Tuesday, June 21, 2011

How Long Does it Take? A Problem to Avoid.

by Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

The most frequent question we get is “How long will it take VA to make a decision?” My nephew, who just returned from Afghanistan, asked me this at a Father's Day brunch last weekend.

As of May 31, more than 800,000 disability claims are pending across the country, according to a House VA Committee news release. Of those, more than 60 percent have been pending for more than 125 days and could increase to 230 days by next year. As a rule of thumb, we tell people the initial claim may take a year – and each step in the appeal process thereafter will take a year. So you can’t give up just because it will take so long.

One problem that the passage of time creates is change in veteran contact information. You must make sure that VA, and your representative – lawyer or claims agent - has your current contact information. If you change your address or telephone number or email address – you must let them know. If VA sends notices to an old street address that you did not change, that is your problem. If VA sends a notice of a C&P exam to an old address, you will miss the exam and your claim maybe denied. It seems simple but it is important to update your contact information at VA.gov anytime it changes. You will use VA Form 20-572. You can find it at the link below.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-20-572-ARE.pdf

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

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