Navy4life

Buck;

Thank you! I have been in PFN for a few days so I am sure it's done just need it to close and get the brown envelope in the mail! I am so sorry you are having issues with your teeth :(

I have had outside dental insurance and none of them are the greatest! Most of them you wind up paying out of pocket over 50%...

I have CareCredit which helps me - credit card that offers dental charges for 0% so that helped me with this huge $4500 bill I had! Paid 550+ for 8 months to get it paid off! I am hoping to recoup the out of pocket money....That will be another adventure in itself!

The loss of teeth by themselves are not ratable since they are not truly disabling and are easily replaced by false teeth. Teeth also cannot be rated if they are lost from naturally occurring diseases related to ageing. They must be lost as a result of injury, accident, or diseases such as osteomyelitis.
If the loss of teeth is caused by part of either the maxilla or mandible missing, then it can either be rated under the following code or under the codes for the missing maxilla or mandible, whichever code provides the higher rating. If not enough of the mandible or maxilla is missing to qualify for a rating under their codes, then the condition is simply rated here. The condition cannot be rated twice, once for the maxilla or mandible and once for the teeth. Only one or the other.
Code 9913: Regardless of how many teeth are missing, if they can be replaced by a prosthesis or false teeth, then it is rated 0%. If, however, they cannot be replaced, they are rated as follows:
All teeth missing is rated 40%. The loss of all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth is rated 30%. If all the upper and lower posterior teeth or all the upper and lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 20%. If only all the upper anterior teeth or all the lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 10%. If all the upper and lower teeth on one side are missing, then it is also rated 10%.

After reading the above I think I am going to be 0% S/C for my Mouth Condition claim secondary to my Anorexia Nervosa. I sure hope so b/c I just found out that if I am even 0% S/C for dental I am eligible for dental at my local VA.

I found this:

Dental Benefits for Veterans Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) according to law. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited. This Fact Sheet describes dental eligibility criteria and contains information to assist Veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care. Outpatient Dental Program The eligibility for outpatient dental care is not the same as for most other VA medical benefits and is categorized into classes. If you are eligible for VA dental care under Class I, IIA, IIC, or IV you are eligible for any necessary dental care to maintain or restore oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. Other classes have time and/or service limitations.

Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition. Any needed dental care Class I (This would be me if I get the above 0%)

Are a former prisoner of war. Any needed dental care. Class IIC

Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to serviceconnected conditions. Any needed dental care. [Please note: Veterans paid at the 100% rate based on a temporary rating, such as extended hospitalization for a serviceconnected disability, convalescence or pre-stabilization are not eligible for comprehensive outpatient dental services based on this temporary rating]. Class IV

Apply for dental care within 180 days of discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era. One-time dental care if your DD214 certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.* Class II

Come on 0% S/C for my teeth!!!!!

Yes Navy4 I certainly understand ,  fighting with the VA can be  very stressing at times but well worth the Agony when you defeat them at there own game. 
I'm always on edge about them reducing me & to be honest most veterans think about it a lot... although I give them no reason to but they do veterans just out of the blue at times for any ridiculous reason given to them.
I personally think that when a veteran wins his/her claim  they should leave that veteran alone and let them live out there life as they see it.
I felt like a many of times to tell the VA to shove it, but until me you or any other veteran wins the damn lottery  or come into a  large windfall   were all stuck having to kiss there Asperolo.
I wish you the best with a Favorable DRO Decision soon with all that your satisfied with.
jmo
.....................Buck

The loss of teeth by themselves are not ratable since they are not truly disabling and are easily replaced by false teeth. Teeth also cannot be rated if they are lost from naturally occurring diseases related to ageing. They must be lost as a result of injury, accident, or diseases such as osteomyelitis.
If the loss of teeth is caused by part of either the maxilla or mandible missing, then it can either be rated under the following code or under the codes for the missing maxilla or mandible, whichever code provides the higher rating. If not enough of the mandible or maxilla is missing to qualify for a rating under their codes, then the condition is simply rated here. The condition cannot be rated twice, once for the maxilla or mandible and once for the teeth. Only one or the other.
Code 9913: Regardless of how many teeth are missing, if they can be replaced by a prosthesis or false teeth, then it is rated 0%. If, however, they cannot be replaced, they are rated as follows:
All teeth missing is rated 40%. The loss of all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth is rated 30%. If all the upper and lower posterior teeth or all the upper and lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 20%. If only all the upper anterior teeth or all the lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 10%. If all the upper and lower teeth on one side are missing, then it is also rated 10%.

