VA Disability Claim Steps | Stuck at Step 5

[@Logic1611]

@The Bureaucrat . I am the guy who made the original comment about the step 5 several weeks back. I see that you made a response video 13 days ago and I thank you for it. Here's an update. I am still stuck and step 5. I went through steps one through four in 21 days I've been stuck in step five for 90 days by itself. That's more than four times the total amount it took me to get through the first four steps.

[@the_bureaucrat]

@Logic1611, thanks for the original comment. I'm suspicious that the VA is "parking" people at Step 5 rather than Step 3. What I mean is that previously the VA would have left them at Step 3, but because of the backlog, they move the files to Step 5 to "show progress". Even though it creates the frustration you are feeling.

[@RyanRoss-kw6un]

What type of claim did you file? New, increase etc and how many conditions on your claim? I found if it’s only one condition or ailment it’s been fairly quick…for me.

[@silkysmooth-vk2ux]

Step 5 since October 10th

[@only1khalik]

I put in my claim on January 1st & I’m at step 4 already

[@silkysmooth-vk2ux]

I put mine in in September. I went to step 5 in October, and have been stuck there.

[@FairbanksForever-kt2em]

Started the process late November. Just notified that I was moved to step 5 on 12 Dec. I read thru the comments and the anxiety starts to build. I'm sitting at 80% overall. Looking to join the100 club. Good luck everyone.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I wish I could say something to ease the anxiety. The hell of it is that the difference between 80% and 100% is a huge difference in the kind of post-military life you can build. And while it shouldn't cause anxiety...I know it does.

[@ringoflynt]

I started Oct 13th and made bed to step 5 on the same day Dec 12th

[@chucknola484]

I filed for an increase with a lawyer firm back and July and did all my C&P exams and my claim went from Step 1 to Step 5 in 6 weeks and it’s been stuck there ever since. A buddy of mine who recommended me to that lawyer firm told me it took him over a year to get through the process so I already kind of anticipated a long journey. You do get back paid from that claim date though so I’m not really sweating the wait. Just be patient guys. The longer the wait the fatter the check at the end.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That's good advice. "Don't sweat the wait". Especially because of your point about the effective date.

[@silkysmooth-vk2ux]

Stuck in step 5 right now since Sep-Oct timeframe. Be safe since you are from my hometown NOLA.

[@johnreilly7956]

Had all my C&P exams, forwarded all my medical records...have now been at step 5 for the last 4 months.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Yuck 😝

[@antoniocruz5596]

I am stuck at stage 5 also. I filed a rating increase for my lumbar spine. Additionally I filed a supplemental claim for my PTSD diagnosis. It has been 4 months so far. I was told that because I am filing for a rating increase for a claim I have already had rated at 60% since 2009, it would not take long.

[@the_bureaucrat]

There is a large backlog of claims caused by the PACT ACT. Essentially since about 2022, there has been a surge in supplemental claims. Those are averaging about 140 days right now, so it doesn't sound like you are uniquely delayed.

[@batamie2379]

Stuck on step 5 since I filed in July 2024.. The VA moves you to a C&P quickly.. but once you reach step 5 .. you might as well settle in.. by the way.. I always remember everyone’s claim is different.

[@only1khalik]

Also There is a number you can call for them to speed up your claim if your going through homelessness or financial hardship I did it on my first claim & received my decision & funds 10 days later 🙌🏾

[@JacquelineJacobs-g9f]

My husband also stuck at step 5 for two months now on. An increase and stuck at step 3 since February for a remanded appeals claim. Maybe when remote work ends, they crawl out of the bubble bath, or break up the orgies they’ll find time to take care of veterans.

[@the_bureaucrat]

🤣Bubble baths!

[@Milwaukee307]

My claim went from step 1-5 in a couple weeks and then sat at step 5 for almost 3 months before getting a denial last week. I really hate the people at the VA.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Bureaucrats....

[@aaroncencich9931]

Yes and I am experiencing moving from steps 1-5 in 40 days and stuck on step 5 for 93 days and counting.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That is crazy.

