Joe30045

Got a letter from the VA. The DECISION reads: "Evaluation of traumatic brain injury with anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, which is currently 70 percent disabling, is proposed to be decreased to 10 percent." It was originally granted at 70% on 02/01/2013 with an additional 30% added for migraines on 05/02/2018. VA did a Mental Disorders examination on 4/16/2018, a Review Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury examination on 1/13/2020, and a Mental Disorders examination on 2/25/2020. None of the exams lasted more than an hour, and, according to the letter, these exams have apparently noted some improvement in those conditions. I am not familiar with the appeals process. Should I request a personal hearing? Just send my rebuttal to the VA? Will my wife suffice as a witness? Do I need a lawyer/representative? Do I have any recourse under the "5 year protected" rule? Thanks for any help!

Thanks to all for the Congrats. Now I get the guilt of having one done so quick while there are so many that are worse off than I am that could really use a quick decision..... Aggie, glad they finally came through for you, Congrats!

My time line is posted in another forum, so I won't rehash it here. I don't know why, but my claim took less than 125 days for a decision. I don't think it is complete as it is showing as "Under Review" in Ebennies, but I am not complaining.

According to my better half, a Big Brown Envelope arrived in the mail today. I should be home Saturday to see what all it has to say and will post it up. My entire time line is posted above, but here is a short synopsis. E-Benefits reflected a "Decision Sent" notice and posted an AB8 and supporting documents at the 119 day mark with me receiving the Big Brown Envelope at the 124 day mark. E-Benefits does not show my claim as complete, instead it shows "Under Review". Thanks for all of the advice and help I have received. I will be glad to return the favor if possible.

Filed BDD Claim: 14 August 2012 C&P Exams: 4 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 17 October 2012 Filed additional contention via DBQ: 24 January 2013 Retired/Claim Received: 1 February 2013 Under Review: 2 February 2013 Preparation for Decision: 8 May 2013 Pending Decision Approval: 17 May 2013 Preparation for Decision: 21 May 2013 Pending Decision Approval: 30 May 2013 Under Review: 31 May 2013 Estimated Claim Completion Date: 19 February 2014 to 24 July 2014 Also, under the "Updates" tab it now says Decision Notification Sent and I also have an AB8, an AB4, and an Application For 10-Point Veteran Preference under the "Download VA Letters". The AB8 shows, in part, Effective Date April 1, 2013 Combined Evaluation 100 percent. There isn't a breakout of how the different contentions were decided. I don't know if that is why it is back under review or not.

Filed BDD Claim: 14 August 2012 C&P Exams: 4 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 17 October 2012 Filed additional contention via DBQ: 24 January 2013 Retired/Claim Received: 1 February 2013 Under Review: 2 February 2013 Preparation for Decision: 8 May 2013 Pending Decision Approval: 17 May 2013 Preparation For Notification: 20 May 2013 Estimated Claim Completion Date: 18 June 2013 to 19 August 2013

Meghp0405, I completely understand the fluid nature of the claims estimation process and it won't bother me in the least if it takes longer. I know there are lots of folks out there who are much worse off than I and have been waiting way longer than they should have. john999, Between my retirement, the contract I am on right now, and my wife being an RN, we are doing fine. As far as age, I am speeding toward 44 with 25 of those having been high mileage Army years. I haven't really noticed any issues transitioning, I don't miss the circus, but I do miss the clowns. Thank you both for your service and your encouraging words.

Filed BDD Claim: 14 August 2012 C&P Exams: 4 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 17 October 2012 FIled additional contention via DBQ: 24 January 2013 Retired/Claim Received: 1 February 2013 Under Review: 2 February 2013 Preparation for Decision: 8 May 2013 Pending Decision Approval: 17 May 2013 Estimated Claim Completion Date: 19 June 2013 to 20 August 2013

Alright, promised I wouldn't bother y'all until there was movement. As of today, 8 May 2013, my claim status has moved to "Preparation for Decision" phase. Estimated claim completion dates of 09/17/2013 to 01/27/2014. And that wheel in the sky keeps on turning....

toolive65, I'm not sure how it works anywhere else, but here at Ft Bragg, we have a Soldier Support Center. Most of the Veteran's Service Organisations have a presence there and it is actually co-located in the same office area as the Retirement Services Office. The contractor that handles the exams, QTC in this case, is also in the same office space. I did most of my exams in that office with only a few specialty exams (audiology, upper GI) being farmed out. I don't know if QTC is the contractor for all C&P exams or not. It might also depend on how involved your claim is and whether or not your service medical records provided sufficient evidence to justify your claims. i would recommend getting a VSO rep if you do not already have one. I will be glad to help out any way I can.

Ebenefits is showing they received my additional asthma claim on 24 January 2013, the same day I dropped it off to my rep. On 1 February 2013, my Estimated Claim Completion Date is 09/09/2013 to 02/11/2014. Luckily I am still able to work (if I can find a job), so I am not counting on the VA.

So I went in Tuesday to get a copy of the paperwork with an asthma diagnosis so I could update the VA. No paperwork because what I had actually gone in for last week was a laryngoscopy, which proved negative, and the Doc had only given me a verbal "You have asthma." I immediately made a follow-up appointment for today to get in and see the pulmonologist. Came home, got on hadit and researched what I needed to do and here is what I did. Printed out a VA Form 21-0960L-1 (DBQ for Respiratory Conditions (other than tuberculosis and sleep apnea)), took it in when I went to see the pulmonologist and requested he fill it out, he didn't mind a bit. Stopped by the Soldier Support Center, made a copy, and dropped that off with my DAV rep for forwarding to the VA. Thanks again to the paragons of knowledge that inhabit this site for everything you have provided so that others might have an easier time of it.

Ebenefits shows a status change to "Under Review", a different "Estimated Claim Completion Date" of 10/10/2013 - 03/14/2014, and my "Contentions" are now VBMS(New).

A new "wrinkle " has developed. After several years of not being able to breathe when running, a pulmonologist just this morning diagnosed me with asthma. This comes after countless negative LFT's, and every other test in the book including ruling out a cardiac issue and even doing a laryngoscopy this morning. I am still on active duty for the next 15 days, should I submit this diagnosis with the current BDD packet or wait and file an amendment? TIA for any advice.

Received my first VA "letter" on 24 Dec 12. First paragraph says "We are still processing your claim for COMPENSATION. We apologize for the delay. You will be notified upon completion of processinbg. If you need to contact us, be sure to show the file number and full name of the veteran." Second and third paragraphs are the standard "confirm mailing address" and "contact info" blurbs followed by the signature line of the Veterans Service Center Manager.