green

Gastone, does filing a VONAP create a problem for me filing an expedited claim? If I understand your advice correctly, a VONAP simply creates a date placeholder for my complete claim, which will be filed at a later date? Your assumptions are correct, I was discharged at 20% (1 primary condition) in 83, this award was later increased to 60% in 2014, I recently hit the 20-year mark on this claim. I have evidence in my medical files for secondary conditions for probably 13 or 14 years now. I, like you, assume that the claim date and the back-pay date will be the date of filing rather than the dates of diagnosis in my files. If this is the case, I don't have a retro waiting. The VA attorney does work for 20% of the pending award/back pay, I don't think this will be an direction I'll go unless I'm denied a rating or until I file for 100% when I'm unable to continue working.

Thank you Britton

My discussions with the attorney were geared towards an independent view of my claim. I have not been denied and as such I do not have the ability to hire an attorney to represent me. So I've broken the process down to the following steps: Gather all evidence of secondary conditions Seek additional medical opinions outside the VA where the VA evidence is less than overwhelming Put together and process an expedited claim Wait for the decision If they deny I will review and submit further evidence with the help of an attorney. Berta, I have worked to this point but my issues are making it much more difficult. I'm eligible for retirement in about 3 years so I'm really trying to hit that date. If I can't, I'll file for unemployability due to disability (given my issues it would be a logical decision to approve, my thought anyway). I'm hoping to submit all the paperwork by the beginning of the calendar year. Green

I received my medical records from the DC VA Hospital, the time period covers 3 years and it took almost 3 weeks for them to print and provide me the copies. I'm pretty excited as this has provided me with about everything I need for my claim. And it did contain information not covered in the blue button feature on myhealthevet. I'm still waiting on records from another VA Hospital but the time span was over 9 years so I assume that will take a bit longer.

Thank you Kelly, If this only pertains to VA Regional Offices, I don't believe they would have anything since my last rating in 1994.

I've been a disabled vet since 1983, filed a claim for reevaluation in 1994 but haven't done anything since that point. I'm preparing to submit for secondary conditions. I don't know what a "C-file" is. Thank you for your help. Green

I'm looking through Ebenefits and I clicked on the Compensation and Pension Caim Status as I was trying to familiarize myself with the system and to my surprise there is a entry under historical claims that is titled "Authorization Review". I have no idea what this is and whatever it is I certainly didn't initiate it. Does anyone have an idea of what this is? Thank you, Green These are the only details available on the site: Details of Your Claim Claim Received: 02/2012 Claim Type: Authorization Review Claim Closed: 03/2012

Thank you again Berta! I had a discussion with an attorney today who specializes in VA compensation claims and he told me I have a solid case. He suggested that as I've had these secondary conditions noted in my medical files for years that I provide the older records as I may be entitled to back pay. We will see. Green

I sent in a request for my records from two hospitals a couple weeks ago. I'm hoping that since all my appointments aren't documented on myhealthevet that the facilities might have hard copies. The records span 3 years in DC and 9 years (previous) in another State does anyone have an idea of how long this process takes?

The 60% is a single rating for diabetes only, I was rated at 20% initially, and hit the 20-year mark on the 60% rating earlier this month . I am not presently rated for any secondary conditions. Berta, thank you for the warm welcome.

I've had a diagnosed and rated condition (diabetes) for 20 years and am preparing to file for the following secondary conditions: peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, autonomic neuropathy, and impotence. I sent in a request for my records from two hospitals a couple weeks ago. I'm hoping that since all my appointments aren't documented on myhealthevet that the facilities might have hard copies. The records span 3 years in DC and 9 years (previous) in another State does anyone have an idea of how long this process takes? Another question related to documentation for a condition, I copied the following out of my VA records, can you tell me if it will be accepted as a diagnosis (please note the comments in bold) The process of medication reconciliation was completed during today's visit. The veteran's current medications (including non-VA medications and any changes made today) were reviewed with the patient and/or caregiver. A written list was offered and/or provided. Assessment:5 2 yo male with type I DM on insulin pump presents with 12 yr history of water diarrhea, colonoscopy done with no colitis or microcolitis, normal biopsy. Celiac workup neg, cultures neg. Gastroneuropathy or "diabetic gut" suspected. ManagEment of symptoms is key. Recommendation: Start with loperamide 2mg take one in am, and then one after each loose stool for maximum of 8 a day. Cholestriamine unlikely to help and no need to continue. DR’s Name, Signed: 04/22/2013 / Doctor Somethin,MD, ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, GASTROENTEROLOGY, HEPATOLOGY ADDENDUM saw and examined Mr. Green and discussed his symptoms with him in detail. He is a 52 year old with 30 yr history of type I DM and longstanding diarrhea, 5-6 watery BM/day with fecal incontinence occasionally at night. Colonoscopy was negative for microscopic colitis. No evidence of bacterial overgrowth or infection. We discussed the management of diabetic intestinal neuropathy which is the likely diagnosis here. He will take loperamide as described, and if not effective, we can make further adjust Thank you so much for your help