j92mike

Just ask if she would consider writing a statement for you. My DRO actually insisted on getting something I sent my psychologist an email thru ebenefits I was a nervous wreck with asking and her statement helped get me from 0 to 70% with service connection

Hello yall, Two questions. My husband has an other than honorable discharge from the Army. I'd like to know if he qualifies for the VA home loan? He was in service for 2 years but I'm not sure if it's only for Veterans that had an Honorable discharge. Also, I know I qualify for the home loan but my credit is french toast no good. Would he be able to use it as my spouse if he were on the loan by himself?

Congrats on your win!

Good Morning Berta, My EED was not effected, I was granted 70% going back to June 15th 2010 (day after my ETS). That was written on the summary of case which told me how much my lawyer was going to get. When the NOD was deleted by the VA I had one month to get a new NOD in and my lawyer squared it away the second time around. I actually just got off the phone with Peggy and was told that my decision is in pretty much the last stage I literally just got off the phone less than five minutes ago but for the life of me I cannot remember what word he used. I asked about my current rating and he said that's what I'm waiting for someone to look at what my combined rating is and draw it up and sent out that document. He said funds would be released once that was done. I am assuming anything about TDIU would be with that official decision letter.

Yesterday afternoon on what was a really bad physical day for me I got a call from my lawyer, asking me if I had received anything from the Dept of Veteran Affairs...I said no I hadn't checked my mail yet. He had received a Summary of Case pertaining to my appeal. He said it stated I was rated at 70% for a mental health condition and it went on to say the total amount and the amount withheld for him my lawyer. He was very pleased. However, I was confused. I wasn't sure why it was only about one condition I assumed maybe all the other conditions were differed as I have heard has happened to other Veterans. I checked the mail box on my way out and read through everything in a parking lot and that same feeling from four years ago came back to me, I was denied on all of my physical conditions for a second time, after the Decision Review Officer pretty much told me my case seemed to be clear cut. With the SOC a form 9 was sent. For the denial each one stated that the examiner said my condition was less than likely caused by my time in service and that the condition should get better. My lawyer said he was going to review the SOC when he got a copy. I know I will need a really good IMO or IME that will show the problems I have still bother me and have not gotten better, I just I don't know. It feels like they gave me a large rating on their hiccup and decided to skip the rest. (For anxiety and depression my C&P examiner said I did have a mental health condition rated at 10% but I was denied in the end without being given a reason) I know I should be happy about my win but it has been really difficult for me. My husband (also a Veteran) who has not supported me in my fight with the VA is beyond thrilled about all this. I tried to explain to him that it's not about the money it's about getting treated for my conditions that are service connected. The summary of case I received says the decision was made on July 20th, I didn't get anything that says what my current rating will be but being already 30% I reckon I'll be bumped up to 80% Nothing on E Benefits has changed, it still shows that my appeal is open. Does that happen often? Would anyone be able to tell me if I will be getting a new copy of my AB8 or is that something I'll have to call in for? I haven't gotten any retro yet but I'm not worried about when that will happen what I would like some insight on is when I'll start receiving the new increase, if the award was decided on July 20th would that be early enough to begin getting the new increased award amount in August? Little Timeline Discharged in June 2010 claim filed previous month July 2012 denied all conditions approved for TB September 2012 NOD filed August 2013 VA deleted my NOD and a new one was immediately filed they claimed it was done wrong lawyer error September 2015 DRO face to face at ATL RO July 20th 2016 decision made Thanks for reading, Natalie

Buck, that's great advice. Something I plan on doing next time I can access my letters.

I haven't gotten a decision from my DRO hearing yet, but I am expecting one soon, and I'm expecting it to be successful. My hearing with the DRO was in September 2015 after waiting three years for a hearing. My original claim had all but one condition denied. My original claim was filed before I got done with service in June 2010. During my hearing my lawyer asked questions. We presented new evidence. My lawyer had my VA psychologist rate my mental health condition and during the hearing the DRO suggested we get a statement from my psychologist about something I can't remember. She (DRO) told me that she was very thorough with her work. I left feeling satisfied after the tears were shed. She sent me to get new scans in January. Every month or whenever I feel like I am about to snap I ask my lawyer to email her for an update. She has always been timely with her responses...which has helped the wait. This was done at the ATL RO everyone has a different experience..good luck with yours. -Natalie

Palma give your rep a call and ask them to call or email your DRO to ask for an update.

Have you gotten any news about your decision yet?

It's my appeal. I I have a review by a DRO with a hearing. I had my lawyer inquire about my appeal and the DRO told him she would be started on my appeal by the end of that week. With two weeks having passed I'm hoping that she is at least done before the end of the month.

Congratulations!

You can check your letters on E Benefits to see how much your monthly benefit is. Also clicking on disabilities will tell you what conditions you're rated for.

