Navy04

TBI is very easy to diagnose with a brain scan. My injuries are from service. But with a neurologist, and current scan u can be diagnosed bud. Remember u do need well documented evidence. I can't tell u how many Vets I have tried to file claims for and they told me 1 story, but did not have the documented evidence to back it up, just to get shot down by the VA RO in the end. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Glad to hear u got P&T. I am permanent as well but last year the VA did reduce my scars from 30% down to 10%. Just continue to seek treatment and always cover ur butt. I don't trust the government anymore. Good luck and hope u have a good Thanksgiving

Great advice given above and ur letter is pretty spot on. I qualify for A&A, as my wife is my VA caregiver. I do not like dealing with the VA, so I just submitted a FDC claim yesterday to make my PTSD 100%, and get SMC S. I had a VA filled out DBQ, which is the first time I ever had a doc actually fill one out. I just hate the stressful process. Looks like u r going n the right direction. I truly wish u luck my friend. Keep us posted and God Bless.

Vietnam Vets came home with alot of unknown health issues due the environment. Sadly us younger Vets we're exposed to new forms of harsh chemicals as well. I hardly had a headache before I joined the Navy. Now we have all kinds of unexplained illnesses. As I said before sorry u as well as all Vets suffering in this world. Hope u have a good Thanksgiving and let us know what u decide to do.

U cover ur butt any way u can. Better to have too much evidence. I have to eat my words. This past weekend I actually got my filled out PTSD DBQ back from the VA doc. I guess we will see. We will pray for u as well as all Vets.

Sorry to hear of ur husband's health issues. It sucks when the VA calls a Vet to a review exam. I have had quite a few. Most went well, but 1 was reduced from 30% to 10%. Just try not to worry too much. Make sure he is well documented and u take whatever evidence u need to the exam. Also make sure you ask questions if need be. Do not let the doc over talk u. Good luck and keep us posted. God bless

Hopefully ur test goes good bud. I have bad hearing loss and I got 0%, if that tells u anything. Good luck and keep us posted. God bless

Can I apply for A&A, while currently on Post 911 Caregiver program at the Highest Tier? My VA MH Doc filled out my DBQ for increase on PTSD I should have done this 2 years ago, but I absolutely hate the PTSD C&P Exams. If I apply for A&A, or SMC which should I apply for? Thanks in advance

Asknod and Superman, Thanks so much for breaking this info down. I just got my DBQ from the VA MH Doc, and I am thinking which SMC to apply for. My wife is Currently my VA Caregiver on the highest Tier. I do not know if I can apply for A&A, while have Post 911 Caregiver as well. Do you guys know which way I should go? Thanks in advance, and I apologize for interrupting your thread Adkins. Also as long as your name is on it, you should be fine. Sorry you have had a bad year bud. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Solo, Sorry you are not happy with the incompetent. I was listing this as well, and can not own a gun or handle my money. I have a wonderful wife that does everything for me anyways. Are you married, or do not have anyone that you trust to handle your affairs? I always tell Vets to watch what they say, because the VA can come back and say exactly what they did to you. Only you can decide what is best for you. I am fine with this, as I am just tired of fighting back at times. Sorry, I cant give you an exact answer, hopefully someone chimes in. Good luck and I wish you the best. God Bless

Sorry to hear you are struggling bud. I started out in 2013 with Group Therapy. I went 2 times, and decided to go the Individual Trauma Treatment thru the VA. I have been doing this since early 2014. It does not do much per say to help me, but it is nice to Vent to the VA Doc and not my family. Any Vet that is collecting a Disability Rating should make sure there is a record on file of seeking Treatment. I have seen alot of Vets over the Years Lose a Rating or Get Reduced, due to not going to get Treatment thru the VA. Remember once we get a Rating of SC, VA can always come after us, if they think we have gotten better. I am 100% P&T with alot of SC conditions as you can see in my signature. I still look over my shoulder and go to my VA appts, and I travel over 200-300 miles round trip for every appt. Just try to figure out what is best for you. Good luck and God Bless

OceanBound, So sorry to hear what you are going thru. I hate to see a fellow Vet suffer. I too was granted 100% Temporary after having back surgery in September. I am already 100% and P&T, so I do not know how this process works. It sucks, but the only answer for now, is to wait and see what happens. It sucks that you have to struggle in the mean time, while the VA decides to get off their butts and do their job. Good luck and I wish you the best bud. God Bless

As stated above take everything, but remember that the Docs dont have to accept as evidence. The VA will put more weight on what their C&P docs say, so it could go either way bud. I have never, repeat, never even been able to get my VA docs to fill out a DBQ, no matter what kind of Dr. Now, I have never tried Civilian Docs, as 99% of my DRs are thru the VA. Just be hopeful, honest and try not to let it get to you. Remember that the Doc will slide in little words here and there to try to trip u up bud. Good luck, be safe and keep us posted.

This is not your actual rank on file, it is for the Hadit Forum site. The longer you are on and as you post more stuff, your rank goes up on the Profile. Hence mine due to being on here a long time, and writing a lot, Lol.

