Denied a claim. Medical opinion was atrocious, basically ignored evidence in my file. Wrote a lay statement for supplemental, statement wasn't strong enough to overturn medical opinion. Rater copied and pasted the entire medical opinion and put it in my denial letter. Tons of holes and ignored evidence I can point out now. Thank you!

I have been advised to go that route...Any idea what kind of wait time I am up against these days? Thanks in advance...

Edit: BVA and this is a direct review by a Veteran's Law Judge

Although the Rating Decision only listed the PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder as a separate and distinct condition from the condition, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, causing your need for aid and attendance, all of your service-connected conditions were considered. At the time of the (July 2024) Rating Decision the medical evidence only supported the Chronic fatigue Syndrome as the condition causing your need for regular aid and attendance and therefore there was no clear and unmistakable error. Additionally, at this time, VA regulations do not allow multiple half-step elevations when there is more than one 50 percent evaluation ( or multiple combinations of evaluations at 50 percent or higher); the provisions of 38 CFR 3.350(t)(3) can only be applied once. If regulations are later changed as a result of the Barry v. McDonough decision, the level of SMC will be revisited.

HELP - Filing HLR

Hey everyone, I need some eyes on this. I just got my decision back, and the VA’s math on my Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) half-steps makes absolutely no sense. I am filing a Higher-Level Review (HLR) because I believe the rater completely dropped the ball on 38 CFR § 3.350(f)(4).

Here is my current breakdown:

• Baseline SMC-L (Aid & Attendance): 100% Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• First Half-Step (SMC-L½): 50% PTSD (Separate system, completely valid)

The rater stopped the ladder there. But here is the problem: look at my remaining, unused pool of disabilities. They affect entirely different body systems and don't overlap with my CFS or PTSD at all:

• Group B: Small Fiber Neuropathy (All extremities) – 90%
• Group A: Fibromyalgia – 40%
• Group A: IBS – 30%
• Group A: Tinnitus – 10%

Under 38 CFR § 3.350(f)(4), you get an additional half-step for each separate disability or combination of disabilities that independently equals 50% or more.

The leftover groups / disabilities meet threshold needed to move me from SMC-L½ up to SMC-M1/2. The decision letter didn't list any symptom overlap or pyramiding exclusions—it looks like the rater just flat out ignored the leftover conditions once they used my PTSD for the first half-step.

I file for it SMC-L this weekend and uploaded it on the 11th and today on the 13th they back dated it to my original 100% p&t approval date and now added what looks to be exams for my ankles and my knees. Why would they add additional body parts when they denied both in original approval to 100 percent?

Just had my exam for rhinitis and my neck. On the rhinitis portion the doctor didn’t look at my nose at all. Just went through the VA documents that I brought, and it’s a good thing I brought them because he made it seem like he hasn’t seen them before. Anyway, isn’t is super sketchy that he didn’t look once at my nose for a rhinitis claim? I do have in my files that I have a retention cysts vs polyp, so I’m not sure if he saw that and figured he doesn’t have to look in my nose? Idk but I’m not feeling good about anything.

On the neck portion he didn’t ask at all about radiculopathy, which I have. I brought it up and he brushed it off saying it’s probably carpal tunnel.

Any advice, feedback or experiences would be helpful. Not sure if there’s anything I should do or just wait for the decision. The exam was through VES

if it doesn't get set back somehow, how long for a decision here?

Claim has been moving pretty fast but now been on Step 5 for 4 days

Just filed my first supplemental, curious to know the current processing timelines. I know it varies by case.

I was wondering if anyone is interested in joining a chat group? I filed the Evidence Route Appeal with the VBA in May 2026 and want to see if anybody else who also went this route from 2026 (latest 2025) to join a private chat group. Is anyone interested? It could be on WhatsApp, Discord, regular text group, etc. I think it would be beneficial as we navigate through this process.

Let me know!

I’m nervous

My doctor certification for the TPD was sent in March 2026. The student loan folks consolidate my application to when I first applied but didn’t complete it the application in 2015. The application shows updated for when they received the doctor’s information in March 2026, then an unknown reason application updated in June 2026.

Did this update restart the clock?

Is this TPD process still 7-9 months?

Are there any lawsuits, pending regulations, or other obstacles that could derail this process?

Anyone with a magic wand to make these disabilities go away so I can get back to being useful and productive?

Quick little thread for us waiting for our HLRs to go through to post our timelines.

Filed March 22nd. Day 120 with no IC requested. Still crickets but hoping to hear something within the next week or 2.

Filed April 28th, had my C&P 3 July, then got a partial decision, MH deferred, ACE exam July 10. I called today they said its in the decision making phase. I'm unfamiliar with the processing on supplemental claims and deferrals, she said it looks like they have all the information they need to make a decision.

