December 16 2015 I finally got 100% permanent and total thanks to Under Secretary Allison Hickey and Staff. Words cannot express my gratitude. July 2013 started compensation claim June 2 2014 got married filled out dependency claim. June 2 2014 The VA approved my dependency claim but instead of closing the dependency claim... They closed my open compensation claim June - March 2015 multiple calls to VA, VFW, Congressmen no action March of 2015 I contacted Under Secretary Allison Hickey, Next day she responds and gets the ball rolling.. In May 2015 they increased me from 40% to 60% and lumped all my disabilities into fibromyalgia and only back paid me to June 2014 instead of July 2013 40% is the max disability rating for fibromyalgiafibromyalgia (includes headaches, depression/sleep disturbance/anxiety, fatigue, irritable bowel, stiffness, weakness, numbness, muscle pain, and joint pain of hips/buttocks, wrists/hands, arms, knees/legs, shoulders, neck, and ankles)40%Service ConnectedEnvironmental Hazard in Gulf War 06/02/2014 degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine (previously DC 5237)40%Service Connected 06/02/2014May of 2015 I contacted Under Secretary Allison Hickey staff and they put a rush on my appeal December 16 2015 I finally got 100% permanent and total Quote Edit