meghp0405

Buck52, I have helped a few vets that were presently working, in obtaining the TDIU award. Not easy, but it can be done.

a service connected disability of sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is extremely difficult to obtain. I've assisted many vets in their endeavors to obtain the same as you are. They have all been denied with the exception of 2. Both vets were diagnosed with PTSD with 70% or greater. They also had nexus letters with a strong etiology from a pulmonary doc. A doc cannot just say, that they believe the condition is caused by another without explaining how and why they arrived at the decisions that they did. Also, they mentioned other case studies where they were able to connect the two. Good luck

I have attended many meetings/training sessions where the instructor (someone from VA) always comes up with a % number of homeless veterans. I have asked repeatedly how they come up with that specific number. Although, no one has been able to give a definite answer on how and why, we are told that they go by the demographics of certain areas in each state which after a tally of all 50, then they arrive at their number. I think it's hogwash. I sincerely believe (me and my gut feeling) that it is more than what they are saying. Just a smokescreen in my honest opinion....

based on what you stated, your c/p exam is for upper left extremity weakness due to MS. This is what the CP examiner will review. You will need to submit a new claim for your additional disabilities..

hemorrhoids, diagnostic code 7336, mild or moderate (which yours has been annotated as such) is 0%

doesn't look good, the first sentence has sealed your fate...

using the 38 CFR, asthma, diagnostic code 6602, I would say 30% due to your score of FEV/FVC 65%, FEV/FVC 75%. hope this helps!

Don't believe it will be favorable on your part. The examiner stated that your left knee is favorable or normal in many of the testing. Normal is not a word you want to see or hear in a c/p exam. JMHO

Guys, to answer a few of the questions, let me say this; I've seen a multitude of "proposal to reduce benefits" letters this past year. Veterans are submitting for a re-evaluation for a higher % on certain or all of their disabilities. When they submit these claims, they are in fact having their entire list of disabilities reviewed . In the letters that I have seen, if a veteran has a S/C disability that hasn't been looked at by a doctor, ie, no medical complaints since the date of the last rating decision, the VA is considering that disability to have improved, thus resulting in a proposal to reduce. (those with under 10 years of having the disability) Again, I've seen so many of these this past year. I'm working with a veteran right now that received a proposal letter to reduce him from 90% to 10%. Gulf war vet, numerous issues, but he got fed up with the VA docs and not only did he stop going, but stopped all his meds. Started smoking weed, that's been his relief. After reviewing the letter, the only disability not being proposed a reduction is his tinnitus. So yes, it is happening. Navy04, your % for asthma will be based upon the results of the PFT test. Thadine, yes the VA can do that. They made an error is the only reason you don't have to pay those monies back. I would obtain a copy of your C/P exam that was done for the knee and look to see what the degrees in flexion is recorded, and the actual diagnosis of the knee. The biggest 2 factors when rating a knee... John999, yes there are many VSO's out there, some good and some bad as we all know. Me personally, In my 9 years of volunteering as a VSO, only a few occasions have I ever refused to submit a claim for a veteran. Each one of them had no medical diagnosis or medical documentation of their symptomology. I've never installed fear in anybody. I've been just and upright with each veteran that has visited me... 63 sierra, a lot of speculation in your comments...

Not sure why any veteran would submit a claim if they are P/T??? I have seen a lot of "Proposal to reduce benefits" letters that vets have brought in. Is what is transpiring, when VA receives a claim, they review the clam in it's entirety. If you have a disability that hasn't annotated in your records, VA believes that you are getting better, thus they will (and have) sent out these letters. just be careful and know what you're doing....

The last 3 years, I have submitted over 1500 FDC claims. The longest one took 7 months, the quickest FDC took only 1 week. I believe that the FDC is as good as the documents that accompany it. I do my best to have the vets obtain a DBQ before I submit their claim. This saves a lot of time! Also, it depends on the VARO that is adjudicating the claim. All of those that I submitted went to the Louisville, VARO.

