WVSERVER

I am no expert but I would say if it helps your claim submit it. I don’t think the VA could get any slower! In my case the VA was requesting more information right up until the last week before the decision. I am sure some of the experts floating around here will chime in soon. There is also the school of thought that you should wait for decisions because you can always submit new evidence once it over. By the way what is your claim for and how long has it been at the VA??????

Thanks for the replies. Pete they did get the effective date right thank you so much. Warren the WV does stand for West Virgins as in West Virginia Process Server. I used to server tons of legal papers but mostly child support papers.

Everyone thanks for the replies and encouragement. Mark it nice to hear from some of my Security Forces brother every now and then wish you the best of luck in your fight. Once again Thanks.

Started contacting senator Rockefeller around the 18 month mark when I still hadn’t received any C&P yet. I build a really solid and complete case. So I ran the Monday morning numbers and determined that my case had taking 3 times the amount of what the RO said average claims were taking. So I took my case and contacted my senator’s office the first time they promised the VA would get on it. A month later I had to call them again that when the ball started rolling. Had 3 C&P in September and October with a decision in November. I am a persistent person I read the 38 CFR and made my case meet those requirements. I then showed and emailed it too anyone who would listen including our president. I just kept hammering away on it been 3 time as long as the average claim. I also hammered away on the fact that the numbers to the RO are not published and other topics along theses lines. Don’t know if it was just luck or being persistent paid off. I had a few people from the VA tell me I should have been a lawyer along the way. You can also try contacting a senator on the committee of veteran’s affair when the time is right.

HOLY CARAP 1000 days . I wont even venture to guess a time line but I will be praying for you success. I feeling like my 20 months was too long.

Sorry everyone I am going to ask a question that I should be able to find the answer too. I think my search-fu is off today. So before I get to frustrated I will just ask. I was just awarded 70% on an initial claim. Outside of registering for health care at my local VAMC and concentrating on some appeals I feel like I am missing something. Is there any reading some one can direct me toward censuring co-pays and meds and anything else I need do get done next. Thanks.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I am still in shock . It feels good to be debt free expect for my wife student loans and to also have 3 month of my salary in the bank. I am not even sure what to do next. On my next day off I will be going to the local VAMC and regeristing for helth care.

Got the deposit today the break down as follows. 50% for sleep apnea with c-pap 30% for IBS,GEERD, and Hiatal Hernia combined( not sure if this combos allowed will have to look) 10% Tinnitus 0% Hydrnoprosis 0% Hemorrhoids Mitral Valve prolapse and allergic rinetitus was deferred. The rest was denied due to lack of evidence in SMR. I don’t think the VA ever received my SMR they only had what I gave them or the smr were incomplete. All the conditions denied are in my records some were now I have to locate them. My C&P doc was able to locate them on line some were? Once again thanks everyone this is a huge relief without you guys it would have not been possible. Now to decide to be happy with the 70% as I am only 31 or fight what was denied. I know if I had a completed copy of my records this would be no problem.

Went to my local VAMC to get some records and get my ebinnes account upgraded. Log on to ebinnes for the first time and low and behold an AB8 letter saying I am 70% combined and that my current payment is 1512.00 a month they messed up the effective date they are using December 2011 instead of march 2011. Have not checked the math yet but should include myself wife and 3 kids. How do you all recommend I get the effective date changed? Even ebinnes says they received the claim on March 4 2011. Trying not to get my hopes up until I see the money. This was an initial claim and was done at the Huntington VARO. Thanks to each and every veteran here on hadit.com for helping and sharing information I can imagine what would of happened if I would have just filled out the paperwork. My wife is already crying as this is going to be a big help.

Thanks. I went to my local VAMC today to get some records and upgrade my ebinnes account. Log on to ebinnes for the first time to see my AB8 letter and that I am 70% combined. I will be posting in sucess stories after a while.

Just got VA Pamphlet 29-9 S-DVI in the mail today but I am not service connected. So does anyone know if this means my case has been decided or just a thing the VA does when you apply for compensation? My case is an initial claim and has been in the system for 21 months. Thanks for the replies.

WAY TOO GO! Way to hang in there!

Well it looks like I will be getting more C&P exams. The local VMAC called and scheduled me for some more exams. They said the RO is asking for more DBQs to be filled out. They listed all the same issues I was exam for 2 week ago??????????????? I questioned them on this I was there 19& 20 of September 2012 they said theses were ordered on the 3rd of October so they are not a duplication of the process. They waste so much of my time but what choice do I have but to be along for the ride.

Since I have no rating and have never been seen at a VAMC for anything other then a C&P exam is it absolutely necessary that I fill this thing out?

Just read my C&P report today anyone wanting to can read the update here deanbrt I have a feeling I have a long road ahead of me as only 1 examiner used key language and marked the less likely then not. The rest did not include them at all. I provided more then concrete proof so this will be interesting to say the least.

