Philip Rogers

I know nothing about the PDBR and their ratings. However, you can file for an increase, at anytime. All you need to do is request an increase stating "that your condition/disability has worsened." pr

That's his problem, the second claim(NOD) was submitted past the one yr deadline. If he'd filed a NOD before 1 Nov 2012, it would have gone back to 9 May 2011. He can file a NOD and it should be within one yr of the date of his current decision, using 38 CFR 3.156. pr

Sounds like something could be up. You don't state your age or how long you've been 100%? I suspect they may try to reduce you, somewhere down the line, and may be setting the stage for that or the examiner is actually stating he/she thinks you're embellishing your problems. Usually an examiner just goes w/what the previous examiner says. jmo pr

I agree w/jbasser but ya never know what the VA will do. pr

Fill out the form and hand deliver it to the RO, if possible. Sounds like you haven't kept them updated w/your address changes. Bad mistake! pr

You need to use the day after the last day you worked as your date of disability onset. pr

John's correct, you can get anything new in your c-file, free, meaning since the last time you requested it. pr

They give a 20% discount to veterans advocates, which drops it down to about $146 w/shipping. pr

You should check w/him about PTSD. With 11 yrs Naval service, he could/must have witnessed or had something that could've have caused it, especially w/sea duty. Give him the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and see how many he might have. Alcoholism can be secondary to PTSD/adjustment disorder/depression. I service connected mine to my PTSD. jmo pr

You can submit a statement in support of claim, at any time. I would avoid statements like "I do believe," unless that's your profession. Better to use "I observe or observed." The VA doesn't care about your or his opinion, unless you can be considered a professional in the field you are testifying about. jmo pr

They can and will go back further, if you fight it. Most all travel is considered "authorized" during the passed 30 days. If the travel is over the 30 days they consider it "unauthorized" and routinely deny it, since it passed the 30 day period, even though it may have been authorized, originally. It's important that claims for travel be submitted within the 30 day authorized period, to prevent denial. pr

You may or may not based on the distance traveled and how your VAMC figures travel pay. Current travel rate is .415 cents per mile. If they agree that you travel 12 miles each way, you would receive $4.98 per each one way trip, less the $3.00 deductible, for the first three round trips, each month. After the first three round trips, they pay the full rate for the balance of the trips each month. Most VA's are paying zip code to zip code (or post office to post office) these days. If you live closer than your post office they pay to the PO, which means you get extra money. If you live farther than the PO, they still pay to the PO and you lose money. They may figure you only travel 8 miles or 20 miles miles. who knows. It could be worth it, though, based on a whole month of travel. I'm filing a claim, for all the mileage, this yr, that they cheated me out of, by doing zip code to zip code, which I plan to take to the CAVC, when they deny me. The form I sign states "residence to appointment address and return," not zip code to zip code. I lose $4.15 each round trip, which is BS. If not for our service, we wouldn't be needing this medical care. Just another way to screw the veteran! jmo pr

During my 24 yrs of dealing w/the VA and my PTSD, I have taken meds twice, for about 3 months each time. I prefer to deal w/life as it is. Over the yrs I have mellowed, tho. If the meds do you some good, stay on them, however, if not, I would avoid them at all costs. Most meds are for short term use, which the VA completely ignores. I am and have been rated 100%, for PTSD, P&T, for the entire 24 yrs. No meds, except for those two times. jmo pr

I've never had any tests for it. It is possible your Wellbutrin causes tinnitus, also, so check the side effects. Also be sure to complain, to your doctor, about it, periodically, as the VA could miss the one entry. They have that habit. jmo pr

If the rater goes w/the C&P examiner, you'll probably get a raise. jmo pr

Maybe because that's what they found at the C&P exam. Better they do that than deny the PTSD and have her re-apply for Adjustment Disorder(AD) down the road. My feelings are they're awarding adjustment disorder, rather than PTSD, cuz AD is curable and PTSD isn't. jmo pr

I am so sorry for your loss! I know this doesn't help, right now, but at least "he" is at peace, now. jmo pr

To all - thank you for your comments! pr

Best wishes to all, no matter what holiday you celebrate!!!!!!! pr

They may, if you've lost their ability to use them. When in doubt, I feel, the veteran should file the claim, provided it's not frivolous. jmo pr

Not everyone gets PTSD, no matter how bad things are/were that happened to them. One of my Navy vets was in a real bad typhoon and receives TDIU, for PTSD, from it. Who am I to judge?? I kinda question his stuff, cuz shortly after I helped him get TDIU, he left our weekly group and has never been heard from since. And then you get the grunts who claim they were in it 24/7, which is BS. jmo pr

I sorta disagree. I believed in God before I went to VN, in 1965. After removing 26 bodies off a Chinook, from the Ia Drang battle (We Were Soldiers Once), I sorta lost that belief, which was reinforced over the next 21 month in-country. Since then, my views have been reinforced in my non-belief, based on facts. I wish I could believe but all evidence says "no." Most Christians I've run into are very little tolerance for others or non-believers. Even here. Many state "God bless," or "may Jesus be w/you," or something of that sort. I chose not to express my thoughts, as many of you intolerant peoples would jump in my stuff. The USA was built of freedom of religion, or non-religion and the freedom of speech. Enough said. I wish all of you a happy holiday, whatever you celebrate! We are all free to believe what we want and say what we want. Long live the Duck Dynasty clan!! jmo pr

I don't think it means during combat operations but more like during combat, as in while taking incoming small arms/mortar fire, I dive for cover behind a berm and injure my back or twist my ankle. As for people seeing you naked, I would think you should've been over that by time basic was over, unless you are perhaps a female. I know when I was in '65-'68, men, showered together and there was no privacy. I don't know what they do these days. They may have private toilets/showers for everyone. You may have a tough time proving PTSD for that. The banging your head, I think you'll need a witness statement(s). I helped a guy get comp for banging his head when they flew over a berm, in a tank, and he smashed his head, during training. He was air evac'd and had a witness statement from his 1st Sgt. jmo pr

I believe this is where the benefit of doubt comes in. One say yes and one says no, so the BOD goes to the claimant. jmo pr

A new award, such as tinnitus, does allow the claimant another chance at the disabled veterans life insurance, of $10k, which makes it a $10k win!!! Altho the $10k will go to your heir, it's still $10k, the premium can be waived, if the claimant is 100% or TDIU, w/P&T and it allows the claimant to purchase another $10k at a low rate. So, to me it isn't "a empty popsicle rating- all stick and no flavored ice" as $10k is $10k. jmo pr