Colt

That is awesome! Congratulations, sounds like it is well deserved. Anything special you want to do?

I don't have a rating and therefore it is asking me to input all information on the profile link, including my VA disability rating. I don't know if maybe because I don't have a rating yet it isn't up, but it all may be information that the user inputs.

Amazing! I think my favorite part of the success stories is the emotions that pour through the words to the reader. It gives you a feeling of joy and that a person feels finally taken care of. Congrats Geo!

Hi Cool, I saved you a seat right here next to me. Lol! Great to hear that you just got movement when we were just talking about it! Like I said... obsession. I got told again today that my claim has moved back into the notification status. Part of me is excited, the other part is trying to not let it get to me since I drove myself crazy last week. Heck, mine might even be denied or be a low percentage so I'm trying to not worry over it. Let us know when you find out!

@ Navy -- the guy who looked in the system said there currently is no rating since it needed something else so it never hit that far. My status on ebenefits (although fickle) went to notification last week but of course when I checked today it was back in decision phase. Of course I kind of expected this since my friends source said it went back to the rater. *Sighs* @ Justrluk -- I know, lol! I feel bad because when it went to notification it almost became an obsession of mine, I couldn't stop thinking about it, it was terrible! I've finally gotten over it and am back on the track of waiting patiently. :) @ Cool -- really? I'm surprised that they stated they didn't know about the letter generator. Did it seem like they were interested in fixing it? Hmm, I wonder though if they really have any say in the matter either way.

I hadn't heard anything from them and one of my friends called his source in the VA to see if he could check it's status. Well as it turns out they missed a contention which was noted by the authorizer and sent back to the rater to complete. I'm hoping I'll hear something in another 2 weeks or so.

That's what I was hoping but I'm trying not to put too much stock in it considering everything I've read here. I'll let you know when I get the results and then go from there.

Thanks SP4. It's shocking how fast it can be for some though. My co-worker (retired Aug 2010) but he didn't apply for Benefits until June 2011. He kept putting it off and was slowly gathering his information. He got everything back in about 4 months (end of Sept 2011) and his payment starts next month. I'm happy for him no doubt, but at the same time, I'm like WTF to the VA? *Edit* You know, I just realized that from my last C&P exam (Oct 7th 2010), it's been just a little over a year, since anything has occurred.

I originally started my claim in August 2010. I know that it can take a while so I was trying to be patient. By Sept 2011 it had been over 8 months since I heard anything from them (not even a letter), so I called the 800 number and put in an inquiry just to make sure I was still there. I hadn't heard anything in a month (even though they said 5 days) and figured they would eventually get to me and I chalked it up to well that's the VA. I received a response today that said: "Thank you for your inquiry to the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Rating Decision has been completed as of 10/12/2011. A Notification letter will be mailed in the near future to inform you of the rating decision and when to expect your first payment. The next step after a decision has been made is the Authorization phase. Currently most authorizations are processed within four to six months, but can take longer in complex claims. We apologize for the delay. We can assure you that we are diligently working on your claim and will reply to you in the near future upon completion." Four to six months? Sheesh. BUT, I'm glad I finally heard something from them! I'm just going to cont. trying to get my records in for the past year, and cont with my appts so that if and when I need to NOD, CUE, etc., I'll have what I need to do that.

Hehe, you are correct. I didn't intend for it to come across bad at all. Rather that you had the information you needed to fight for what you deserved. Sticking it to them seemed like a good enough adage that was more than adequate for the situation. "The Man" is a slang phrase that may refer to the government or to some other authority in a position of power. The phrase "the Man is keeping me down" is commonly used to describe oppression. The phrase "stick it to the Man" or "The man, stick it to him" encourages resistance to authority, and essentially means "fight back" or "resist", either openly or via sabotage. I, of course, was only suggesting the fighting back route with information and not via the sabotage. Lol. It was my way of saying... "break a leg". However, I could also understand how that could be construed as bad and apologize if it seemed that I was suggesting otherwise. I'm so glad to hear of the news of your newest C&P examiner. It's nice to know that there are people out there that truly do care what people receive and when they have a hand in giving them what they deserve; they utilize it.