VA will attempt the bi-polar as an heredity condition first. You need to have medical documentation from a MH counselor that states otherwise. Like what was said above, your illness needed to be exuberated by the conditions you faced while on active duty... Good Luck!

I would seek out a veterans service officer to assist you if you are unsure of your plight. I know a lot of folks on here have had bad experiences, but there are some good VSO's out there. When (if) you go looking, look for one that is busy. DO NOT speak with one that is sitting behind his/her desk doing nothing, again, find one that is busy. They are busy for a reason. I've been a VSO for 9 years and wouldn't change what I do for anything in the world!

the backpay will not be released until the fiduciary matter is resolved..

sleep apnea does not qualify for a SMC. DOD has their own formula, when computing retirement pay. it's based on your rank and time in service. Your PEBLO should of gone over that with you.. They now have a computer program that they can type your info in and it will tell you exactly what your retirement pay will be. Your a chapter 61 retiree, which means you have less than 20 years. You will only be able to draw one payment. The one from DOD or the VA which ever is greater. Based upon my experience, if you receive a 100% rating from DOD, you will receive the same from the VA. If so, you will receive the 100% rate from VA because it will be greater than your DOD medical retirement. If your PEBLO, hasn't provided that info to you, you can ask for it or, I would also recommend that you make an appointment with your JAG officer. each MEB processing place has their own lawyers.

you can request TDIU with an initial claim, but you need the supporting documents from a doc to support the claim. I have done this a few times and all have been successful for the veteran. You have to make sure that you have medical documentation to support the claim, I just cannot stress that enough....

I'm curious, a veteran that's 100%, files a claim, used vso's from all organizations, learned how to do claims all by their selves, claim is denied at the Ro, BVA and CAVC. My first question would be, what kind of nexus is in this veterans c-file? just curious....

you really need a doc to say that you can not work due to your service connected disabilities.... by submitting a claim for TDIU without no medical documentation to support that claim, I wouldn't be to optimistic about the decision... JMHO

the Tricare office at Fort Knox is closing on April 1, 2014 (not an April Fools joke). The decision to close that office was made about months ago. They are right across the hall from where my office used to be. The VA clinic has 95 veterans that are on a standby list to get switched to that clinic. They are not taking any other patients. Pretty bad, you have to wait until someone passes before you can get in..

personally, I'm not seeing how this in any way can work in your favor. I would suggest the following, contact your VA doc and get re-enrolled and get your medication started again. I've seen too many vets that have had their disability reduced simply because they stopped receiving treatment and/or stopped taking their medication for their disabilities. I would also highly suggest that you enroll in some type of counseling for your PTSD/alcohol issues. VA has the mind set that if a veteran is not seeking treatment, then they must be better. I see on average 80-85 vets a month. Your situation is not an isolated one, believe me. You need to reach out and obtain the help/assistance that you need and the help that IS available...

obtain a copy of your C/P exam. Take it to your neurologists, have him/her review it. Then write a letter specifically stating the # of migraines you have on a weekly or monthly basis. The doc also has to put that statement you said "very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of severe economic adaptability" If you have additional medical documentation that proves you have these this often, submit them as well. Complete a VA FM 21-8940 (notice of disagreement) and submit to your VARO. One thing you might want to consider is going to the emergency room, your PCM every time you get a migraine . That way you will have undisputable documentation for your claim. I know the last thing you want to do is get into a vehicle and go to the doc when you have a migraine, but it's undisputable evidence.

when you submitted your application for TDIU, what documentation did you enclose with it? I'm hoping that you submitted a letter from your doc stating that you're not able to work due to your service connected disability.

after many states, organizations, government entities have witnessed the money that Colorado has made from this "medical marijuana" they are now all looking to cash in on the party (no pun intended).

pages 2-3 was where you listed the disability, date disability began, location where disability was treated and the name of the individual who treated you. Extremely pleased they got rid of that form! It was a pain in the backside to complete!

the VARO here will only go back 30 days. anything longer than that, your sol....