green

To close out this thread, I was awarded 100% P&T yesterday. It still feels surreal. I am appreciative of this site, and the many folks I learned and received encouragement from.

Hadit-eers, My claim for compensation on secondary conditions finally closed today. Just to give those who look at eBenefits and wonder how accurate it is can take a look at my timeline, which is as follows: Intent to File 11/7/2014 Claim Submitted 7/22/15 C&P Exams 8/30/15 Gathering Evidence to Prep for Decision to Decision Approval (8 times) from 8/30/15 - 10/15/2015 Prep for Notification 10/15/15 Gathering Evidence 11/15/15 Prep for Decision 3/8/16 Pending Decision Approval 4/4/16 Prep for Notification 4/6/16 Pending Decision Approval 4/8/16 Prep for Notification 4/8/16 Pending Decision Approval 4/11/16 Prep for Notification 4/12/16 Pending Decision Approval 4/13/16 Prep for Notification to Pending Decision Approval to Prep for Notification 4/14/16 Close 4/15/16 So we are talking 269 days from the submit application date till close for a FDC. The good news is that I have been rated 100% Scheduler P&T, and that they did back date a few of the contentions to 2004. They didn't take my Intent to file date into considerations but rather went back to the C&P date. Keep in mind that I had a lot of medical documentation that proved the existence of these contentions much earlier. I understand that I may not get them to go back beyond the Intent to File date but will ask for clarification on why 12/7/14 wasn't the date they used. I'm feeling sort of numb at this point as I've been engaged actively and emotionally since December of 2014 and now I have at least partial closure. I want to thank Tbird, asknod, berta (you are the first person I talked to here many moons ago), Buck, broncovet and so many others who have encouraged me through the process. Tbird, I'll be sending you some $ via PayPal when I receive the backpay to help you continue on. You are the Veteran. VA Benefit Information Summary of benefit information You have one or more service-connected disabilities: Yes Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 100% Your current monthly award amount is: $3172.13 The effective date of the last change to your current award was: September 01, 2015 You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities: Yes

I believe the current diabetes rating criteria was changed in 1996. In that case you would have been rated using the same criteria that is in effect now.

Hi David, Just a couple questions so that I fully understand your post. Exactly when were you medically discharged? What are your current service connected disabilities, I see you are rated 40%?

Well, as I anticipated, it changed status again and it actually states "Pending Decision Approval", not Pending Decision.

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. :)

Alex, do you have a project manager and a schedule yet?

That is fantastic, I hope you post some pictures after it's constructed.

My understanding is that disabilities don't change on eBenefits until your claim is "closed". Of course if it is closed it would be moved to Historical Claims and you would no longer see it as an "Open Claim".

N4L, are you a Jesse Stone fan, suitcase always says that "I feel it in my bones Jesse". :)

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.

Great to hear you have had another success!

N4L, Friday evening it went to Prep for Notification and then today it went back to Pending Decision Approval. That is one thing about my claim, it has consistently bounced from status to status throughout the timeline. I am currently at day 265 of my FDC.

Peripheral neuropathy is rated based on two identifiers; sensory and motor issues. Both mild and moderate are based primarily on sensory issues, moderately severe and severe look at other changes such as loss of motor function (can be determined through at EMG) and other issues such as trophic changes, reflexes, foot drop, etc.

I believe tinnitus is a single 10% rating and as such the bilateral factor does not apply?

Very happy for you!

Freckled one, did you ask to see a copy of the policy? It could be that no such formal / written policy actually exists but is rather a local opinion which could easily be disputed.

You would need to compare those rates to what you were actually paid at that time in order to figure out your backpay amount. I've heard that people receive backpay before they receive the letter. Have you checked your bank account?

If you look at the following website http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp0100.asp and scroll to the bottom you will find historic rates. As far as I can tell, the Sept 1, 2009 rate was the single no children rate paid at that time if rated at 40% Dec 2011 @ $797 was the 50% rate payable to those single with no children. All the December ratings reflect an increase in the cost of living and that percent applied. $976 is the current payment for a 50% disabled vet who is married and has one child. I have no idea why you have a $ amount for march of 2020 unless you have a child who will be over the age of 18 at that time. I assume this ties into some backpay?

Jimmer, I'm also in AZ, unfortunately I've heard your specific experience voiced by other vets here.

I think it's human nature to want to know how things are going, especially something as emotionally charged as having your service-connected disabilities recognized. Most folks (myself included) find it difficult to simply send in a claim and forget about it for several months (or years if you enter the appeal process). I believe the process and timeline impacts us all negatively and after enduring the process we simply want what is fair and to have closure.

So much for Government Transparency.....

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

Often times a magic-8-ball is more accurate than eBenefits. Or to put it in VA terminology "a magic-8-ball is at least as likely as not to be more accurate than eBenefits"

There are many on the site that can probably better address your question but I'll share my thoughts. I don't really see how the inability to be promoted based on a service connected disability would add value or weight to the rating for your condition. Disability ratings are supposed to consider a condition's impact to employability but I don't believe it considers promotability. I can see however that if your feet get worse you may qualify for a medical retirement from your current employer, certain retraining benefits through the State, and based on other disabilities may help with an eventual IU claim.