Navy4life

I believe it said "Pending Decision Approval" it is currently in "Preparation for Notification"  but given how my claim has ping pong'd around it may change a couple more times before it's done.  I'll pay closer attention to the wording next time.  :)

Green. been a while since I paid much attention to E Ben. Did it actually say "Pending Decision Approval," not just "Pending Decision?"
VA did a "Mystery Rater Review," of my 2/15 FDC, Secondary SC 0% Awarded, 07/15. The New Review Decision was made 12/22/15, appeared on E-Ben 01/03/16, Retro Deposit hit mid 01/16, Award Letter arrived 03/08/16.
I never saw anything on my E Ben indicating the the 07/15 Decision was being Reviewed or Awaiting any type of Decision Approval.
Semper Fi

Good Luck, Navy!!

My claim closed today and from what I can decipher from eBenefits, i got an additional 20% for right upper radial group but overall remains at 80%.    

That is quite an interesting chunk of VA medical gobblety-gook!

Well most know my DRO hearing was in February and now I am in the decision phase with a due date of 9/28/16.  I sure hope they decide it before then!!!  But at least I am making progress!  I sure hope I get the decision soon!!!

UPDATE!!! FDC seems to be complete!  Went from 60% to 70%....Really happy at the moment with this.  Totally shocked that I got the PTSD increased from 30% to 50%.  Left ankle stayed at 10% but they added 0% scar to the ankle and they added more issues to it with "???" LOL - SEE ATTACHED... 
I am still waiting on my NOD to be completed so this is a great start!  
FDC timeline:
January 12, 2016
February 4th, 2016 - C&P Exams
Early March - Preparation for Decision
Last week - Preparation for notification
Today - Pending Decision Approval to Close as of a few hours ago
Not sure I am going to get the 100% temporary convalescence for my right foot unless it gets S/C in my NOD

Agree 100% Buck!  Patience is a virtue for me!  Right now traveling I-49 to I-10, Louisiana heading to Ft. Lauderdale!  Got my girlfriend for the road trip.  This is what i needed.  Dallas is no longer my home!  Beach life for me and my man.  Can't wait.  I am not going to try and let this consume me today....
Right now she is driving and singing to the tunes, windows down, sunroof open :)  
Life is good...

I agree 50-70% PTSD rating and denial on the other issues based on this report

Mskallday, I agree with Dot09, they should assign a rating between 50-70% for PTSD. I believe the raters rely more on "For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply to the veterans diagnosis."Good Luck!!

Ohhhhh Green it sounds good!!!  I feel it in my bones!!!

Green;
NO LOL I just have always said that :)

Today it moved back to prep for notification.  They also added my kids as dependents but they haven't been under 18 since 2003 so I'm thinking my award has back pay.

Well most know my DRO hearing was in February and now I am in the decision phase with a due date of 9/28/16.  I sure hope they decide it before then!!!  But at least I am making progress!  I sure hope I get the decision soon!!!

Navy4life, I wish you luck and get a favorable decision. Also hope for decision very soon to.
Good luck, Bill

Well most know my DRO hearing was in February and now I am in the decision phase with a due date of 9/28/16.  I sure hope they decide it before then!!!  But at least I am making progress!  I sure hope I get the decision soon!!!

Hello everyone,
First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for the great advice and comments.  But most importantly, I wanted to mention a life saving chat session I had with "TBird"  on this website early this month.  I chatted with TBird at a time of "extreme crisis"  I was having.  She made me feel comfortable, calmed me down, chatted with me about my needs and then provided me with both the VA Crisis Line chat URL and phone number.  We chatted for quite a while, but she encouraged me to contact the Crisis people right away.
Minutes after my online chat with  TBird, I online chatted with the VA Crisis people for about ten or twenty minutes.  They asked for my phone number which provided and the chat person stayed online with me until I was I immediately called on my cell phone by a Crisis line operator. After a about five minutes of discussion, I was asked if wanted to be transported by a family member, an ambulance,  police car, VA shuttle or any other means to the Mather Hospital BH-ICU unit, located in Sacramento California.  I remember her name as Susan and she asked to speak with my wife after I woke her up, to confirm I had transportation.   She explained that it was imperative that I see someone as soon as possible and that she would call in fifteen minutes to ensure I was on my way.  She did in fact call as me and my wife were leaving the house.

I called Dr. Seeger at my local VA ti make sure she concurred with this treatment plan... which she immediately said yes....go right away.
After reaching Mather VA hospital, I was immediately admitted to the BH-ICU (Behavioral Health ICU - Lock Down unit) for extreme PTSD-MTS with a friendly police escort.  I received round the clock
EXPERT CARE for seven full days.  After six days I wrote and submitted a development plan for myself which asked for permission to return home which was approved after multiple interviews and meetings.  I just returned home about six hours ago, listed as high risk PTSD, however low risk S, I now which was not the certainly not the case when admitted.  
The VA BH-ICU doctors have submitted applications for me to go to long term specific PTSD-MST facilities in Virginia, Kentucky, Denver and several other out of state programs for long term care. With treatment duration's ranging from thirty days to six months, depending on progress.  The VA will also be flying me to and from the treatment center ultimately chosen which should happen in about two weeks.
I am so tired right now,m but I wanted to mention a few things that need to be said.
#1) TBird, thank you...you saved my life.

