Jmgonzales1966

My husband passed away 1-7-21 and the death certificate stated Idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis. He had been at a 100% rating for the past 6 years. However the rating was for Schizophrenia Paranoid type. His private doctor wrote a letter stating the pulmonary fibrosis happened in Vietnam. But the VA dr said no there are no service records showing that and declined the claim. I included in the claim that the treatment for pulmonary fibrosis are steroids and the medical records show they had to stop the treatment because he became so agitated on multiple occasions. That was not addressed in their deciison. I need a veterans group to help with the appeal.. Who should I contact?

So he is getting the 100% for mental health condition for the past 6 years. He has been receiving compensation at different percentages since being medically retired from the Army in 1970. I am wondering if I should open a claim for the pulmonary fibrosis and link it to the mental health condition.. Would I risk them taking away his 100% if I start a new claim? His rating says permanent and total rating also so I think that means they can't change the 100%? I have calls in to the vet reps for my county so hopefully they can help me out.. I am just trying to prepare in case I am going to need help

My husband is 100% permanent disabled. He is 72 years old and also gets retirement and social security and I work full time. He has a rare lung condition called pulmonary Fibrosis. He has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and is still not stable enough to come home. But when he does get to come home I would like to know if he would be eligible for home healthcare? And if so where do I go to apply? income guidelines? I hope to be able to keep him home and take care of him but what if he will need to go to a facility because he can't walk? Would he be eligible for a VA Hospital?

Ok I am getting 100% pay because of unemployability- I am 90%... I have future exam 5 years. Question does my child quality for Champa VA?

THe other way you can do it is pretend you are filing a new claim and when you go through the application it will show you what all your ratings are. You can use calculator to see what your new rating is.

Ok so friday I went to ebenefits and found out my rating is now 90% and I will be paid 100% for unemployability.. 5 years they will review.. so this means temporary.. Here are my disabilities: traumatic brain injury 0% Service-Connected 10/12/2008 headaches, residual of TBI 30% Service-Connected 09/15/2014 left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy (claimed as secondary to back condition) Not Service-Connected PTSD 50% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 09/15/2014 right shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease (previously evaluated under DC 5003) 20% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 09/15/2014 bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease 40% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy 20% Service-Connected 09/25/2014 right distal femur osteochondroma 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 tinnitus 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 left knee condition Not Service-Connected Predischarge Exam bilateral hearing loss 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 I still have about a year and 1/2 left of my GI Educational benefits. I am worried if I go back to school they may take away the 100 percent pay... I am worried as time goes on they may want to take away some of my rating and I need to be prepared. I have to meet with a counselor to figure out what I need to get a degree in because of my health and mental limitations first.. I am hoping I can do something and be productive again.. Do you think I should appeal it because I know the left side of my back and legs bothers me... Any advise would be helpful.. I am very grateful I have this money but I don't trust the system... And they told me that right lower extremity and right distal femur have improved and they will evaluate me in 2 years for rate reduction.. any advise would be much appreciated.

Yes Total & Permanent with No Future Exams Scheduled,

Thanks.. I only owe 1400 after they took their payment.. I just want to get it paid off. But I have 2 appointments next week for PTSD and TBI... I am getting 30% for PTSD and 0% for TBI and they are suppose to decide on the unemployability after these appointments...

Not getting the backpay applying to the money I owe...

I have a VA debt I am paying back. They have been taking $100.00 out of checks everymonth for the past 3 years. It is for my GI bill. I just was increased 80% will they keep the back pay? Anybody have experience.

Thank you everybody.. for your advise..

I may not even get back pay for the time I applied because the claim is still open.. They have to evaluate other things I requested. They granted me 20% more but the others are still pending.. So will I get the back pay for 80% now or do I have to wait till the claim is closed? Anybody have experience with this situation?

When on ebenefits and its showing 80% on my award.. I was at 70%. The file is still showing gathering of evidence though and they set me up for a C&P in the next 2 weeks. I had a 0 percentage for shoulder and they gave me 20% effective 9/2014..when I filed the claim.. I did that thing where i requested they make a decision on the claim.. Because I have never received compensation for this will they go back prior to 9/2014?

What I find interesting is I received in the mail a request for me to get the form completed by employee. The letter states if they do not hear from me within 30 days they will decide the claim without evidence. Based on the letter they already requested and 30 day waiting period is up... I sent them a letter in ebenefits advising the 30 day waiting period is up to process the claim.. We will see if this works. I find this whole process dumb because most employees will not complete..

