How long does a DRO review take?

The average wait time for a decision by a DRO is only 266 days from the time the NOD is filed. Therefore, if you receive a partial grant from the DRO, you will begin receiving your benefits much faster than if you appealed directly to the Board. 6.

How long does a VA DRO decision take 2020?

After the filing of an NOD, a veteran’s VA disability claim moves to the VA regional office’s appeals section, and will now be handled by a Decision Review Officer or DRO. According to VA statistics, the wait time from the filing of an NOD (Notice of Disagreement) to receiving a DRO decision is 12-18 months.

How long does a VA higher-level review take?

125 days
How long does it take VA to make a decision? Our goal for completing Higher-Level Reviews is an average of 125 days. Note: If you request an informal conference, it may take us longer to complete your Higher-Level Review.

What is a VA decision review officer?

The Decision Review Officer (DRO) is a member of the appeals team at the VA Regional Office (RO). The DRO process provides a veteran with a great tool to have a higher-up VA official at the department of veterans affairs review their case, and possibly even overturn a prior denial.

Can a DRO be refused?

Your DRO application may be refused if you’ve done any of the following in the two years before you apply: given away any of your belongings. sold any belongings for less than their value. made paying back one particular debt a priority, for example; paying off a debt owed to a relative but not paying your other debts.

What happens after a DRO hearing?

After the veteran has requested a DRO hearing, the DRO will conduct a “de novo” review of the veteran’s file. The DRO works in partnership with the veteran or his or her representative to resolve all issues raised in the NOD.

Which is better DRO or traditional appeal process?

The DRO process is no guarantee that the veteran will win, reverse the VARO decision, or get any benefits. But, it’s a good chance to change a bad VA decision, and is usually a lot quicker than the traditional appeal process.

How long does VA review of evidence take?

The VA estimates that it takes them 94 days to review a VA disability application. However, many cases take much longer than that. Here are some factors that can shorten or extend the time it takes to reach a decision: Type of claim filed.

Are VA higher level reviews successful?

A Higher Level Review seems to work best when the issues are simple and obvious. For issues that require some elbow grease, however, we are finding that requesting a hearing with the Board of Veterans Appeals may be a better alternative.

Does a DRO check your bank account?

How will a DRO affect your bank account? Your bank will not be informed of your DRO unless it is listed as a creditor. Therefore, if it is not, you should not experience any change. However, if your bank is included in your DRO, or if it finds out that you have one, it may decide to freeze your account.

Does DRO look at bank statements?

Your DRO Adviser will want some proof of your income – if they ask for bank statements and you don’t have any, it’s usually easy to get one. Or they may be happy to accept wage slips and any benefits letters. The Insolvency Service doesn’t need to see your bank statements.