Really? So they deny your information that you went through to give them and point things out so that they aren't missed, and then they miss them anyway because they "can't accept outside records?" Also, on that note, how are IMOs accepted then? It almost seems to get to the point of why bother? I liked my C&P doc, but when I've been going through my C&P exam, I really feel like I'm going to be screwed over. One of the things I claimed is varus foot deformity (VFD). I have to have inserts which help, but don't completely take away all issues. However, it did allow me to get through running when I was AD and that was the main concern. On the exam he wrote down and mentioned all of these issues with my feet, moving them, pain levels, archs, and wrote down that I have pes planus. I actually had to look that up since I've only been told about my VFD. But he never once looked at my feet during the exam! I was honest when he asked about walking and being able to go further with inserts. Yes, I have improvement with inserts, no it isn't 100% but it is better then when I was getting shin splints every time I ran. In the end he wrote asymptomatic. *Sighs* Good luck, Carlie, I hope you stick it to the man.

Is it bad if the claim goes to the BVA? What does that mean for the claim if you don't mind explaining? It looks like a Bengal house cat, but I can't be sure.

Nhodk, Did they rate you at everything you were satisfied with? I'm not retired, but if you get 50% disability don't you at that point receive your disability pay separate from your retirement (get both)? If you could get an increase in one of your areas claimed or file for something else that you missed (as Cool Breeze stated) wouldn't that give you the two different payments then? To me losing a leg is pretty substantial and you should be compensated for that.

I'm not positive on everything since I'm not familiar with the voc rehab, however, I'll provide what information I can. From my understanding he can choose one or the other, it's usually suggested to sign up for both and choose the one that is better. I can comment a little more on the 9/11 since it is what I am going for. -Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are capped at $17,500 per academic year. -Annually you get one stipend for books and supplies ($1000). -Monthly you get a stipend for living, monthly housing allowance (MAH) (E-5 + dependents BAH rating by zip code); with distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents starting in October 2011($673.50 monthly). https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm -Provides up to 36 months of benefits. Of course all the above is based on enrollment. Changes to 9/11 in August 2011 and October 2011 Effective August 1, 2011 For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies the tuition and fee rates for those attending a public school and creates a national maximum for those enrolled in a private or foreign schoolPays all public school in-state tuition and fees;Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually;The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for out-of-state fees and costs above the cap.For Active Duty Members and their transferees - creates a national rate for those active duty members enrolled in a private or foreign school pursuing a degreePays all public school in-state tuition and fees;Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annuallyAllows VA to pay MGIB (chapter 30) and MGIB-SR (chapter 1606) ‘kickers’, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the termProrates housing allowance by the student’s rate of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the BAH rateBreak or interval pay is no longer payable under any VA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency, such as a natural disaster or strike.This means that when your semester ends (e.g. December 15th), your housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only and begins again when your next semester begins (e.g. January 10th) and is paid for the remaining days of January.Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be pro-rated in the same manner.Entitlement that previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment.Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed).However, entitlement is now charged[*]Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take national exams used for admission to an institution of higher learning (e.g., SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT)[*]Allows those who are eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (chapter 31) benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance.[*]NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to transfer their entitlement to eligible dependents Effective October 1, 2011 [*]Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for - [*]Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Non-college degree (NCD) programs offered at non-degree granting schools: Pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies.[*]On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to $83 per month for books and supplies.[*]Flight programs: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $10,000, whichever is less.[*]Correspondence training: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $8,500, whichever is less. [*]Housing allowance is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents. [*]The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011. [*]Allows students on active duty to receive a books and supplies stipend

Has it changed since last week? I called then and the options should be 2-3-0. Sometimes though they just come on and say "due to the heavy volume of calls we cannot assist you at this time, please call back later." *Click*. Then I have a lovely dial tone in my ear. I honestly couldn't get through on my own. I called down to my front desk where a former C&P claims individual works and he went through and got me the numbers, lol.

