olenavygoat

I think the form is called "Release of Information". On it you can request whatever records from the VA you wish to see, typically if you're up to date you would specify the date range you are requesting and content desired, or all. Major Depression is definately a secondary to PTSD and injuries. On my rating they went with PTSD with Mjor Depression at 30%. As it is a related issue they rate it together to "avoid pyramiding". Now if only one had been listed/diagnosed before, then you're looking at an increase.

Yet another reason to encourage anyone you're assisting to do internet searches on all of their service connected ailments. It will in most cases spell out what exactly could be a secondary condition/disease to a service connected condition.

You too are correct. The problem is with your claim if you didn't bring it to their attention and you have a green rater, it would be overlooked. You shouldn't have any problem getting the other funds, just bring it to their attention as a clear and unmistakable error (CUE). You nailed it on the advertising bit but their are also positions within the organizations that they could probably eliminate or re-develop into claim assistance positions.

It would be of assistance to those on the board if you post 1) What he was rated for 2) What all was wrong that was service related 3) What all you'd like to request of the VA. This way we can answer your question completely as to provide the best guideance and direction. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Just in case you are not familiar with the term "c-file". This is a complete record of all documents used to determine a veterans disability claim and the VA's response(s). It should also include a copy of the rating letter that shows what was rated and why it was assigned the percentage it was. If he spent time in-country Vietnam you may want to find out if he has one of the "assumed" diseases, one of which is certain cancers. You can go to http://veterans.iom.edu/ to find out.

Like what has been previously noted; 1) It must be either a presumed illness/disease 2) Must be a ratable disease either way 3) Or must have the doctor statement stating it is "more likely than not" from military service. Go thru every shred of records you have from the service and since leaving and try to get to the one that did the diagnosis to see how they worded their findings.

Have you tried contacting your regional VA vocational rehab office? They should have the full scoop on what you need to do.

You need to either talk your doctor into giving you copies or you can just submit a realease of information form to the VA form them to get them from your doctor. I was lucky, all of my stuff was done via the VA. You don't need to wait to submit either. You can always state that you having a appointment pending for meds and let them know you intend to submit additional supporting documentation via seperate correspondence. You may even call the 800-827-1000 and ask the person at your regional office what teh fax number is to your claim "triage" section.

You can do a formal letter, but the VA form 21-22 is the preferred document by the VA paper pushers.

Tbird nailed it. As for other causes just go to webmd or Google and do a search for it. One condition that will cause it that I know first hand is PTSD, aniexty is also big a part of it, some could be from meds.

If you can't stop drinking on your own they will first enroll you for a clean-out period, then start you on meds to make you get violently ill if you start back. You would probably be strongly encouraged to particiapte in AA meetings and a PTSD support group.

One of the first things I would do would be to go back to the doctor(s) you have seen since departing service and ask that they make a determination that your conditions "more likely than not" were from your military service. The fact that they did not even give you a c & p ticks me off. We have all experienced this delay tactic by the VA rating system. Just because they couldn't find the exact words that they have in their precious little rating manual they send the denial letter. I would definitely make copies of your service medical records that pertain to everything you're claiming and send with your notice of disagreement. State that you will be forwarding additional evidence but you should have it to bring with you to the C & P exam they neglected to give you. Also mention that in their handy dandy little USC Title 38, Chapter 2, Para 4 it statesthat the benefit of the doubt is to go to the veteran and that your out of service exams were well within the 12 month timeframe thta is allowed. If you'll shoot me an e-mail to my work address I'll send your the manual so you can review it and know which key words to use in your n.o.d.. I just bought a new system and haven't e-mailed myself the documents for my desk-top here yet so I won't be able to respond with the information until tomorrow. Make sure in your e-mail you put "VA info request" somewhere, I have a poor memory! thomas.mccann@state.tn.us

Was there a concern about diabetes or other irregularities in your blood counts?

What they're saying is that these conditions noted in the service records corroborate what he is saying rather than having letter or verbal evidence from another person. There had to have been something documenting the stressor for teh VA to award anything. I recently went thru the same thing over an incident that happened to me in 1979. I had gone to see their shrink, was afraid of getting kicked out so I sucked it up, along with enough booze to float a battleship in over my career in the Navy.

