I heard the VA is processing quicker than they used to. I did both my claim and my wife's claim. I used the VA rep to send my paperwork through and answer questions I had time to time. He was helpful and at one time asked me if I wanted to work for him...no. My claim took two and a half years before I had a determination. I applied for two more increases and those went a lot quicker. Wife's claim was less than a year and she served in the Reserves her last two years while receiving a VA disability. It's legal and you can.