dereekbanks

I can't remember the persons name I saw, but yes indeed; its a small world!

@ loki: No it wasn't a quick report at all. My session went the same as yours did. Same questions and discussion and all. I went to an office building located at 1720 Peachtree. Near the Amtrak Station north of downtown Atlanta next to 75/85. Where was your's?

To complete Part B of the applicattion. . . the section that has to be completed by a medical professional, can I just go to any doctor, have them do an exam and ask them to complete that section or does it have to be a doc that saw me while I was active? I'm having trouble figuring out how to get the portion completed.

But won't that delay my claim? Isn 't my C-file being used by whomever is working on my claim? (Forgive my question. I just learned that there was a such thing as a C-file a few weeks ago on this site!)

Thanks for the replies!!! VA told me I have to wait until a decision has been made on the claim and it has been closed to get a copy of the C & P Exam. Being an optimist, I look at everything as a good sign so I appreciate the feed back that provides a different view point! I had my 2nd Exam on the 28th of Nov for PTSD. The exam lasted about 45 mins to an hour and I think it went well. At the end of the exam when asked if I had any questions, I asked what her thoughts were based on my records, which were on her desk in front of her and our conversation. The examiner stated that I do indeed have PTSD and it is more likely than not caused by the same accident I got my current sc'd injuries from. She said that her report will state the same but VA makes the final decision. So now hopefully my claim will move to the decision phase and I will get a brown envelope in the mail!!!

Hey Loki! I'm here in Atlanta as well!!! I called QTC and was told wait until a decision is made and get copies from the VA. I'll just be patient and see what happens!!!

Hello all! I went to my C & P exam today. It was for a claim to have my current rating of 40% awarded back in 2003 raised. I think it went well. . . I think . . I entered the waiting area, went to the desk and handed the secretary the documents that QTC sent me to complete prior to my appt. I sat down and waited about 10 minutes and was called back at exactly 1:00pm as scheduled. I was given my check for travel, weighted, asked about the most I have weighted over the past year, had my blood pressure checked then escorted to a room to wait on the doctor. After waiting about 10 mins the doctor knocked and stuck his head in the door and said he would be with me in a few more minutes. I then heard him in knock and enter the room next to me. He and the patient in that room talked about the problems that guy was having and what he did in the military. They then started laughing out loud and the doctor started saying what a small world it was because his father (whom is Korean) worked with the same unit this guy was apart of. They laughed some more as they moved into the hall outside my room door, said goodbyes then the doctor entered my room He introduced himself, looked over my paperwork and asked if the VA knew about my injury. I said yes. He then said that is why they only want one x-ray. He asked me to stand and touch my toes. I bent forward until I felt pain and stopped. He said wow, your in bad shape. He told me to lean back and to both sides. I sat down and he attempted to straighten my left leg, I jerked back due to pain and he said the VA should not have even bothered sending me to him because clearly I have severe nerve root compression. He did the same to the other leg and I could not lift it at all without leaning back to do so. He then asked if I had hemorrhoids or bleeding in my rectum. I said no. He asked me to stand and drop my pants. He helped me up and wen to get a glove. I pulled my pants just below my buttocks and he saw my TENS unit and wires going to my back and asked if it was VA issued, I said yes. He said forget the anal exam pull your pants up this is ridiculous. He then asked how far I had to travel to get to his office. I told him about 50 miles. He apologized for me having to drive that far and said the VA should see these things every time I go see my primary care doctor. He then asked me what about some papers I brought with me, I told him they were my medical records and a list of medicines I take in-case he needed to review them. He looked at my list of prescriptions, said wow as he put his hand on his jaw said the side effects alone from my meds would render me unemployable. He asked if they made me dizzy and sleepy. I said yes. He said I probably cannot climb stairs or walk too far either. I said that is also true, nor can I be intimate with my wife anymore or do anything physical with the family. He said don't worry, he will write it up so that the VA will have to take care of me and give me proper compensation. He started jotting down notes about my range of motion being very poor, my TENS unit and meds. He told me to take my time gathering my stuff and that was it. There was no need for x-rays because the VA already has numerous sets and he would write it up so that it will be a no-brainer for the VA. He then shook my had and walked out All this occurred in less than 10 minutes. Is it really that easy. . . I'm still sitting here in disbelief!! Some feed back would be nice on this one!!! How long do I have to wait before I can get a copy of those records?

