traveler

The thing is, you never know WHAT it was that caused the denial, do you?

Okay, So I applied for SSDI online. The process is, you fill it all out and submit it. THEN they give you an address to submit any copies of evidence you have, which is a perfect time to send them copies that are highlighted so as to make the job easier for the reviewer. From reading what the guys above have said, you have to make it so that it meets the "blue book" listings. If your condition is in the BLue Book Listings, it gets approved....at least that is what I am hearing and reading. So, after applying, it stated the average submission takes 200+ days to complete. I am thinking, if you have a blue book listing condition, and you have provided copies of medical records with those listings highlighted, it SHOULD be fairly straightforward. The idea is to make the job EASY for the reviewer. They are backlogged, and don't spend too much time on any record, as it is easier just to deny, deny, deny to get through their work stack. If I make it easy, I think it MAY work out for me. Sound good, or am I missing something?

Nope. VA 100% P+T. 40 credits with Social Security. 3 months ago C+P with a shrink, it should be sufficient to get it done.

"100 plus "s" "? I don't follow, Sir. Being retired military, you get concurrent receipt which is a retirement check AND a VA disability check, if over 50% VA Disabled and 20+ years of military service, i.e. retired military. The C+P I just had 3 months ago is what got me to 100% P+T. I am really beat up.

Thanks for the responses to my question on applying for SSDI. Yes, I have the mental stuff. Thing is, I work 2 days a week, and from what I am reading, to get a mental disability, I have to NOT be working. When I apply online, Do I have the opportunity to tell them about it? Can I attach my copies of C+P's etc that bolster my claim? Can I tell them where the info can be found? Thanks in advance.

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I will reply after I have moved the ball a tad.

I have recently been raised up to 100% P & T for VA disability. How do I find out about applying for Social Security? Is there any source where I can learn about it, from being in my situation? I don't know ANYTHING about it. Please help!

7 years of getting all of my benefits little at a time added and built up ....getting the % up where it should be. The process has worked for me.....but the "Gulf War - Undiagnosed illnesses" is the last one to get done, and it is THE ONE that the VA doesn't want to do. Thankfully a judge can now have a say. Hopefully a Judge understands what presumptive means.....hopefully a Judge understand what buddy statements are. average time is 240 some days, it has been over a year.

Well, if you go Supplemental, and you don't agree with their findings, you can then appeal and THEN it will go to higher level review! Today is day 169 for me on Supplemental review, and the decision was made yesterday, awaiting them to send it out to me.

I noticed that the VA 21-526b form is expired now. So, If I want to ask for an increase in rating do I use the VA 21-526EZ? THANKS.

Thanks. Dr. Dash on the VAWatchdog site seems to be well known. I shot him an e-mail. I am being sent off base to a civilian podiatrist. Perhaps he/she may be willing to write a letter stating that Knee arthritis and pain can cause plantar fasciitis. That may be enough to get the VA to give me the foot condition as secondary. Arthritis and shin splints have 2 separate codes (5262, 5003), yet the RO tried to take my new claim and add it to my existing claim...well, didn't try....they DID IT! Anyone else have any ideas....please?

Hello again, everyone. I submitted a claim for 2 conditions secondary to Bilateral Knee Arthritis. Shin Splints and Plantar Fasciitis. My claim was completed, and they took the shin splints and just added the word "shin splints" to my existing condition Knee arthritis. Not as secondary to.....just added shin splints to my existing condition. So, they combined a new condition to an existing condition. This can't be legal. Any advice? Second condition, plantar fasciitis was declined as the C+P doctor stated that my plantar fasciitis was caused by me standing at my job working in a hardware store, and wasn't secondary to my knees. My contention is that my bad knees and now my bad shin splints CONTRIBUTED to plantar fasciitis, as I have been working at this job LONG before this issue came up. Does anyone know of a way to link my feet to my lower leg conditions and knees? Because of the way he wrote this, I am thinking I may need an Independent Medical Opinion or Exam Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

thanks. I wonder what triggered the re-exam? Can I expect this to happen all the time? All I want is to be left alone and enjoy my life. I EARNED what I have. Damn :(

How often does the VA perform a re-exam on disability awards? mine was approved in may and I have already received one, with a CUE and proposed reduction. Do they do this all the time? Once every year to everyone? Can I expect them to continually come after me forever? Thanks.

The evidence is from a colonoscopy performed in 2014 where the dr. noted no sign of anal fissures, or external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids noted. This must be where they got the info for them to say the condition has improved. They are calling it a "clear and uncontestable error" I believe. In my C+P. it was over all anal issues. I was noted by the examiner (nurse) moderate leakage from loss of sphincter control, which under CFR 38, part 4, as a 10% disability claim. So, I will send in a copy of her report, highlighted, with my contention that at least 10% is warranted. Is it normal for the VA to go back and review disability claims like this, or was it a review since it had just been awarded in May? I could have my PCM out at the base take a look if that would help. Comments please.

Okay, so on 4 August I submitted my FDC Approved 5 May 2015 80%. Life is good :) Today, I get a letter from the VA saying they reviewed my claim, and disagreed with the 20% I received for Hemorrhoids, that it should be 70% overall and if I want I can submit evidence to keep my rating. So, at my C+P the nurse noted in the record loss of sphincter control, moderate leakage when doing the C+P for hemmorrhoids. Under 7332 on CRR38 Part 4 that is 20%. But VA review makes no note of it, stating that my hemorrhoid condition is insufficient for anything over 0% Apparently South Dakota RO gave me the 20% for the leakage, but the VA didn't like that. Is that because it falls under loss of sphincter control instead of hemorrhoids? I would think that if it is noted under the C+P exam for hemmorhoids that was conducted, that it should be compensable, as it has been. Is it normal for a completed disability to be reviewed 2-3 months after it's done? Hell, I thought he VA was backlogged! So, I will respond with the evidence about the leakage and hope they will give me the 10% that it would fall under which would keep my 80% total finding intact. Comments?

Success! Filed 8 Aug 2014 Completed 1 July 2015 Received first concurrent receipt check TODAY. BUT......BUT......I am owed 10 months back pay and they DIDN"T GIVE IT TO ME! So, anyone knows what's up with that? I am getting my retirement AND disability, so I am in the system, but they didn't give me my money. So, what can I do about it? I'm looking at a bit over $15K Thanks.

Well, I finally got my Comp claim done. Dated 8 August 2014, finished 1 July 2015. Really good disability amount. Received my concurrent receipt payment today. BUT......no back pay! So, what can I do to get my money? Thanks.

I've been in "review of evidence" almost 4 months......no C+P's....have received 2 letters from VRO stating they are still working it and sorry for the delay......looks like they aren't going to do any C+P's on the 10 items I listed.

hmmmm....60% should be more than that

Thanks, Chuck.

My hope, is that they will not forgo the C+P in an attempt to just "get it done"....and I end up getting a low settlement, and spend the rest of my life trying to get it fixed/upgraded.

what is SSDI? what is a VSCM?

Well, my hope is that they won't rush to get my FDC completed, and in so doing give me a low percentage "just to get me out of the way".

Has anyone on here seen a person receive compensation on a FDC without having a C+P exam at all? Just curious.