[@DeWayneR]

My claim for VA diagnosed slerp apnea (with a buddy letter) has been stuck for three months, now. I call the Benefits Hotline about once a month. After a month I learned that the buddy letter had not even been opened. The second month I was told that the letter was opened, but the claim was in step 6 (Preparing decision letter), even though the status in the VA app shows it in step 5. My most recent call revealed that the claim was still pending a decision and that no one had been assigned to the claim. 90 days and counting.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That is a good strategy of following up. I can't imagine that it's fun to deal with the hotline, but doing so is brilliant.

[@chrisbrown8748]

I’ve been at step 5 of a secondary claim (Anxiety Disorder) for the past 12 business days. I’m not in a huge rush I’ll surely survive until I get my answer and if I get the percentage I think I’ll get then it will make for a fat back pay check.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That's right, the back pay is determined by when you submitted the claim, not when the decide it...kzbin.info/www/bejne/noa6ZGqXlqyois0

[@jackmcmahon6311]

I was in step 3 for 6 or 7 months. Now I'm waiting on 5

[@the_bureaucrat]

I hope you are achieving a state of Zen-like patience.

[@roberh8357]

Did the BDD claim been waiting about a year for my claim to finish stuck at step 5. Co worker got 100 percent one day after separating.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That seems to be the big frustration. Two people submit at the same time with similar conditions, and the files progress at radically different speeds.

[@PhilMeadJams]

I'm still stuck at step 3 waiting for clinics that did the exams to submit their findings 🤦🏽

[@the_bureaucrat]

At least you got the exams done...that can be a goofy experience.

[@pkilla28]

Submitted a Fully Developed claim two months ago and half of that has almost been entirely in step 5. I know I'm wasting my time but I can't help but check it once or twice daily.

[@hwhitley93]

Same I’m on 4 months on step 5

[@the_bureaucrat]

I ran into an article that said the VA started using "Artificial Intelligence" to "speed up claims", but I'm suspicious all they did is speed up how fast the claims got backlogged at Step 5. BTW...It's probably a good idea to check regularly...that's better than never checking and getting surprised when time passes because they are waiting on you.

[@allenwrench2352]

It's been 8 months for me , just hit step 5 on Nov 22nd.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Good luck.

[@ohariana7809]

I’ve been stuck at Step 5 for 3 months now.. I started my claim in April. 😓

[@the_bureaucrat]

Blech! 😝

[@healthshack]

Filed for an increase due to my back and legs getting much worse. Went to all my C and P exams and all my VA appointments and I have been on Step 5 since October 9th. Ugh! Why does it take so long especially when they have everything they need? VA is so frustrating!

[@the_bureaucrat]

I think there are two big things clogging up the system. First is the surge of claims that was triggered by the PACT Act. Just more claims in the system. And the second is that in the months before a presidential election and then for sometime after the inauguration, there is always a hiring lag (All new presidents from both sides of the aisle like to show that they have "cut" government employees or are hiring "the right" employees to fix a problem). So the VA probably has a drop in the number of reviewers.

[@usafmueller]

Question, I filed for 12 different things. So far I've only had one C&P exam for my back yet I've already been moved to step 5. I assume I'm on step 5 because they'll rate my back then go back to the others?

[@the_bureaucrat]

I don't know. It seems odd to me that they didn't schedule all your C&P exams (like 2 weeks of appointments). And even if you had a single condition that got you 100% rated, they would still have to rate your other claimed conditions...I think that Step 5 thing is just the "new Step 3"

[@chrisbrown8748]

So far this is how my secondary claim for Anxiety Disorder is going. The below dates are when I hit each step and it’s currently 12/11/24 and I’m still at step 5 (I’m not complaining I know most of you have probably been waiting a lot longer than myself) Step 1: 10/14 Step 2: 10/14 Step 3: 10/29 Step 4: 11/13 Step 5: 11/22

[@the_bureaucrat]

Looks like you have had a decent timeline so far.

[@garrettcaldwell312]

Been on step 5 since October 1st

[@the_bureaucrat]

That seems to be more common that you would think.

