Posted on Oct 10, 2023
How long does it take to get disposition after filing a claim and getting approved for conditions covered under the Pact Act?
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Has anyone here filed a claim and been approved for conditions covered under the Pact Act? If so, how long did it take to get disposition? I am coming up on 7 months since submitting and there has been no progress.
Posted in these groups: 
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 18
The AVERAGE time for a VA disability claim currently is 96 days*.
If you have a fully documented claim that is simple and straightforward, it can be less, however if your claim is complex, requires the VA to contact outside agencies to obtain records or gather other evidence, has to go through a complex adjudication, etc., then it will take (much) longer.
The average amount of time added to a claim where the VA had to gather the evidence themselves is about six months*
Contrary to popular myth, the VA does not immediately go to disapproval - they try their best to get whatever information they can to prove the case on behalf of the veteran, but once those are exhausted, they must make a decision based on the evidence/information they posses.
Is your "no progress" based on what you see for your claim status online*?
Have you had ANY communications back from the VA? Was there an acknowledgement of it being accepted? Did they ever notify you of a C&P exam? Etc.
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* Tips to have your claims processed as smoothly as possible - https://news.va.gov/7769/getting-your-claim-processed-favorably-and-quickly-some-helpful-hints/
* Average VA disability claim time - https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/
* https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3
* Check the status of your VA Claim online - https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
If you have a fully documented claim that is simple and straightforward, it can be less, however if your claim is complex, requires the VA to contact outside agencies to obtain records or gather other evidence, has to go through a complex adjudication, etc., then it will take (much) longer.
The average amount of time added to a claim where the VA had to gather the evidence themselves is about six months*
Contrary to popular myth, the VA does not immediately go to disapproval - they try their best to get whatever information they can to prove the case on behalf of the veteran, but once those are exhausted, they must make a decision based on the evidence/information they posses.
Is your "no progress" based on what you see for your claim status online*?
Have you had ANY communications back from the VA? Was there an acknowledgement of it being accepted? Did they ever notify you of a C&P exam? Etc.
-----------------------------------
* Tips to have your claims processed as smoothly as possible - https://news.va.gov/7769/getting-your-claim-processed-favorably-and-quickly-some-helpful-hints/
* Average VA disability claim time - https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/
* https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3
* Check the status of your VA Claim online - https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
Getting Your Claim Processed Favorably and Quickly: Some Helpful Hints - VA News
U.S. Air Force Veteran; Communications Specialist, Veterans Benefits Administration After serving for several years in the Air Force, I worked at the Board of Veterans Appeals advocating on behalf of Vets as an appeals representative. In that time, I saw all kinds of claims.
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GySgt Kenneth Pepper
Wow. I put this question on this forum a few hours ago and I almost immediately get a communication from the VA saying to expect contact from a C&P exam company. The claim was filed and accepted in March. I was scheduled for and attended a C&P exam and was told everything looked like it would be approved, but never heard back from them or the VA. Nothing shows up on the claims website. This will be my second C&P exam.
I have been checking the website every few weeks and asking for a progress report, but have received nothing until today.
As further background I was diagnosed with a condition that was not considered service related when I retired in 08. It is documented as such in my claim. That condition is now considered presumptive. I served in a few of the locations that were specified in the PACT Act, along with 21 years sucking in JP5 exhaust.
Maybe I am just an outlier in their average. There's nothing that I would think difficult in my claim. The presumptive condition is documented. My time in the areas identified are documented. My MOS would certainly show daily exposure to aircraft exhaust.
My Mother taught us that patience is a virtue. My virtue is running thin on this.
I have been checking the website every few weeks and asking for a progress report, but have received nothing until today.
As further background I was diagnosed with a condition that was not considered service related when I retired in 08. It is documented as such in my claim. That condition is now considered presumptive. I served in a few of the locations that were specified in the PACT Act, along with 21 years sucking in JP5 exhaust.
Maybe I am just an outlier in their average. There's nothing that I would think difficult in my claim. The presumptive condition is documented. My time in the areas identified are documented. My MOS would certainly show daily exposure to aircraft exhaust.
My Mother taught us that patience is a virtue. My virtue is running thin on this.
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COL Randall C.
GySgt Kenneth Pepper - Ken, I presume you have already called the direct number at the VA for C&P questions ( [login to see] ). Have you checked to ensure that your contact information on your profile is correct*?
For you to have not gotten anything from the company or the VA in the last seven months by phone, email or postal mail indicates that something might be wrong (how did they reach out to you two weeks ago?).
If you know which contractor is being used for the C&P exam, you can contact their customer service and see what the disconnect is:
● Loyal Source Government Services, customer service number [login to see] .
● OptumServe Health Services, customer service number [login to see] (TTY: 711).
● QTC Management, customer service number [login to see] .
● Veterans Evaluation Services, customer service number [login to see] .
------------------------------------
* https://www.va.gov/change-address/
For you to have not gotten anything from the company or the VA in the last seven months by phone, email or postal mail indicates that something might be wrong (how did they reach out to you two weeks ago?).
If you know which contractor is being used for the C&P exam, you can contact their customer service and see what the disconnect is:
● Loyal Source Government Services, customer service number [login to see] .
● OptumServe Health Services, customer service number [login to see] (TTY: 711).
● QTC Management, customer service number [login to see] .
● Veterans Evaluation Services, customer service number [login to see] .
------------------------------------
* https://www.va.gov/change-address/
Change your address in your VA.gov profile | Veterans Affairs
Find out how to change your address and other contact information in your VA.gov profile. This will update your information across several VA benefits and services.
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PO2 Dan Lefchak
I have been waiting since August of 2021. First they denied then sent a letter of error almost a year later saying the denial was wrong, six months later sent me for c&p exam, which results in my favor, then 8 months later (after I inquired) referred me back to original denial. Now I have 4 doctors saying I have ischemic heart disease, the c&p exam confirming I have ischemic heart disease, and the letter of error saying I have ischemic heart disease, I also sent in copies of my test results from when I had stent put in, including diagrams of blockages. I was never given a reason for denial. I guess I should sue 4 doctors for misdiagnosis along with placing stents in me. This is what happens when you don’t have one case worker working on your case.
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Not sure if this will help anyone? When I had active testicular cancer my claim was completed in about 60 days. I made it easy, I submitted everything from my civilian doctors proving I had cancer. I submitted a form for the VA to reach out and obtain items from my doctors. I met with a civilian for my C&P exam. He said I basically did all the work for him. The va really did great and I was surprised how fast.
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It took me 2 years to go from 20 percent to 100 percent. Thank you V A but damn Agent Orange
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