How do you survive waiting during a VA claim backlog?

2014-08-28T12:22:47-04:00

why is it that we spend so much time on discussing things that have a regulation that tells how things should be, or that if common sense is applied, is a no brain er. I recently was medically discharged from the Army under this new IDES system, where they simultaneously work your med board and VA claim. I went to all of my appointments for both military and VA, incurred the wrath of my supervisor for being away so much, all to stream line the the time between separation and receipt of any monetary benefits. so if everything was completed and they were just waiting for my retirement orders, retirement date and my
DD214. which the had in July 2014 why does it take them so long to process?!!!! More importantly, how does one survive until then...Insight and answers appreciated...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 1:04 PM

2014-08-28T13:04:13-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I wish I had easy answers for you. I can't answer for the VA - no authority. What I would like to ask you is who is your advocate while your claim is being processed? You can reply via seperate means if you'd like.

I realize you have done everything YOU can to speed the process up. By having an advocate (and giving them permission to advocate on your behalf), if there are issues that can be handled quickly, the advocate can contact you directly to get the issue to you and get it mitigated.

Other than asking personal questions in a public forum (not something I suggest) perhaps we can communicate as indicated above (RP message?) and I can go from there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 4:39 PM

2014-08-28T16:39:38-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, if I understand you correctly you were medically discharged, not medically retired, is this correct?

Did you get notified if you were eligible for DoD Disability Severance Pay? In other words, separation with disability severance pay occurs when the Soldier's unfitting disabilities are determined by the Army to be service connected, the Soldier has less than 20 years of service and if the the rating was less than 30%. FYI, Disability Severance Pay is a one-time, lump sum payment and is computed as follows:

2 x basic pay for applicable grade x years of service (subject to minimum 3 or 6 years) not to exceed 19 years.

The only caveat is if your separation without entitlement to disability benefits occurs when the unfitting disabilities are determined to be non-service connected without permanent aggravation or incurred due to misconduct.

You did everything you were supposed to do. After your case is finalized, you are supposed to receive a letter 30 calendar days from the VA following separation on what your benefits/rating/compensation will be. In reality whats this translates to is 30 calendar days = 295 calendar days. How is that possible? This is a government agency you're dealing with. With respect to timeline, please keep in mind these are best guess estimates. A VA benefits decision can be made to a Veteran within one month of separation, which is the shortest period under the law.

Since the whole VA fiasco in recent news, a lot of things are getting better and some things are taking time to get going. Case in point, I put in for BDD, Benefits Delivery at Discharge. BDD allows a Servicemember to submit a claim for disability compensation 60 to 180 days prior to separation, retirement, or release from active duty or demobilization. BDD can help you receive VA disability benefits sooner, with a goal of within 60 days after release or discharge. Already, VA has moved the date to complete the processing of my claim. I recently retired July 31, 2014. I put in my claim Apr 22, 2014. It was supposed to be completed by Nov 2014, now its been changed to Sep 2015.

As for what do you do to pay bills, food, keep a roof over your head? there's no easy answer. Depending where you are at, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. What do you do for medical and dental? If you're planning to stay in SC, look up what type of medical/dental insurance they offer with their State exchange. I may be presuming a lot and I apologize for that because I don't know your exact living situation is.

Response by SrA Jimmy Conant made Jun 12 at 2017 7:01 AM

2017-06-12T07:01:55-04:00

I was struggling lost my house and had to move in with family now I am climbing out of the hole and repairing my credit

Response by Sgt Robertl Doss made May 9 at 2019 10:04 AM

2019-05-09T10:04:38-04:00

Tap out!