Well I finally got around to getting copies of my C&P exam reports. I really have no idea about any of it. I am just going to see how it comes out. I have a felling there going to deny everything except the obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP. The C&P for tinnitus is the only one that has key language in it. The examiner marked the less likely then not (less the 50% probability as being service connected). I provided them and the examiner with a report from a civilian ENT Doc in 2005 (During my service dates) stating that the tinnitus was caused by high frequency hearing loss which was due to noise exposure in my job as an Air Force Security Policeman. The C&P examiner wrote it was due to having chronic fluid on my ears during my active duty time so in her opinion it was not caused my nose exposure nor is service connected. All the rest of the reports are just the doctor filling out the DBQ’s no key language. The mental health exam did say I have General Anxiety disorder and depressive mood with a GAF of 62(all from a 1hr exam WOW) and that I am competent to handle finances. I am not able to scan in the reports or I would. Other then that I am just going to wait and see. Does anyone know if they did not ask the C&P examiner to examine you for something you claim does that mean there going to deny it off the bat?

Thanks Guys

Not that I am awere of. I was told I could get a copy of them about the middle of next week.

Just wanted to update everyone I finished my C&Ps this week. The details can be found in the post I wrote on the C&P Boards.

Well I had my C&Ps this week. I think that they went well but I won’t really know until I have read the final reports. The PA that conducted my medical exams was decent. It took him 3 hr to complete the process. Even with the RO swearing to me that they have received my service treatment records many time I still do not think they have them. The only thing that was in my C-File was the files I sent them and my dental records. The Pa was very curious as to why I built my cases the way I did. Once I told him his only response was genius you should have been a lawyer. There were a couple of claims I made were the records I had were weak because the only concrete proof was located in my service treatment record. For example the only proof I had for allergic sinusitis was a reference to the fact I used flonase during my military time. So to say the least I was feeling pretty negative (although I did not show it) when I found out my service treatment records were not in my file. Guess what? The PA went on line and printed out every portion of my Service Treatment Records that was needed and went over all the DBQS with me to further build my case in a positive way. At the end the PA thanked me; he said it was very thoughtful and considerate of you to bring in all the paper work that you had all ready sent in. He also stated that it was very refreshing to work with someone who’s every claim was found in there service treatment records and that it was apparent that I still struggle with every condition claimed. But he also reminded me that the final decision was up to the rater who has no medical experience and make there decision based on other reason then he would. The metal health portion went ok, but then again who really enjoys them to begin with. At the end the Doc said man you looked depressed I did not say what I really wanted to. The audiology portion was very short shed asked a couple of questions did the hearing test asked a couple of more questions and it was over. So to say the least I think it went well, but I am holding out until I read the report. I have a feeling that I will be called back for another C&P due to the fact that they did not ask the doc to check some things I claimed and asked him to check others I did not.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I used my CPAP until it broke about 2 yrs ago during a move. I am very weak in the IMO portion. I just can not afford to see a doctor. I work and will do so until the day I die, just the way it is. All three of my kids were sick this week which absolute high jacked our tight budget. I just can’t afford to take care of my own health. I think this fact will be used against me. I am confident that I have the proof to prove sleep apnea and tinnitus. Some of the other issues that I claimed that are in my service treatment records include Micro Cordial Valve Prolaps with chest pain. Tinnitus IBS All theses thing are in my service treatment records and I think the pattern is established. Like I said I just don’t know if they will consider them an on going problem since I don’t go to doctors on an on going basis

I have 2 med 1 audio and 1 mental I am not sure what the mental for yet. I was told by the apoinment line at my local VAMC that its for PTSD althoug I am not claiming PTSD??????????. Its only taking me 19 months to get this far. Good luck and praying for a speeded fair decision in your case.

Well I am looking for some advice as to how I should prepare for my up and coming C&Ps exams. They are schedule for the 19 & 20 of this month it been a 19 month wait to this point. I am not sure if the VA is trying to screw me already or not but I don’t certainly trust them. I was told I have a 2hr mental health exam schedule for PTSD?????????? The only problem is I never claimed PTSD. I did claim depression. I asked a couple of times the lady kept saying PTSD??????????. They also asked if I could bring a copy of my sleep study. They also sent me a 15.00 bill for outpatient care visit. The only problem I don’t have VA insurance nor have I ever been seen at a VA hospital in my life. I have severs conditions that I am been evaluate for some include Flatfoot/ Planter fasciitis Acid Reflux w/chest pain Sleep Apnea Hydronephrosis of the kidneys Depression Hiatal hernia Bulged C-4, C-5, and C-7 Hemorrhoids That’s about all I can remember for now I will have to review my paperwork. All conditions are recorded in my service treatment records I even had a MEB/PEB for the sleep apnea say I required the use of a CPAP.

I basically followed Berta advice as well. I took my service treatment records and prints out of what the symptoms of my claimed conditions were. I highlighted the symptoms in my records and on the printout sheets the attached them together. I wont have my C&P’s until later this month I let you guys know how it worked out.

Well it looks like at the 16 month mark I my claim may be making some progress. I got a letter this week from my VARO that the VAMC nearest to my address would be contacting me for a C&P. So with that said I not at the beginning and a little closer to the end. I have several issues on my claim will I get a C&P for each of them or just one exam for all?