godelocs

You need to write a statement to support your claim for each condition you are claiming. Whether it was diagnosed in the military may not matter completely. Example, if you know you went to the doctor while on active duty due to a consistent cough that would not go away or because of any other symptoms that could have been due to COPD, then state what those symptoms were. State what the doctor said. What medication was given to you. How long has it lasted and that you still have the problem now. For your knee and your back, state what you were doing when you first hurt your knee and your back. You were jumping on and off of trucks unloading equipment or supplies and you either hurt your knee and back or over time your knee and back began to hurt and it still continues to hurt now. Request an exam if they need further verification from a VA doctor. Make them understand that these disabilities exist and how exactly they began.

I'm sure other's will chime in, but I just wanted to give you a quick answer so you won't be worrying too much. The conditions that were deferred were probably deferred due to not enough evidence. Sometimes even if there is enough evidence they will prefer for an evaluation to be done by your local VA or some other doctor that VA sends you to. This has probably already been done if you've already had C&P exams. If you've just received these letters, just give it a little time and see if you hear anything else from them. If you don't receive anything in 14-30 days, give VA a call and ask if there is anything that you can do to help speed the process along. You do want to allow them the time to get to your deferments, but you don't want to be forgotten about either. Be courteous if you call. You will get so much more accomplished if you aren't ranting and raving. Definitely, contact a representative from a veterans organization to get help if you don't feel comfortable doing things yourself. Putting things in writing is always the best way to go. You could write a short letter/memo asking if there is anything you can do on your end to expedite the process. I see that some things were rated 0-10%. Read the description below the rating to see why it was rated that number and what is necessary for it to be higher. If you feel that it should be higher and you have the medical evidence to show, you can put in for increases whenever you feel like it within one year. If you disagree with the current ratings please file a NOD stating why. There is a form you must use for that. In the meantime continue with doctors appointments to keep your conditions/disabilities up to date. I hope this helps until someone else chimes in. Be blessed. Good luck.

Is anyone else having a peoblem opening the link above?

Another important fact to know, but often doesn't get mentioned is this. If you receive separation with severance pay please know that when you get out and go to VA to file your claim. Whatever your rating is, the VA will first take back the total amount of your severance pay minus the taxes. I make this point to let you know that should you receive a severance pay, do not spend it all at one time. You will not receive a dime of your disability claim award until they have collected all that money. They will hold your disability claim rating funds to pay back the money that you were given for severance pay. That's just some good information for you to have. I've seen many veterans run into this problem and the become very disappointed because it could take years for the VA to collect all that money back.

What about filing requesting a DRO? I've been hearing a lot about this being a first step.

Prayers for Jarrell. God bless him.

Sounds like a lot of extra work for the eaters to me. I'm thinking they probably don't use it much.

It is my understanding that if you have a claim already submitted and add more evidence, it will just be added to your existing claim. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm sure other's will chime in.

Reading these posts in regard to how bad VSO's are in various service organizations could almost make me not want to help veterans at all. The only reason I will continue is because I actually do love what I do. Truth be told, as with anything you have your good and your bad. I don't know how all veterans organizations work but I know that as a member of the AL, I am also the VSO for my Post. I started two years ago and have been working hot and heavy. We are strictly a non profit organization and the work that the service officer does is all volunteer. There is absolutely no money that changes hands for any claim that I do to help a veteran. I use my money to purchase folders, envelops, send off claims using return receipt, and that's just a small portion of what I do. After last year I have decided to cut back because I was literally working and helping veterans with claims everyday. I finally had to tell myself that if this was a "real" job, I would have regular hours. I would be working a regular 9-5, and I would not be working on the weekends and holidays. However; I got calls at all times. Mostly from veterans who would call in the evening when they are getting off work. This after I had been working on cases all during the day. I got calls on holidays to include Christmas and New Year's Eve. If that was a regular job, people would know automatically that there was no need to call because most business are closed. It can become very overwhelming. It's always a learning experience because the rules change so fast that it's a job to even stay up to date on the changes that come down overnight. Everyone thinks their case is the most important but you have to put things into perspective. In the midst of assisting one veteran on an initial claim, I have veterans needing assistance on requesting increases or filing NOD's. I have to explain at times that it will be some time before I can help them with theirs because I have Vietnam Veterans who are not receiving anything. When you take longer than someone feels that you should, they get disgruntled and talk badly about the organization. This makes VSO's not want to even help outsiders. For me it would be much easier to only assist veterans who belong to my Post. At least, that would keep them happy. One person can only do so much. You must also remember that just as you have issues and disabilities, 9x out of 10 your VSO also has disabilities and is trying to work around them to help you. Concentration is an issue for me, but when I'm on a case and focused, I am really good. Then again, there are days when I just can't get focused enough to get anything done. I do it because I love helping others. It gives me a sense of being useful in spite of my disabilities. I have a thirst for knowledge when it comes to the claims process. I spend hours researching and I won't send a claim in unless I feel that I have done all that I can in order to make the claim a successful go the first go around. As we said in the Army. One shot, one kill. That's my goal. I know I cannot save the world and now I know that I would kill myself if I tried. Remember VSO's are human too. If your representative takes longer than you think they should, get to work for yourself. You must help them, help you. Thanks for listening.

Is there a specific form which should be used to file for SMC higher than K? If a veteran meets the criteria for s or r how does the veteran go about requesting consideration for receiving the SMC. Are there any tips for do's and don'ts when filing for SMC?

Thank you hadit. So much valuable information is found here. I couldn't have done many claims without you all.

The veteran can do a lay statement for him/her self. If the VA cannot find a veterans records and the veteran cannot find them, the VA must give the veteran the benefit of the doubt. For each condition being claimed the veteran must in his/her own words describe when (as best they can remember), where they were, what they were doing, that made the condition appear or happen. How it affected them then and how it affects them now. It may be typed up on VA Form 21-4138 (Statement to Support a Claim), or on a regular sheet of paper. Make sure to type all information pertaining to the veteran at the top of the sheet. For example, veterans full name, birth-date, SSN, address and phone number. Add to the packet all medical documentation that supports the claim such as current medical documentation. The veteran's spouse may also do a statement in support of his claim.

Hi and welcome to hadit. You're in the right place to receive some outstanding information from those who have been there in some way or another. Be honest at your appt. You want the rating that your condition deserves. If your records speak for themselves then you need to speak for yourself. Others will chime in. Good luck and God bless.

It is my personal opinion that she hit the nail on the head. Her NEXUS seems to cover all basis and leave no room for any questions. The fact that she threw in there that although the GAF score is no longer used, but your score would have been 30 is priceless. I think this is good for your case. Others will weigh in, I just wanted to post my thoughts to help ease your mind. Good luck and God bless.

Asknod, thanks for the information. It helps a lot. It lets me know there is no need in me going after a dead end with the unemployability just yet. Instead, I will go with trying for a rate increase on those low ball ratings that were given. I will add a few more documents to the claim and make note of how long the issues have been ongoing. I will also direct attention to the fact that the veteran is receiving Social Security Disability and see if that helps.