Why is VA not accommodating when I submitted my disagreement to my claim giving me only 30 days to respond while I was ill with COVID?

PO1 Priscilla Velazquez — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 12:58:03 -0500

I feel like the VA is adding more stress to me by playing cat and mouse with my disagreement with my PTSD/MST claim by having me to relive my horrific details just to get higher compensation. WHY IS THAT?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 17 at 2020 1:49 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 13:49:48 -0500

Actually that is pretty fast, we were waiting for months on claim denials. True fully, do they know you're sick, probably not.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Dec 17 at 2020 2:03 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:03:46 -0500

Because they can... *shrug*

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Dec 17 at 2020 11:34 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 23:34:19 -0500

I suggest you contact the VA and explain that you were ill during the 30 day period and they should give you can extension. If you have "new and relevant evidence" (which can be just about anything) you can file a supplemental claim on a VA Form 21-0995 if they deny your original claim.

Response by SSG Dale London made Dec 20 at 2020 10:37 PM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:37:16 -0500

If you filed a claim and they denied it you have, by law, 1 full year from the date of that decision to appeal.
But remember that if you missed a scheduled exam in relation to the claim then they are allowed to make a decision based just on the information in your paperwork. If you were ill with Covid and can prove it, you can submit it as mitigation and ask for them to reschedule the exam but if they have issued a decision you will need to appeal. At this point I would contact a VSO like DAV or the VFW and ask for expert help..