NavyWife

Here's the link directly from Social Security that explains how the reps are to process these claims.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/reference.nsf/links/02202014042048PM

In a nutshell it says that it is for 100% vets that are also considered permanent and total.

It states that just because they were approved by VA does not mean they will be approved by social security.

All the vet needs to do is enclose a copy of their award letter stating the 100% permanent and total In order to receive the expedited processing.

I wish Social Security could take over for the VA in processing claims!

Social Security doesn't seem to have the major problems that VA has.

My preference is handling the claims myself without a VSO. However, before you file a claim you need to gather as much information as you can about how the VA disability claims system works. Everything you need to know about how to file a VA disability claim can be found on the hadit website. My successful claims have been the result of assistance provided by information on this website, other hadit members and doing a lot of reading and research on my own. Gather your own medical records, don't depend on the VA. You are your own best advocate. Don't depend on a VSO or the VA doing the work for you. The only time I would recommend using a VSO is if you just don't feel confident and/or capable of filing the claim yourself.

Good luck to you.

NavyWife,
Thanks for posting links to the DBQs. I have a psych exam this Friday and am getting really nervous about it. The DBQs at least prepare me for what I'm about to go through.

And at the SSA you can actually walk in and talk to a live person, who can pull up your file on their computer, answer your questions all while displaying a helpful positive attitude. They will even give you their name and telephone extension number so you can call them back if you have questions later. The SSA handles more claims than the VA and I would bet their accuracy rate is much higher than the VA. Congress should either turn VA claims processing over to SSA or send SSA supervisors over to the VA to retrain, fire, replace or do whatever is necessary to make VA claims employees function like SSA claims employees.

I wish Social Security could take over for the VA in processing claims!

Social Security doesn't seem to have the major problems that VA has.

I wish Social Security could take over for the VA in processing claims!

Social Security doesn't seem to have the major problems that VA has.

Most likely yes they will schedule him for a C&P exam even though he already has a diagnosis at VA for PTSD.

The reason would be because even though he has the diagnosis that is only one part of what is needed for the rating. They also need to evaluate the degree of his PTSD or how badly it affects his day to day life at home and work.

Plus they need the doctor to give the Nexus statement saying that his PTSD is due to his military service.

It might be a VA doctor or it might be a non-VA doctor. If The VA doctors are super busy then they would contract out to a non-VA doctor.

Sorry he has to relive this again with another doctor.

Cradulations on the 30% Navy04 gave good advice, get your condition treated at the VA for a couple of months then file for an increase.

Rick

I always tell Vets that when you present the Evidence and the Govts Own policies and regulations in front of their nose, they will eventually have to approve a condition. It does not matter if it is the Military, VA or the SSA, the law is the law. Good luck and keep us posted.

Kate,

Just as an example: say I filed a claim containing several contentions in July of 2011. In September of 2012, the RO sent a decision letter and denied the entire claim. I filed a Request for a Reconsideration (DAV lingo meaning a re-open) with smoking new hot evidence for service connection I just received two months prior, plus some recent treatment records. In August 2013 they grant the claim and I am satisfied with the ratings. The backpay goes back to the filing date of July 2011.

If the RO comes back with another denial in August of 2013 and I didn't motor on down to the RO and file a NOD by September of 2013, the following happened: The VA pushed the reject button case closed! The DAV pushed the purge button and changed the answering machine. I pushed the panic button and then the reset button. Because it is worse then if I didn't file a claim since I can no longer use the evidence that I used in the prior claim. So, don't miss that one year to appeal from the date of the decision letter with a NOD. If the reconsideration is in limbo with nothing returned and you file the NOD within the one year of the original decision date, then you will preserve your original filing date as the effective date. In my example it would be July of 2011. Good Luck! We all need plenty of that!

One of the advantages of a reconsideration is that it stays with the ratings team and doesn't go to the appeals team. If it goes back to the rater that did the claim and he/she sees the new evidence then the denial could be reversed and that would be much quicker than sifting through the hierarchy.

I faxed a rescission of the POA to the DAV and also sent a copy of that rescission to the local RO containing my claim number.

Yes, for any travel to a VA medical facility. At my VAMC, I just stop at the travel office and fill out a form, which takes about 5 minutes, and they mail a check to me.

Travel pay is also paid to any veteran, regardless of rating, when traveling to a C & P exam.

