Retro Denied

[234AR]

I started my claim for medial nerve damage in both wrists in 2003. I was given 2 C&P's (two different doc's) and in 2006 I was given 10% per wrist. Even though one doc rated me between 15-25%. So I appealed this decision and just this week I finally was awarded 20% for the left and 30% for the right (10 years). They based this decision on new evidence in 2012. With that said they denied me Retro pay before February 1, 2012 by claiming there wasn't "sufficient medical evidence" prior to February 1, 2012. How can they deni the Retro pay when the claim was filed in 2003 and was on continued appeal since 2006? Also the appeal was based upon the VA ignoring the the C&P doc's recomendation 2006. Do I have a valid appeal for the Retro pay?

[jbasser]

Yes you do, File a NOD and challenge the decision.

J

[broncovet]

The effective date is the later of the "date of claim" or the "facts found", that is, the date the doc said you were disabled.

The VA often cites "the date of the C and P exam" as the "facts found". However, this suggests you went to a C and P exam healthy, and somehow "got disabled" when the doc examined you, an unlikely event.

The C and P examiner should have given a date to which he attributed your condition. However, when he does not the Va often uses the C and P exam date.

This suggests you applied for benefits "predicting" you would be disabled at a later date. Hogwash. You already had symptoms before you applied and the VA doc confirmed it.

It may take another medical opinion to refute that effective date.

[234AR]

The February 2012 C&P doc stated I could do sedentary work, ironically by job was 80% sedendtary and I became unemployed in June 2012 due to my disabilities and my wrists being one of them. Every month while at the VA I get a copy of all medical notes for the month. In November there is a note that the BVA sent an email to the C&P doc asking if he rated me at minimum, medium or severe and he said medium. They based their final decision on that email from the doc and electronic records from 2001-2012. And I have the C&P doc from 2006 stating minimum to medium disability 15-25%. I was orginally fighting for 20-30% and that is what I finally received, but now I'm unemployed and can't work. I figure it should be higher than that now plus the retro.....thanks for your comments

Edited January 3, 2013 by 234AR

[Berta]

If I were you I would refer to,in the NOD and attach with it, a filled out TDIU form 21-8940.

There is info here as to how to fill out that form.

Broncovet is correct:

"The VA often cites "the date of the C and P exam" as the "facts found". However, this suggests you went to a C and P exam healthy, and somehow "got disabled" when the doc examined you, an unlikely event. "

I saw a few DMII diagnoses here at hadit that were initially made during a C & P exam and felt maybe the vet should have filed a Sec.1151 too,if all of their medical care had been from the VA.

Many disabilities like DMII have numerous medical red flags and symptoms,often prior to formal and proper diagnosis.

VA pulled that BS in my award letter last year and I quibbled with the EED with NVLSP but it was an 1151 EED , that Nehmer didn't cover, so I let that one go...I.had a bigger fish to fry with the decision anyhow......

Can you scan and attach the VA's Evidence list and their Reasons and Bases regarding that decision here? Cover the personal identifying stuff first.

Have you applied for SSDI?

[234AR]

what is the DMII? I won't be able to get it scanned until tomorrow. And yes I have just been given an attorney to help with my SSDI claim. What baffles me is they award me 20-30% for the wrists but since the C&P in February 2012 I became unemployed and still am. I sent this info with a NOD in reply to the SSOC and when I received the award letter they tell me I can appeal it. I thought that's what I was doing.

Edited January 4, 2013 by 234AR

[234AR]

I'm trying to find where I can upload a PDF file of my SSOC, any suggestions?