After reading the above I think I am going to be 0% S/C for my Mouth Condition claim secondary to my Anorexia Nervosa. I sure hope so b/c I just found out that if I am even 0% S/C for dental I am eligible for dental at my local VA.

I found this:

Dental Benefits for Veterans Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) according to law. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited. This Fact Sheet describes dental eligibility criteria and contains information to assist Veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care. Outpatient Dental Program The eligibility for outpatient dental care is not the same as for most other VA medical benefits and is categorized into classes. If you are eligible for VA dental care under Class I, IIA, IIC, or IV you are eligible for any necessary dental care to maintain or restore oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. Other classes have time and/or service limitations.

Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition. Any needed dental care Class I (This would be me if I get the above 0%)

Are a former prisoner of war. Any needed dental care. Class IIC

Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to serviceconnected conditions. Any needed dental care. [Please note: Veterans paid at the 100% rate based on a temporary rating, such as extended hospitalization for a serviceconnected disability, convalescence or pre-stabilization are not eligible for comprehensive outpatient dental services based on this temporary rating]. Class IV

Apply for dental care within 180 days of discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era. One-time dental care if your DD214 certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.* Class II

Come on 0% S/C for my teeth!!!!!

Does that ''decide my claim'' truly work?
I hear pros &cons about that.
Gastone Navy4life had a face to face DRO Hearing at her RO.
She mention the Hearing went pretty good.

you maybe able to check on ebenefits '' status of claim''?
worth a try!
I know how you feel waiting just plain sucks.

usually when you submit new evidence before a decision before a DRO Decision has been made  your claim is remanded and the process takes longer 
Here is how some of the DRO Process works.
Once the appeal issues are ready for decision (RFD), ideally, NODs should be worked from the oldest pending to the newest received, with the exception of priorities, which include Homeless Veterans, Seriously Injured/Wounded Veterans, Congressional Inquiries, and Financial Hardship cases, etc.  Priorities are worked before all other pending claims.
This also means that a Veteran who has filed multiple NODs over time, may only receive a decision concerning his oldest pending NOD, while the issues contained in his other “younger” NODs remain pending.
The file is reviewed and decisions are rendered.  If all of the issues within an NOD can be granted in full, a rating is prepared to grant the issues.  Otherwise, we must issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) to the Veteran, which provides the applicable VA regulations and explains the reasons for the decision(s).
Once an SOC is issued, the DRO process is complete.  If the appeal continues, it is now under the Traditional appeals process.  DRO authority does not extend beyond the issuance of the SOC.
In order for a Veteran to continue the appeal, the VA must receive a Substantive (Formal) appeal,within 30 days of the decison

The loss of teeth by themselves are not ratable since they are not truly disabling and are easily replaced by false teeth. Teeth also cannot be rated if they are lost from naturally occurring diseases related to ageing. They must be lost as a result of injury, accident, or diseases such as osteomyelitis.
If the loss of teeth is caused by part of either the maxilla or mandible missing, then it can either be rated under the following code or under the codes for the missing maxilla or mandible, whichever code provides the higher rating. If not enough of the mandible or maxilla is missing to qualify for a rating under their codes, then the condition is simply rated here. The condition cannot be rated twice, once for the maxilla or mandible and once for the teeth. Only one or the other.
Code 9913: Regardless of how many teeth are missing, if they can be replaced by a prosthesis or false teeth, then it is rated 0%. If, however, they cannot be replaced, they are rated as follows:
All teeth missing is rated 40%. The loss of all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth is rated 30%. If all the upper and lower posterior teeth or all the upper and lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 20%. If only all the upper anterior teeth or all the lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 10%. If all the upper and lower teeth on one side are missing, then it is also rated 10%.

After reading the above I think I am going to be 0% S/C for my Mouth Condition claim secondary to my Anorexia Nervosa. I sure hope so b/c I just found out that if I am even 0% S/C for dental I am eligible for dental at my local VA.

I found this:

Dental Benefits for Veterans Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) according to law. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited. This Fact Sheet describes dental eligibility criteria and contains information to assist Veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care. Outpatient Dental Program The eligibility for outpatient dental care is not the same as for most other VA medical benefits and is categorized into classes. If you are eligible for VA dental care under Class I, IIA, IIC, or IV you are eligible for any necessary dental care to maintain or restore oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. Other classes have time and/or service limitations.

Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition. Any needed dental care Class I (This would be me if I get the above 0%)

Are a former prisoner of war. Any needed dental care. Class IIC

Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to serviceconnected conditions. Any needed dental care. [Please note: Veterans paid at the 100% rate based on a temporary rating, such as extended hospitalization for a serviceconnected disability, convalescence or pre-stabilization are not eligible for comprehensive outpatient dental services based on this temporary rating]. Class IV

Apply for dental care within 180 days of discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era. One-time dental care if your DD214 certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.* Class II

Come on 0% S/C for my teeth!!!!!

The loss of teeth by themselves are not ratable since they are not truly disabling and are easily replaced by false teeth. Teeth also cannot be rated if they are lost from naturally occurring diseases related to ageing. They must be lost as a result of injury, accident, or diseases such as osteomyelitis.
If the loss of teeth is caused by part of either the maxilla or mandible missing, then it can either be rated under the following code or under the codes for the missing maxilla or mandible, whichever code provides the higher rating. If not enough of the mandible or maxilla is missing to qualify for a rating under their codes, then the condition is simply rated here. The condition cannot be rated twice, once for the maxilla or mandible and once for the teeth. Only one or the other.
Code 9913: Regardless of how many teeth are missing, if they can be replaced by a prosthesis or false teeth, then it is rated 0%. If, however, they cannot be replaced, they are rated as follows:
All teeth missing is rated 40%. The loss of all the upper teeth or all the lower teeth is rated 30%. If all the upper and lower posterior teeth or all the upper and lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 20%. If only all the upper anterior teeth or all the lower anterior teeth are missing, it is rated 10%. If all the upper and lower teeth on one side are missing, then it is also rated 10%.

After reading the above I think I am going to be 0% S/C for my Mouth Condition claim secondary to my Anorexia Nervosa. I sure hope so b/c I just found out that if I am even 0% S/C for dental I am eligible for dental at my local VA.

I found this:

Dental Benefits for Veterans Dental benefits are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) according to law. In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited. This Fact Sheet describes dental eligibility criteria and contains information to assist Veterans in understanding their eligibility for VA dental care. Outpatient Dental Program The eligibility for outpatient dental care is not the same as for most other VA medical benefits and is categorized into classes. If you are eligible for VA dental care under Class I, IIA, IIC, or IV you are eligible for any necessary dental care to maintain or restore oral health and masticatory function, including repeat care. Other classes have time and/or service limitations.

Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition. Any needed dental care Class I (This would be me if I get the above 0%)

Are a former prisoner of war. Any needed dental care. Class IIC

Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling, or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to serviceconnected conditions. Any needed dental care. [Please note: Veterans paid at the 100% rate based on a temporary rating, such as extended hospitalization for a serviceconnected disability, convalescence or pre-stabilization are not eligible for comprehensive outpatient dental services based on this temporary rating]. Class IV

Apply for dental care within 180 days of discharge or release (under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era. One-time dental care if your DD214 certificate of discharge does not indicate that a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been rendered prior to discharge.* Class II

Come on 0% S/C for my teeth!!!!!

I am hoping to get this S/C so I can have the dental! It would be a great added benefit for me.

I have destroyed my teeth b/c of my eating disorder :(

Did you ask for a DRO review hearing in your NOD?  If not, then they can review the NOD without ever talking to you.
I had my DRO review hearing last month and I was told at least 60 days before a decision but I have heard it go longer and shorter.  There is no way to pin point a time frame on a decision.  Each claim is different.

I have been in PFD over a month now and I too have an FDC claim but I know why my FDC claim is idle....it's because I had my DRO review hearing last month and the FDC won't move forward until after the decision comes from the DRO hearing....
I hope you hear something soon DevilDog!

Flores97;
I will say a prayer for you.  I just read all of this thread and I am really concerned for you.  Please get the help you need! ((HUGS))

Sounds like the denial of my R ankle secondary to L, which has been SC since 11/98.  Oh, and never mind the effects of injuring my knees in 11/92, which were also SC 11/98, would have on other lower extremity joints, bilaterally.

