Question:
My husband was diagnosed with non Hodgkin's lymphoma in September of 2020. We filed a claim since he was a Corpsman for the Marines while in Vietnam for 13 months. How long does it take before any word? Since the diagnosis they also found a tumor on his left kidney that needs to be removed. The VA phone people are very inconsiderate. Can you give me some advise please?
Jim's Reply:
If you filed a claim in September 2020 and you've not received any notice that the claim is being worked on, I'd have to guess something is wrong.
As a rule when a claim is received in Janesville it's scanned into the system and the beneficiary is sent a letter that the claim is being worked on. There should also be a notice in the veterans eBenefits account saying much the same thing, that the claim is in process.
This happens whether or not the claim is making any real progress in the adjudication or not. Thus, when you indicate that you've not heard "any word", I'm concerned.
You didn't tell me how you filed the claim but if you used the services of a VSO that's the place to turn to. If you filed it yourself, you should have the appropriate records and receipts to prove you filed.
In any case, if you haven't received any word by now, you should consider filing the claim again. Good luck.