McD

Berta, I'm eligible for CRDP and I would "assume" those payments will start 1 April 15, but could start as late as 1 May 15 based on the decision date of my claim. My eligibilty date is 1 Dec 14, so I should (hopefully) get retro pay from 1 Jan 15 to Apr or May 15. As for the PTSD, I spoke with my VSO about my ratings today and she showed my the actual verbiage from the Psychiatrist at my C & P exam and he basically missed checking a few boxes on the form he used. There is verbiage written in there that describes my symptoms, and also the diagnosis from my military Psychiatrist... so not sure how that wasn't even given at least a 0% SC. I'd be good with a 0% just so it's there for future reference. Again... I'd be glad to be rid of any/all of the issues I have!! The thing that has me intrigued is the Voc Rehab. I filed a letter today with the VA to get more info. Thanks for your help

All, I'm retired (26 years of active duty service & 7 deployments) and have full base access, so no issues there. Also, if you look at my ratings AND TAKE OUT the Major Depression and Chronic Fatigue (both of which are up for review in 5 years), I STILL rate 100% based on using the individual disabilities calculator. Marine0816 gave me a link to a bilateral disabilities calculator which should increase my rating. I used the individual disabilities calculator (minus the MDD and CFS) in the chance that they lowered my rating for those or even eliminated them... (actually I'd LOVE to eliminate BOTH of those from my life!!). So from that, I wondered if I was doing something wrong or if there was something else that the VA does for ratings...? My Depression has been on and off since Jan 2010.

Thanks Marine0816... now all I have to figure out how to use the bilateral calculator correctly. ;)

For those that have asked... here are my ratings... The first 21 are (I assume) permanent ratings (seeing how there was nothing said about reevaluating them in my decision letter), but the MDD and Chronic Fatigue are both to be reevaluated, so I could see the reason for a 100% Temporary rating, however as I stated before, completely removing them in the calculators I've used still keeps me at 100%. Now that you all can see this can you explain any of it? Am I missing something? Should I fight a 100% Temp rating, or not stir the pot? Issues/Contentions: Obstructive Sleep Apnea w/CPAP 50% P Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy 20% P Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy 20% P Right Knee Strain 10% P Chronic Sinusitis 10% P Right Lower Extremity Radicupathy 10% P Degenerative Disc Disease Cervical Spine 10% P Status Post Left Hand Thumb and Middle Finger Fractures 10% P Left Knee Strain 10% P Left Ankle Tendonitis Status Post Tendon Tear 10% P Left Hip Sprain/Strain Limitation of Extension w/Bursitis 10% P Thoracolumbar Spine Strain w/Osteoarthritis 10% P Left Shoulder Post Clavicle Fracture 10% P Chronic Right Biceps Tear 10% P Right Hand Thumb Status Post Fracture w/Painful Motion, Thumb Index and Long Finger 10% P Right Shoulder Strain 10% P Right Hip Sprain/Strain Limitation of Flexion w/Busitis 10% P Chronis Allergic Conjunctivitis 10% P Tinnitus 10% P Allergic Rhinitis 10% P Status Post Lower Lip Gland Removal w/Neuropathy of Cranial Nerve V 10% P Major Depression Disorder 50% Temp (up for future reevaluation) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 40% Temp (up for future reevaluation) Left Hip Sprain/Strain Limitation of Flexion with Bursitis 0% Residual Scar Right Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery 0% Residual Scar Status Post Left Shoulder Clavicle Surgery 0% Right Hand Ring and Little Finger Pain Status Post Right Hand Thumb Fracture Injury 0% Status Post Right Inguinal Hernia 0% Onchomycosis/ Dermatophytosis Bilateral Thumb Nails 0% Residual Scars Right Leg Status Post Accident 0% Right Hip Sprain/Strain Limitation of Flexion w/Bursitis 0% Left Hand Status Post Injury 0% Also, I was denied Service Connected PTSD (as they said it wasn't clinically diagnosed) even though I sent in a DBQ stating that I was. Note: I have what appeas to be the same condition with my right hip... one states 10%, the other states 0%. Could that be the issue? Thanks again for any assistance...!

