Correct! Anytime you file any claim on an active intent to file, its closes. If you have multiple claims, gather any and all evidence and documents before you officially submit your claim so they are all based on the original date.
Appeals (if filed within a year from your decision) will backdate to your original intent to file. If you wait longer than a year to appeal, your claim date will start when you submit your appeal, there is no intent to file for appeals.
To add onto what OC commented, in some cases (your mileage may vary), it can be beneficial to WAIT before filling. Here is an example: 1.) You have an active ITF, submitted on 5/1/2023. 2.) You submitted the ITF with the intention of filling a claim for CONDITION 1, once you are ready. 3.) You’ve identified all records that the VA should look for in its possession 4.) You’ve gathered all your non-VA medical evidence and you are ready to submit on 3/7/2024. If, during all the time you were securing and preparing your evidence, you saw notes that may help possibly getting a claim for CONDITION 2 approved. You had no idea CONDITION 2 was something you could claim, and did not realize your record reflected it. In this case, it would be wise to try and gather what you can for CONDITION 2 and submit them both in the same day (before it expires on 5/1). This will, as long as the condition existed back then, allow both conditions to be effective on the ITF date. In that same scenario, if you are ready to submit on 7/1/2023 for CONDITION 1 and you don’t think you can quickly gather things for CONDITION 2, you may want to submit 1, and do a new ITF for 2. Or you can choose to wait anyway.
If you have an active intent to file, when you "start the application process" it will tell you that you have already initiated and list the date you have to complete by.
I had an intent to file for Nov 1st but - unbeknownst to me, somebody submitted an SMC claim on my file Jan 4th this year. I suspect it could have been my VSO, who I did not get along with and I was just in the process of revoking my POA. This cancelled out my ITF. Is there a way I can correct this problem that you might know of?
I would suggest calling the VA white house hotline and explain that a claim was filed without permission and it affected the pending claim you were working on. It is possible that they can fix it, but if the VSO has "permissions" it may not be reversible. ua-cam.com/video/Tc8KM5Ekn-A/v-deo.html You can "fire" your VSO, and revote their access and work with a private party with your interest in mind. Always keep your options open! theveteran.coach
I learned that you can't have individual intent to file open at the same time, it's best to claim multiple things all at once if you can.
Correct! Anytime you file any claim on an active intent to file, its closes. If you have multiple claims, gather any and all evidence and documents before you officially submit your claim so they are all based on the original date.
@@TheVeteranCoach If I filed a claim that was denied, but I intend to appeal, does the appeal need a separate ITF?
Appeals (if filed within a year from your decision) will backdate to your original intent to file. If you wait longer than a year to appeal, your claim date will start when you submit your appeal, there is no intent to file for appeals.
To add onto what OC commented, in some cases (your mileage may vary), it can be beneficial to WAIT before filling.
Here is an example:
1.) You have an active ITF, submitted on 5/1/2023.
2.) You submitted the ITF with the intention of filling a claim for CONDITION 1, once you are ready.
3.) You’ve identified all records that the VA should look for in its possession
4.) You’ve gathered all your non-VA medical evidence and you are ready to submit on 3/7/2024.
If, during all the time you were securing and preparing your evidence, you saw notes that may help possibly getting a claim for CONDITION 2 approved. You had no idea CONDITION 2 was something you could claim, and did not realize your record reflected it. In this case, it would be wise to try and gather what you can for CONDITION 2 and submit them both in the same day (before it expires on 5/1). This will, as long as the condition existed back then, allow both conditions to be effective on the ITF date.
In that same scenario, if you are ready to submit on 7/1/2023 for CONDITION 1 and you don’t think you can quickly gather things for CONDITION 2, you may want to submit 1, and do a new ITF for 2. Or you can choose to wait anyway.
thank you!
Anytime :)
This may be a dumb question but do they prioritize processing claims of terminal cancer
Yes, they can. I'd recommend calling your local VA as well and speaking to their local Patient Advocate to help fast track your whole process.
How to you check the date of your intent to file?
If you have an active intent to file, when you "start the application process" it will tell you that you have already initiated and list the date you have to complete by.
I had an intent to file for Nov 1st but - unbeknownst to me, somebody submitted an SMC claim on my file Jan 4th this year. I suspect it could have been my VSO, who I did not get along with and I was just in the process of revoking my POA. This cancelled out my ITF. Is there a way I can correct this problem that you might know of?
I would suggest calling the VA white house hotline and explain that a claim was filed without permission and it affected the pending claim you were working on. It is possible that they can fix it, but if the VSO has "permissions" it may not be reversible. ua-cam.com/video/Tc8KM5Ekn-A/v-deo.html
You can "fire" your VSO, and revote their access and work with a private party with your interest in mind. Always keep your options open! theveteran.coach