HLR informal conference: is an 86-page written submission/response too long? VBA employees, would you actually read it?
I’m a combat vet filing pro se on a Higher-Level Review with informal conference. I’ve drafted an 86-page written submission none of it is new evidence, only a response and want honest feedback from anyone who works or has worked at VBA, especially DROs, on whether this is going to get read.
What’s in the package:
-19 service connection denials being challenged
-2 rating increase challenges
-4 earlier effective date challenges (arguing an earlier ITF in VBMS should control under § 3.155(b)(6) instead of a later ITF VA used)
Three decisions under review across the package, including:
-A decision letter with multiple denials issued without examination
-A substantive rating decision with grants and denials based on one 60-minute FNP exam covering approximately 14 contentions across orthopedic, neurological, GI, dermatologic, ENT, and psychiatric-secondary systems
-A separate decision that appears internally contradictory on its face, denying SC while the favorable findings of the same decision concede a current diagnosis
Structure of the 86 pages:
-Executive summary (1 page)
-Opening frame on the examination timeline and four cross-cutting legal frameworks (§ 1154(b) combat veteran, § 3.317 Persian Gulf, § 3.320 PACT Act, Buchanan/treatment-gap doctrine) about 9 pages
-Tier 1: 9 issues argued as clear legal error decidable on the existing record about 28 pages
-Tier 2: 7 issues argued as duty-to-assist/inadequate exam failures about 14 pages
-Tier 3: PTSD rating increase under Mauerhan/Vazquez-Claudio totality analysis about 9 pages
-Tier 4: Another rating increase about 2 pages
-Closing frame with benefit-of-the-doubt analysis and issue-by-issue specific remedies requested about 10 pages
-Authorities cited appendix (statutes, regulations, case law) about 5 pages
I only plan on reading the executive summary, opening frame, and closing frame during the HLR informal hearing.
My questions:
- Will a DRO actually read 86 pages, or does length past a certain point become counterproductive?
- How do I submit this to ensure they have it when my hearing is scheduled ?
- is reading the executive summary, opening frame, and closing frame good on my part with the expectation they review the more thorough details in the other sections.
Any feedback from anyone, especially VBA employees would be helpful.