[Retro Is Not A Gift!]

Still, unfortunately so many us were just alike. Wanting to get on with our lives, never realizing how the VA screwed the Vet when he needed help.

[Can I Claim Sinusitis]

The answer is yes. Check out Diseases Of The Nose and Throat. Disability Code 6510 through 6514. Also VA Form 21-0960N-4. DBQ for Sinus.

[Effective Claim Dates - Not Sure Why]

rootbeer22 check C-file close. My first claim seemed to be lost also. Resubmitted years later. Finally got C-File and guess what. Claim had been deferred; original date is as good as gold. Still working on final outcome.

[Question Regarding Dr Bash]

For some of us it is about the fight and for others it is about getting what we are due and moving on with our life.

[Va Rating Reviewed For Compliance With Laws And Regulations]

Go and read both issues. They are required to use the rating that provides the highest rating to you. States so on the rating criteria.

[Personal Account Of Incident]

Ranger. Put your lay statement into a sworn affidavit. This should/may increase the value of your statement. Stay strong and good luck.

[Help With Self Advocating For My Dro]

Concur with Gastone. Get a VA Accredited Lawyer. He will earn his 20%.

[I Need Letters From Vets That Had Contact With Petroleum Chemicals On The Job, Active Duty]

You need these letters from the people you worked with. I don't think letters on the chemicals have any value. You can get all the information in the world by searching Trichloroethylene and the others. Try the EPA and CDC. Look for superfund clean up sites.

I will send you my email by PM. I will then send you many links.

[Fight With Evidence You Have]

I desired to get my claim approved and over with instead of fighting

with the VA. I went with the IME. Still waiting final out come.

[Prepare For Bva Hearing]

I suggest you consider a VA lawyer. You may be surprised what a good one will do with those notes. I was.

[Iu For Meneires]

No to IU. I am 5 years on the claim. Just completed DRO Hearing. I am going at 100% on the vertigo.

[Iu For Meneires]

I suggest you get your Doc to tell how it effects your daily life. I would also put your own words in a sworn statement. Then get

statements from family member's how it effects your daily life. I have this issue pending and this is our game plan plus an IME. I also have letters from ENT Doc and Primary Care Doc.

[Appeal At Bva Stay With Vso Or Get Atty]

Agree with K9MAL.

[Another Email To Allison Hickey]

Do any of you think going to the top may get old for the top two and then it could get really old for the RO and others at the RO. A letter to the VSC Manager got action for me. During my 23 years active duty and 16 years in field service management, the last thing I wanted was a call from up the line telling me to get something done.

[Appeal With Dro Over 6 Months]

How true. VSO gave no advice, no education, 18 months and no C-File. Dropped VSO, got a lawyer, Things changed, C-File in 30 days. New words from the VA. i.e. we will work with your attorney to resolve your claim. I think VSO's like to play lawyer at the appeals board and they are not very good at that. Let them help with the initial claim. Any appeal, find a good Vet Lawyer.

[Weary Of E-Benefits Requests.]

I would ask the attorney to address the issue with the Veteran's Service Manager at the RO.

[My Hadit Story]

Bertha, thanks. I got some of my knowledge from your posts. Last VA action on the 3 issues was to defer my claim with adjudication required.

I actually refiled 2 of the issues with my 2009 claim. I am expecting an informal conference, with those 2 issues being pushed to 1978 as an effective date, 3rd issue is all over the last seven years of my medical records. Issue may require an additional C&P.

This firm has been able to assist a friend of mine that I referred to them. VSO's were no help to him either. The firm has a section that only works with VA issues. At this stage they seem to be really on top of dealing with the VA. I make this comment using much of the information I have got from this forum.

I can not thank the folks on this forum enough for all of the great advice put here. YES, that include's dealing with the legal firm.

[My Hadit Story]

Found hadit in Dec 2009 during researching for my claim. Been lurking and getting educated the past four years.

My claims;

3 Items, Oct 1978. Never adjudicated.

9 Items, June 2009. Denied; DRO Review Denied Dec 2011. Appeal Filed.

8 Items, April 2010. Denied July 2012.

**At this stage I listened to my wife and signed on with an attorney.**

Filed NOD on July 2012 Denied items, electing DRO Hearing, informal or formal.

At last, a DRO hearing is scheduled for early January 2015.

My expectations are for an overall rating of 70-100, plus an SMC. This is based on attorney comments and item’s uncovered in the C-File along with some C&P Exam comments

.

My advice to everyone seeking help. Read and Reread every post and the comments. A topic may not appear to help you; but, the information being provided may help you.

My opinion: Make use of a VSO to file your initial claim. Get your service and medical records. Get C-File if possible. 18 months, unable to get mine. Attorney took 30 days. I think there are some very good VSO’s out there; however, they are just way to close to the VA and many want to play lawyer at the appeals board. The VSO got my eight 2010 items filed. I had missed them. At the same time I got some poor advice from his staff. Denied, find a VA Lawyer.