How long does it take to get disposition after filing a claim and getting approved for conditions covered under the Pact Act?

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:55:52 -0400

Has anyone here filed a claim and been approved for conditions covered under the Pact Act? If so, how long did it take to get disposition? I am coming up on 7 months since submitting and there has been no progress.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 10 at 2023 1:42 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:42:00 -0400

The AVERAGE time for a VA disability claim currently is 96 days*.

If you have a fully documented claim that is simple and straightforward, it can be less, however if your claim is complex, requires the VA to contact outside agencies to obtain records or gather other evidence, has to go through a complex adjudication, etc., then it will take (much) longer.

The average amount of time added to a claim where the VA had to gather the evidence themselves is about six months*

Contrary to popular myth, the VA does not immediately go to disapproval - they try their best to get whatever information they can to prove the case on behalf of the veteran, but once those are exhausted, they must make a decision based on the evidence/information they posses.

Is your "no progress" based on what you see for your claim status online*?
Have you had ANY communications back from the VA? Was there an acknowledgement of it being accepted? Did they ever notify you of a C&P exam? Etc.
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* Tips to have your claims processed as smoothly as possible - https://news.va.gov/7769/getting-your-claim-processed-favorably-and-quickly-some-helpful-hints/
* Average VA disability claim time - https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/
* https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3
* Check the status of your VA Claim online - https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/

Getting Your Claim Processed Favorably and Quickly: Some Helpful Hints - VA News

U.S. Air Force Veteran; Communications Specialist, Veterans Benefits Administration After serving for several years in the Air Force, I worked at the Board of Veterans Appeals advocating on behalf of Vets as an appeals representative. In that time, I saw all kinds of claims.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 10 at 2023 9:33 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:33:03 -0400

Oh Yeah, they said i was covered by th PACT, but 0 % increase due to not needing surgery for my sinuses.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 12 at 2023 12:49 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:49:24 -0400

If you are filing a new claim around 100 days or longer depending on where you are filing and what the backlog is. A second means of filing if you already have an approved claim, is to go to a Vet Center and reopen your approved claim and add your pact act stuff to it. That can speed the process up. Again the key word is "can" not will.

Response by Sam Verga made Oct 25 at 2023 10:02 PM

Sam Verga — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 22:02:17 -0400

I filed in July, 2022 and am still waiting. I've already gone through colon cancer, prostate cancer and now have stage 4 cancer of the liver. Still no word fron the VA!

BTW: I originally filed for compensation in 1997, but of course was quickly dismissed.

Response by SGT Talma Brown made Oct 25 at 2023 10:22 PM

SGT Talma Brown — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 22:22:03 -0400

I've been waiting longer than 7 months for my disability claims to be corrected. A higher level review completed in March 2023, found 10+ 'duty to assist errors'. After 7 months of having my claims 'returned' to the examiners for corrections, AND being told my claims were in the 'decision phase', I got a notice last week that I have to wait and be sent to yet another exam before a decision can be made on my disability claims, which I filed in 2021.....

Response by SGT Robert Wolfram made Oct 26 at 2023 5:30 AM

SGT Robert Wolfram — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 05:30:55 -0400

I applied 5 months ago when hypertension was now included under the Pact Act; no decision yet from the VA for an increase to my current disability rating. Read that 4-6 months is "normal".

Response by Capt Clay Parcels made Oct 26 at 2023 10:02 AM

Capt Clay Parcels — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:02:30 -0400

Like other commentators have stated, around 3 months. I submitted a claim as well, and added details. No decision yet, HOWEVER my experience with VES (Veterans Exam Services) has been outstanding. I had to reschedule a teleconference. They answered promptly and rescheduled quickly to a date I requested. I went to an in-person exam and they were thorough and very pleasant. In fact, they looked into minor things that the person on my phone call to reschedule had added to help me out. I already have 10% prior to PACT Act, and see the VA exclusively. My experience with VA has been far superior to my previous civilian experience. The wheels of Government turn slowly but they eventually get there with patience.

Response by SPC John Lind made Oct 26 at 2023 5:50 PM

SPC John Lind — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:50:51 -0400

Going on 270 days now. Simple claim. Did get a call from a researcher, who, what, where and all that. Just verifying facts. That was about 50 days ago. So this 100 days is BS in my case.

Response by PVT Alvin Anderson made Nov 29 at 2023 7:16 PM

PVT Alvin Anderson — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:16:34 -0500

I filed a HLR in May and haven't heard anything from the VA. They said that they have everything they need from me. 7 months and counting.

Response by PVT Alvin Anderson made Nov 29 at 2023 7:34 PM

PVT Alvin Anderson — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:34:28 -0500

I filed much later for compensation because I have a lot of health problems that I know came from my time in the military. Most guys in the military doesn't run to the doctor when everything happens health wise.

Response by SGT Mike Beayrd made Nov 29 at 2023 11:50 PM

SGT Mike Beayrd — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 23:50:09 -0500

Not sure if this will help anyone? When I had active testicular cancer my claim was completed in about 60 days. I made it easy, I submitted everything from my civilian doctors proving I had cancer. I submitted a form for the VA to reach out and obtain items from my doctors. I met with a civilian for my C&P exam. He said I basically did all the work for him. The va really did great and I was surprised how fast.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Nov 30 at 2023 8:21 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:21:24 -0500

VA website says a decision has been made and a letter mailed out. No other information available on the site. 190 days since filing.

Response by MSgt Leilani Mariotti made Nov 30 at 2023 2:43 PM

MSgt Leilani Mariotti — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:43:36 -0500

It takes time as there are so many Veterans that are now eligible.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Dec 1 at 2023 8:16 AM

Cpl Vic Burk — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:16:57 -0500

GySgt Kenneth Pepper Not under the PACT act but I filed for service connected hearing loss. It took the V.A. over 18 months. They said they couldn't find my health records. Conveniently in my opinion they were "lost." In the absence of records they awarded it service connected with 0% compensation at that time.
My opinion is the V.A. would rather have you die and stall you as long as they can so they don't have to pay out.

Response by SFC Birk Ellis made Dec 1 at 2023 11:54 AM

SFC Birk Ellis — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:54:32 -0500

I applied for the program, have not heard anything on the application. Just another hurry up and wait situation like the military. LOL

Response by LCpl Robert Maloney made Dec 6 at 2023 7:47 PM

LCpl Robert Maloney — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:47:09 -0500

Filed claim March 16 2023 still waiting for decision. The claim has been sitting since August 9th with no action.

Response by FN Harry Welch made Dec 6 at 2023 8:38 PM

FN Harry Welch — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:38:05 -0500

It took me 2 years to go from 20 percent to 100 percent. Thank you V A but damn Agent Orange

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Dec 9 at 2023 11:13 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 11:13:01 -0500

And of course the first answer was no. Even though the VA subscribes me an inhaler they found that there was never a clinical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.
Round 1 over. Going into round 2.
By the time this plays out I will have a nice amount of back pay built up.