E-4 Marine

Hi all, I filed a claim for low back and tinnitus back on January 2011. Since filing I have had two C&Ps for the tinnitus and one C&P for my back. Yesterday I received a brown envelope that had the following under the “What We Decided” section: We determined that the following condition was related to your military service, so service connection has been granted: Medical Description Percentage Assigned (%) Effective Date Tinnitus 10% JAN 2011 ** We have deferred a decision on the following issue because we need additional information or evidence: Low Back Condition I just wanted to get everyone’s feedback to the VA deferring a decision on my back. Is this good or bad sign? Look forward to everyone’s thoughts. Thanks, Oli

Hi everyone, I had a C&P for my lower back yesterday and wanted to provide some insight for those who might have an upcoming C&P for a lower back issue. The examiner came out to meet in the waiting area, where it appeared he was monitored how I got up from my chair and how I walked to the exam room. Once we entered the exam room he looked at my file and asked the following questions: when did the injury first occur, last time I was seen for my back by the VA or outside clinician, and medications and procedures that I have had. He continued to read my chart and entered some things into the computer. While reading my chart he asked that I remove my shoes and shirt in preparation for the exam. He asked to me to face the wall away from him and he checked the alignment of my spine for abnormal curvatures. He then had me lay down on the examination table and asked that I perform alternate foot raises. I then sat up and he checked reflexes in my knees, ankles, and performed the Babinski test. I was asked to stand and he explained that he will check my ROM (goniometer was available). I faced the wall; he checked my ROM lateral, front, and back, then he asked that I kept my hip straight and twist my back like I was reaching for something behind me and he measured that ROM. With every ROM he asked that “Is that the farthest you can go?” I replied yes sir. He asked me to sit down on the examination table again he performed a pin prick test to see if I can feel the sensation of a pin pricking the sides of my legs. At this point he informed me that all ROM checks are done twice. So he had me stand up face the wall and perform the ROM movements again. At that point I was told that the examination portion of the C&P was done and that I could get dressed and put my shirt and shoes back on. I sat down on the chair and he asked me questions that appeared to be on the DBQ form (i.e. how do injury affect veterans daily living, job, how much weeks have I missed from work due to the injury, etc…) He then ordered an x-ray of my back and said that I was done and accompanied me to the waiting area. In general the appointment was about 50 minutes long must of which was spent answering questions. I would urge veterans to review the questions on Spine examination sheet and DBQ form; wear loose fitting clothes (especially shoes) that can be removed easily. The examiner monitors your every move even when it seems like they are distracted entering something in the computer. Know your ROMs (before the exam test your ROM so you know your limitations and be sure that you can repeat the ROM consistently, when asked). Lastly be polite to everyone and thank them for their time and care for veterans. I have to add that the C&P examiner was very nice and seemed like he cared. Semper Fi, Oli

Hi everyone, I was on ebenefits and came across a “Disability Claims Questionaire” form. I have never heard of this questionaire before and was hoping that someone can provide some insight. Unless, I understood it incorrectly it seems as if the VA is marketing it as a way for veterans to obtain a C&P from clinicians outside of the VA. Has anyone had any experience with using a questionnaire? Here is the link: http://benefits.va.gov/TRANSFORMATION/disabilityexams/index.asp Semper Fi, Oli

I agree with Vynce’s point regarding ability to contact the RO without having to go through IRIS. I also think that there should be some type of email notification sent to users that would notify of a status change in their claim status. This would prevent users from having to log in everyday just to check if there is a change in the status of there claim.

Hi everyone thanks for the feedback. When I sent in my initial request for SMR I sent it to Quantico, VA. I received a letter from Quantico that stated that they did not have my medical records and that they would request from St. Louis. Being diligent I also submitted a request to St.Louis. I then followed-up with a call and spoke with a rep who confirmed that my records were there and that they were working on obtaining my file. After six more calls in four months with the same response I finally gave up. On another note, I spoke with VA and they confirmed that my C&P for my back has not been scheduled yet. I guess its back to the end of the line.

Hi all, My name is Oli and I am a Marine Corps Veteran. First of all, thank you to all the veterans and spouses on this site for your service and assistance to veterans. On October 2010, I requested my SMR from St. Louis to obtain records for my claim. After four months of following up with no luck and not receiving the records I called the VA in Jan 2011 and made an informal claim for hearing loss/tinnitus and chronic lower back pain. In early February, I decided to take matters into my own hands and requested a copy of my C-file and luckily the records that I needed were in my C-file, so I was able to submit my claim via the DAV on FEB 22nd. I was surprised when I received a duty to assist letter on February 23rd that stated that a "medical examination has been scheduled” under the heading “what have we done.” On March 03rd, I received a letter that a C&P was scheduled. I called my DAV rep, who confirmed that it was for both hearing loss/tinnitus and chronic lower back pain. Went for my C&P on this past Friday, and they informed me that I was only scheduled for a C&P for the hearing loss/tinnitus. So I just wanted to know whether the VA usually schedules a C&P on different days as I was claiming two separate conditions, or was this an error on their part? Also is it a bad sign that a C&P has been scheduled for hearing and not for my back? P.S. Five months later, still no SMR from ST. Louis. Semper Fi, Oli