While what Berta says is true, you are correct about the percentage. Either one at 60% or another qualifier would be a combination leading to 70% with one being at least 40%. There was litigation under discussion to change the 40% requirement but not certain as to whether it's happened or not. There are other factors, but these would be the percentage requirements.

Actually along with depression and such there are memory problems, it's even more common with PTSD. With anziety you will also have the fidgets about many odd things. I wouldn't worry about any of it until you get your statement of claim back. So long as you told the truth, you can remember what you relayed to her.

Right on Vike! I strongly agree. Wait for the VA letter containing the Statement of Case (SOC). At this point you'll want to review everything therein and compare against your supporting documentation to insure they've not "overlooked" something. Then you go to USC Title 38, Chapter 2, Para 4 and do a review of what you have submitted to see if you left out any key words that would trigger a better rating. If you feel this will take you more than 60 days, you may wish to send the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) stating which items you disagree with and that you intend on supplying them with additional information in the near future. The better info you shoot at them in the beginning the better and faster the rating. Like Vike said, you go to the BVA you're looking at tying your claim up for 5-7 friggin years for nothing. NOD your DRO to death, make them do what you know is right.

You better believe that the rep will make a written record of what he talks to you about over the phone though! I didn't realize it until I'd received my c-file last year. So if you have a meeting or a phone conversation, I would recommend taking very good notes for your records.

Look thru the attached. I meant to include it last time. Title_38_disability_rating.htm

Sleep deprevation is a common secondary affect with those of us with PTSD. You may wish to peruse the attached to find the appropriate code to file under. Title_38_disability_rating.htm

Your best bet my friend is to research USC Title 38, Chapter 1, Part 4. As your peruse it make notes on things you remember happened to/with you during your service time, make note of teh sub-paragraph you found. Then go thru your service medical record making notes of dates and events, make copies of the significant pages relating to diseases and injuries. Then go back to Part 4 and write up your findings. After this thorough review, submit a "statement in support of claim" with all of your supporting writings and copies. You may either do it in letter format or you could go onto the www.vba.va.gov web-site and download/print the VA's form for doing it. If I've learned nothing else in the service and with fighting the VA, no one is going to take as good a care of you than you. Knowledge is power, empower yourself. Another note that I learned from a friend, never, ever tell the VA to forward your claim to the BVA. You look at 2-7 years of waiting and wasted time, always just requested that the local rating officer do it. Any time they send you a piece of paper you do not agree with, send them a "Notice of Disagreement" just as soon as you're able with supporting documentation as to why you feel they are wrong.

A simple letter to your RO's office, typically addressed to the head cat, will suffice. There is no charge but typically takes them a coupla months. It should include absolutely everything they are and have been using to make their decisions. Where you request your service records on for a complete set varies by services. I would contact your local Veteran Benefits Rep. and ask him to do it for you or at least give you the address and format.

When you go to a C & P you stop at the front desk and let them know you have the appointment. They'll have your medical records and notes in a bag with a lock. As his GAF is 53 and his symptoms appear to be severe they may rate him higher if he's totally honest about all he is experiencing. And yes, they are to consider them equally not just rely on the GAF. If you two feel his condition warrants it I would certainly shoot in a notice of disagreement to their decision.

Chronic is what you want, rating wise anyway. Do yourself a favor and look it up ont the internet so you can list your associated symptoms at the C & P.

It's all about the money folks. The longer they can delay the claim the more chance that people will get frustrated and give up trying and/or die. Your best bet is to get your claim information together spelled out to a "T" and send along the supporting documentation. Take away their excuses, then if they buck you go to your senator and agin with guns loaded, sit down and file a grievance. Not only does the VA have to answer, they have to act on your claim. The delays will never stop, they will continue to get worse with the number of vets coming home. Had our government wanted to fix it they would have by now by adding more claim examiners and cracking down on the double talk you get back from the raters. So until we do something to hit their pocketbook we're hosed. The best thing we can do in addition to having our act together is watching the voting records and getting rid of our oppressors. We need veterans in all these seats, not people that have never done anything to support and defend their country.