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ptsd Decide My Claim - take it back! please take it back!
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OffGridGrunt
Okay so recently I was looking at my unchanging claims status and noticed the "Decide My Claim" button. I called my VSO (the DAV) and asked about the button and if I could/should push it. My VSO told me that since all the DBQs were in there was no reason not to - so I did. I now believe this was a big mistake. I had initiated "decide my claim" option prior to looking at the DBQs that were in my medical record. One of my DBQs was not what I had expected it to be and now I'd really like to put in new/more documentation as it seems that the only evidence to be considered for my claim is the DBQ/C&P which was guided by out dated and inaccurate information.
The first question/issue I need to tackle is whether or not I can open my claim back up for evidence, and if I can how do I initiate this process. I am far less concerned about causing my claim to take longer to be decided as I am with it being the most complete and fully developed as I can. I am definitely feeling like I walked into this thoroughly unprepared and misguided as to what a fully developed claim really is; I'm learning though.
I am wondering/hoping there is some way for me to build a body of evidence to address and suppliment some troubles I see on the horizon after reading my DBQ - specifically in regards to my claim for a PTSD increase. In addition to adding specific treatment records that very clearly support my claim, I'm wondering if I am able to submit as evidence some sort of Statement of Case letter.
I've come to realize that when I initiated this claims process I was very naive and had no idea what a fully developed claim was. I'm hoping that I can rectify this situation before my claim goes to some sort of decision.
Any direction and/or assistance in turning this around and reopening things so that I can correct my mistakes would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any input or direction you may have,
OGG
------ Addendum ----------
So after some significant research online I seemed to have found many of the answers I was looking for. The first thing I've found is that I've been doing a horrible job representing myself and I have been doing a significant injustice to the claims I've submitted over the years. It is now so very clear why I've struggled so much getting even the most modest rating for issues that I should have had service connected years ago. I was simply saying "hey check me for this" and letting the VA do the rest. I had no concept of forming my own case and gathering my own evidence to support my claims. This is exactly why I've been stuck at a rating of 30% for PTSD when I should have easily rated 70% or higher. I now see why claims that should have been no problem and easily proved amounted to nothing and ended in denial after denial. I finally get it. I know what I have to do on my end of things and I now see that it is MY responsibility to insure that a proper accounting of all the facts takes place. I really feel like a dunce but at the same time relieved.
Now I simply need to figure out how to bring my current claim back into the gathering evidence phase so that I can do the work that I now realize I need to do. I'm actually lucky because I really enjoy doing this type of thing, I just never realized that I was in fact the one who was supposed to be doing it!
Edited by OffGridGruntDid some research, realized I've been blind
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OffGridGrunt
Okay so recently I was looking at my unchanging claims status and noticed the "Decide My Claim" button. I called my VSO (the DAV) and asked about the button and if I could/should push it. My VSO told
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