How can the VA speed things up with the claim status?

I initially started to post a suggestion for each person posting on this thread - but I think I'll go this route.

Folks - don't deal with the VA on your own. Too many of us do this and end up as so many of you are describing. Find a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) of your choice (i.e. - VFW, DAV, etc.) speak to one of the VSO's Service Officers and sign a VA Form 21-22 to permit your selected VSO the authority to look at your file within the VA while it is being processed. Sometimes it's a simple thing - like signing a form 5103 and mailing it in that's holding things up.

A couple of words of caution - (1) expect your claim processing to take time. (2) getting a lawyer will not make things any better unless your claim is in the queue for BVA, etc. (3) never give the VA original copies of military records - give them copies. (4) Don't be afraid to challenge VA findings - use outside doctors and the VA's own DBQ forms for help your case. (5) you can challenge the VA decisions ad naseum - take advantage of it.

I can't answer all the questions you have - mostly because I don't have your case file in front of me. What I can provide is some specific suggestions and tactics on what to do. If you have specific questions, please do NOT put them here on the forum. PM me and I'll get with you and make suggestions. Again, I don't have all the answers, but I'll bet I can find someone that does....... even if you might not like the answers!

The VA has tried hiring more people.  But of course it takes time and energy to get these new hires trained and ready to go.  Sadly, I don't see the back log ending anytime soon.  With the number of Veterans returning from deployments plus the number of older Veterans finally putting their paperwork in, to get the backlog totally cleared would require a lot of time, people and money.  

The excuse that I was given (one of many),was that both systems didn't communicate with each other and that meant that all info had to be manually entered. I was told this in 2010. It reminded me of Army Aviation. Every PCS meant a new computerized system, Some units were half paper, less paper, or no paper records. Then, no paper (all computerized) units used different versions of computer reord keeping. It was an avoidable nightmare.

They can hire me to be a claims rep!!!

Its one thing for a vet to help a vet or hire more vets to help vets, but clearly a different thing to be a VSO Rep. We're talking about processing someones claim and in order to do that one must be accredited and trained to do so.

To be a VSO Rep you must be accredited. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes three types of individuals who have received certification from VA to make application for veterans benefits.

Accredited agents
Accredited attorneys
Accredited service officers from veterans service organizations

Anyone other than an attorney or a service officer with a VA recognized service organization must apply for accreditation as an "accredited agent."

Federal law dictates that no one may help a veteran in the preparation,
presentation and prosecution of an initial claim for VA benefits unless
that person is accredited. The only exception to this law is that any one
person can help any veteran -- one-time only -- with a claim. To help any veteran a second time requires accreditation.

If you belong to an organization like the VFW, DAV etc and your post doesn't have a VSO there, hey there's an opportunity for your post to have one. But the VFW does have a nationwide network of VSOs as part of their National Veterans Service as I'm sure the DAV or the Legion. You don't have to be a member of a VFW/DAV, the service is free.

There's a lot of responsibility to being a VSO,. It's not a hard process , there is a test you have to take and come continuing education you have to fulfill to keep you accreditation.

PO1 (Join to see) let me know if I left anything out or if something needs to be corrected.

Everything goes in cycles with the VA. When they got green lighted to push the Agent Orange claims, things went to a crawl for the more recent vets. I'm in Phoenix, and all this scandal has them freaking out. I swear, they are just doing different things to hide their inability to deal with all of us. I filed my appeal with the DAV and it took about 3 years to get my case reviewed again. If you aren't getting updates with the service organization you used, you may consider switching to another one.

I was diagnosed with AO related throat & neck cancer in 2010 & the VA Hospital in Tucson was remarkable through my treatment! Filed a claim and waited couple years before receiving 100% & back payment! After their determination I was "cured" of cancer, down to 20%.  We have used Congressional help, with little if any help from McCain's office & some level from Giffords/Barber, who I didn't vote for! Now pursuing review of claim as it pertains to dental, dry mouth, hearing & other secondary affects from radiation & chemo! Primarily using our LegalShield attorney who specializes in VA/SSI claims & thankfully no fees unless we receive an increase. 10% increase recently & shooting for 50% & some teeth to replace the ones destroyed by radiation! Cancer free 24 months & loving life; only wish they would revamp the claims process with sympathy & efficiency! All the very best to the group for Christmas & holidays!

I currently have a claim with the VA and they told me upon my release I was in the fast track program, needless to say it ran at a snails pace because I had to inquire about 11 months and some days after retirement date, because I received nothing back. so I track some numbers down and started making calls and when I did reach the staffing who could may have been able to shed some light on the subject  they were unable to help me and to top it off  she was rude and nasty, and soon after they sent me a letter exactly 8 days after that phone call that I received o% of all my documented claims and it was 23 claims in all  from High Blood pressure to Diabetes just to name two  and I have been in waiting ever since October 2011. I really wish they would hire veterans to work the backup in the claims department and on completing this process because we really need some people who has some sympathy within the system.