Mine took over 260 🙄

[@garrettcaldwell312]

@ just for step 5 I started my process in early September

[@garrettcaldwell312]

@@the_bureaucrat I understand there’s a lot of claims in. Just feels a bit helpless having to wait.

[@wiggyjones]

Stuck in step 5 for 161 days. PTSD MST claim. Haven't even had a C&P yet. I've called and they just said wait. I've been out since 1985.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I would bet that part of your delay is caused by the VA prioritizing Benefits Delivered at Discharge packets (judging from the comments people leave, that seems to be part of what's going on). Plus, it seems weird that you haven't had a C&P but they advanced you to Step 5...I mean, they probably still need to collect information on you which would mean you are really at Step 3. I wonder if they moved you forward to make their numbers look better and intend to bounce you back to Step 3 eventually?

[@streetstroller]

How did you get to step 5 without a C&P? 🤔

[@wiggyjones]

@@streetstroller That is an excellent question. I called the VA and they said just wait. Then I got a C&P appointment, a few weeks ago. I had the C&P exam, it went well I think, and now I'm back at step 3. So it's kind of crazy. I certainly cannot explain it. But I'm at 220 days now, and still no rating. However, as far as I know everything has been done for the rater to do their job. Just waiting...waiting...waiting.

[@wiggyjones]

@@the_bureaucrat That's what happened. I got my C&P exam two weeks ago and now I'm at step 3 again. The C&P examiner was very cool, by the way, and said nice things and assured me that I would be service connected. I hope she is right. Now I'm still at step 3, it's been over 220 days since I filed my claim, still waiting for the rater to do their thing.

[@davidporter7051]

day 166 and the claims which are undecided are conditions the VA has diagnosed and are treating. 🤔. Hung up on step 5.

[@the_bureaucrat]

That seems to be the norm.

[@ChrisAllen-m3r]

Moved from Step 4 to 5 in 1 day after C&P exam ....Have been on Step 5 for about month and half now. (Increase , had all evidence, etc. thought it would be quick decision). Guess not ....

[@the_bureaucrat]

The decision is probably quick, the backlog is the issue.

[@N0SL1M3ZON3]

It took me 11 months to even get to step 5 and I’m hoping my step 5 is fast

[@the_bureaucrat]

No promises, but I hope so too.

[@franc587]

And remember guys all those back pain, knees pain, foot pain, migraine headaches, etc etc IS NOT SERVICE CONNECTED ACORDING TO ALL THOSE LOVELY PEOPLE AT THE VA.

[@the_bureaucrat]

Indeed.

[@Alex-vr4wu]

I am at step 1. At out processing, I was asked to get my medical records. Do I need a copy again for step 3 or they can access my records?

[@the_bureaucrat]

Brace yourself for the usual amount of bureaucratic runaround. You "shouldn't" need to provide your records again, but that doesn't mean that they won't ask for them. The more likely way that you could get frustrated is that when the VA doctors have findings that contradict your claims.

[@johnreilly7956]

Make copies of EVERYTHING you send in to the VA.....EVERYTHING.

[@Alex-vr4wu]

@@johnreilly7956 Thank you. My question was centered around when I got my records in July. Stuff had been updated since and I will file this month. The records office said it takes up to 30 days to get a copy. Should I not worry an VA can see my records in real time?

[@armymedic574]

Step 5 for 3 months

[@cha0321-g8d]

Same

[@the_bureaucrat]

Sounds like the current norm.

[@conanpower]

I'm in the same boat since October 8.

[@stevestowell8752]

Same boat since September

[@harambe-00]

filled my claim Oct 14, 2024. Im at step 5 now Nov 22, 2024.

[@the_bureaucrat]

I think its fair to prepare for some waiting...Best wishes.

[@ernestwilliams8400]

& That's BS Cause I'm About 2 Go in2 Yr. 18 Trying 2 Get Mi Benefits, That 144 Day Shit Lies.....🪖🇺🇸🪖👿🦀💯👀💯🦀👿🪖🇺🇸🪖

[@the_bureaucrat]

No doubt...I just saw an article that said the VA implemented "Artificial Intelligence" to speed up processing about 8 months ago, but it doesn't seem to have done a thing for the timelines.