Philip Rogers

Great job!!! I hope he takes you and wife to coffee, on him, at least. Actually should be dinner but who am I to say! pr

Besides, withdrawing the claim is a "for sure" loss! pr

Personally, I'd continue the claim. We already know that the VA does not have limited resources, mentioned by broncovet, as we can tell by their bonus system(s). I think there is a chance he could win, so why not pursue it!! jmo pr

Mesothelioma can also be caused by smoking "Kent" brand cigarettes between the yrs 1952 - 1956, when Kent used a specific type asbestos in their trademarked "micronite filters." pr

Great, it's a start! Don't spend it until you receive it, tho, as I don't trust eBennies. pr

Yup, I'd see a private dr/hosp and not take a chance on dying. Remember you have to be alive to pay anything you might owe. The VA doesn't care if you die, so referrals do take a long time and you can worsen or die waiting for the VA to act. I just turned 68yo and now go privately to a cardiologist because I care about living. The VA gave me a C-pap two yrs ago and have never followed up. I now get my supplies privately. When the VA found from my sleep study I could die at any time, they took 3 months to even get me a C-pap. jmo pr

Once again, I sincerely thank you for taking your time to share this and all that you share. pr

Probably, but it would need to be "their pool." jmo pr

It will be a C&P exam, as they need a current one(usually less than one yr old), to rate you. You needn't send anymore evidence if you don't have any. They are giving you a chance to add more "current" evidence that may have been produced while the lengthy claim process has been going on. Good luck! pr

I don't know about now but they used to not want to take over another VSO's POA/claim. To substitute or change POA's you must write the VA & the current POA and let them know you are rescinding their POA. Then you can sign on w/a new POA. Myself, I wouldn't use one nor do I see the need for them. But that's just my opinion. pr

It is possible under that Nehmer lawsuit. If her spouse had filed a claim earlier before IHD was recognized. If so, tell her not to loan you or anyone else any money, when she gets it. ;-) pr

No comment. pr

Yes she could but she'll need to prove the exposure, where he was, prove his heart disease, diabetes, etc. It will take a while to gather the evidence but it can be done. Records can be found at the NPRC in St Louis, MO and at the National Archives, College Park, MD. pr

Since you're already rated for hearing loss, all you need to do is send a letter saying your condition has worsened, that you are requesting an increase and the VA has to schedule you for a C&P exam. It's pretty simple. pr

I understand that sometimes "life" gets in the way and I'm sorry for the above comments but at that moment it just hit me wrong. Again, I'm sorry, I should take my problems out on you!! It really doesn't matter, as the VA will call him in for a C&P exam, anyway. The exam is simple. They ask some questions, do some bloodwork (testosterone level) and then they try to blame it on anything but them and their meds. They blamed mine on hypogonadism(sp) and denied me. My testosterone level was below normal. I appealed. Almost 10 yrs to the day later, I received a deposit in my acct for $10,000 and found it had finally been approved, retro 10 yrs. It was a sweet surprise! pr

Better than enclosing links or printouts from WebMD, would be to enclose the printouts that come w/each prescription renewal, that he receives from the VA. jmo pr

My interpretation is that you would qualify, for the 50% exemption, of the first two hundred thousand valuation (jmo). I'm in VT and I get $40,000 off my tax value of $92,000. Equal houses locally are selling for about $55,000, nowadays. My taxes are about $900 a yr and I get about $450 off my bill due to my 100% rating, so I actually pay about $450. pr

Yes, absolutely! I would ask VocRehab for a letter stating that they find you "unemployable" due to your SC conditions and are denying you training. Then submit that letter as evidence that you're TDIU. I had a letter like that and it helped sway them to award me TDIU. I was eventually awarded 100%, which overrode the TDIU award. jmo pr

What have you been doing for the past 4 months!!! Hope you enjoyed your time off. I guess better late than never. Sorry for my rant. pr

VA always pays after the benefit is earned. Compensation is paid the following month, after we've earned it. When you think about it, why would they pay you in advance? He could quit or die, the day after he started. pr

Harleyman - as always, a big thanks!!! pr

The key is carpooling, which they now don't allow. Personally I think it's BS but it is what it is. I'd bet VA employees carpool all the time and each gets paid mileage but of course they're going after the vets instead. jmo pr

Show up on time and present your worst day. jmo pr

Not freakin likely, unless you're a close friend of the rater or service center manager. We had a rater award all his buddies "s" awards before he retired, here in VT. pr

StreetWalker - their statement that: "since I was scheduled for a reevaluation by SS that my disability was not considered permanent" is complete BULLSH*T!!!!!!! There is no requirement that a disability be permanent, for TDIU or 100%. That statement alone is grounds for an appeal. pr