coastie72

Thank you Berta, The only information I see about CHAMP is a paragraph on form 21-8760. It has an address and a web link. www.va.gov/hac and a phone number 1-800-733-8387. God Bless, Coastie

I had a very bad habit of checking E-benefits almost daily. Yesterday I was shocked to see I had been awarded 100% P&T. If you are going to be addicted to E-benefits take my approach, "don't get upset and never expect anything" it will come eventually. Today I want to say thank you to so many people on this forum for responding to past posts I have made and also to the ones I just learned from reading theirs. I am truly blessed that in comparison to so many, my NOD for increase was decided in two years and a week. I know that many have been waiting longer, but NEVER GIVE UP. Now I have to find out what all the benefits are that comes with this award. I know they vary from State to State and I am in SC. I am going to need to get ID cards for the wife and I, now she won't have to wait until our daughter is in town before going to the commissary LOL. I just want to say God Bless you all and I will still be lurking around. I truly am still in shock!

This is a nice update to an already great site. Awesome work. coastie72

I have a 2 year old NOD in for a increase that has had plenty of evidence turned in including a DBQ form my Psychiatrist that grades out at 100%. I got called Monday for a Tuesday C&P if I could make it that soon. I could, so of course I said yes. It was very short and the Dr. was typing everything into a computer. Most questions were just yes or no but there were some that seemed strange to me that I don't get such as, do you have a dog, do you do housework, do you work outside, do you shower daily??? and I few others that were strange to me. Does anyone know why they would be asking this type of questions? The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes?

I just gave my suggestion on the link. Thank you for sharing Berta.

I have already posted about my NOD for increase and all the evidence that I have submitted that my VSO had told me not to. The most recent, and to me the most important new evidence was a DBQ filled out by my VA Psychiatrist where under OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT she checked Total Occupational and Social impairment. In the remarks section it was also stated More Likely Than Not connected to my time in service. So does this DBQ move the needle on my NOD or not. And if not, should I drop the NOD and submit the DBQ as a fully developed claim? I am just unsure of what to do but I know that I will get some expert responses. For those that have not seen my original posts my NOD is at 19 months currently. Thanks in advance.

Gastone what does age have to do with it? I thought age was not a factor in any rating?

Thanks Bertha, My NOD is still at my RO which I am fortunate to live close too. The NOD was in disagreement for a denial for increase that was sent in by my VSO. This is all that was submitted on form 21-0958 written for me by my VSO; I am in disagreement with my VA rating decision dated May 8th, 2015, which denied an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder. My condition has continued to worsen in severity. In fact I was recently released from a MH program conducted in XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXX Health located in XXXXXXXXX, SC. No other material was submitted. I am currently rated at 50% MDD/ with PTSD as stated in my original C&P which was done and awarded in Jan 2015. The DBQ from my VA psychiatrist is checked under OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT page 2 ; 3A Total Occupational and social impairment page 5 under Remarks she typed: I have been treating Mr.abcdefg for Major Depressive Disorder, and PTSD for over a year. It is my professional opinion that he cannot mentally hold gainful employment as a result of his service connected conditions listed, which are more likely directly related to his service in the U S Coast Guard. From the time of my Request for Increase done the week after I first got out of the hospital, that claim was denied while "I was in" another hospital. But like everything else the VSO and I have done he does not send in any evidence. He is not a rookie, 5 years at a wide open DAV. So from this point forward I am submitting everything myself. Coastie72

What do you mean when you say "initiated", the only place anything is listed is at the bottom of my disabilities page. Nothing under Appeals ET.

