Cybernick1

UPDATE : Went and switched VSO today no longer with AMVETS. now with DAV wow what a difference, in 5 minutes the DAV NSO looked at VA decicion paperwork and said they can't do this. They used same exam to award and then reduce my IU. He call a VA manager said he had a strange situation with my claim and said that that manager has lots of power and believes it can be stoped or at least reinstated. DAV NSO said don't need to do anything more medical wise for me to retain IU, the VA in Chicago did not read all of my application and did not follow all the rules. Thank you DAV what a difference will update more later.....

They are sneeky Both these in same envelope Proposal to reduce 60 day reply dated 21 July 2014 IU award letter dated 31 July 2014 Final decision letter on reduction dated 14 July 2015

The 60 day notice was in the same envelope as the IU award letter, I submitted paperwork my AMVETS rep in Chicago said including statements from the surgeon that repaired my foot and fused my ankle. He stated in his comments that he did not anticipate me returning to any job. Stating that other health issues may cause my overall ability to work but he did not provide care for those issues. He then stated as to regards to foot and ankle I could do sedimentary work probably, that's all VA keyed in on. I also sent them my disability license plate registration and handicap placard. Pes Planus discovered upon entrance exam 1980, Regan build up err on podiatry in USAF from 1987 till exit in 1994. In 1991 Naval hospital OKinawa doctors removed me from world wide eligibility and stated member will not be able to complete 20 years of service due to my flat feet have developed other issue. Found out years later avascular necrosis talas bone left ankle making it descintergrate As far as a hearing goes I asked my AMVETS rep the NSO in Chicago he said wait see if the package submitted works. Feb this year contacted Rep again he said they see no activity no reason for further actions

My benefits are being reduced as of October 1, 2015 going from 80%, being paid at 100% for unemployability, to 70% no TDIU Main reason. VA fast letter 13-13. Currently: Changes: Pes planus, bilateral severe deformity left foot ( prior to surgery) 50% Pes planus bilateral, status post Flexor Digitorum Longus 30% avascular necrosis with deformity, status post fusion, left ankle 20% Mild degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine 10% Osteoarthritis right knee 10% degenerative arthritis, right hip 10% Tinitus 10% My application for IU was submitted on June 25th 2013 8 days after VA fast letter 13-13, I had to tell my AMVETS rep about the fast letter he did not know anything about it sent to Chicago. He reviewed it and concluded that it seems they just wanted to the one main condition that is keeping me from employment. So we in box 7 just put Pes planus bilateral. That's all they looked at, but if my application would had been 9 days earlier, they normally woul;d have considered all my disabilities not just my feet and I don't think this reduction would happen. I found out that the VA gave me IU solely on the condition of my feet and that's all they are looking at. Only had C&P for feet. I asked the examiner if that was all he was going to check he said yes. I contacted my rep and was instructed to wait they will have additional C&P's. It never happened. In August and December 2013 had surgeries. First surgery to reconstruct deformed left foot screws and plates added to build arch. Tendons move. Second surgery to fuse left ankle. Was awarded original IU retro to last day worked in September 2012, received award letter July 2014 VA said I was awarded IU soley on my feet, and also in same envelope notice to decrease benefits because of the surgery on my feet. Received SSDI on first attempt all issues for Social Security are service connected. Earlier this year after contacting AMVETS they said they did not see any activity to reduce my benefits, again they were wrong. I received the Final award letter form VA in late June 2015 that says benefits reduction date effective 1 October 2015. I have been franticly trying to get my reps to take action. All this because of a rule change the VA made abruptly and with no grace period. I have been and still trying to get more medical evidence and I have some but after contacting NSO in Chicago they say only recorse besides 4 to 7 year appeal process is to quickly resubmit another application for IU form 21-8940 with all disabilities, and unless I don't want it to take years submit separate DBQ forms from Doctor with it. Example for 21-0960M-5 for feet, 21-0960M-14 for back pain and groin numbness. That form alone is 11 pages. They probably know my clock will run out before I have all the stuff I need. My SC disabilities have gotten worse. Back is disabeling worse than before causes groin numbness radiating down legs, frequent urination. R Knee has episodes and I ware a knee brace, always use a cane have special shoe inserts and r heel1/4 inch riser, I have a leg length inequality, first diagnosed USAF in 1987. Ankle and feet still hurt still can not walk far, stand long, sit long and can't sleep and in the last several years have developed depression due to my chronic pain, I have just started seeing a shrink for my problem on Xanax. Have not taken any VA claim action yet on my psychological problems, guess that will come hopefully if they say I have a problem. My psychologist believes I do. I thought that once on IU to reduce they had to perform another C&P and consider all SC disability issues, Fast letter 13-13 threw that out the door. Anyways I figured I am just screwed. What a bunch of bull VA is

Friday Afternoon Claim went to COMPLETE ON E- Bennies, AB8 went from 10 to 80% Awaiting Retro and Letter TIMELINE Claim Date 19 April 2011 5 April 2013 Claim sent from Chicago to St. Paul 15 April Claim went from gathering dust to Preperation for Decision Wed. 5 June 2013 went to Pending Decision Approval Thur. 6 June 2013 went to Preparation for Notification Fri. PM 7 June 2013 Claim Closed AB* letter updated. Funny thing it is exactly 6 months since VA was handed in person my last responce and they said at that time on Dec/ 7th 2012 that it could be 4 mos or 6 mos. Looks like they are actually completing 2 yr old claims now......

