Is it worth appealing your VA disability claim decision or contacting your Congressional reps?

In this 46th episode of The Veterans Voice, experienced veterans disability attorney Amanda L. Mineer talks about:
- Is it worth appealing your VA disability claim decision?
- Pending US Supreme Court case will decide effective dates for some types of claims
- Navigating the process of calling the VA about your claim status
- How to utilize inquiries to your Congressional representative to assist your VA disability claim process
- Understanding your rating decision letter
BROADCAST DATE: October 4, 2022
UPDATE Nov 7, 2022 - a decision has issued on the pending US Supreme Court case Amanda discussed since this episode was recorded. The Court rejected the veterans claim.
Website: www.veteranslaw.com
Twitter: @VeteransLawGrp
Facebook: / veteranslaw
Instagram: veteranslawgroup
LinkedIn: / the-veterans-law-group
Have questions you want answered or want to be featured on The Veterans Voice? Email us at [e-mail]
Would you like a free evaluation of your case? www.veteranslaw.com/consultat...
#veteran #veterans #vadisabilitybenefits #SCOTUS #ratingdecision #appeals

[@EspinozaTM]

Thanks for what you do, great podcast

[@famemilitary1653]

Myself and my county VSO did the NOD after my initial claim got denied in 2019. We did the evidence docket route for AMA to the board for a PTSD Claim, in regards to a sexual rape/assault that had happened to me in the service by an NCO. The overwhelming evidence for the diagnosis and witnesses statements is clear cut as it gets. I have current diagnosis of PTSD from my private care provider & prior VA healthcare treater.
My case has been at the board since July 06, 2020.
Myself and My VSO have heard no new updates on the case for quite sometime. No updates on case flow management he can see. I took it upon myself to reach out to my local congressman twice within my district to do a “congressional inquiry.” My congressman agreed to help out and expressed remorse and wanted to help anyway possible.
After doing congressional inquiry asking for status update of the case just to find out where I’m at in line. April 29, 2022 the Chairman received it. I received a copy of the response from my congressman from the (now) former Chairman of the board Cheryl Mason on May 11, 2022. It was the same response as the VA website. That it’s pending review by a VLJ. Absolutely disappointing news and overwhelming not more information was provided. Such a disservice and not having any closure. My congressional inquiry however was noted it be attached to my file with the appeal we did.
On 06/26/2023 I received a 2nd “Congressional Inquiry” response for the 2023 year at 12:57pm est. I still haven’t had a VLJ looking at the case. It’s been over 3+ Years of it not being looked at. Hope no one goes through the same struggles as I did. Additionally, hope this provides some timeline comparisons to others that are waiting. I will continue posting updates and my story for other veterans who look in the comments section for timelines and where other veterans or at in their possible similar process. My personal opinion recommendation if it’s been a while you been waiting, one thing that could help give more or maybe none for clarity that CCK or other channels don’t promote as much is a video directly relating is how and why do a congressional inquiry.
This 2nd Congressional Inquiry however, did admit my case is above normal metric wait times and that my (AOD) Advance on the Docket Request Packet due to other sufficient causes, will be reviewed by the Deputy Vice Chairman of the Board asap . Myself and my VSO are awaiting that decision as of today.
How often or what are the percentages you’ve seen AOD requests been granted by a Deputy Vice Chairman? It seems my congressman pushed to get a decision on the AOD packet motion submitted by my VSO.

[@teeybannister]

Received 100% August 2022.
File to increase my ptsd Nov 2022. Granted the increase from 30 to 70% September 2023. I know my 100% will not go up, but back pay wise I should be entitled to the difference, 40% for 10 months. Am I correct??