I also have another QTC C & P for PTSD on the 28th of his month then an appointment on the 7th of Dec for Social Security. . . Wish me luck!

Hello all! I went to my C & P exam today. . . I think it went well. . . I think . . . I entered the waiting area, went to the desk and handed the secretary the documents that QTC sent me to complete prior to my appt. I sat down and waited about 10 minutes and was called back at exactly 1:00pm as scheduled. I was given my check for travel, weighted, asked about the most I have weighted over the past year, had my blood pressure checked then escorted to a room to wait on the doctor. After waiting about 10 mins the doctor knocked and stuck his head in the door and said he would be with me in a few more minutes. I then heard him in knock and enter the room next to me. He and the patient in that room talked about the problems that guy was having and what he did in the military. They then started laughing out loud and the doctor started saying what a small world it was because his father (whom is Korean) worked with the same unit this guy was apart of. They laughed some more as they moved into the hall outside my room door, said goodbyes then the doctor entered my room. He introduced himself, looked over my paperwork and asked if the VA knew about my injury. I said yes. He then said that is why they only want one x-ray. He asked me to stand and touch my toes. I bent forward until I felt pain and stopped. He said wow, your in bad shape. He told me to lean back and to both sides. I sat down and he attempted to straighten my left leg, I jerked back due to pain and he said the VA should not have even bothered sending me to him because clearly I have severe nerve root compression. He did the same to the other leg and I could not lift it at all without leaning back to do so. He then asked if I had hemorrhoids or bleeding in my rectum. I said no. He asked me to stand and drop my pants. He helped me up and wen to get a glove. I pulled my pants just below my buttocks and he saw my TENS unit and wires going to my back and asked if it was VA issued, I said yes. He said forget the anal exam pull your pants up this is ridiculous. He then asked how far I had to travel to get to his office. I told him about 50 miles. He apologized for me having to drive that far and said the VA should see these things every time I go see my primary care doctor. He then asked me what about some papers I brought with me, I told him they were my medical records and a list of medicines I take in-case he needed to review them. He looked at my list of prescriptions, said wow as he put his hand on his jaw said the side effects alone from my meds would render me unemployable. He asked if they made me dizzy and sleepy. I said yes. He said I probably cannot climb stairs or walk too far either. I said that is also true, nor can I be intimate with my wife anymore or do anything physical with the family. He said don't worry, he will write it up so that the VA will have to take care of me and give me proper compensation. He started jotting down notes about my range of motion being very poor, my TENS unit and meds. He told me to take my time gathering my stuff and that was it. There was no need for x-rays because the VA already has numerous sets and he would write it up so that it will be a no-brainer for the VA. He then shook my had and walked out. All this occurred in less than 10 minutes. As I left all of his staff opened doors for me and waited with me as my wife pulled the car to the door. Is it really that easy. . . I'm still sitting here in disbelief!!! Some feed back would be nice on this one!!! How long do I have to wait before I can get a copy of those records?

Thanks for the advice GulfVet! My wife completed the PTSD letter today. I contacted a few guys from my unit, hopefully they will come through for me. I received my QTC notification today. I'm scheduled for a C&P exam on the 21st of Nov. The letter states that the exam is for the increase in my current sc condition. I've been reading up on these exams. I found some good advice on here. Thanks to all that have posted their experience and knowledge on everything VA!!! My last C&P exam was in 2003! Hopefully I won't let my pride overshadow my injury and blow it.