The DRO hearing officer told me in the hearing the same thing. That ANY fracture that is sustained while on AD even if there are no residuals should be a minimum of 0%. When he said that to me I knew there were already errors he saw in my denials. The other items I raised was the fact that the medical opinion given for my left toe condition, right sprain, and 5th metatarsal  right foot fracture was a bogus opinion. There was no way the medical opinion could have been valid. I supplied SMR's and DBQ's and MRI's and X-rays to substantiate my claim yet it was denied. Go figure right??
so hear I sit waiting on an NOD result

BroncoVet 
I will send it off via Certified Mail as well.  I agree it is better to be safe then sorry.
steph

I have been in PFD over a month now and I too have an FDC claim but I know why my FDC claim is idle....it's because I had my DRO review hearing last month and the FDC won't move forward until after the decision comes from the DRO hearing....
I hope you hear something soon DevilDog!

Flores97;
I will say a prayer for you.  I just read all of this thread and I am really concerned for you.  Please get the help you need! ((HUGS))

Navy4life, Yes we wait together!  Thank you for all your input.  You were right on the money with your information! 

Andyman, I'm working on getting sc for gerd, ibs-c, and urinary incontinence secondary to sc systemic lupus, to include medications taken to control the lupus. Im getting an IMO from Valor Compensation Consulting (Shuman is as well), and an IME from Dr Ellis in OK on Apr 19th, and ill submit the three issues as an FDC. I will post the opinions as soon as I receive them. I really appreciate the support from everyone, and Vync, did you say you have Fibro as well, what meds have they put you on? I am on duloxetine, which i believe is generic for cymbalta. Again, Vync, Andyman and Navy4life, thanks for the support.

Flores97;
I will say a prayer for you.  I just read all of this thread and I am really concerned for you.  Please get the help you need! ((HUGS))

flores97
I suggest you see a Cardiologist before you make the Oklahoma Trip.
If your having severe pain that radiates from the front to  the back about bra line area...& with that fast of Heart Beat  you truly need to see a Heart specialist .
If they have you do a stress test and you fail  they may want to do a heart catheter test on you to check for blockages or heart disease.
This will make you think you have a Back-ach
I don't want to be scaring you but Heart Diseases is a silent killer in Women...because of the pain in the Back Area....you would never suspect the Heart.
This would tend that you might believe you just have a Back-Ache 
I hope and pray you will be ok.
 
..................Buck

Shuman, keep in mind I am by no means an expert, but NO, you should not need your in service strs to prove a secondary condition that is caused/aggravated by a sc condition. You will need your VA or private medical treatment records of course, showing treatment and progression of the secondary conditions. Has your VA provider stated any causes for the hip/neck pain in your records? If not, you might need to obtain an IMO to submit along with your records. If the doc has stated that your back is causing these conditions, then VA might grant the secondaries but there is the risk of getting sent to c&p exams and having the examiner opine against you. If you include the IMO, it SHOULD lessen the risk of you being sent to a c&p. Have you tried asking your doc if he/she would be willing to complete a DBQ(Disability benefits quesionnaire), for the neck and hip issues? You can google the DBQ forms, find the ones for your specific disabilities, and print them out. I had no problem getting my VA PCP to complete mine, but alot of veterans do have trouble getting their VA docs to complete them.

Not just ebenefits, but in having to deal with the VA as a whole

Good question. You already know the status in ebenefits can lag behind reality.
When I was in waiting mode, I did this:
1. Got a hobby to get my mind off of it. Fishing, video games, movies, pets, TV (Netflix), etc...
2. Checked AB8 every few days and realized if the ebenefits status suddenly was rolled back, it would move forward eventually. However, in my case, it never changed until way after I got a letter in the mail. That was in the early days of ebenefits.
3. Checked mailbox daily. When I got junk mail or catalogs of no interest, I doodled on the pictures of the models. It's junk, so might as well try and have fun with it.
4. Checked bank account every few days. I had calculated that winning any increase would produce retro, which would be separate from the regular payment at the beginning of each month. In  one instance, retro showed up before getting anything in the mail or seeing it change on ebenefits. Of course, your combined rating would have to increase or an earlier effective date be granted to get retro in most cases.
5. Keep phone handy. I have had numerous claims into the VA. The last two times I won claims, someone at the VARO called me. They wanted to make sure the issues were addressed, the new ratings and combined rating, and even told me retro amounts and when they anticipated arrival in my account.
Of course, once you get the letter in the mail, go over it carefully and make sure everything is correct. Compare what they against your medical records and the rating criteria to make sure it is correct. If not, or if you get denied, don't give up.
Good luck!