Who do you call when VA rating is taking too long?

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:25:50 -0400

I have been in the process of a Med Board for some time now. Currently im in the phase of waiting for my VA percentages. My profile says the goal is 15 days in this process. The average listed is 22 days. I'm on day number 78 in this step alone. My PUEBLO says there is no one to call. I just want to make sure my record isn't just sitting somewhere forgotten.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 12 at 2016 11:32 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:32:19 -0400

Call your Senator or Congressional Representative and ask their office to investigate.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jul 12 at 2016 11:41 AM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:41:34 -0400

People can utilize connections in some cases, but otherwise there is no one to call. You can spend the time to write congress, but in my opinion you are wasting your time as it is known fact that there is a backlog. Just sit back and relax as it can take a while.

Response by TSgt Brian Wyngaert made Jul 12 at 2016 11:59 AM

TSgt Brian Wyngaert — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:59:37 -0400

I wrote my Sen. when I saw my claims estimated completion date go from 2015 to 2017 overnight. At first I emailed her office within two days ahead and email back time he did.another piece of paperwork and sign it and mail it so they had an official signature for me authorizing them to look into it and within a week of sending a letter to her office I had gotten a phone call to set up the appointments for my medical screening through the VA to come up with my rating. I have heard people say that nothing helps but that's because I don't want to answer congressional queries

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 12 at 2016 12:11 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:11:06 -0400

MAJ Carl Ballinger Sir, any insight for this member? You have great backgound and information on these types of issues.

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Jul 12 at 2016 12:30 PM

SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:30:38 -0400

There really isn't a good answer to this I'm afraid. VA ratings in regard to a MEB/PEB are quite different than a normal VA claim. For example, have all QTC VA evaluations been completed? If one evaluation is pending, they will not finalize ratings until the MEB is complete and conditions are refereed to the PEB. This is complicated based off where you are in the process since a new disability that arises later on can cause issues. I'm assuming that you're waiting on the final VA ratings after the MEB was complete though.

If you do feel that there is a holdup there are VA service centers that are designated to work in conjunction with the IDES process. You can ask your PEBLO for the contact number to your designated center, but they may be reluctant to talk to you. Often, they prefer to deal only with the PEBLO, but a certified letter requesting a status update can be handy if they are reluctant to talk on the phone. Otherwise you should have a VA service coordinator assigned to you that can answer any questions about the hold up.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Jul 12 at 2016 12:34 PM

SGT Robert Hawks — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:34:20 -0400

You can call your Congressman or Senator and have them look into it for you.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 12 at 2016 1:50 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 13:50:49 -0400

I call it normal, the process takes a while and I could never get a good answer until the decision was made.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 2:06 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:06:11 -0400

You will wait over a year or so for your rating. I waited 438 days and have had an appeal in since April 2014. You can contact the Veterans Service Officer but you really have no way to find out. There have been comments from the VA that claims have been destroyed so they don't have to work them and now there is a rumor that it could take a decade. SGM Walls

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 2:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:09:57 -0400

If you are in the process of separating from the military, transitioning out of the military, and trying to enroll in the VA, then contact a Disabled American Veterans representative. I cannot speak as to the Med Board or Pueblo, but DAV is more likely to push your file through so that VA assigns you a disability percentage within 12 months or so, give or take.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 4:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:13:02 -0400

as a reservist it took well over a year

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 12 at 2016 5:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:54:59 -0400

https://vetadvocates.org

My wife and I cannot extol that group too highly, especially for highly complex claims. We know the vet groups are all good, honest, however, for further help, aside from, say, a vet clinic at a law school, we found, quite honestly, that NOVA was the best Wed run across, for real, hope is of interest, I've mentioned them on here before, as has one other I'd seen, as well, many thanks, even though they're paid on contingency what VA allows, please do believe us, they're well, well worth it, honest.

National Organization of Veterans' Advocates (NOVA)

The National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc. (NOVA) is a not-for-profit educational membership organization incorporated in the District of Columbia

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jul 13 at 2016 8:30 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 08:30:08 -0400

78 days!!!! LMFAO! I know people who took 22 months!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jul 14 at 2016 7:19 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:19:35 -0400

Contact them at [login to see] any other question you can contact me at [login to see]