[Put in for PTSD Increase and SMC L]

Well my claim for PTSD increase and A&A completed today on Ebenefits but I see nothing. That whole process was quick, only a few months, but very stressful. I submitted a ton of Evidence and letters along with having to go thru 2 C&Ps.  I hope that I receive the BWE next week with good news. Thanks for the support and all the info given by the positive folks on Hadit Hope you guys have a good weekend. God Bless

[Ptsd]

Yes Sir, I have had multiple Reviews and Exams, even though I have multiple Mental Conditions they are all rated under PTSD. In the Mental Health world there is a big difference from MDD or Adjustment Disorder to PTSD. Just part of the Process bud. I have Submitted DBQs and a ton of Evidence, but the VA always makes me due C&Ps, and sometimes more then one for the same condition that I applied for.

[finally it's over.]

Great to hear you got the Good News Finally. Truly wish you the best. Keep us posted and God Bless my Friend!!!

[Put in for PTSD Increase and SMC L]

Well my claim moved to Prep for Decision this morning. All you guys have posted alot of Great Info. I just wish that I understood the SMCs like you guys. I talk to alot of Vets at the VAs and they always tell me to apply for this or that, I just dont understand it all. This whole process has been so stressful. Along with the fact that I am having Surgery on Friday this week to Have an Implant put in to make my Bladder work correctly. I am SC at 40% for the Bladder issues, so I guess I will put in for Temporary 100% and a New Claim for an Increase as well. Thanks alot guys for the Support. I Love all my Fellow Vets, and God Bless!!!

[Next claim going down range finally]

Just hang in there bud. My current claim filed around same time as you, just went to Prep for Decision as well. Good luck and God Bless

[Timeframe Question (Step 5. Preparation for Decision)]

USMC, It is hard to tell at this point. My Current Claim just went to Prep for Decision as well. I have had over 10 claims by now, and some finish faster then others. Good luck and sorry to hear of your hardship. Keep us posted and God Bless

[Pending Decision Approval & 2nd C&P]

The VA can complete one of your conditions and defer the other. Really hard to tell with Ebenefits. My claim is at Review of Evidence currently. Just try not to let the process wear you down. Good luck and keep us posted

[review of evidence]

Your claim is actually moving pretty good bud. I filed my claim around the same time as you and I am at Review of Evidence. We should both be done within the next 6 weeks or so. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

[PTSD Increase - Opinions Wanted]

Welcome aboard and sorry to hear of your issues. As we all know, the Claims Process just never seems to get any easier, or less Stressful. We have alot in common and I truly hope you can find some help or a little comfort to seek treatment to deal with your ongoing MH status. I was approved for SSDI fairly quick around 2 months due to my ongoing MH and Physical issues. The SSA loves to deny Vets the first time, dont worry just make sure you have all your medical evidence together to challenge the SSA. Also with the VA, most Raters do not use the GAF scores anymore. Just make sure that you have the Diagnoses and Treatment thru the VA so that it is all well documented. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless!!!

[Question about the time line after my C&P]

I too have a claim due to complete by Sep. Most claims even FDCs last give or take 6 months until they are completed. Remember that not every claim is the same, and others can be processed fast then some, and it depends on the RO. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

[Veteran Compensation And Pension Medical Consulting Services]

Those Crooks have been calling me for a few months. IMHO Vets either have the Hard Medical Evidence to support their Claims or Not!!!!  No need to let these companies take advantage of Good Vets!!!

[What's your opinion, light at the end of the tunnel or not?]

The problem is that there are not a lot of evidence linking the contaminated water to Mental Health Conditions. I actually studied about the Camp Lejeune water in college a few years ago. No studies that I know of, where actually able to connect the two together number 1.  Number 2, you had no time in War, therefore the VA is looking for Documented Stressors to link to Mental Health Issues too, rather then Generic Adjustment Disorder, which Basically the VA or Civilian Docs assign as a Way of saying that no Official Diagnosed Condition. IMHO alot of Vets are lucky to get the Adjustment Disorder Diagnoses, as most Vets that get Service Connection for this, most likely would not get it for PTSD or other Mental Health Issues. What exactly are you seeking or asking us bud?  Good luck and keep us posted

[C&P Exam New Diagnosis (Service Connected?)]

Welcome aboard bud.  The first thing you need is a Diagnoses, and likely x rays and MRIs. The problem with bone issues, is that alot of Vets will claim I did this, or sprained that. It just doesnt work like that. As I always say nothing speaks more the Hard Physical Evidence. Hell I had 2 surgeries on my R Knee while active and it was still a pain to get it SC along with my L Knee. I actually just had x rays on both, and going to have MRIs in the next few weeks as it looks like a few more surgeries to go. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

[10% SC rating for my right knee, tore the medial collateral while on active duty]

Dont know what you are asking bud. I had 2 knee surgeries while on active on r knee and it only has 10% rating, I have 10% for l knee as well. I will actually be having surgery on both soon.