What kind of timeline am I looking at? Anyone go through this recently?

Hey! My appeal has been in the “decision in progress” phase since May 26. The VA hotline folks do not have further insight into my case.
Wondering if any you mind sharing your recent/current Direct Review timelines. Thanks!

I initially put in my intent to file on Dec.15 2025

I lost my job in April and decided to go ahead and put a case together. A buddy of mine used a company to do his for him, but with the help of AI I was able to build my case on my own.

Because I had recently lost my job I requested priority tag in hopes that it would speed up the process.

I submitted my file May 2nd

I had my C&P exam on May 27th

My claim was approved June 15 and back pay was in my account on June 17th

I also had a letter that said to apply for TDIU and submit some forms to my previous employers.

On July 2nd I moved forward with TDIU claim and had my C&P exam on July 14th.

Wish me luck! 🤞

Well this is actually good news I hope, I filed a Supplemental and it ran through to Decision phase in 6 days , I thought crap , they are not seeing the Damn evidence again. Then wam it stopped , that ment to me that a a reviewer saw what I submitted was new. Whats your opinion?

Since there's no decision letter ready does this mean my appeal is still at the regional office?

How long does the process takes for my enrollment certification for summer class. My school forwarded my enrollment in VA Manila because I lived in the Philippines. Can someone who lived in Philippines know how long does the process takes?

Been following a lot of the supplemental claim timelines. Seems like most everyone is reporting that they are having a C&P exam. Question: For those who submitted a supplemental, did you not have a thorough C&P with the initial claim? For my initial claim I feel like I had a very thorough C&P exam. My supplemental was more focused on filling in medical longitudinal history and addressing nexus. I dont really think another C&P really does anything at this point. I am just curious as to why an additional C&P for your supplemental claims?

Good evening all!! Was hoping to get some guidance on CRSC issue.

I submitted my CRSC packet back on 2/1/2026 and received my confirmation email on 2/2/2026. 60 day email was received April 2, 2026, I have reached out via email but I always get the “your claim was received on 2/2/26 and is processing” response.
Anyone got any answers as to typical timeline? Any other routes I can take to check status? Thanks for any help on this

So on July 11th, my claim went from Step 1 to Step 5 (Completed). I’m tracking that means that I’m just waiting for my PEBLO to call at that point. I’ve also read that this could mean that the VA is done with their portion and waiting for DoD to do their portion and prepare my packet.

This morning I got a call about them wanting to schedule me for another exam next week. What does this mean? Does the “Completed” status on VA.gov mean nothing at this point? Is this a major delay?

Just a little confused because I’ve had plenty of time for them to schedule me for another exam if needed and this feels really late and out of nowhere.

I'm hoping to get some insight from anyone who has been through a similar situation because I'm getting mixed information.

Here's my timeline:

* April 4, 2018: Initial claim decision * January 31, 2019: Notice of Disagreement (Legacy) * January 19, 2020: Statement of the Case (SOC) * March 13, 2020: VA Form 9 submitted * May 15, 2020: Appeal certified to the Board * December 19, 2023: BVA decision with remand * October 1, 2024: SSOC issued after remand development * October 31, 2024: Remand returned to the Board

Since the remand was returned, there has been absolutely no movement that I'm aware of.

I also submitted an Advance on the Docket (AOD) request based on financial hardship and other qualifying circumstances on 5/15/26. I have never received any acknowledgement that it was received, granted, or denied. My congressional office submitted an inquiry, but the response was very generic. It basically said my appeal is at the Board waiting in line. There was no mention whatsoever of the AOD request.

Another thing that has me confused is what [VA.gov](http://va.gov/) is showing.

It says:

My appeal falls within that timeframe because my Form 9 was filed in March 2020 and my docket month currently shows December 2019.

What's even stranger is that my docket month actually changed. It used to show November 2019, and now it shows December 2019. I have no idea why that changed or if it means anything. This is based on the VA Claim Tracker extension for clarification purposes.

My questions are:

1. Is it normal for a remanded legacy appeal to sit at the Board for this long after being returned?
2. Has anyone submitted an AOD request and never received any acknowledgement or decision?
3. Does the "currently reviewing December 2019" language really mean those appeals are actively being assigned to judges, or is there another queue after the remand returns to the Board?
4. Has anyone else seen their docket month change on the VA Claim Tracker extension?

I'm just trying to understand whether this is normal or if something may have fallen through the cracks.

Any insight from people who have been through the remand process would be greatly appreciated.

I'm already 💯 p&t but I have a heart condition denied even as secondary to tbi well got new nexus showing all my links from diabetes type 2 tbi and more got that board received it expecting 2 plus years they denied before blaming on family history and said my accident could of only caused within 10 years anyone with heart issues knows can take decades to develop anyway submitted board so wife protected anyone have anything similar