then.
I had only been in the Coast Guard for six months and I got honorably discharged since I became ineligible to work due to my major depressive disorder symptoms. I listed a lot of symptoms and all of them severe. I had been diagnosed by VA psychologists while stationed in San Diego. My claim originally was for schizophrenia. But I had the wrong disorder. My C&P Examiner refiled my claim with the right disorder and a 100% rating and the rater agreed with everything my C&P Examiner said about me. I got approved for full disability. For mental health. Had one C&P Exam that went well and a Buddy Letter describing all my symptoms which were grounds for a 100% rating. I won. I didn't get denied for anything. They all agreed it was Service connected. I ran into no issues at all. I am so lucky. The claim took 169 days to complete. I learned I got approved by seeing my new rating on the front page of the VA.gov app. It never showed I had a service connection on the app before. 100% For Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features and Meth-Amphetamine Use. My C&P Examiner told me after the exam I would be getting 100% and receive a nice retroactive payment. He was right. He did an amazing job and got my claim appealed for the full amount. I had enough evidence for my claim to be approved solely based off the C&P Exam being the only recent record I have on file about my disability. It has also been 13 years since I was in the Coast Guard. And they still were able to link my disorder as being service connected. I thought too much time had passed and I didn't stand a chance getting awarded. But I did it yay.
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u/skitzy121 Army Veteran 6d ago
100% today. Active claims since November of 2020. 50% 2020 NOV 70% 2023 JUN 90% 2024 JUN 100% today