AFEngineer

Great News and Congrats!

Just received my retroactive CRDP payment today. Basically, 1 month after award and all payments are complete! Amazed!

Ebenefits seemed to actually be spot on with my award. It showed Claim closed on 25 March and within a day all my letters were in eBenefits. I did have to call and get my VA loan COE updated to show Exempt status, but that was it. I was able to see a list of all my awarded disabilities, % amount for each, etc before I received the BBE. I had my BBE by 28 March or about 3 days after claim closed online. Good Luck!

FDC Success! Retired: 31 July 2014 Filed FDC: 7 Aug 2014 C&Ps: Feb and March 2015 Claim Closed: 25 March 2015 Award Percentage: 100% P&T; no future exams Claims submitted: 24 # Claims Service Connected: 15 # Claims Not Service Connected: 9 VA Retro Payment: 30 March 2015 DFAS Backpay: 22 April 2015 Overall, the FDC process was very quick and painless! This was my first and original claim filed after retiring. I did not do a Benefits at Discharge package since I was moving quickly after retirement. I waited until I moved, met VSO, filed FDC with all my records, application, marriage certs, dependent birth certs, etc all in 1 package. Uploaded to ebenefits and rest is history. I was able to see my award %, AB8 letters, everything on ebenefits before I received the BBE. Now, I am just waiting on back-pay from the DFAS audit. DEPOSITED 22 APR 2015! Good luck to all waiting!

I went in with all my medical records and conditions highlighted for each issue. The Dr. actually asked if she could review them since she preferred that over scrolling through the computer. She actually stated that she wished more patients would do that. Also, she was glad that I was in jogging pants and a T-shirt. She wished more patients would wear those type of clothes especially for range of motion tests, etc. She was very nice, understanding and detailed. My last exam was just yesterday and I don't know the results, but at least she verbally stated that all my information we disussed was verified in my records and matched my symptoms, etc. So, credibility was there. Now, not all Dr.'s want to see your medical records that you brought in. But, I also created a list of dates for each of my issues I was claiming. This helps alot since they want to know when each issue started, when tests were performed, surgery dates, etc. I went through my entire records and made lists for each event, even Physical Therapy sessions, steroid injections, medications list, etc. During the exam, be honest, say what causes things to hurt, don't try to over succeed on ROM tests, stop when it hurts or is uncomfortable. State a pain level (1-10) and know # times a year things flare up. Having a documented approach will make the appointement easy since the medical documentation should support your current symptoms. Also, some appoointments go quick, some take longer. Don't let that affect your impression since the RO may only be asking for 1 simple piece of information. Still, you can ask the Dr. about your concerns, why an issue wasn't evaluated, etc. Communicate. Results from the C&P are usually posted 3 days after the exam on My HealtheVet, so sign up for that account if you haven't already. Finally, be polite and courteous. The examiners are there to document what they see and to match it to your records. There may be some bad ones, but all of mine have been good and were female except the Dental Dr who was male. I believe showing respect from the beginning doesn't hurt. However, attitudes can definelty hurt the situation. Be calm, polite and honest and all should go well. Good luck!