#2) Crisis Line Chat and Live, you saved my life.

#3) BH-ICU Mather California Staff -everyone-), you saved my life with incredible psychiatric treatment, very frequent group and one on one meetings. Also the organized ongoing out of state treatment to fix this thirty year problem I have suffered with.  Dr. Salter, Dr. Summers: You are extraordinary by any measure.  OMG, what else can a person as for?

#4) My Local VA BH department, for consistently awesome support, treatment, medication, direct contact numbers and weekly guidance.  Another life saving

#5) Hadit.com Admins and users, thank you for your support and kind messages.  I have missed you all.

#6) Lastly, the Inpatient Vets I met in the BH-ICU which many still remained for further expert treatment.  Those courageous men and women provided me with many important things.  Tears, laughs, hugs, handshakes, card games, even musical entertainment. You name it....we shared and experienced it together.  I will NEVER EVER forget this time in my life or the fine dedicated people I met.  Thank you Soldiers, Airmen and Marines!
I gotta go to bed now, I'm bushed.   :)
 
Respectfully

Mark Nicholson
PS, sorry for the bad spelling and grammar, its been a tough but very productive week.
 
 
 
 

No question is stupid!!! :)
Did you finish the ITF online or complete it with the VSO?  Either way, as long as you completed it, that is the date that is preserved.

With all due respect, there is no such thing as "slowing down" a VA claim, as they already move at the slowest rate possible.  If they went any slower, they would have to go in reverse and return all our applications back to us.  Case in point:
Claim submitted in 2002.  Not adjuticated until 2008 (six years for initial adjutication)  Timely appealed, and went to BVA in 2012, where it was remanded.  (That's 10 years total, so far!) Of course, it takes the RO another 3 years to implement a decision where "expiditious treatment" is required. I appealed the second denial, and it went to the board a second time in Feb. 2016.  NOw, its being appealed to the CAVC.  Fourteen years...no end in sight as the most likely result is...you guessed it...another remand.  
Please tell me how this claim could be slowed down????  
I dont check on the "status", I drive stakes in the ground to see if it moved at all that year.  
I should get a senior citizen discount.  I think I will apply for an "over age 75" special request status, now, because, by the time the act on it, I will be over 75.  (Im in my early 60's).  

I have already been to the CAVC twice.  The first time was when I filed a Writ of mandamus. (Pro Se).   The writ was dismissed, tho, not until after the RO had to submit a report to the court "answering" my complaint.  IN a nutshell the VARO awarded benefits and replied to the court I had nothing to complain about as they had fixed the problem.  
The second time was an appeal to the 2012 BVA decision.  In that one, NVLSP represented me, and they got a JMR.  I got an empty lollipop stick.  The 2012 Board decision was a partial grant, partial denial, and partial remand.  YOu can not appeal issues under remand.  The court wont allow that.  You simply have to wait until the remand is implemented, and, if they deny, then you can appeal.  
Now, for the next batter.  One swing and miss, and one foul ball equals 2 strikes.  The pitcher winds up...the catcher holds 2 fingers down signaling the pitcher...
Interestingly, even if I strike out at the third CAVC trip, this does not mean Im ejected from the game.  It means I will get another "at bat" when my claim reaches the applicable appeal stage.  
I just found out my attorney, Glover luck, filed a NOA.  She has not sent me a copy yet, Im not even sure if she will.  According to her, this means the VA has exactly 60 days to get her a copy of the RBA.  
After she gets the RBA she will prepare a "brief".  (I dont know while they call these "briefs"..because usually they should be called "longs").  
She explained that, after she prepares the Brief, the VA will decide if they want to "just concede" and give me my benefits (possible), or if they will continue on with the case.   I think this is where VA often offers a JMR  (Joint motion for remand).  
On strike number "2" I took the JMR, upon advice from the attorney.  Big mistake.  Yea...I "won" a remand for earlier effective date for dependents, which basically, the ro said I was entitle to the vast sum of $0.00 in retroactive benefits.  
Im smarter now, and am not accepting a JMR unless I have in writing the exact benefit they are offering..such as sleep apnea to March, 2007, and SMC S from that period.  

LOL!!!  That is a good sign!  I wouldn't be surprise if it doesn't close today!  Keeping you in good vibes today. 

LOL!!!  That is a good sign!  I wouldn't be surprise if it doesn't close today!  Keeping you in good vibes today. 

N4L, you are psychic, it did go back to Pending Decision Approval.....

ScoutSwimmer, you have nothing to apologize for. We all need to vent sometimes!! When you do receive your statement of case(or award letter for asthma), BE SURE to look at the evidence reviewed section. It would also of course help to redact personal info and upload a copy here on hadit.I reread your post and realized you did receive an SOC for the migraines. Can you post a copy, look over the evidence page very carefully, if ANY of your IMOs, other impotant evidence is not listed, resubmit that evidence asap with a statement detailing that the important evidence was not considered. That is a violation of one of the regs, hopefully one of the elders will comment also, let me look up which one.

Good to know, thanks!