whoami?

I agree with whoami.  VA is required to adjuticate entitlement to SMC S housebound, whenever the VEteran reaches a single 100 percent disability.  I have the same thing, and Im in appeals now.  
There are 2 methods for the Veteran to get SMC S Housebound, and an additional 60 percent is NOT always required.  
1.  The 100percent plus an additional 60 percent.  
2.  Housebound "in fact", which often requires a C and P exam to see if you are "substantially confined" to your home.   I agree with you that Howell suggests that it is not correct that a Veteran "never leave his home" for housebound.  He need only not leave his home "for work".   If you are not working, then you are not leaving your home "for work".  
     YOu can do this one of 2 ways:  
1.  You can hire an attorney.  Best way.  If the VA made a CUE error, and its likely they did by not adjuticating your claim for SMC S, when you were awarded a single 100% disability.  
You may not have to pay for the attorney, if EAJA pays your fees.  Likely.  
2.  You can do it yourself or with a VSO.  VSO's, and VA employees are often not on top of new developments such as Howell.  

Let's play VA math. 20 +20= 36. Do the bilateral gig for 3.6% and hold that (40%). 10 +10=19 so you get another 1.9% /// 40 + 20= 52; 52+10=57; 57 + 10= 61; 61+10 = 65% rounds up to 70%. You have it on paper but you have the "independently rateable" hurtle of three different diseases. You fall afoul of trying to count up different anatomical segments or bodily systems.

If you only take the highest (independent) ratings from each bodily system (anatomical segments), you have 20% (Left lower radiculopathy) +20% (lumbosacral strain)+ 10% (Chondromalacia) +10% (left shoulder condition)= 53%.

Yes it is the 12 week CBT program. My concern is although its early I am still experiencing all the symptoms that I had before I took the medications. In some cases its worse. After I talk to her I feel worthless and very depressed.

I would like to thank everyone here who directly or indirectly assisted me with my claim. Before I found this site I was lost...I just didn't understand the VA...well thats putting it mildly. After coming here I spent my countless sleepless nights doing research on these forums and arming myself for battle with the VA. I am very grateful for this site and the people here without you I'd still be going in circles with the VA. On the other hand thanks to you I was recently granted a very favorable decision. I would like to specially thank Navy04 for his help and guidance in both my VA claim and my SSDI claim he really helped me nail them both. I can't thank you guys enough for what you do every day. I don't know if I should piggyback on this post or start another one for some denied issues associated with this claim.

I have chondromalachia in both knees rated at 10%. I also have radiculapathy in both legs rated at 20 and 10%. I had knee surgery last year and I was denied a rating for the cal/mcl knee surgery. Does anyone have any experience with this? How should I attack this situation.

Also if anyone is wondering I am 100% P&T so I was thinking maybe I would just let sleeping dogs lie and just be content with what i have. But a part of me wants to fight for what I believe I deserve. I believe that I should have received a rating for my knee during and after the surgery. I had a very rude examiner for my knee and the entire time we bumped heads so he gave me a less than favorable write up for my knee. That was my fault but I felt like he was bullying me. That was a mistake on my part I just couldn't keep myself poised while under such baseless attacks from a stranger. At any rate what do you guys think I should do?

I am very nervous right now. I just had my C&P exam with the VA and it went so quick I don't know what happened. The exam took less than ten minutes. I guess the examiner had already read my file. She only had a few questions for me but I felt like I had so much other stuff I wanted to tell her but my anxiety was so high I just answered her questions and quickly left the room. Once I get a copy of what she wrote I will give you guys an update.

I am very nervous right now. I just had my C&P exam with the VA and it went so quick I don't know what happened. The exam took less than ten minutes. I guess the examiner had already read my file. She only had a few questions for me but I felt like I had so much other stuff I wanted to tell her but my anxiety was so high I just answered her questions and quickly left the room. Once I get a copy of what she wrote I will give you guys an update.

Pete I feel the same way I was prepared for a long interview but less than ten minutes I was really shocked. I really don't trust the VA but it appears she had been reading my C-File so when I came in she could see I was extremely anxious and she assured me the exam would be short and that she only had a few questions for me. It was just one question I feel I wasn't allowed to explain in more detail but I guess I am nit picking. I have to wait and see her report then I shall get advice from you guys and go from there. You guys are awesome.

I think since she has/was reading your file, she had a very good idea of your problem, and felt no reason to drag you thru the ordeal again. I had a C&P a few months back and it was also very short.I was worried that this was not going to go in my favor. But it did, my heart disability went from 10% to 60% and my PTSD went from 50% to 70%, but my hearing went from 50% to 20%. I don't know how that happen. I have been thinking I need to
appeal that. I guess I will in the near future, like next week. So hang in there, it could be in your favor. You just have to sit back and wait, but be getting ready to file an appeal if you have to.

The turbine was built to blow wind up all of our asses.

Hello everyone I have been reading through many of the threads on this site and I have seen loads of great information and inspirational stories. I am currently working with a VSO from DAV. He recently submitted a FDC for an increase based on my PTSD worsening. I have some other issues that are attached to that claim also. I really feel like I may have taken some missteps in this whole process but having found this site I am hoping I will receive the correct rating with you guys support. My first claim was basically denied I was granted 10% for a shoulder injury and everything else was 0% or denied. Five years after that I was diagnosed with PTSD and my compensation went up to 40%. I was rated 30% for PTSD. I didn't agree but I didn't do anything. Fast forward to today five years later I have a FDC received by the VA and I am now awaiting the next steps. I am going to document everything here so other veterans who may be going through what I am can read this and see it and hopefully it will help them.