Philip Rogers

Absolutely, he can SC these and win his claim!!! He'll probably need to get an Independent Medical Opinion(IMO) to win, tho. Also, medical evidence since leaving the military would certainly help. Buddy statements help, also. pr

The c-file usually stays at the RO, until the BVA calls for it. Claims headed to the BVA usually take a minimum of 2yrs to process and can take up to 4yrs. Frequently, the BVA remands the claim(s) back to the RO for further development. The total process can take 3-5yrs. Hang in there!! pr

I wouldn't get a lawyer, yet, unless you don't mind losing about 20%, of any retro, you may receive. jmo pr

Personally, I would file for the PTSD and I would seek a 100% rating for the PTSD, alone. I'd also request an SMC "s" award. jmo pr

Bear in mind that the symptoms need only be at 10% of the actual diagnosis, which is why "I say" the date of application, applies. You don't need to have full blown diabetes, but merely have to have a couple of symptoms. pr

Are you satisfied/your award of 80%??? If you can't work, you should appeal and request TDIU. pr

It should be the date you filed, period. Anything else is just the VA screwing you!!!!!!! jmo pr

Dennis - $2500 to file bankruptcy, is outrageous!! I had to file, using an attorney, in 2002, and it was $1k then. You know you can file it yourself, w/o an attorney. The court clerk will help you with the forms. The court fees are probably around $300, these days. You might try doing it yourself. The VA doesn't care about you or your financial woes, either. Sorry to say it but it's true. Good luck!! pr

I sincerely doubt it. Check the appropriate US Code or CFR's, which can be found online. jmo pr

Please post your own questions, under your own topic, and not hijack someone else's topic. pr

Buck - when was he there?? I just wrote a friend who was motor pool, by the airport, in Saigon, but don't remember your guys or my guys yrs. Thanks! pr

I believe you would still be SC, even tho it happened in the stockade, as you were still under their control. pr

I would pursue it as a CUE. jmo pr

I'm thinking sweating may be a symptom of thyroid problems, diabetes, or infection. pr

A little warning for those who opt out of Medicare "B" - a guy, in my group, opted out about 8-10yrs ago. He now wants to sign up for "B" and they want him to pay up, for all the years he opted out for - somewhere around $10k-$12k. I feel it's a small price to pay to have a choice, other than the VAMC. My annual raise has been paying for it. jmo pr

A definite "yes," from me!!! pr

Yes, you can do that and IBS can be secondary or caused by PTSD. pr

Buck - here's the link: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-park/ What he needs is his DA form 20 (aka: 201 file), which should be at the NPRC in St Louis, MO. Here's the link for that: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/He can make the request online and follow it up by USPS mail or a FAX copy, I believe. Should only take about 3-6 wks. The form 20 has all his units, promotions, test scores, everything he should need. pr

TMP should stand for Transportation Motor Pool. To verify his VN service, he should have received the VSM, with the appropriate bronze stars for his time period. You may be able to find this stuff online but if not, there are records at the NARA, in College Park, MD. I've been there and found many records, I needed. pr

On the remand, they could also send it to the AMC, also known as the RO from hell. I believe, that if the claim is approved, or denied, it is sent to the VARO, that has jurisdiction, over your claim, for implementation of the BVA's decision, who then generally takes their sweet a*s time and eventually send's you the notice. If you won, payment is generally received before the award letter arrives. Good luck!! pr

Once you've met the SSDI disability requirements, the only thing they look at is the amount of quarters you have credited to your account and how current your last period of work is. SSDI used to pay everyone on the 3rd, of the month, but some years back changed that, so they could look like they were trying to balance the budget. Now everyone gets paid based on their SS number. SS could find a claimant eligible, disability wise, 8yrs ago, but not start paying until now. They generally don't go back more than a year, unless the claim has been ongoing. pr

Personally, I would: 1.) Request that the VA CUE themselves regarding the SMC award. 2.) File a NOD - don't miss the date. 3.) Request a hearing regarding the request that the VA CUE themselves. jmo pr

Berta doesn't generally take personal contact requests, anymore, as she was getting overwhelmed by them, after responding over the yrs. Perhaps she will see your post. pr

To the best of my knowledge, there is only one BVA and it's in Washington, DC. pr

You are required to contact the VA within 72hrs, of your treatment, at a civilian hospital. I suggest no later than 48hrs. They may or may not pay, as you are 60% but I'm not sure. The hospital is supposed to contact the VA, also. Since you gave them your personal insurance info, the hospital will probably bill them, as they are quicker. The VA will not be a second payer. If the insurance company pays, good luck getting the VA to pay. jmo Hope you're doing better!!! Back injuries really suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pr