Akay

Broncovet, I understand how the military works, as I completed multiple years of service prior to becoming a non-participant. When my husband, an Army combat veteran who served three tours overseas, shot himself in the head, my main priority was our children....not drill. I struggled with his death but showed up during the week to make up the battle assembly days I missed due to my childcare issues. As I stated, the commander allowed this. When we got a new one, he didn't. I didn't ask to be a single parent. I asked for a transfer or discharge multiple times, but nothing happened. I did what I could, but the Army isn't more important than my children. I loved my time in the Army and I wish it could have been different, but it didn't play out that way for me. I was an exemplary solider prior to my husband's death. Thanks for the lecture on how the military works though.

Hamslice, I've submitted both of my DD214s for the COE, however since the VA is aware that I had service in the reserves, I believe that is why they're asking for a statement of service. I suppose I will just either submit what I have or will consider filing a DD215. Thanks for the response.

I hope this is the correct place to put this, if not- my apologies. I was in the Army Reserves. In 2012 I had two periods of active duty. During the first period of active duty I had what I know now to be amyopathic dermatomyositis. This condition still effects me to this day. In 2013 I was rated for this condition and a few others, totaling 80%. In 2017 I was reevaluated and I am now at 90%. I have two DD214s, one for each period of AD and each with an honorable discharge. Here's my problem- I went to apply for a COE for a VA Home Loan. They asked for a statement of service as the Army Reserve does not issue a DD214 at the end of contract. I contacted my unit and they told me they would get me one, but that my characterization will be other than honorable. Back story: In 2013 I became a single parent of my two infant children, this made attending drill nearly impossible, as I did not live around family and could not find someone to watch my children. My unit did not provide child care during drill (some in my area did, but they would never let me transfer). They let me make up my missed days during the week for awhile (when my kids could go to day care), but this only lasted as long as the commander would allow it. When the commander changed, I was a non-participant for the remainder of my contract, however I would attend yearly medical appointments per their request. This had something to do with my "status," and someone basically explained to me it was for their readiness numbers and if I didn't complete the appointments I would mess them up. Basically- I did what I could in the situation I was given. The OTH discharge was somewhat of a surprise, because I was told by the old 42A (HR person) in my unit that my characterization would just be 'general', but alas, that person is no longer there. I guess I'm the idiot that didn't get this document when I should have. Basically my question is- will the VA eliminate my existing disability because of this new characterization? I'm not even sure they will be aware, unless I submit it for the COE. Should I submit this for the COE, is there any chance I will be approved for the COE with an OTH discharge and two prior honorable discharges? I was under the impression that I had over the amount of days required for a COE with my active duty days, I didn't expect the VA to ask for a statement of service. Any advice? I'm at a point where I'm wondering if I should leave this alone or submit a statement of service with an OTH discharge. Thanks. Update: Army HRC had already issued me a general discharge under honorable conditions, I found this document by purely by chance on Milconnect. 42A at my unit basically had no idea about anything.

Hey everyone, I was rated at 80% in 2014. My highest rating is for a skin rash that covers about half of my body and requires constant systemic steroids. For this skin rash I am rated at 60% (which is the highest of all my SC issues). This rash initially occurred during active duty in 2012 and for the past five years doctors have just treated the rash and given me all the prednisone I could ever want. In 2015 I developed migraines. I began suffering from chronic fatigue, and I began experiencing muscle pain and weakness. Long story short- I recently saw a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with amyopathic dermatomyositis. The amyopathic dermatomyositis is basically the rash I have displayed for years, except no one ever knew that. The migraines, muscle weakness and fatigue are also common issues in people who have amyopathic dermatomyositis. I have wanted to apply for TDIU since 2015, however I didn't feel I had enough medical information to link all these issues together, and I also didn't have a diagnosis other than a basic rash. Now that I have new information regarding my SC rash, I want to apply for TDIU. I'm a bit nervous as to how these ratings might be combined. For example, my current rating is under DC 7806 and the rating for dermatomyositis is under 7821. I take chronic steroids, so under 7806 and 7821 I'd be 60%. If I file a new claim for the dermatomyositis will the ratings from DC 7806 and 7821 be combined, or will it basically just be the changing of some verbage on my claim (7806 would switch to 7821)? I don't see anything that says 7806 and 7821 cannot be combined. Like a lot of people, I dread opening the flood gates to my VA claims and risking my already 80%. Any info/advice on my questions or TDIU in general are so much appreciated. Thanks!