So Gastone and Buck52, The VSO requested a "de nova'" review and told me at the time that we would present all new evidence to the VA at the hearing. I "just" last week took the VSO a MDD DBQ filled out by my VA psychiatrist fully in my favor. Should I get that from him and submit it to the RO or can I just send them a copy? In your opinions is this going to be decided at the RO or is it going to end up at the VBA. I thought I could trust this VSO, but now I am not sure what to think? The VA Rep also told me that my VSO should have requested a "Reconsideration" instead of the DRO Review??? Should I fire my VSO and find another? I do have a premium E-Benefits account and the only thing I see there is under my disability it says Pending Disabilities Coastie72 Major Depressive Disorder 05/18/2015 INC

Hello, I went to my RO to request to view and get a copy of my C-file as I have seen so many others on the forums say is important to have. The representative ask me why I wanted the information and I told him simply that many other veterans has told me I should have it. He then asked me if I had an open claim and I told him of my NOD for request for increase that is right at 18 months old. He said that many take much longer and some get through in the 18 to 24 month time frame at my RO. He then pulled up whatever he could see on his computer about my NOD and said "well it looks like it is under review now." He ask me what evidence I had submitted with the NOD and I told him what my VSO had told me, "we would take care of that at the hearing"??? To that comment he shook his head and said I should immediately turn in any evidence that I have and the VSO was wrong in telling me to wait. I was wanting to make sure that the VA had copies of my two hospital stays in their records. He then asked me several questions about the hospitals and doctors names ET and he searched my records and said that he did not see anything in the records about either stay. He then ask me if I had copies of my two hospital stays, which I do, and if so get them in ASAP. I only live a few miles away so I told him I would bring them back that same day. He then started typing and said he was putting in a note that I was bringing in new evidence. Upon my return I seen a different representative that took the records of my two hospital stays, which by the way was not at my home VAMC, I was transferred for lack of space available. I also included notes that my psychiatrist has been entering after each visit stating that I am no longer employable all was listed on form 21-4138. This rep said that the information would have to be scanned into the system. The first rep I spoke with said that if I had submitted my hospital records when I first filed for "request for increase" it probably would have been granted. Once again I depended on my VSO which on the claim simply typed that I had recently been hospitalized. Those records were not at my home VAMC at that time, but I had discharge paperwork that could have been submitted that would have clearly shown why I was in the hospital. The rep then said that I should have filed for reconsideration instead of a NOD, once again I depended on my VSO. The first rep said that turning in this evidence now would not slow down the process, I hope he was being honest. I am just searching for thoughts from some of you that know how things work. "What does in review mean if anything?" Thanks, Coastie72

I have called the DAV to leave a message for my VSO to call me 5 times over a two week period and have heard nothing. I have the mailing address with his name, but no email address. The only way to speak to him is go early, before the doors open and get in line. As far as the RO office I have never tried to contact them directly, I feel fairly certain that could be done. That is just the way it is at this VMC. The time frame he gave me was what he said is current? Last time we spoke was September, it's time for me to make another visit to probably find out nothing! I have to admit they are busy, I got there one morning at 8:15 and it was after 11:00 before we spoke for 5 minutes. Very busy all the time. I was told the DRO would be held at the regional office. Thanks, Coastie72

Thanks Gastone! I do have copies of the original NOD and DRO hearing request. My VSO said 8 months to a year probably before a Hearing. The only way to communicate with my VSO is face to face so I will just have to make a trip to the DAV office. At this office they don't give out email addresses and to get a call back is a rarity. My RO is just upstairs from the DAV office so I probably will just try the walk-in and see what happens. I am not familiar with "Diary Dates" I assume the VSO would be. I know one thing though he is not very fond of Hadit because I ask a question a while back and he ask where I got that information from? He started mumbling something and told me to be careful what I read? Thanks Again

I had a request for increase for MDD/PTSD denied in just 3 weeks, actually while I was in the hospital for the second time for SI. So my DAV VSO then filed a Notice Of Disagreement. Several months later I received a letter from the RO requesting more evidence. That was in September at which time my DAV VSO sent in a form 21-4138 requesting a de novo review and hearing with a DRO. I am just wondering why none of this show up at all in ebennies? Is it because it is all at the local level or should I start asking questions. Thanks in advance. coastie72

Congratulations BV, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Take care of yourself and enjoy life. Semper Paratus