Hello, first time posting in these forums.
I'll briefly explain my situation and elaborate with additional posts as needed.
Me: 28 year old MO Army Guard still currently in (ETSing May 2017). I served in Iraq as a combat engineer in 07-08 and Afghanistan in 09-10.
My former platoon sgt is now a VSO that I think set me up for failure. He submitted claims with out really telling me what I needed to develop my claim in order to "win".
Claims submitted 06/22/15:
bilateral hearing loss (connected 0%)
tinnitus (connected 10%)
Anxiety disorder (Not service connected)
Right wrist pain (Not service connected)
Left knee pain (Not service connected)
IBS (connected 0%)
I have had little to no military or civilian medical treatment to substantiate these claims as I was a stubborn grunt, so it would make since most were denied. I appealed the anxiety disorder and the IBS rating. I had a C&P for IBS 07/19/2016 that went very well. I do have a single record from a civilian provider supporting my IBS as well as a burn pit letter. Not sure if that's going to be enough to put me at 30% though.
I have a C&P 07/27/2016 for PTSD, but what concerns me is that I am wasting my appeal. I have nothing in my military or civilian medical records really diagnosing PTSD. I do meet some screeners from the VA, but there is nothing glaring. Is there anything I can do before this appointment to strengthen my claim?
My main questions are:
Did I screw myself by allowing more than a year to pass regarding my knee/wrist appeals?
Is there any way to add more medical evidence after the post appeal C&P is done? (ebenefits?)
What else can I do to help my cause?
I can't thank you all enough for what I have already learned and am sure will continue to learn. Your help is truly invaluable.