Philip Rogers

I think that dog is the Marine mascot! pr

Why and what? pr

Good on you!! pr

I don't sleep thru the night. I generally awaken 3-4 times, briefly, but go right back to sleep, pretty quickly. I find it almost impossible to sleep w/o it. I use a nasal pillow mask(the pillows need replacing every 2 wks) and usually wake up when my mouth opens and dries out shortly after that. I haven't found anything to keep my mouth shut yet, that I can tolerate. pr

I would suggest you get used to using it. I still hate mine but use it faithfully, every night. The VA could call you in for another C&P, if you're not using it and try to reduce your rating. Best to request supplies on a regular basis. jmo pr

Generally if you "reopen" a claim you lose the original claim date, so it is always best to appeal(NOD). Reopening happens after the one yr deadline for appeal has passed. jmo pr

You can mention it, however, for now, I don't see any reason that you should. It should have no bearing on your claim and if it is brought up by the VA you can explain it then. jmo pr

If his HTN is service connected(SC), then he could probably get the AA connected, as secondary, but w/o the SC for HTN, I don't think it'll fly, especially if he's up there in age. jmo pr

Great idea! However anything more than a page or two and the reader gets bored or distracted, even at the VA. I'd suggest a single page, outlining your claim, highlighting where the evidence can be found in your document. More than a few pages and they may put it aside and move on to a more simple claim, for now. jmo pr Somewhere you should add a statement similar to: "I am requesting the maximum benefits allowed by law, in addition to any and all benefits earned, both known and unknown, to me, at this time."

I'm fairly sure you can't collect, for her, while she's receiving DEA benefits and they may go after you for retro back to August. Her DEA benefits are used to support her, so you each shouldn't get paid for her. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. pr

Sure but they throw all mental conditions into one pot and you only get rated for one. jmo pr

If you were awarded the claim, it could show up that early. Sounds like they shot it down but that's just a guess on my part. pr

71M10 hit it right on the head. jmo pr

Thanks, Carlie! I've been reading his stuff, there. Most excellent!!! pr

Carlie - who's asknod, the writer, Gordon "Alex" Graham or Pirkl, the claimant?? pr

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/06/16/pirkl-v-shinseki-back-to-the-future-cue/ pr

Wait and see what your ratings actually are. A rating for PTSD of 100% basically means you can't work. It is good that you want to work. The VA offers a program, I think it's called "compensated work program/therapy," that pays about $5 an hr, for vets rated 100%. pr

Interesting read. http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/08/the-roberts-redux/ Just goes to show you what they can do. pr

The why is because it would cost them more money. They should have decided something on your leg then, usually NSC because you didn't mention it in your claim. Check the original decision for mention of anything about your leg, probably on the last couple of pages or the blue sheet. You could have a CUE and it may be worth pursuing. It may also be an "open claim" because they found something and didn't rate it. The VA is required to rate anything found during the C&P exam. They usually rate anything found but not claimed as NSC. The arm may be a separate issue. jmo pr

Generally the c-file must be present, at the exam, as the examiner is supposed to review it prior to the C&P exam. Failure to review the c-file/have the file present for the exam can be grounds for a re-examination, if he is denied on is claim. pr

JayBrown1 - I would send them a letter stating that you are now 100%, not TDIU, and the VA doesn't require employment forms to be filled out by veterans rated 100% P&T. I'd attach a copy with the award statement "highlighted." jmo pr

I agree, me too, but when he/it states not to be combined, I figured you just add it at the end. I've never heard of this before, now. pr

pete992 - your math was correct, per the ratings table, however he "stated" there was another 10% that was not to be combined, which I added the full 10%, at the end, bringing him to 100%, since it was not to be combined. Just sayin . . . Not trying to be right, just explaining how I came up w/100%. pr

I agree w/StreetWalker, 100%. I think pete992 may have missed the extra 10%, not to be combined. Oops! jmo pr

No, it's not true. You can put in anything you want, except when your claim is at the CAVC. Then your c-file is sealed or frozen(not the official term), meaning nothing can be added to the claim. When your claim is sealed, for the court, they just start a temporary c-file to put your additional stuff in, and then add it to your regular c-file, later. pr