Jfrei, Only thing you can do is make sure you got all of your hard Medical Evidence, not just your opinion of whats wrong. As I stated, i was approved in less then 2 months, but have alot going on as you can see in my Signature. I had to see both the physical and mental Docs, exams just as hard as the VAs in my opinion. My twin brother hired lawyers and it took him almost 3 years, including the SSDI denying him twice, then had to go in front of the Judge. It was nervous as hell, and said it went better then he thought. The judge actually let him and his lawyer talk, and all went well. Anything to do with Disability is so stressful, whether it be the VA or SSDI. As Vets we always have to be on the Defense, and the Govt just does not want to admit what we have gone thru, let alone pay us compensation. Everything should work out for you. Good luck

Wish you the best and as stated above, just wait and see what the official paperwork says.

Glad to see you got your C&P coming up. It is really a crap shoot with Psych C&Ps. You either get a nice Doc that understands Military PTSD, or you get a hard ass Military or Civilian Psych Doc that wont give you a decent chance even if you deserve it. I have had 4 PTSD C&Ps and they all went all right, but got low balled at first. I have never been able to get the VA Docs to fill out a DBQ. I just gave the Questionnaire to my VA PTSD treatment team. They said that it will be filled out and mailed to me, we will see if they do it and if it is in favor to get my PTSD up to 100%. Just make sure you got your evidence in hand as well. Some Docs will take it, others wont even look at it. Dont be upset if they dont, and just go in there and talk about your worse and good days. Dont over due it, and dont try to out dress him or her, Lol. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Hey thats great news bud. The hardest part is getting granted the SC. You can always put in for an increase if it gets worse. Also you could apply for the PTSD and secondary to the Anxiety. I would just leave it for now, and please continue to seek treatment at the VA. Too many good Vets losing the fight everyday, cause we think we are tough, and dont want to show weakness. Take care

Welcome aboard, and yest as stated above. My current FDC just completed yesterday, and it went back and forth a few times then moved 100 mph with no C&P exam requested. It disappeared yesterday as I just checked status at 5am. My pay or disability % did not change, but now under Disabilities it states(Claimed as Temporary Total Disability). Whatever that does for me good or not, I dont know as I am already 100% Permanent. Just try to relax and we will both get the Big VA Packet by the weekend. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Also I forgot to mention, I am going to put an for an increase in my PTSD, and apply for SMC S. That is why I am trying to figure out what this recent claim resulted in prior to that process.

Bronco, Great news bud, and you keep it going. I have a quick question, I have been 100% P&T since last year. I see that you were 100%, and then applied for TDIU, is there any benefit to that? Also, I had an FDC that I filed for an increase in my back around August 2017. The C&P examiner granted Nerve damage for the left leg as I was going to have back surgery in September 2017. So I turned around and opened a new FDC September the 20th, as I was not going to accept the 20% I currently have for my lower back, as I had L3/L4/L5 surgery, with severe nerve damage to my left leg. The surgery actually did not work and I need a fusion up to my neck. So my reopened claim finished yesterday and it states under disabilities, Lumbar Back Strain 20%(Claimed as Temporary Total Disability). I didnt see an update in the %, or my pay, as this would qualify me for SMC S, as I have my bladder condition currently granted at 60%. What is your opinion on this? Thanks in advance

Welcome aboard, Pyramiding consists of similar conditions that the VA groups together. For example most Mental health conditions are grouped together. I have PTSD, OCD, Depression, and Adjustment Disorder all granted as 70% PTSD. The VA states that all the conditions together affect the PTSD, therefore granted as 1. My Crohn's Disease, Barrett's Esophagus, GERD and other stomach issues again, all granted as 30% Crohn's Disease. Basically if they are Medically in the Same region of the body, similar in nature, or treated the same, then all of those conditions would fall under one. Now you can always submit for a Disability to be granted as Secondary, which I and others on Hadit have done with good success over the last few years. Now you can't submit your foot pain secondary to PTSD, sounds stupid but I had a Vet who tried, Lol. My Migraines and TBI are grouped as 50% for Migraines as Headaches can be secondary to TBI and multiple concussions. I hope this helps you my friend. I am no expert but I try to be as Honest with what I do know. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Welcome aboard, My FDC claim that I filed last month just did the same thing. Went back and forth a few times, with no C&P exam required on this claim. As of yesterday morning it went to Prep for Notification, and just now at 5:00am it is complete with success. That is very normal for the claim status to change, as Ebenefits is not always up to date. Just try not to go crazy, lol. Good luck and keep us posted. God Bless

Wonderful news, Hope you have a good weekend and God Bless!!

No, I put in for increase for back as I just had back surgery last month, and I requested 100% Temporary for it as well. I have had so many health issues in the last year, that I have not applied for SMC S yet. I know I qualify for it. My claim is at Pending Decision Approval, and will be done by next week. Then I am going to apply to increase my PTSD, and SMC S. I have lost count now, but I believe I applied for 10-15 FDC claims since 2013. The claims process gets faster and faster. Atleast 15 C&P exams over that period too.