MartyL16

Thanks John for your reply. You are right, I am lucky to have gotten this far but bitter all because I have been screwed by the local RO for years. Since 1987 to be exact. I lost my home $440,000 that I had worked hard for since the early ‘90s but after 2006 my employment capability was almost non-existent and  back then between my USAF pension of less than $1000 per month, and my VA comp. of less than $500, the VA kept turning me down for everything.
Plus the fact that I was so depressed that in 2007-2008, I came close to “turning the light switch off”.
All of my claims were of facts that the VA had “constructive possession” of and in most cases actually listed all the medical records that applied but they would come back and state,  no records found, or no diagnosis.
I was Stage 4 Sarcoidosis in the last 2.5 years of my 20 years of active duty. When I retired I was still Stage 2 and on prescribed prednisone, with PFTs below 65% predicted. I received 0% SC. Had another 3 years from 92-95 on 60mg per day and diagnosed Stage 4 Sarcoidosis.
Because of the high dose prednisone for all those years, I had “Cushing’s Syndrome” including the “moon face” and “elephant hump” on my high back. These are very noticeable by everyone and should have been by the VA during 1 exam without any PFT, or labs.
Also documented osteoporosis from the prednisone and other obvious, visible symptoms.
I do know that the VA won’t rate you for multiple mental conditions except they will combine them. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
As I stated, my original PTSD claim with stressor letter was 2004. Because I did the DRO video conference in 2013 with resubmitted documents originally from VRE contracted psychologists and masters degreed physical therapist in 2009-2010, I got my 1st depression rating of 50% with a deferred PTSD, but re-opened claim.
Also, my SPR states under COMBAT, the TET in 1969. My VA ‘shrink’, an MD, and VA Psychologist,a PHD, 2008 diagnosis of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other acquired mental, was ignored ALWAYS.
Don’t forget the July 2010 change of the actual VA law concerning PTSD rating, which actually identifies COMBAT as an ‘automatic PTSD’  rating  ‘without the need for a C&P exam’ or ‘water boarding’.
i also have fully documented stressors, 9 to be exact that we’re ignored and the 127 pages of VA mental health records from 2008-thru today even.
My points are: fully SC depression from active duty (beginning 1985)thru the present on a CONTINUOUS prescribed antidepressant medicine thru today.
Medically diagnosed PTSD and reconfirmed chronic depression by the VA since 2008 thru today with prescription doubling in 2008 and 2016. 
Then the VA SOC of 2015 with the 127 pages, the SPR record, the 9 fully documented and record supported STRESSORS (that were the basis of the VA PTSD) diagnosis), they VA stated, I am quoting, “we have received your documents DISCUSSING your symptoms”. They just changed a medical mental diagnosis to a DISCUSSION, and they have nothing to support that change.
That and other RO illegal changes are what makes me livid, so yes, you say I can pay my bills but you don’t know that I am on permanent oxygen devices, 24 hours per day, ride in my VA motorized wheelchair because of my lungs, DDD and Cervical Stenosis with nerve impingement and severe pain that never  ceases and if it wasn’t for my now wife, another Air Force veteran, who VA qualified to buy this house 6.5 years ago, I would be another homeless veteran, with nothing!
So being satisfied with my rating and income means that you believe my continuing efforts to get “retro Pay” should not be fought for.
it is “not the all that I want”, but rather “the all that I deserve and earned”.
All the RO employees that fail to award disability compensation that is fair, accurate, and legally and medically supported is a crime in itself because they have deliberately violated and ignored laws that they are required to adhere to.
They get paid bonuses for the number of claims they “push out the door” every day. That means they are getting paid more for violating the law, their sworn oath, and professional responsibility.
i also am not trying to “single” you out or “pick on you” but you”hit a nerve”. All veterans deserve the appropriate disability compensation! It is not a “wish list” for “Santa Claus”. It is a LEGAL right!
Oh, by the way,
I EARNED my Military Pension,
I EARNED my Social Security Entitlement, and
I DESERVE my VA Disability Compensation.
Marty

