green

Gathering evidence for 10 weeks now with no change...

Buck I did something similar, called Peggy, told him of my mistake, and was told that it would make no difference in the processing of my current claim. Apparently the intent to file evaporates from the site after a year (if no further action is taken). Green

I've been a life member of the DAV since 1993. At the time I was living in Alaska and the local chapter was very active and had several methods to generate $ to give to local non-profits. At the time the local DAV rep was also a member of the local chapter and he did all he could to take care of us. Fast forward and today where I live, the chapter isn't active and I know significantly more than the local DAV reps. They have a "just chill, the VA will take care of you, trust us" attitude. I removed my POA with the DAV prior to submitting my outstanding claims for secondary disabilities because I had no confidence in their ability to work on my behalf. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the high salaries top DAV officials are paid which didn't really bother me until I received a call a few months ago asking for money. I can also attest to never being able to get someone on the phone or having them return calls.

I was reading several VA sites last night which had reference to reevaluation and the protections the VA statute authorizes. It seems to me that anyone can be evaluated at any time unless: They have had the current rating for at least 20 years The condition is considered "static" or no improvement is expected The vet is age 55 or over (except for "unusual circumstances") I was wondering what might constitute an unusual circumstance for a vet at or over age 55? Also, as some of you know, I've been waiting on ratings for several secondary conditions and my wait time for a FDC is over 190 days now (at an RO that decides benefit claims at an average of less than 90 days). I turn 55 this week so maybe the delay will work out to my benefit. Thanks, Green

congrats DevilDog

I'm a big believer in karma and that simply living tends to humble us all as we go through the years. Many doctors have that "I know more than you, so I know better than you" mentality. It seems to me that many of the VA's docs would have done better (for themselves and us) to have gone into research or teaching rather than medical practice. And that's all I have to say about that....

ATCJen, I'm happy to hear of your win!

Sorry Andy, this really stinks, I was hoping for a better outcome.

Thank you asknod

I just want to make sure I'm correct in my interpretation of the SMC - S requirements. It seems as though I think I understand VA Speak and often find out there are considerations to which I am unaware. Looking at SMC S it appears that the requirement (not including housebound) is a 100% rating and additional ratings that equate to 60%. Someplace I read that the additional ratings must be unrelated to the 100% rating. So if this is correct, I assume rated secondary conditions can not be considered in meeting the 60% criteria?

Robeo1, let me be the first to congratulate you on the happy news of your new children/dependents. I was sorry to hear that you lost your new wife's information but noted that despite knowing where she is, that new children keep popping up. If you at least knew how to contact the new wife you could discuss the issue of her remarkable fertility and hopefully determine a method for controlling her rate of regeneration (sorry, but the topic cracked me up). On a serious note, I believe you could simply submit a Notice of Disagreement citing the errors and ask that your records be updated accordingly. This is how I dealt with an erroneous award date noted in my records. I filled out the form and sent it to the appropriate records intake center (based on which state you live in). Green

I have been coming to Hadit for almost 2 years now. I periodically ask for opinions and advice regarding my outstanding FDC. As we all know EBenefits is unreliable and this morning I was thinking there must be a better, more scientific method for determining claim status. It is at this time that I had an epiphany of sorts which I would like to share. I believe the solution which is probably as reliable and possibly an improvement on EBenefits is the Magic 8-Ball. Just to give it a shot, I asked my question "Will my claim be decided soon?" shook the ball, turned it upside down and there it was..... the answer "Reply Hazy, try again". Right in line with what I've been told by Peggy, IRIS, and the online EBenefits chat. From this point forward I will rely on this time proven method for getting questions answered. Green

Regarding the question on a contracted C&P and having access. I called the records person a couple times a week at my local VA Hospital and picked up hard copies once they were in the system. I'm not sure if that works for all situations of if the C&P (if contracted) might bypass the VA health side of the house and go directly to the RO. Green

You add 10% to the ratings total (the bilateral factor) 1.1 = 110%

two bilateral ratings of 10% would equal (10+10 VA MATH or 19) X 1.1 = 20.9 or rounded up to 21

Unless the bilateral combined rating is highest than it becomes the first rating and non-bilateral ratings follow in order of highest to lowest %

Jon, does the State have any Veteran programs that might help you in your current circumstance (shelter/housing/etc.)?

Jon, does the State have any Veteran programs that might help you in your current circumstance (shelter/housing/etc.)?

Pumibel, best of luck to you. I took copies of the packets I had submitted to the RO, supporting my request for secondary ratings. The NP seemed very happy to be provided with the additional information.

Looks like 5283 to me.....

There is a clear relationship between diabettes and PN, I would (and did) file for it as a secondary.

I don't think it really matters what the neurologist called it (polyneuropathy or peripheral neuropathy). The VA rating is based on the nerve affected not the terminology in question. Nerves affected in the hand are rated individually for a single affected nerve or they use a combined radicular group if more than one nerve is affected. Nerves in the feet are rated separately up to the maximum allowed for loss of limb (or 40% per foot). The bilateral factor is also applied when the nerve damage is on both feet or both hands. I hope this helps

For those of you in the know... I have been service connected at 60% for over 20 years. In December of 2014 I filed a fully developed claim on Ebenefits for 10 contentions, all are secondary to my primary disability. I am expecting the award to be 100% (combined). Although it sounds complicated it really isn't: 5 contentions are related to peripheral neuropathy (different limbs). (C&P states moderate damage but EMG notes two nerves affected in each foot which wasn't covered in the C&P documentation) Two contentions are for autonomic neuropathy and the RO will need to decide which code to use to rate it (IBS or something else). Two contentions are for diabetic retinopathy; and I have an SMC-K contention as well. I've had my C&P exams completed over 5 months ago and all concurred with the greater than 50% probability question. I had excellent medical records with supporting documentation So here I sit waiting, they recently updated Ebenefits so that we now have estimated completion dates again (2/12/16 - 5/12/16) where it used to state no date. Any idea what could be taking so long, do they ever wait until a vet is over age 55 to rate?

I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and they never told me, I moved to another State and only found out when doing an entrance exam and the NP was looking at prior medical records. I don't believe that the VA deliberately withheld information but one would think they would want to share information about something that has the potential to cause partial blindness.

I've had no problems pulling up my VA letters this morning.