indyman

But it has never been done before now. If its discretionary is it part of the 2.2 Billion the VBA/VA spent last year on discretionary funding, and if so, the vets are paying for it?

I was kind of thrown off. In just two wks time my status went from awaiting a decision to decision phase. Is there a difference? Who knows. Its just a messed up mess of rewording and putting you off.

I had appointments today at the VA in Indpls. First, they had a notice on the cashiers window that effective May 1, they will mail out travel pay checks to your address, with an expected turn around time of one week. When I went to the window for my cash, I was given six dollars less than the normal twenty four. When I ask, the cashier told me that all veterans were effected, no matter what level of disability. Why the six dollars I ask? To pay into a fund for payment on ambulance fees in the event you have an ambulance take you to a VA facility. Its to offset the expense on the ambulance service. Really, I ask? Having been in law enforcement for many years I started asking some more intrusive questions. Had I still been carrying a badge I most likely would have been advising a really nice lady of her Miranda Rights. I had a friend with me who was learning the ropes of the VA, and I had my hearing aids in. He told me what he heard, and I fully understood what she was saying. She told me the IRS were the starters of this offset/deduction/collection/fine/penalty, and she used all those words in each sentence. I took my eighteen bucks and left. But, when you figure it out, its 25%. Has anyone come across this yet?

I called the VA about two weeks ago and ask about the status of my claim. I was told it was awaiting a "decision". I called just yesterday and I know I spoke with the same person and I was told my claim was in the "decision phase" which I have never heard before. I am on my 270th day now regarding a TDIU claim with worsening SC's found on C&P exam. Is this something new? Or just a way of telling you its on a desk someplace awaiting its turn? Anyone gotten this kind of response?

My claim was sent from Indpls to Augusta ME to be developed, and then after they got it all finished they mailed back to Indpls for a decision. I can not see why they had it all in front of them, ready to rate, and sent it back to Indpls to set in a pile. My VSO checked on it, and she is scratching her head just like me. So the RO's in their wisdom sent a claim from an RO w/a 360 day back log to a RO w/a 125 day turn around time, back to an even larger back log.

I remember that idea of increasing our compensation by 25%, and labeled it a "quality of life" increase. Of course I think that was all lip service, since most of those senators, congressmen & women, all retired, were not reelected, or passed away. I do not know if the idea is still being kicked around or not. Have not heard a thing from the SO's

Looks like its time for another convention and party. New offices, new furniture, and big bonuses for nothing. What always gets me is they always say the number of claims completed. Does that include the claims that are deleted because the veteran died? I would love to see those figures.

I agree with you pete992, the VA can not keep up with all the paperwork that they have created. It seems like they create a form and create another form to cancell the first one. The 21-526 is way to long, confusing and I can see a recently discharged veteran trying to figure it out. And I agree with the other posts that it all comes from the top, not the bottom. I still believe they are guarding the money.

I read that article you posted dsgsr and I could not believe that in the 60's this was going on. In the mid 60's I was playing baseball and basketball, cruzzin the dog and suds and having no idea in 1969 after graduation from high school I was spending my senior trip in southeast asia. At 19, I witnessed things I will never forget. But I will never forgive this country for the betrayal they have inflicted on the United States military veteran who served in Vietnam.

LPN, DMII, UPN (found on C&P), HTN, Tinnitus, Clavicle, Ankle, Scars, and (Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis,)( which were also on C&P exam) Dexa Scan in Feb confirmed Osteoporosis. DMII 20%, HTN 20%, LPN Bilateral 10% each, Clavicle 10%, Ankle 10%, Scars 10%, Tinitus 10%. Afo's, hearing aids, carpel tunnel wrist braces and many meds for HTN, DMII.

During my C&P for TDIU, a worsening SC condition was noted. One has worsened and the other was new. Lower PN was worse, and upper PN was found as underlying to Carpal Tunnel bilaterally. I do not think the reviewers or RVSR's will pick up on this either intentionally, or just overlook it. If denied TDIU and I file NOD, do I have to wait a year to file for increased SC condition or newly found condition? And can I use the NP report done for the TDIU exam even though it was missed? Or, should I file a CUE? I have also thought of the 21-526ez for the new SC and worsened SC. My upper PN was rated at moderate, and lower PN at Moderately Severe. I also wear afo's and use a cane to walk. The NP caught the cane part, but only mentioned the afo's as braces. Both these items are a true indication of a worsening disability, but what kind of weight does this have. Thanks for any info in advance.

Five former secretaries, and one current one, all saying the same thing but in different words since 1994.

The VA did me the same way when I got my award kicking me up to 70%. My VSO did not tell me to throw it away but was not very encourging at having me apply. I did anyway and I just graduated to my 230th day wait. Hopefully, you did not have to go through Indy RO. Ive been told its a mess there.

