Request for Priority Processing

[caregiverx2]

How long would you wait before calling VA on Request for Priority Processing?
Dad is 84 suffering from bone cancer, heart & kidney disease.  I have provided
his full-time care for a year & his money is running low.  Sound mind.
Submitted intent 11/1/10
Applicationn on 12/26/10

Thanks for your advise.
caregiverx2

[vetadmin]

Did you include a letter with your application asking for expediting the application?  If not, it is no where near the timeframe to act on it now.  Less than 6 months from date of application is not an unreasonable amount of time to be waiting for a ruling.

[caregiverx2]

Yes, we wrote the letter on the Statement of Claim

[vetadmin]

Then sorry to say, it is just a matter of waiting.  At the 6 month range, you can start calling and making inquries.

[caregiverx2]

I thought I read on forum that any letter/correspondence to VA was best to be put on "VA 21-4128 Statement in Support of Claim".
Did I misunderstand?   

here's what we sent;


REQUEST FOR PRIORITY PROCESSING ~ VETERAN IS 83


Veteran, ______(83) is in declining health due to Metastatic Prostate Cancer (stage IV),
Chronic Kidney Disease (stage III) & Congestive Heart Failure.   


He can no longer walk without the use of a walker; requires medication management
& monitoring.  He is unable to prepare meals & needs regular assistance with all 
aspects of daily living. His limited Social Security income has caused financial hardship. 


Veteran is of sound mind and suffers from no dementia.


I am assisting my father with the filing of this application.  Thank you for your consideration of his application and if you have any questions or need more information please contact us at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, daughter & full-time caregiver


The above is true & correct to the best of my knowledge.


Debbie, what should I have done differently?   What can I do now to correct?

[vetadmin]

You didn't do anything wrong...you did it all correctly.

The VA's ruling is to give priority to any applicant 70 or older.  It's a ruling that they randomly follow in spite of the fact it's what they are supposed to do.

You are not far enough along here to start calling.  I would wait until you hit the 90 days, to make a polite inquiry.  You made them aware that there is a financial hardship, and they should honor that.

The truth of the matter is our defintion of "expedite" and the VA's is not quite the same.  90 days is a blink for them where for you it is paying out of pocket care for 3 months you cannot afford.

I know it's hard but you don't want to seem impractical to them and get into a "contest" with them about them not moving fast enough for you.

Try and hang in there and hope to hear something soon.

[caregiverx2]

Thank you DEBBIE
   I value your input & will chill out for now.

[vetadmin]

You're welcome.