Thanks John for your reply. You are right, I am lucky to have gotten this far but bitter all because I have been screwed by the local RO for years. Since 1987 to be exact. I lost my home $440,000 that I had worked hard for since the early ‘90s but after 2006 my employment capability was almost non-existent and  back then between my USAF pension of less than $1000 per month, and my VA comp. of less than $500, the VA kept turning me down for everything.
Plus the fact that I was so depressed that in 2007-2008, I came close to “turning the light switch off”.
All of my claims were of facts that the VA had “constructive possession” of and in most cases actually listed all the medical records that applied but they would come back and state,  no records found, or no diagnosis.
I was Stage 4 Sarcoidosis in the last 2.5 years of my 20 years of active duty. When I retired I was still Stage 2 and on prescribed prednisone, with PFTs below 65% predicted. I received 0% SC. Had another 3 years from 92-95 on 60mg per day and diagnosed Stage 4 Sarcoidosis.
Because of the high dose prednisone for all those years, I had “Cushing’s Syndrome” including the “moon face” and “elephant hump” on my high back. These are very noticeable by everyone and should have been by the VA during 1 exam without any PFT, or labs.
Also documented osteoporosis from the prednisone and other obvious, visible symptoms.
I do know that the VA won’t rate you for multiple mental conditions except they will combine them. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
As I stated, my original PTSD claim with stressor letter was 2004. Because I did the DRO video conference in 2013 with resubmitted documents originally from VRE contracted psychologists and masters degreed physical therapist in 2009-2010, I got my 1st depression rating of 50% with a deferred PTSD, but re-opened claim.
Also, my SPR states under COMBAT, the TET in 1969. My VA ‘shrink’, an MD, and VA Psychologist,a PHD, 2008 diagnosis of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other acquired mental, was ignored ALWAYS.
Don’t forget the July 2010 change of the actual VA law concerning PTSD rating, which actually identifies COMBAT as an ‘automatic PTSD’  rating  ‘without the need for a C&P exam’ or ‘water boarding’.
i also have fully documented stressors, 9 to be exact that we’re ignored and the 127 pages of VA mental health records from 2008-thru today even.
My points are: fully SC depression from active duty (beginning 1985)thru the present on a CONTINUOUS prescribed antidepressant medicine thru today.
Medically diagnosed PTSD and reconfirmed chronic depression by the VA since 2008 thru today with prescription doubling in 2008 and 2016. 
Then the VA SOC of 2015 with the 127 pages, the SPR record, the 9 fully documented and record supported STRESSORS (that were the basis of the VA PTSD) diagnosis), they VA stated, I am quoting, “we have received your documents DISCUSSING your symptoms”. They just changed a medical mental diagnosis to a DISCUSSION, and they have nothing to support that change.
That and other RO illegal changes are what makes me livid, so yes, you say I can pay my bills but you don’t know that I am on permanent oxygen devices, 24 hours per day, ride in my VA motorized wheelchair because of my lungs, DDD and Cervical Stenosis with nerve impingement and severe pain that never  ceases and if it wasn’t for my now wife, another Air Force veteran, who VA qualified to buy this house 6.5 years ago, I would be another homeless veteran, with nothing!
So being satisfied with my rating and income means that you believe my continuing efforts to get “retro Pay” should not be fought for.
it is “not the all that I want”, but rather “the all that I deserve and earned”.
All the RO employees that fail to award disability compensation that is fair, accurate, and legally and medically supported is a crime in itself because they have deliberately violated and ignored laws that they are required to adhere to.
They get paid bonuses for the number of claims they “push out the door” every day. That means they are getting paid more for violating the law, their sworn oath, and professional responsibility.
i also am not trying to “single” you out or “pick on you” but you”hit a nerve”. All veterans deserve the appropriate disability compensation! It is not a “wish list” for “Santa Claus”. It is a LEGAL right!
Oh, by the way,
I EARNED my Military Pension,
I EARNED my Social Security Entitlement, and
I DESERVE my VA Disability Compensation.
Marty

Actually made some progress with tracking down the AL "chain of command". I actually spoke with Verna Jones in Washington DC and she passed me to a staff member who told me that in some states the American Legion VSOs are state employees and don't answer to Washington but to the Director in their state. That is the way it is here in AZ.

So you need to find out first, who does your VSO answer to, then go from there.

How did I get to Verna Jones? Hard to believe but I called the 800 Customer Service # in Washington DC and got her the 2nd day. She was nice to talk with but very quick to respond to me that she had no power to control the VSOs.