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abbie1115

Seaman
  • Posts

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About abbie1115

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    90%
  • Branch of Service
    Navy

abbie1115's Achievements

  1. Thank you both very much. I'll file TDIU on Monday and post updates as they come. Abbie
  2. Hello all, I received a combined 90% rating on November 15th for my initial claims rated as follows: Stress Incontinence post surgery for cystourethrocele - 60% Sleep Apnea w CPAP - 50% Depressive disorder, dythymic disorder - 30% Fecal Incontinence - 10% Painful Posterior fourchette to anal verge scar - 10% Left carpal tunnel - 10% Right carpal tunnel - 10% Tinnitus - 10% Posterior fourchette to the anal verge scar - 0% Hypertension - 0% TMJ - 0% Allergic Rhinitis - 0% Right ventral wrist scar - 0% The decision portion states: "An examination will be scheduled at a future date to evaluate the severity of your service connected Stress incontinence staus post operation for cystourethrocele and Depressive disorder, dysthemic disorder." My questions: I have been advised here to apply for TDIU, but I also want to file an NOD for the fecal incontinence and depressive disorder ratings. It even states in my award letter that I claimed my fecal incontinence as "complete loss of bowel control post rectal surgery, rectocele and encopresis". They assigned 10% evaluation for "impairment of sphincter control" based on "Constant slight leakage". It goes on to state that an award of 30% requires involves "occasional involuntary bowel movements, necessitating the wearing of a pad". - I wear a pad, and have worn a pad for daily involuntary bowel movements since my surgeries failed to correct the problems last year. I was told by my doctor that a colostomy is my last option. That is why I claimed "complete loss of bowel control" and forwarded with all of my records. The C&P they sent me to to evaluate my my fecal incontinence was an elderly one-stop-shop gentleman that seemed confused himself about how to rate my GYN issues. My case was a little more extreme than he was accustomed to I suppose, but he did a thorough job of poking around searching for his answers. When he saw the damages I had sustained, his tone changed and he spoke much softer to me. He advised me that if I am denied or lowballed by the VA for my incontinence issues that I should appeal, and now I will.. BUT.. Since an approval of an NOD for higher rating on my fecal incontinence rating would push me over to 100% on its own, and there is no reason for my bladder incontinence 60% or depression rating of 30% to be reduced in the near future as both of those conditions have significantly worsened this year, and filing for TDIU (as I understand it) opens the door to having everything reevaluated - should I just file an NOD for my fecal incontinence? By definition in the rating manual, I was expecting no less than a 60% rating there, and I supplied them 2 inches of documentation regarding it. The only thing I left out were the graphic 8 x 10 glossy photos of my damages, and I'm considering suppling those now with my NOD. Should I file just an NOD for my fecal incontinence and depressive disorders which would take me to 100%, or should I file for those NODs + TDIU? If both, do I mail them together, or separate to my RO? Would photographs of the perineal scarring that is contributing to my incontinece be considered helpful or unnecessary? I have tried fruitlessly to get a call back from my RO rep with these questions, none of my messages have been returned, so I hope someone can help me here. The one DAV rep I spoke to was kind, but seemed very uncertain on his responses. I tried other DAV reps, and was greeted with answering machines that told me to try again later. The experts here seem far more knowledgable than any "advisors" I've managed to speak to in person/over the phone. Thank you for any guidance you can provide. Abbie
  3. Thank you all for the well wishes and advice on TDIU. I don't know anything about it yet, but will look into it now. I received my brown envelope last week. I received a fair rating on all but my GYN issue. Not looking foward to appealing that one either, the C&P they sent me to the first time knew less about my conditions than I did. Not a good time, at all. I know I have 30 days though, and will likely take my chances and fight again. I am confused by one thing though: my letter breaks down my combined 90% award and states the fact that I will begin receiving those payments on December 1st, but just last week (the same day I received my envelope) I received a random $1050 deposit from the VA that eBenefits lists as "retro pay". I couldn't get anyone on the phone over the long holiday weekend to explain why I received this amount when my retro should go back to March 1st of this year. (?) My letter states nothing about this $1050 "retro" deposit either. Any clue what they're up to? Hopefully I can get someone on the phone this week. Thanks again for your help. Abbie
  4. Hello all. I have been a long time lurker student of this wonderful site and received good new on my inital claim today that I owe in part to all of the helpful advice I learned from here - I am approved at 90%! I know some of you also reached the "notification" phase recently and had questions about it, so here is my timeline to help: Sept 2011 - Initial claim filed under BDD program Oct 2011 - C&P exams completed Nov 2011 - All exams received at Seattle and forwarded to Utah Feb 2012 - Retired Navy Mar-Jun 2012 - "Gathering evidence" July 10th - Nov 11th 2012 - "Pending Decision" Nov 12th 2012 - "Pending Notification" Nov 15th 2012 - "Complete" I now have an AB8 letter in ebenefits which reflects my monthly payment amount, and Peggy verified my big envelope is on its way. Peggy explained I will receive my first monthly payment on December 1st, with backpay to my EAOS/file date of 03/01/12 to follow 90 - 120 days later (after all their audit drills). I'm currently a divorced single mom to 2 school-aged dependents and a full-time student using the Post 9/11 GIB. I've been unemployed since retiring this year. I need to educate myself now on the "what next" factor, including SSDI and state benefits. I'm grateful for you all in helping me along this far. I know I will find what I need here regarding my next chapter as well. God bless, Abbie
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