@ Justrluk: I'm not working. I have not worked since April of this year. . . I did not retire from the military if that is what you mean. I was injured in '02 discharged in '03 and awarded 40% by the VA in '04. I took the 40%, found work and never looked back. Over the years I realized I could only do certain types of work due to my injury and I could never keep a job too long. One day my wife pointed out the numerous problems that I had since my discharge so I eventually went to the VA and started getting diagnosed with stuff I never thought I suffered from such as depression. The side effects from my meds, pain in my back, headaches and memory problems have gotten the best of me. I can't work any more! So I guess I can say I'm retired. I am familiar with your posts. I read through them before filing my claim. It was apart of my research when determining if I wanted a rep or not. Thx!!! @ Chuck75: I kinda figured it was a 'cut and paste' / generic packet after reading through it because everything they asked for, I submitted with my original statement attached to the initial claim. So before I went to the Regional Office to submit the evidence they requested on the 18th of this month, I simply opened saved file I typed back in July as my statement following the guidelines on the link I posted and hit print. I then grabbed one of the 5 prebundled copies of my medical records walked out the door. In essence, I gave them the same thing twice just in case the first stack of documents got misplaced. I did not know any thing about the political issues surrounding TDIU. I just Googled it and came across some interesting stuff. That makes sense now! I'll keep you posted on my progress.

July 07, 2011 Claim filed for: memory lossinsomniapost traumatic stress disorderhypertension (claimed as hypertensive vascular disease)sleep apneageneralized anxiety disordermajor depressive disorderchronic adjustment disorder and I asked for and increase in my sc condition: s/p low back injury with posterior (small) disc herniation and IVD at L4-L5 with degenerative changes at L1-L2L4-L5 spinal nerve involvement with paralysisleft lower (claimed as back injury) October 14, 2011 Received brown envelope with several documents that read: "Complete and return an enclosedVA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information... Send any treatment records pertinent to your claimed condition(s),especially those which are recent… We need evidence showing that the following condition(s) existed frommilitary service to the present time: chronic adjustment disorder, major depressivedisorder, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed ashypertensive vascular disease), post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia,memory loss… As we consider your claim, youmay submit evidence showing that your service-connected L4-L5 spinal nerveinvolvement with paralysis, left lower (claimed as back injury), s/p low backinjury with posterior (small) disc herniation and IVD at L4-L5 with degenerativechanges at L1-L2 [[has][have]] increased in severity… We need specific details of thecombat related incident(s) that resulted in post-traumatic disorder (PTSD)…" You may be entitled to compensation at the 100 percent rate if you areunable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because ofyour service-connected disabilities. If you believe you qualify, complete,sign, and return the enclosed VA Form 21-8940, Veterans Application forIncreased Compensation Based on Unemployability." I expected to receive all of the above except for the last one. Is it normal for the VA so just voluntarily send someone a for for TDIU when they did not file a claim for it? October 18, 2011 Went to VA Regional Office and submitted all forms and evidence requested, including the application for TDIU. Notes: I filed my claim following the guidelines posted at http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/step_7.html. I included my service medical records, current records from the VA hospital and the outpatient clinic the VA referred me to, where a Psychiatrist officially diagnosed me with all of the mental issues I filed a claim for. On October 20, 2011 I went to the SS office and applied for SSI and SSDI under the Military Causality Service Case (MSCC) rule which expedites cases for veterans injured after October 1, 2011 while on active duty. So now I wait. . .

From my understanding the VA will pay whichever is higher, compensation or pension, but not both. According to the Pension table shown here,http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/pen01.htm, a vet with one dependent receives $15,493 plus $2,020 for each additional child. I have a wife and 4 children. That equates to $23,573 or $1,964 per month. In order to receive that amount in compensation I would have to be rated at 90%. I don't think the VA will rate me at 90% without a fight. I don't mind fighting for it, but I would like to receive more than the $736 a month I am receiving now while I am fighting for that higher percentage. I have no other income. Does anyone know if compensation is counted as income? Even if it is. . . $736 a month = $8,832 per year If you deduct this amount from the pension amount I would receive, $23,573 - $8,832 = $14,741 $14,741 divided by 12 = $1,228 which is still almost double what I receive now. T8r yes, I served over two years after 9/11 active duty and my wife has no income. So based on all of the above, income wise, I should qualify right? And back to my original question; Would a pension claim, slow down my compensation claim?

40% is correct! Thanks for all the info!

I have a new claim for SC PTSD that has been in the development phase for a couple of months now. I just learned about the VA Pension. If I file a claim for pension, will it slow my claim for compensation or does the pension claims go through a different route. I ask because I don't want to see my compensation claim move into the decision phase then get moved back to development because I filed a pension claim. Thanks in advance!!!