I just do not understand when they it all done and sitting right in front of them, they pack it up and send it all back. To me, its like rewinding the clock.

I hope I did this right, but take a look at this new FL just out from VA. Looks like a plus for the DIC claims. http://www.scribd.com/doc/132403480/FL13-004-DIC

Chuck 75, excellent suggestion.

I read about this on another post and was surprised when it came up for a vote so quickly. I am glad (at this point) it was blocked. Hopefully, somebody else will not think of another "end run" to go after our earned benefits. It really gets to me when the government tries to change benefits to entitlements.

I am still getting the white ones. Do the blackberry ones contain sugar? Just kidding guy, but with the RX dept at the VA, you can never tell.

I'm sure this has been discussed before. I had a C&P exam on Jan 30th, this year. Exam was good and all questions covered. I found out my claim was sent to Togus, Augusta ME due to backlog at Indy. I got through today and spoke with a service rep. He told me after my claim was developed in ME it went back to IN, for the decision. This guy did not sound like he really knew. I sent all my evidence to ME (as requested by letter from Togus) on Jan 31st, with C&P sent by the NP. I was sitting there when she sent it. Why would an RO in Indy with a heavy backlog (approx 300 days) get the developed claim back from ME for the decision to be made in IN. It just does not make any sense when ME had it all there in front of them and could have awarded or denied. And does anyone have any idea the turnaround time after completion of the C&P and all supporting evidence is submitted? Do TDIU claims take longer? Also, I sent the completed evidence to ME on Feb 1, with RRR I got back dated Feb 7th. The guy I talked with said Indy got the developed claim on Feb 8th. I did not say anything about the RRR. Sounds a fishy maybe?

I think I have had them all. I am with DAV right now and I have not figured out my VSO just yet. Sometimes she good, and other times she seem preoccupied with something else. My old VSO either quit, transferred, or was fired. He did not let anyone know or send out any letters saying otherwise, so maybe he didn't he was leaving either. Honestly, I have learned more on this website than from any VSO. Listen to these guys, and keep your VSO informed. You are the only one that can help yourself first.

CC, when you tell a lie enough times and have the media at your feet, people will start thinking its the gospel. These people at VA, BVA, AA or whoever are totally convinced they are the greatest ever. They love to take 30 minutes and tell you how great they are. In the latter years of my Federal Service, I worked eight horrible months as a VSR at the Indy VA. Get to work at 0800 hrs. Drink coffee and walk around until 0930 or so. Go to training meeting. Go on break, then back at training. Now, go to lunch. Back at work, unwind, and talk with other employees. Go to union meeting for one hour. Go home. Next day, repeat of the first one. In the eight months I worked there I was convinced I had made the worst mistake in my federal career. I was lucky, I put in for and returned to Federal LE and then retired with 22 yrs. I then went back to local LE where I had started and did five more. Because of my PN I called it home in 2008. Excuse me rambling on, but I really get worked up when these do badders try to look like do gooders. I can never explain how much idiots I witnessed in my eight months there. How those people got back and forth to work is beyond me. That was 11 years ago, and I recently went ther to see my VSO who had transferred and as I left the building I noticed most of the same people walking the same hallways with the same look on their faces. A blank stare. We had one where a friend told me you could tell if it was morning or afternoon. He walked the hallways in the mornings with a piece of paper in his hand. In the mornings he carried in the right hand, and switched to the left hand in the afternoon. He is still there and an NFL. Thats stands for GS 9 for life NineForLife. Dont give up CC, I know you wont.

Actually total paralysis with total foot drop is considered 60%, based on the chart in title 38 part IV. I was rated as moderately severe bilaterally. My NP did a 84 page report on me. Every page had certain detailed yes or no questions with narratives to follow. One question read: Does the veteran have lower extremity diabetic PN. The answer was YES. Then it ask to define which nerve was effected. Answer was Sciatic. Then under the Sciatic nerve it had four levels of severity. Mild, Moderate, Moderately Severe and Complete Paralysis. Mine was as stated before, Moderately Severe. It asks for both sides. Then a short narrative by the NP on my individual unemployability. Then the same questions on upper PN issues. But I noticed only complete paralysis, moderate and mild. No mention of Moderately Severe on the printed questions. I hope this helps you. I was very lucky and got a very knowledgeable NP who had been an emergency nurse (triage) and an instructor, private nurse, the whole nine yards. And afo's are no fun. They tear up jeans, and are uncomfortable. The VA seldom looks at something is just not comfortable. You should get 10% for something that is uncomfortable, but they dont see it that way. Good luck.

I read the court papers on this today, but had to leave and did not share it at the time. You guys have been on this stuff a lot longer that I have, but won't this illegal act by the VA put all those denials back on the table, or will they just grant awards? And how will this bounce back on us with pending claims? After all, Article 5, egual treatment under the law.