iceturkee

my claim for the same thing was denied. the reason, however, was the DAV division service officer wrote the wrong diagnosis for my claim. and the NSO didn't catch the error. when she asked why the rating board turned me down, she was told it was because of the wrong diagnosis. if the claim had been for the radiculopathy, i would have been granted service connection. the most i've heard anyone get is 10 percent. you might get 20 because it is bilateral as mine is. good luck.

although, i am in the st. petersburg regional office district, my last claim was determined in jackson, missippi because it had an expedite on it.

when i contacted national DAV about the lack of help here locally, they were kind enough to send me a letter saying they couldn't help me. but my friend at the orlando sentinel could.

i had horrible problems with DAV during my last claim. in fact, the VA was more helpful. byt ti answer your question, yes you can change your VSO. i am unsure of the process.

all i can remember about this from my army days is that each area, you were given a number...i believe from 1 to 5. obviously, one of those numbers met you were physically qualified. i can remember temporary illnesses or injuries that changed the number to indicate i wasn't physically qualified. and that's all i remember (and this is from the mid 1970's).

i was medically discharged from the navy in 1988 with 10 percent for my back. it took me 19 years to get that increased to 40 percent. i fell down two flight of stairs when i was in the army and sustained a slight compression fractures to one of the vertebrae in my thoracic spine.

i agree. when i enlisted in the navy, they allowed me to enlist knowing that i had a bad back because i passed the physical.

in last years federal benefits guide, it is listed as only 100 percent. the 2011 version is out but my local clinic has not received any in stock yet.

from what you've said about the ptsd claim, i feel confident you'll get a determination in your favor. will it be the percentage you should get? sadly, that is another story.

they are just backlogged with claims. i got my decision in 9 months but only because a reporter friend of mine got the va to expedite!!

has anyone tried to activate an account on the phone?

i have dealt with st pete for 23 years now. i'm sorry you have had issues as i haven't for the most part.

i have rheumatoid and my orthopedic doctor told me years ago, it is impossible to look at an xray and determine what has been caused by rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.that was when i filed for an increase for my back. the va still only gave me 40 percent based on their dang range of motion.

i would say this, when my disablity rating increased 4 years ago, the paperwork included with the rating decision clearly states that disability compensation is exempt from creditors. i would think that would include alimony payments, regardless of state. perhaps, i'm wrong. btw, the paperwork i received with my recent depression determination said the same thing.

don't know what to say but you did give me a thought. i wonder if i could claim my hypertension as service connected due to chronic back pain and depression/anxiety from that. hmmm?

i had one (DAV) in orlando for years. don't know if she is still a DAV NSO but her name is lisa duncan and if i could find out where she is, i would still contact her.

those of you who have been through this process, what should i expect during the medical exam? i presume it would be very thorough, more so than a standard c&p. i appreciate any tips. thanks pete.

my severance pay was close to $32,000 because of my rank and time in service. it wasn't too bad but the 30 percent or higher would have been nicer!

was just able to confirm the va is working on IU for me. they will be scheduling a medical exam soon. the process has already been started so i just need to wait for the exam.

i had two pebs when i was in the navy. the first board said i was unfit and wanted to put me out with zero percentage. i found a good rep from dav who suggested i ask my commanding officer if he would testify on my behalf. he did and i remained on active duty. a few years later the navy changed its requirements for physical fitness testing, requiring an automatic removal from active duty if waivered 3 times in 18 months. i managed to survive 4 years before my next medical board. by this time, i wanted out and they found me fit for full duty. i appealed again and was given 10 percent for my back, lump sum severance pay and sent packing. i applied for my va benefits and got 10 percent from the va, about 30 days after. that was 1988. it took until 2007 to get that to 40 percent. don't know if this helps at all.

sorry i messed this up. please see other comment. thanks.

good luck. i have to keep a nite light and the tv on all night to sleep. otherwise i have nightmares and my palms sweat. my back doesn't bother me but then i am on heaving duty pain pills too.

the question of pain threshold never came up on my c&p. of course, the examiner only look in my va medical file to see what i am taking for my back pain.

i just got service connected for depression (at 30 percent), secondary to my back condition, currently rated at 40 percent. i had totally forgotten, until reminded by my c&p doctor, that i had been treated for depression in 1983 while still on active duty in the navy.

c and p