Did you claim any dependents? If so, when you call the 800 number also ask if the award included your dependents. This may account for some of the shortage.

Good luck to you.

Berta,

Sure appreciate your well-written and documented evidence added to the pile - I think it counts for a lot!

I think you're right, John. It's like they're shoving the mess into the closet and hoping Mom doesn't open the door. The appeals backlog is one of the biggest the unspoken problems right now, IMO.

If you have access,Check your MyHealthevet, your medical records will have any updated SC%. Also check "Letters", at ebenefits, or download letters, it will reflect your current updated rating in the "Summary of Benefits" letter. All of this updated for me the same day they closed the claim.

Just a thought. Good Luck, I hope you received the decision you wanted.

Better be looking into a IMO for good medical to back your claims.......Always better to have in hand so the C&P examiner has an out and the RO has a delima instead of a basic opinion that might not be in your favor.

Its ok to be disappointed if denied, and usually many times on initial claims, they lowball or outright deny. They take advantage of most vets not knowing how the system works and erroneously OR intentionally wrongfully denying the claim. Theres some strong medicine for that on this forum and you can learn how to win, its up to you to put forth the time and effort, which can be substantial. I put in at least an hour every day reading and learning, and it is paying off big time, . I bet if you put 20 VSOs in a room, I would know more than at least half of them, by what Ive learned here on Had IT. I still have ALOT to learn, as there are people on this site who have been actively fighting the VA for 20 or more years. Thier sharing of knowledge and experience is priceless.
If you have legitimate claims Never give up on them. I believe that once the VA sees you are getting wise, they know that it is just a matter of time, because if you dont give up, you will usually win. So put yo self wise!!!!!!!

I will stuff my pillow with hundred dollar bills when I win my claim, that should fixy.

Matt--
There are a group of sour, grumpy, angry-at-life men at the other vet site. It is very common for them to be rude & irrational towards people who post helpful information. Your not the first one & wont be the last. Don't stop spreading the word about helpful programs just cuz of those jerks!

The folks here at hadit are much smarter & realize when someone is trying to help.

Thanks for this!

I think a lot of folks only think about medication and talk therapy. But they don't know about all these alternative treatments.

Unfortunately, many of the psychotropic medications commonly prescribed for ptsd can CAUSE serious problems for certain people.

I think it's great that you pointed out that everyone is different and may have different reactions and results to the various treatments. I'm really happy for your sake & your family's, that this worked for you.

the VR&E looks at a simultaneous filing for College and SS as a slap in the face. You are filing with the govt saying you cannot work, but filing with Voc rehab to try and get a fresh start, more training, ect, TO GET BACK INTO THE JOB MARKET. You cannot have the cake, eat it too, and go back and get the ice cream.Something else ive learned, I dont make bills based on projected income, it will fail you everytime. I make bills based on tangable income. Money in the bank, safe, wifes purse, or the undesclosed secret location in the pickle jar buried 3 feet deep. Sounds like u need to do a re assessment and regroup. good luck.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), was the manual that doctors use to diagnose mental illness. It has been recently updated to DSM V and they have changed some of the terminology and the way disorders are diagnosed. It is technical gobbley-goop for the medical profession.

In the old DSM IV, PTSD didn't have the "acquired" added to it. DSM 5 now classifies mental disorders as either life long or an acquired disorder. The theory is that you "acquire it" later in life due to some sort of traumatic event. It doesn't really mean much other than how they label it. They have to label the disorders in order to get insurance to pay for it...that is all the labeling is about...and they need to define it for you to get your C&P.

As long as it is still able to be SC I wouldn't worry too much about it. Basically it is the same thing they just used more words to describe it.

Be prepared to quantify things; my last C&P doc asked a ton of "how much, how often?" questions that we really don't think in terms of so it can be hard to provide an accurate number off the top of your head.

I got so wore out by the childhood and preliminary questions that, by the time the doc was ready to play ball, I had already mentally 'checked out" and didn't really present my case well, despite having it on paper.

She wanted to hear me SAY it - it is definitely a game and the VA is not on your team, so all preparation is good but it really does come down to be honest, present your case from your notes and write down your impressions of impropriety, leading you on, jumping to conclusions, get a copy of the exam and dispute any bad elements with facts in writing.

Good luck!

The media buzz seems to be all about the VAMC and health care. It appears the VAROs and their affiliates are being played down. If the public only knew... Cmdr. Bob