A little on my timeline. My original claim was filed in June 2010 upon exit of the Army. In July 2012 I got 30% for TB and everything else was denied. At the time I was in a really bad place and hired a lawyer. He submitted an NOD and almost a year later my appeal was canceled because the NOD was written incorrectly. Before the deadline he had another one on the way which was accepted. I chose a review with a DRO someone I could meet with face to face. That meeting came in September 2015. My lawyer wasn't notified and no letter was sent until after my hearing was already over. She my DRO Ms. Thomas seemed like a nice person. (I'm being treated at an outpatient patient clinic in Athens and maybe the smartest thing my lawyer has done was had my mental health provider rate my condition. I waited until the day of the DRO hearing to see what she marked....70%. I was a little sad by this but I know I have some things to work on.) At my original mental health C&P the doctor marked that I did have a mental health condition at the 10% level but the person rating still denied me and did not give a reason. Ms. Thomas said that I should have been rated on several other conditions coming right out of the military there was no way those conditions could have developed outside of service. Of course she mentioned this only after the hearing was over. It was in December 2015 when I was scheduled for additional C&P exams. At my original exams the Doctors did not have my records. I am appealing Low back condition, neck condition, knees, anxiety and depression, elbow. I went to QTC and the doctor who did my physical seemed to be in a hurry she was almost half hr late and rushed through everything. She also made it seem like it was the size of my breasts that caused my issues. I really wanted to punch her in the face. The Doctor that did my mental health exam was kinda laid back, I honestly was not expecting it. Because the Dr who did my first C&P seemed cold and heartless. I also got some xrays done which won't show anything cause I know I needed an MRI. On February 3rd 2016 my case was officially ready to rate. Here I am three months later...waiting like Uncle Sam taught me to do. I haven't been able to see my provider in a while and won't be able to for several months. So I came here. I'm a little more clear minded than I was a few years ago. I know pending case load and all the conditions I filed for will factor in how long it takes to get a decision back but sometimes I just feel like it hasn't been rated cause they set my file on fire. I feel forgotten to say the least but I know that I'm not the only one, and I know that there are people who have been waiting much longer than me. Anyway, can anyone speak on how long they've waited from being ready to rate to when they actually received a rating? Apparently that's the only thing Peggy doesn't have a timetable for. -Natalie

Can anyone tell me if it's normal to not be sent to one? I naturally assumed they would want to see the level I was at with DMII. I wasn't diagnosed with Diabetes in the service, however while I was pregnant during service I did have high blood sugar, 8 months after my discharge I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for my second pregnancy. As far as I know the only records they have are from the VA Medical Center I was treated at, I wasn't sent for a C&P and my claim is at Preparation for Decision all in a months time.

Congrats on your victory!

When I got sent out to do C and Ps I did get a travel reimbursement. Now to be seen after every appt I just go back up to the check in desk and ask for a travel voucher the checks take about six weeks. I have had a time where I was only given one way reimbursement...my therapist called in sick and for the long distance travel you should ask to be connected to the facility dept that handles the hotel arrangements They paid for my stay at a hotel when I have to travel the 100 miles to Augusta.

After an SOC if new evidence was submitted they do look at it if not favorable they will send you an SSOC before sending it to the BVA

Contact Veteran Affairs, I know after surgery you can get temporary 100% which would help you.

Congrats on your victory!

Congrats!

Thanks Vync I put in a request for them.

I first got seen at my local VA clinic in Athens GA last year when things were at their worst when I say worst I mean I was ready to wrap my van around a pole. I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, about three years out of service. I had gestational diabetes with my second child born in 2011 when I was about a year out of service and was borderline with my first child in 2010 while I was still in the service. I wanted to know if it is a condition that can be claimed? Also my therapist says that I have PTSD and anxiety and mild depression. I did claim anxiety and depression but not PTSD. Also, I have had an appeal going on since July 2012, it's still in phase 1 cause of a screw up by my lawyer I wanted to ask for advice if it's worth it to stick it out with the appeal or start a new fully developed claim with new evidence and another C&P exam. Also, when I left service in June 2010 I got a copy of my medical records but not my mental health records. I was being treated for three years. The VA doesn't have my mental health records either. Can someone tell me where I can obtain a copy of my records from? When I went to do my C&P my examiner told me all she had was that I was seen by mental health my last three months of service. I understand my case can take longer cause I have multiple conditions that I put in for I am just in need of some advice. Thanks in advance, Natalie

My hearing is set for March 19th. I have gone through a lot since I was really here last summer, I had started being treated by Veteran Affairs my therapist told me I suffer from sever anxiety, mild depression and some PTSD. The paralegal I spoke to on Friday said they have all my records from Veteran Affairs. I saw a civilian doctor last summer who took some xrays of my neck and lower back, he told me there was a curvature and I was born with it, which is not true. I have had exams years ago where nothing appeared on xrays from my neck or back. The Doctor also told me there was nothing that he could do for me and that was the last I saw of him he was very unprofessional. My kids are now 2 and 3 both about 30 - 35lbs and it's a struggle to hold them for longer than 2 or 3 minutes. I have gotten significantly worst. Even sitting here typing I feel like I have something pressing into my neck. My memory isn't the best and I can't remember what I said when I initially applied for benefits however knowing myself I listed everything that was hurting. Social Security never had me get any additional exams. The only exam they had me do was a chest xray. My anxiety goes up as the date creeps closer but good or bad I will be relieved when this part is over!

Congrats on your Victory!

Checked my mail got a letter from the VA that says We have not accepted your statement as valid Notice of Disagreement to initiate an appeal because you did not specifically identify the issues of the decision with which you disagree. The prior Rating Determination incorporated several determinations on multiple issues. It then says I have 30 days from the date of the letter June 21st to send in my NOD or the decision is final.