Thank you...Already had compensation exam...

Does anybody have any ideas?

Reviewed Ebenefits and the only items missing is the 21-4192 forms- Unemployability forms They were sent out for completion on 12/9/2014. Prior to yesterday that is what what is the system with a activity date of 1/9/2014. Now they are saying they just sent out to employers 1/6/2015... Does not make sense. One of the employers is out of business and I doubt the other one will complete. Left on bad terms... So what is the get around on this one?

I sent in a Notice of Disagreement on my claim 11/11/2014.. There is still no record of it... Whom Do I contact?

The VA pulled a fast one. When I applied for a increase for all items I am receiving compensation for they sent me for a appointment for back only. I went to the appointment and when I looked in Ebenefits and new claim was put in with a different effective date. It show claim and closed. I barely received the decision letter yesterday and they called it a recent VA examination instead of a claim. I know for a fact that it was a new claim. The good thing is they added on 20% for another back rating but the bad thing is it did not increase overall rating. Also they tried to say my back has improved through recent evidence , sustained improvement has not been definitvely established- So they are leaving that rating at 40%. But on the bottom it says since there is likelihhod of improvement the assigned evaluation is not considered permanent and is is subject to future review... Very interesting when I just saw a VA Dr who said there is no cure for my back or surgery. The only thing that will help with extreme pain is physical therapy which wil take years. And on the new rating instead of giving me right and left extremities they only gave me right. I did not say my right leg only hurts.... They did this Because I have a 0 rating for flat foot and I would have gotten extra points.... and my rating would have went up I sent in my NOD today... By the way does anyone know how to get transportation paid when you are going to a VA contracted physician? I can't seem to get mine paid!

VA made a decision on 1 part of my claim in 30 days. The only way I was able to establish this is because I follow Ebenefits. Not only did they make a decision they added a new disability of 20% for back instead of increasing the one I had so I would not get a increase in disability. They also backdated 1 year.. How do I get my new award letter so I can appeal? I still have not received. And because the intial claim was handled incorrectly how can I get the existing claim expedited? I can not believe how disorganized VA is... They need to privatize the entire program. I guarantee things will change then,,

Thanks for responding.. This is what I figured too. I think its crappy they added another disbility instead of increasing the back... But then I would have gotten 80%. I don't understand why I have not received a actual letter yet. This claim was handled wrong and I want to appeal but no letter... Do you know anyway I can expedite the other claim I have pending?

Will any of the below ratings qualify for the 10% Bilateral that the VA adds in when there are figuring out th right distal femur osteochondroma 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 tinnitus 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease 40% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy 20% Service-Connected 09/25/2014 left knee condition Not Service-Connected Predischarge Exam PTSD 30% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 traumatic brain injury 0% Service-Connected 10/12/2008 bilateral hearing loss 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right distal femur osteochondroma 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 tinnitus 10% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease 40% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy 20% Service-Connected 09/25/2014 left knee condition Not Service-Connected Predischarge Exam PTSD 30% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 traumatic brain injury 0% Service-Connected 10/12/2008 bilateral hearing loss 0% Service-Connected Predischarge Exam 10/12/2008 The way I figure this out using VA Disability Math I come in at 72%.. Which I am aleady at 70%...So I would not receive increase Right.. Waiting for Letter in mail..

How do you get a Unemployability claim Expedited?

The 2nd claim that is open has the TDIU claim ... When I used the calculator this site provides the combined rating is 72 percent so no increase. I guess that is why my rating isnt updating since I am getting 70 %.

The claim that was dated on 11/2013 was closed today.. The letter in EBENEFITS still shows 70% rating but the folloiwng is on the letter now.. You are not considered to be permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities because your case is scheduled for review on: October 01, 2016 Include the information in this row You are not considered to be permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities at this time because you are scheduled for a future reduction in rating on: Benefits explorer is still showing 70% rating. But when I went in to pretend I was doing a claim it shows they added in a new disability, Right Low extemity Sciatic (20%) So now he is at Right distal Femur (10%) Tinnitus (10%) Lumbar Strain and Degenerative back disease (40%) Right Low Extemity Sciatic (20%) PTSD (30%) What do you think the overall rating will be... Of course the 800 number can't tell me anything.. Do you think he will get increase? and why now this new thing on top?