I know this is quite long but bear with me as this comes from almost 6 months of learning and experience with the VA, so some can learn from my mistakes.
First off, I’d just like to say thank you all for letting me lurk and use y’all’s experience throughout my claim process. Not posting my rating. I received the rating the VA saw fit and agree that the rating reflects my disabilities I acquired from service.
For those who are proactive and also lurk and research as I do, I will say this. Each VA claim is a case by case basis. What happened to someone may not happen to you. Which has been a good thing and a bad thing in my experience. I know there’s a lot of waiting, but have patience the VA team is working. Also use VERA, use AI (for gauging outcomes, not completely predicting the future), use this subreddit, use all the things that are accessible to us to help us throughout this process. VSOs are useful, one filed my FDC claim while I was in because I missed my BDD window by a week. However, after separating it was all on me. You have to do your own due diligence. This is your claim. Your benefits. So read through the 38 CFR Part 4, the DBQs related to your claims, and file FOIA requests from just your C&P exams. Do the dirty work, even if you use a VSO but especially if you don’t plan to use a VSO.
My case was different as a veteran who recently was separated this past December with OTH on my actual date of separation/end of contract, for a civilian allegation that was eventually dismissed in court the day after my separation. I had to read up on 38 CFR 3.12 and VA COD/Character of Discharge review. I plan to apply for an official DD214 upgrade at my 6 month mark.
The VA has specific things they stick to, to qualify you or disqualify you. I am a testament that even an OTH characterization can still receive benefits. I wasn’t given to me though. I had to fight. I spent a lot of lonely nights researching, reading, understanding my specific circumstances, and building my case.
Lastly, if your still in use the BDD and if your almost out you still have FDC. Also, please check to make sure your direct deposit is on VA.gov before your 1st decision letter. My VSO on active duty said they’d reach out for it after my claim submission but they never did. I went through the entire process just for my backpay check to be sent to the wrong location. Thankfully the VA has a payment trace system, and has successfully voided the check and it will be deposited into my account.
All and all, again, I’d just like to say thank you to you all in this subreddit. And a special thanks to Valor Psychology, whom gave me a psychological evaluation/IMO when the QTC examiner failed to conduct mine properly. Highly recommend them, their examiner really cared about my experiences and what I had to say.
Good luck, take care of yourself’s, and god bless.