[Apprehensive about submitting for SMC S]

I understand how you feel bud. I was Reviewed a few months ago, and the VA reduced one of my Disabilities even though I am 100% P&T. I too struggled for a long time to file for SMC L and A&A. I decided to file for it last month. Well I had a couple of C&Ps for PTSD, and A&A. They were both brutal and I too am scared the VA will tamper with my current ratings and P&T. Just hard to say bud. Only you can decide what is best for you and your family. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

[Nearly 3 Hour PTSD C&P Exam]

Looks like you will be granted 50%. As far as Mental Health exams, I have had quite a few just in the last 3 years, and all have been hours long. All mental health conditions claimed will be in 1 exam. So the VA will not order other exams, as mental health ratings are grouped due to the symptoms over lapping. I have 5 or 6 diagnosed mental conditions but they are all rated as PTSD. Good luck and keep us posted. God bless

[Approved]

Congrats, but what do you mean you gave up 28 months of back pay? As long as there is proof of when claim filed and when disabled then you should get all of the back pay. I was approved for VA and SSDI so fast that there was no back pay in my case.

[C and P took 10-15 min, Is that bad?]

Well glad you made it thru the exam bud. As stated above it can be good or bad. Really hard to tell as the process is much smoother and Docs have access to most of the evidence these days. Now I had an PTSD exam two weeks ago and I was in there for a couple of hours, but everyone is different. Just try to relax, and keep us posted. God Bless

[Why Did VA Request An Independent Medical Exam When We've Already Had One?]

Welcome aboard and sorry to hear of your issues. As given above already, not uncommon at all to have these re do exams. I have had multiple claims with DBQs, yet the VA always requests exams for me. I have yet to have a claim, where one was not ordered. I just had 2 exams over the last few weeks for PTSD increase and A&A, both were brutal and thru the VES civilian side. Same as any exam, just go in there be honest, and nothing, I mean nothing slaps the VA in the face harder the Hard Medical Evidence such as MRIs, Scans, X rays etc. I have alot of Physical issues, and all been granted due to MRIs and X rays. GOod luck and keep us posted. God Bless

[Preparation for Notification]

The biggest updaes on Ebenefits is usually on Mondays and Fridays. Should be very soon bud. Good luck and keep us posted

[Approved First Time!]

Congrats on the great news bud. My SSDI was approved in 8 weeks which is damn near impossible in the state of Texas. Also since you are a Post 9/11 Vet you can apply for the VA Caregiver program. It is where the VA pays your wife to take care of you. Now it is not the easiest program to get approved for. The VA pays my wife 2K a month on the Highest Tier, but I have alot of health issues. Good luck and hope you have a good weekend.

[GERD rating]

It is really hard to get over 10%. I have severe Crohns Disease along with Barrett's Esophagus, and yet I am only rated at 30% for both combined. My GERD is so bad, the VA Docs thought I had Throat Cancer at one time due to all of the eroding of the esophagus. Good luck and keep us posted

[TBI and allergic to most drugs]

Due to my Chronic Crohn's Disease, and 2 blood transfusions, I am not able to take most medicines like normal people. I will say that I have tried to take most Meds that Docs have attempted to use to treat my multitude of health issues, both physical and mental. To be honest, for the most part, whether you take meds or not has nothing to do with Hard Physical Medical Evidence like, X Rays, MRIs and other evidence. I have had easily over 50 scans, or MRIs of some sorts over the last couple years, and that alone smacks the Docs with hard evidence that cant be argued. Again as stated in the CFR guidelines, most disabilities are granted SC based on Disability, Condition, and Symptoms. Good luck

[I need help understanding my C&P exam!]

My last 2 PTSD Exams, one for an increase, one for a Review, had dang near all boxes checked, and VA Dr along with Exam Drs listed my PTSD/OCD as Chronic, yet both kept were at the 70% Rate. I just had another Review/Increase/A&A PTSD exams last week, but I can not see those reports as they were thru the VES. Everything thru the VA has Guidelines for this, CFR for that, but really it just goes however the RO and Raters work the claim. We will see, and hopefully the best, and highest rating for this Vet. Hope you all have a  Happy Father's Day!!!

[I need help understanding my C&P exam!]

Even though alot of the symptoms are checked off, alot of weight is used in the Occupational and Social Impairment statement. Really just hard to say until  you get the official outcome