Scotter04

Update

25 Feb- Prep for Decision
26 Feb- Prep for Decision Approval
27 Feb- Prep for Notification

Time to start checking Ebennies for the Bennefit Letter. As of this morning no change to the Letter.

I got movement on ebennies today, my claim went from gathering of evidence yeterday to Prep for decision today. It's been ten months since starting the process and I know it might be a few more til completion. The fun starts now waiting for the outcome of the decision.

Quick question Veterans,  If i have a letter from my numerologist that states.  "Veterans Migraines may be exacerbated by service connected anxiety or Depression."  Is this a legitimate nexus link?  Thank you in advance.  

If you are still with the SOC response time frame--60 days??? I am not sure...
You can obtain an IMO/IME from an independent doctor, ..they will need a copy of the C & P exam and the whole IMO criteria is here under Read first before getting an IMO/IME and if the IM opinion supports a higher rating than "0",- ask for a reconsideration And direct that request to the Initials on the right hand side of the decision in the alphanumeric code after the Re: part, referring them to the IMO/IME.
You might not have enough time to do that,so maybe best to attach the IMO/IME to the NOD referring to it in the NOD.
They might not act on the Reconsideration request at all...as the NOD clock ticks away so mark your calendar to make sure you do get the NOD filed within one year after the decision.
The IMO/IME doctor will need a copy of the rating schedule for IBS,have experience with this type of disability, and all of your medical records, as well as a copy of the decision.
If they ignored very probative evidence, (like if you already had a solid IMO and they ignored it, you could raise that as well....even  ask them to CUE the decision.
Or you can go over your medical record carefully and point out to them exactly why the C & P is wrong,referring to entries in your medical records, or even changes to the meds for this condition, that would warrant a higher rating...The Zero is SC and not NSC so that is half the battle.
The decisions at the BVA web site could offer you more help possibly....as there are many IBS claims there.
 
 

All, I was just scrolling thru the "M21-1 Changes By Date" on the KnowVA site and came across the below info for the new GW Presumptive date.  I thought I would share.      The presumptive period for manifestation of qualifying chronic disability under 38 CFR 3.317 begins on the date following last performance of active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the GW, and extends through December 31, 2021.

I was just on the VA website and saw this on the Compensation page. It looks like a one stop shop for Disability Comp.  If you scroll over the topics on the left side there are drop down menu's.  It looked to be the entire 38CFR, M21-1 and M21-4 as well.  There's info for Ebennies and much more.
 
Online Resource for Veterans
KnowVA, the knowledge database that provides Veterans and the public access to the same information that VA uses to process and make decisions on benefits claims, is now available online.
 
Scotter04
 
 

Congrats Navy!!

Markintexas,
I was able to get a Vic card just for being enrolled in the VA healthcare system, even before I was SC'd at 10%.

Buck,
I have SA and it sucks. always tired during the day, hard to concentrate, and I am very irritable all the time. Tell your PCP about your sleep issues and ask for a sleep study. I had a home sleep study done thru my Community Dr. but I don't know off hand if the VA does the home study yet. The replacement equipment (hose, mask and other stuff) wasn't covered under my private insurance after a year so it started to get pricey to replace. My VA Dr. made an appt. with the Respiratory Dept for me. I called about a week out from the appt. and let them now I already use a CPAP and the study was within 5yrs. They took a copy of the study and handed me a new machine. It takes awhile to get use to the mask and you may have to try a few different ones out before you find the best fit.

Praying for you Coastie

I like what the Sec McD said to Coffman '' offered Coffman his cell phone and said ''you can answer some of the calls and see if I am making a difference for veterans''
I believe the new sec will make a difference he just needs time!

JMO

Root beer:
Yes that's what all of us want...the VA to timely process our claim within the regs. (The other experienced VA hadit members are probably rolling on the floor laughing). VA takes their sweet time, denies about 85% of claimants the first time, and most of us have actually won our benefits at some stage of appealate review and 5 years to get your benefits is actually fast. I have been to BVA twice, CAVC once, one Writ of Mandamus, along with 12 years of waiting and my claim is still not right. The last time the Board made a decision and the RO failed to implement it. So, its probably going to be still another Writ, because the Board decision was in 2011 and the VARO simply refuses to do as required by the Board of Veterans Appeals, or, just as likely did not read the whole decision ("top sheeting it") and simply implemented part of it. Welcome to the VA.

Passing the hearing test during your exit exam will not necessarily kill your claim. When I was discharged in 1970, I was only given the "whispered voice" test. Since then, the VA has determined the "whispered voice" test is not a reliable indicator of high frequency or noise induced hearing loss.

I applied for hearing loss and tinnitus in 2010, 40 years after I was discharged from the USMC. I wasn't sure if I would succeed with my claim or not because I had worked in civilian (federal and local) law enforcement for almost 30 years. I filed and received 10% for hearing loss and 10% for tinnitus.

The evidence I submitted included the following: IME/IMO from my private audiologist who had been giving me hearing tests since the mid 1970s, reports from my audiologist, spousal statement, my statement in support of claim, photos of me firing 105 howitzers in Vietnam without hearing protection, DD214 showing MOS as Field Artillery Batteryman, etc., 1986 receipt of purchase of "white noise" machine used to mask tinnitus, photo of white noise machine, etc.

I wish you luck with your claim.