Jim,

My husband currently has a VA disability rating for asbestosis disease. We filed a secondary claim in May of 2010 for additional health concerns stemming from this disease.

We have submitted all medical records, nexus letters, etc. that were necessary. My husband still has not had his C&P exam and we have not received even any "form letters" since March. In your experience is this "norm" and should we just sit tight with the hopes that they will get to us sooner or later?

I understand that the claim process takes forever, but he at least had his C&P in less that a year for the initial claim.

Thank you in advance for any information you may offer.

Reply:

You're a victim of the growing backlog. I hear these complaints each day.

You should write a formal letter to the Regional Office where the claim was submitted. Use certified mail, return receipt requested to deliver the letter. In the letter advise VA that you would like to know why there is such a delay. This effort by you will establish a paper trail to show you've been doing your part to communicate with VA. Do this 4 times, once each month. If you do this 4 times with no response, write back to me and I'll assist you to present this to your Congressional Representative to begin an inquiry.