3 Weeks from Today on June 20th Lets see how many are still in no mans land.

Thats the problem, claim is over 2 years old why would it take another 2 to 6 mos if all 2 yr old claims are supposed to be closed by 19 June. I think it is all a bunch of VA BS.

My claim for 6 contentions, claim date 19 April 2011, was farmed out from Chicago to St. Paul on April 5 2013, at that time 4 contentions disappeared all related to ankle, (Avascular necrosis talas bone), secoundary knees, hip and back problems as well as UI that the VA took it upon themselves to add. E- bennies only shows 2 contentions since low back, and bilateral hearing loss. On April 15 moved from gathering dust to prep. for decision. Has not moved since. Have called and used IRIS multiple times I always get no usefull info. They and my VSO have said for months now wait till the end of May. Well May is nearly gone and I fear that my claim will get lost. I recieved SSDI on the first try. All issues that I was awarded SSDI on are all SC issues. Bet the VA does'nt have any mechanism to check and see if all 2yr old claims will get done.

Claim date 4-19-2011 now over 2 yrs old Claim went to Prep for decision on 4-15-2013 On 4-26-2013 4 contentions disappeared on e-peggy, now only 2 showing contentions....???????

Well thats what I figured my claim will probably sit again for another 3 to 6 months at St. Paul or Milwaukee gathering dust waiting to be rated then go back to Chicago sit on bottom of pile another 6 months, claim will be over 3 years old by then. That's thier ideal of expedited claim.... I was hoping that maybe it was sent to another RO in the Special ops lane due to being 24mos old. I beleive they are trying to do that at times. They should work on claims this old on Saturdays.... Actually they should flag claim at least 24mos old and work on them every day of the week, wishfull thinking. That probably would'nt work either soon every claim will be over 2 years old and lost in the system the way things or going. Its a lost cause..... Will probably be the next decade before decision......

Found out that my 2 yr old claim has been transfered from Chicago to ???? E-peggy says St. Paul to expedite my claim VSO say it is in Milwaulkee RO. Also had document movement, all other item submitted now shows closed as of 04/05/2013 Hope they are moving it appropriately !!!!! At least it is out of Chicago I think that is a good thing.

Checked e-ben 04/05/2013 Orange box requesting more action on my part gone. Forms that were requested earlier all now closed as of 04/08/2013 Looks like the Chicago RO is pretty quick at least this time updating. Also looks like my 2 year old claim has risen from the rating teams desk and has gotten action. Nothin left but to rate it. They probably just did....Watching AB8 letter....

Does anybody know if the VARO in Chicago even updates E-Benefits or how reliable that office is in updating. My claim is almost 24 mos old and has been at the team 2 raters desk for almost 3 mos..

Need cash as soon as possable to live on. Won't recieve SSDI until mid April. The effective date I was not able to work anymore was September 2012. That will be the date VA uses to determine when I became eligable for IU. If I would of know the SSDI info was to get there as soon as it did I would have filed. Any ways can't remember the name of the legal case a couple or so years ago concerning VA and awarding 100% IU. Basicly it stated if the VA has all info including Social Security info on a Vet and it was obvious that IU was gonna be proper then they are encouraged to go ahead and procead with it. I doubt that happens. The Chicago VARO is one of the worst in the country. One should not submit anything again unless you want to go to the bottom of the pile and maybe get lost. I'll let them complete one before the other, the 60% to70% I should be awarded at least along with the SSDI will at least give me my life back. I think I should hear something in the next 30 to 45 days?????

I am hoping that soon the VARO in chicago will rate my claim. Originally filed in January 2010 but VSO submitted paperwork wrong way and VA came up with date of claim as 19 April 2011. Claimed 4 additional contentions currently at 10% for Tinitus. Nov. 6th 2012 had C&P exam. This time it went very well I think my Podiatrist talked to the examener. Primary problem Left ankle talas bone is collapsing, Avascular Necrosis, I have to were a AFO brace to walk will have ankle fused later this spring. Claimed as secoundary to ankle, Spinal disk/back, Blown right knee, and bad right hip. Got copy of C&P exam, Ankle and back, MORE THAN LIKEKY SC, R. Knee and R. Hip AT LEAST AS LIKELY SC. With this and the other statements by Radiologest verify problem as old injury I have no doubt that NEXUS has been established. I have many entries in my Military medical records concerning my left foot and ankle. They even changed my profile while in Okinawa stating I would more than likely not complete 20 yrs of service due to my condition. Anyways on Nov. 7th recieved letter from VA chicago asking if I had any more info to give them and would I like to file for IU since it appears I will be eligable. I missed the call 1 week earlier from VA guess they were going to ask it then. My VSO attached a letter to their letter and we told them to adjudicate all items except IU which I will apply for later. Letter hand carried /recieved by VA on Dec. 7th. 2012. On Dec. 13th VA recieved all info from Social Security, I hav,nt worked since September 2012 and was approved in 5 weeks for SSDI waiting till mid April for 1st SSDI check. I know that as of February 8th 2013 my file was on team 2 desk in Chicago. Checked again last week still there as of March 11th, 2013. Yesturday was 700 days 23 months on this claim date I hope they don,t find a reason to send it back, its hard to stay optimistic....