Congrats! How exciting.

That's awesome. Great news to hear! Congrats on getting the percentage.

Not an issue, thank you for responding at all. Same goes to the rest of you, I greatly appreciate any and all feedback. I'll be back when I get news and can actually do something. I will get all my stuff ready to send in to the VARO where my claim is at. I have my initial consultation with my new family doctor this Wed (I've been waiting a while trying to get to be a patient of his but he is highly sought after in this area); after months, I finally got in! Good luck to whoever is still waiting, I hope your decisions are swift and fortunate.

Lol! And what an awesome way to describe it. Let us know how it goes.

I believe it was: I would recommend you claim any treatment you have had since filing your claim.

Interested, if you don't mind I'm going to use your way of responding. It makes it much easier to read and if I try to multiquote it denies me saying I've quoted too much. So, while a claim for convalescence because of surgery in a VAMC MAY result in an automatic claim, I'd still recommend you notify the VARO and claim it. My cfile, as it's called, should contain everything they have up to date, correct? Including all of my C&P exams? Can I just go get a copy of that, review it and then see what they are missing and then collect the additional information that I deem pertinent? Well, in the general course of affairs, the surgery is expected to improve the condition, so the pre-surgery VAE might be be unduly negative. And, normal post-operative items such as wound pain/discomfort during healing or "guarding" might mask the true result. I agree. However, all of my other issues still exist and wouldn't have been affected by surgery. I don't mind them lowering a percentage if it got fixed. In your situation, if I had been made aware of the additional disc impingements, I might question how valid the findings from the earlier exam were and order a more recent exam; however, this will keep the issue open that much longer. Or, I might just rate it and let you appeal. I see your point. I'm trying to take this as relaxed as can be. I stress far too often about things and this would just be one more heaping pile of crap to add to the list. I've got the time; the frustrating thing is not understanding everything. Thank you for the links you've provided. I'm going to go through some documents and see what I come up with in regards to my claim. @ Timestamp Quick start claim? I guess that's a new pilot program that ain't so quick? That's what I'm thinking. They told me it's like a jumpstart of sorts, since I filed before I got out. When the C&P examiners write "At least as likely as not" or "Likely" that the conditions manifested or worsened during service, those are key phrases that will more than likely cause the rater to grant service connection for. Unfortunately, I didn't see any kind of phrases like that in my exam that I received. However, once again, there was a lot of stuff that wasn't mentioned in the C&P that I claimed and actually have issues with. Buddy of mine recently got his C file, C&P examiner noted chronic low back pain worsening with movement and how it affected him physically, then on the last page stated there were no records of an in service injury. Looking over his records, it is listed in multiple annual physical exams "chronic low back pain". I don't have an in service injury though either. There was no specific event for me. It was multiple events that occurred along with the weakening of my discs that would set my back off that would send me to the doctors to get checked out (e.g., lifting a printer, tug of war on enlisted day, running). Eventually after the 4th year of going in for back issues they sent me to get an MRI and that's when they noted all my 'issues'. My claim has A LOT of items listed. So much so that when I look at it I feel like at my age I should be broken (did I really go to the doctor's that much?). Granted one issue has secondary issues or other things that are associated with it… still, I feel like it is too much. When I went to the DAV they did add things when going through my file that they wanted to put on there to get SC since later on if it worsened it could be claimed. I didn't embellish at all when I went for my C&P although I was told to act like it was a bad day (even though for my back, it really was). I'm very much a liar when it comes to how I feel. If you ask me how I am, I'll tell you fine, even if I'm not. I tried to be as honest as I could that day, but I still get shy and tend to act better than I am. I can't help it, it's who I am. In this case, I very well could have done a disservice to myself. However, I can't undo it now. In the end, I'd just be happy if my amount covers my bills. I have 5 specialists that I go to and at $30 a pop, it adds up quick as I'm sure most of you know. One of my meds just cost $205 (after insurance) for a 3 month supply. It's something simple… eye drops, but it's something I need. I'm still young (I think ) and can work; so one day at a time is okay with me. I'm trying not to overwhelm myself. I'll see about getting the cfile and getting back with you guys.

