New claims while waiting out appeals.

[Andyman73]

Question for you smart folks.  Do you recommend I wait to file new claims till after my appeals play out? That would mean waiting 3-5 years before filing new claims, right?  I am looking at filing for SI joint pain, secondary to other issues as noted by my pain management doctor at my VAMC.  I have been in treatment for this almost a year now, did PT, got pain mediating injections, now getting bent by chiropractor, got appointment scheduled to try accupuncture..as well.  All this at my VAMC.

Also looking to file for breathing issues as related to chronic sinus problems..which started shortly after reporting to my first duty station...just loved breathing aircraft exhaust every day.

Thanks,

Andy

[Andyman73]

Gastone,

I went to sick call every time the OTC meds weren't cutting it. I think half a dozen times or more, not including bronchitis/URI and pneumonia.  

But also my MOS would be the key, since being in the aircraft maintenance field sorta necessitated being where the birds were. That was how I got my tinnitus 10% right out the box, first try.

I think I've gone to my private dr for same, once or twice a year ever since. Again only going whenever OTC meds don't work.

That should be enough of a paper trail, that and the paperwork from the ENT specialist in early next year.

[Gastone]

What's your thinking now, as far as filing New Claims while Appeals pending?

I've only had the (1) actual DRO Hearing in 06/14. Continued to file New Claims as DX's were ID'd. Did the New Claims cause the 4.25 yr wait for my DRO, can't really say. However, the New Claims got me from the original 10% SC (09/09) to 90% (02/11).

As long as you win the Appeal, what's another yr or so, just more Retro. If you have a condition or actual DX that you think is a Direct or Secondary Claim, File an FDC yesterday.

Semper Fi

[Buck52]

yes I recommend file for any claim you have,if we don't file we don't get the benefits.   even if its just a 10% rating they all add up.

I believe its just myth about if we file a claim while we have another claim going will delay that claim. there going to look at each claim separate anyway and they have to decide our claims  and its anyones guess as to how long that may take.....again just a crap shoot.

[Andyman73]

Well, we all know that the appeals can take 5 years. So do I wait another 4 plus years, and then file new claims, which basically means suffer from these things while getting nowhere with no claims.

I do know I had/have constant ongoing sinus issues that started within the first 2 years of my enlistment, or about a year after beginning my near daily exposure to JP and exhaust. And I'm sure that also contributed to my sleep issues and hypertension as well.

This may well be my ticket to getting my SA SC. As it did for Hadit member EODOC, so it may well for me.

Gastone, I think you told me, way back, that sometime you have to go a different route to get the SC. I know I've been going about all wrong, hence all my claims being denied for the last 16 months, and getting turned down by 4 different lawyers. So what do I have to lose?

[Gastone]

Exactly!

As to the Lawyer turn downs, they were all 20%r's, right? Very difficult to get a "For Fee" Lawyer to sign on, if the Retro Pot of Gold 20% Fee, is small. How many months of Retro, do you figure?

You indicate your 80% SC, what's your actual SC ??% before rounding?

Semper Fi

[Andyman73]

Not sure about the NOVA lawyer, but the other 3 are 20%ers.

Claim was filed in 9/15, I think, because the C&P was 11/03/15. So I'm thinking 14-15 months as of today, for retro. If I only get bumped to 90%, the retro wouldn't be much. But if it gets me to ?%, then the retro would be over 20K$ already. And that's only up till now, would be much much larger a few years down the slow-a$$ appeal road.

Not sure exactly, I think my actual rate is between 75-80.