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Well it took a while but finally some service connection.  Only 10% but it’s a start.  Found this out when we checked the eBeneifit website, so we’re still waiting on the actual documents to come in.  There were a few other conditions denied, so we’ll have to wait and see what the final claim letter says.

But like I said it’s a start.  My question now is how I get that 10% increased.  How do they decide it’s only 10%?

If anyone has any suggestions regarding our next step to increase that percentage, please give me your thoughts.

Update to followers ...

Just a reminder that new claim was filed 10/15.  Here’s what happened since.

1. eBenfits website has Estimated Completion:  3/2/2016-1015/2016, which would be a year.  That I figured was normal according to VA rules.  
2. C&P exam on 2/22/2016 (less than a week ago).
3. Now I go back to the ebenifit website and the Estimated Completion date changed to 3/28/16-5/28/16.  They also changed Status to "preparation for decision” and Updates changed to “Development Letter Sent”.  Now that’s moving a bit fast right?  Is this good or bad?
4. But get this… 1 day later the completion date changed again.  Now it reads Estimated Completion: 4/1/16-5/14/16.  Now this is all a bit interesting.

First of all, would they really complete a claim in a 6 month period?  I think that is unheard of, don’t you?

Just thought I'd update all who have been keeping up on our blog that I received a letter from regarding our DRO.  

Claim filed 7/2014, since denied, filed DRO 10/2015, just received letter dated 2/15/16 stating "We have certified your appeal and are transferring your VA records to the Board of Veterans'Appeals (BVA) in Washington, DC. BVA will notifiy you when they have received your records."

So I thought that was fast, but from what I"ve been told, this process will still take another 2-3 years!

So here's my question...

I don’t know about you all, but my experience with new claims has been a year for its estimated completion date.

My claim’s completion date read “Undetermined” and now it reads 4-10 months.  Has anyone seen their estimated claim date change like that before???

Well since my last update, I've filed DRO.  It seems that now I'll have to wait upwards of 2 years for the video conference to take place at St. Petersburg.  I can see why after reading this article in The Tampa Times,  Report: Veterans' claims backlogged by the thousands at St. Petersburg VA

I've also been in contact with the Melbourne, FL DAV.  We'll have to see what kind of help they can be.  They seem knowledgeable, but I'm sure their hands are probably tied too.

One important thing that I've learned through this process is once you get you medical records from NPRC, which will probably appear very vague and void of much in the way of specifics.  You should then file the request again but this time, do a form request on each account specifying the date and hospital for that incident.  You'll likely get a completely different report back with much more detail.  Hopefully, the individual report will give you the information you need to help with your claim.  

I'll continue to keep you all in the loop.  Learning from my mistakes may help someone out there not to make the same.