Is a case manager neccessary for VA claims?

Newf wrote " I would not count on VAC officials to collect all of information for any of your claims. " Very good and smart. Mail the photocopies registered with signature required. It's fail-safe and never lost.

To answer your question Paranoidandroid... " Should I have seen a case manager before submitting these claims? " No. you'll get one eventually. But here's hoping you get a good a really good one.

pinger.

Get the medical reports yourself from your military medical file , do not , I repeat , do not rely on Veterans Affairs to look up your medical reports in your Military medical file by giving them access to your Military medical report.

That is a good summary of the process.  I submitted my applications and supporting evidence online through the my vac account.  There was no issues and I never spoke to anyone.   I never did have any VAC officials request information from me.  They make a decision based on a review of your medical/service file and any supporting info you submit (eg written statement from a person who witnessed the injury, photographs, etc).  I would not count on VAC officials to collect all of information for any of your claims. I suggest you upload or submit it to VAC yourself.  ALso keep track or copies of everything you send them and on what date it was sent to VAC.  If you ask any questions by email then you may get a reply in 2-6 days or none at all or sometime they phone you to talk about an issue.  There is lots of info on this site and some great people to give you advice. Good luck.

Okay i'll chime in.

I've done multiple claims on my own, and submitting them to the pension officer at veterans affairs Local Office.

Now if you submit them online they now go to DBU, (Disability Benefit Unit) they will collect the relevant information
And your case will then get forwarded from there.

If there is something they need, they will call you and or you'll get a message from them in your My Vac account.

Also, you can approach a Legion Service Officer who can give you a hand in getting what information over to them

A Case manager is usually assigned to you after you get a favorable claim, to get you into the Vocational/Medical
rehab programs, and help you then or from there.

Also on your My Vac account it will say what step it is in, if step 1, they are still gathering information, from Doctor/Med docs
and from you so I believe you can still add until it is moved to step 3..

Step 1
VAC has received your application form. Once we receive all of your supporting documentation, a decision can be expected within 16 weeks. <- Once at 3 not 1
Step 2
We are reviewing all of the information obtained in support of your claim. <-- should still be able to add during this time
Step 3
Your claim is at the decision making level. You should expect a decision letter within 16 weeks of the date we received your application and all of your supporting documentation.
Complete
Your claim for disability benefits has been completed. If you have not received a decision letter, you can expect one shortly.

So basically if you have no problem filling out forms getting medical information, just fire away

Hi Paranoidandroid - Maybe some others can back me up, but it is my understanding that if your injuries, be them mental or physical and complicated, this is where you can ask for a Case mgr. In my case being TPI'd, and at 100%, a case mgr got involved 2 yrs ago when I was put on Voc Rehab. At the end of the 2 yr mark, and when I was deemed TPI, I was required to sign off as no longer case managed. Maybe others have a different view. VVV...

I have submitted claims through my vac account and i did not contact my case manager and there was no problems with my claims

Hello,

I have just finished the process of opening a VAC account and submitting 2 claims online. Both conditions are listed in my medical documents. Should I have seen a case manager before submitting these claims? If so, is it to late since they have already been submitted.

Thanks