So I've made a slight miscalculation with the number of rated disabilities... I have the 1 @ 50%, 2 @ 20%, but "only" have 18 @ 10%, HOWEVER the disability calculator used from the link below STILL shows me at 95.196% which should still round up to 100%, correct? http://www.vvaarizona.org/combined_disability.php Is there an issue with this combined disability calculator? Edit: I tried another calculator and came up with 100%. I meet with my VSO next week to discuss, so hopefully she has some answers/advice for me.

Thanks all. Some have mentioned uploading my decision letter... do they have a digital copy somewhere on eBenefits, or do I need to scan it in?

So, I received my letter stating I was 100%, but that I will have reevaluations at a future date (it states Feb 2020) that could result in a rating reduction. I reviewed the letter and they will want to see me again for Major Depression (50%) and Chronic Fatigue (40%). For the record, even with taking those 2 temp ratings out, I still have 22 disabilities in all: 1 @ 50%, 2 @ 20%, and 19 @ 10%. Using a few VA rating's calculator's, I still come up with 95.677%, which means it would round to 100% correct? If that's the case, why wouldn't I be rated at 100% permanent now? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your assistance! I've found a few errors/ommissions today while going over my DBQ's. I have to make another appt with my physician to get them cleared, but I think they should be done fairly quickly. My records (two volumes) are pretty well documented, so I don't know if a buddy making a statement about my tweaking my knee 20 years ago is necessary, but I can see the validity in it. So I hope to have that all done and submitted prior to my retirement date and then wait to see if the VA wants to see me for any of my conditions.

Thanks... I've already had my "final" exam before I retire, or do you mean for the VA? I'm still being seen for issues at the base clinic and private physicians as well until my actual retirement date. I just wasn't sure if there was anything else I needed to do. Seems like there are a lot of people on this board that have had issues with their paperwork/claims filing. I'm sure I'll think I have all my ducks in a row and something will still prresent a problem. Thanks for the reply... hoping to hear from more people and their thoughts/experiences.

Hello all, I'm a brand new user to this board (just found it today), and I had a few questions. I have been ADAF since Nov 88 and will have 26 years of Service by the time I retire this Dec. I've been in contact with an American Legion VSO that has been assiting me, however I know there's prob something I'm missing and turned here to hopefully get more information. I have been diagnosed (and in my SMR's) with the following: PTSD (Axis I) Major Depression Disorder (Axis I) Chronic Allergic Rhinitis Sinusitis (not sure if the two are considered the same/one better than the other, etc) Sleep Apnea (w/CPAP) Arthritic Knee Chronic Conjunctivitis/BLEPHARITIS/Dry eye Chronic Fatigue Scars/disfigurement (Not sure if this is ratable) Upper back issues Lower back issues/LUMBAGO Deviated septum (w/2 septioplasties while in service). One nasal passage is still almost completely blocked.0 Limited range of motion in Left shoulder due to vehicular accident (surgery to repair broken clavicle w/metal plate installed) Direct Inguinal Hernias (X2) Both while deployed due to FOB hopping with loads of gear (although I doubt I'll recieve any compensation for this) I have a few other issues as well, but again I don't think they'll be rated (who know's though?) I also have DBQ's filled out for (PTSD, MDD, Chronic Allergic Rhinitis/Sinusitis, Sleep Apnea, Chronic Conjunctivitis/BLEPHARITIS/Dry eye, Chronic Fatigue, Scars/disfigurement. I have them for my back too, but they're range of motion details and I'm sure I'll have to see a VA Doc for that. All of this will be turned into the VSO to help me with my FDC, and that will be turned in prior to my retirement... Did I do enough? Is there more I need to have as far as documented diagnoses and/or medical support? Any additional forms or advice you can pass on so I can be better prepared? Thanks for any assistance you can provide! McD