They actually give money for stuff like that? How awesome that you received it! I hope your new amenities treat you well.

I know, forgive me. I'm still trying to learn a lot about what I should do and how to go about it. I type things about assumptions and you would think after 8 years in the military I should know better about who knows what and what they should be doing. ;) I could always find out if they put something in there about the time off. I know I wasn't allowed to work for 6 weeks per the doctor's orders. I don't know if the 100% is something that is automatically done or if I have to apply for it. On that note, it almost seems more like a hassle to me to go through all that. Although a rough time, I was pretty fortunate with everything. Thank you though for your input, I appreciate it. For now I guess I'll just start collecting evidence (my records from appointments) until I get back my first results and then go from there. At least this way, I'll know what they need or are missing instead of trying to guess everything. Not to mention I could possibly come to you guys for help to understand everything. Reviewing my one C&P exam, I don't even know if it's in my favor. Would I specificially look under the diagnosis area? Not everything was referred to, which is why I was wondering if the rest would be a wash. Lastly, if you wouldn't mind, could you elaborate a little about not putting value on the C&P? Would the surgery kind of null and void everything?

They should, they have sent me those automated letters, and I just haven't gotten one in over 6 months now. Not to mention I got the VCAA (I think that's what it's called, ebenies is down and I can't get into it) in Nov that I filled out and sent back. My claim was sent out from my local RO and over to somewhere in the Carolinas. Once again, I think so. On my C&P exam it shows that he did an amendment to it showing that I had surgery. When I went back for my other appointments, I dropped off the MRI that he wanted and he talked to me for a few minutes. I never had a re-eval done though. I'm trying to grasp what the document you attached is saying. If I had surgery post getting out, then I would get 100% for the time that I was required to bed rest and then reevaluated to drop down the percentage? I'm pretty sure they have all the new info for the back considering it's updated in ebenefits showing (med evidence for back) on 12/20/2010. However, I reherniated it 4 days later. When they did another MRI they showed that one of the discs that got fixed reherniated and that I have scar tissue present from the surgery that can be causing pain from pressure. I have those records but haven't sent them in yet. I can make an appt to go to my VSO and give them to her. I figured that most of them would be 'lumped' together. Not a big deal, I was more curious than anything. Thanks!

Berta, Thanks for responding! I got out in August 2010, doing a quick start claim. I'll be honest I feel completely unorganized. I initially kind of went into this with "I have no idea what I'm doing" syndrome, leaving it completely up to my DVA. I started to feel like I was just leaving it in the hands of someone who doesn't care about it as much as me (which is basically what I did) and have now been doing what research I can. It just all seems confusing. As for the conditions being fully supported; I don't know? I thought the majority was and I can go through and find almost all of it on my own but I don't know if they need anything extra. When they sent me that letter stating they needed more information on everything, I didn't know what to do. I had already given it to them and they didn't specify. Also, regardless of evidence they can deny me saying that it isn't SC, correct? I could not find anything in the records (C&P exam) I received pertaining to my eyes or my hearing test that I had. Definitely nothing that mentioned decibels or stood out to me. It just seemed like the initial write up that he did when I saw him. Of course, my other two appts I had got cancelled and pushed out to the month after because I went in for surgery. The C&P exam I have shows from Sept 9, 2010 and the other stuff I got done in Oct. I don't know if I should go back and try to get them or just not worry about it for now. There should be enough evidence already to substantiate both my issues so they will either give it to me or not and then I'd go from there. Seven years? That just seems ludicrous. I just can't imagine what their reasoning is behind that for making someone wait so long. I hope you got back pay for that (not that it makes a seven year wait any easier). I had to download the VA Acronym list for half of what you've said so far. What is HL?