Runrdud3

Thanks, I did have compelling evidence that was after the file date and that date is the effective date.

Today I was awarded in increase after a DRO review. When is the effective date of back-pay? Claim initiated Dec 4, 2014 Claim denied Apr 24, 2015 Filed NOD Oct 22, 2015 Decision to grant award Jan 25, 2016

Thanks for the info! I am already service connected for Meniere's Disease at 30% so this is an increase to a higher percent. I had new evidence supporting only half of what was needed to win the appeal and overlooked evidence of problems with gait. (It is confusing to know everything the VA needs). When I received the initial SOC it stated 5 times at the end of the doc that I had no evidence of cerebellar gait, so I went back to two specialists and performed gait testing where both agreed and documented that my gait was indeed affected. I had both doctors put word for word the exact reason for denial that was listed on the SOC. My DAV rep knew a DRO and called her to the office where I got to explain the denial and gave her the new evidence. So it's been a week and I am waiting for a re-look. In my opinion, I have everything needed to win, but I don't count on anything until its official.

Chuck Congrats on the partial victory but the fight is never over!

October 2015, I filed for a DRO review at my local VA Regional Office. Contention: Increase rating for Menieres Disease exceeding 30% I received the SOC in late Jan, 2016 stating that I was denied due to no evidence of Cerebellar Gait (Gait abnormality) which is a part of the requirements for an increase. I gathered new evidence of cerebellar gait from my ENT and private physician stating that i do indeed suffer from that as well. On Feb 1, I met with my rep at the DAV who called the DRO to his office to speak with me and I turned over the additional evidence directly to the DRO. The DRO stated she would work on it as soon as she could. Has anyone ever had a re-look after an SOC was issued? Reason I ask is I have word for word medical documentation that is exactly why the SOC was denied. Do you think this is still doable?

Does anyone know what this means? I was being re-rated for all disabilities trying to get IU. I was previously rated at 70% and I now see 80% but its the net amount paid that has me guessing. runrdud3 The current benefit paid is as follows: Gross Benefit Amount $1,775.48 Net Amount Paid $1,649.19 Effective Date January 1, 2015 Combined Evaluation 80 percent

I completed a C&P last week for Menieres disease. The ENT doc asked why am I here? He knows damn well I am there for an increase because the RO paperwork states it. I was already rated/service connected at 30% for menieres a year ago and am trying to get "fairly" rated at a higher % due to symptoms that warrant this. This docs next statement was that Menieres should not be service connected and he was going to request in his opinion that I should be re-rated at 0%. After explaining the symptoms and him performing his tests he stated that I may have the disease. My private doc even wrote a statement that I am being treated for it to include medications. These C&P evaluators need to stick to determining if the symptoms or prognosis warrant an increase due to the regulations set forth by the VA disability bible.

The goal is 125 days for simple increase claims; at least that is what the Salt Lake City VA told me. I just finished my two C&P exams last week and my 125 day deadline is 12 April so I think they will make that deadline. Good news is its not more than a year like it use to be. Runrdud3

Thanks, I will absolutely look into it.

No to SSD. I thought you had to be rated with IU to file for that. I'm only current 70%.

Thanks Broncovet What's real crazy is I had the same ENT doc Jan 2014 (initial review) that told me pretty much the same things and then I was service connected at 30% three weeks later. He seemed upset that I even got rated at that percentage in the first place. I have to assume the rater found something that tied the Menieres to service connection or I would have never got it in the first place. Runrdud3

Jan 2014 I was pursuing an increase for two disabilities. 1). 10% for Foot 2). An initial for hearing loss/ w tinnitus and vertigo I was granted 10% for the foot and received a 30% for Menieres disease which both were service connected by the VA rater in 2014. Menieres symptoms have got so severe I have filed for IU in Dec 2014. Yesterday, went to my CNP and met with an ENT at the Salt Lake VA. He did the exam and I gave him all the symptoms and he did a few tests, but I had never met such a weird doc in all my life. He said Menieres can in no way be service connected and he said he was going to document that in his review, service connection should never accompany this disease for disability benefits. He did write that I have episodes 2-3 time a week and all the other things associated with Menieres. I thought since it was service connected under diagnostic code 6205 I could be rated at a higher rate when symptoms progress. I have been out of work because of it for a year. I am real nervous that his comments will reduce/eliminate the 30% I already have. My private doc even wrote a letter stating that my disease warrants unemployable and that he is treating me for it. I saw Audiology an hour later and my hearing loss is still quite significant. Any advice?

Update, I just got C&Ps scheduled for next week, so when getting the appointment scheduled, a person from C&P said that the Salt Lake City VA has a goal to have claims completed within a 120 day deadline (provided there is not many contentions and the evidence is correct). She told me that the VA Secretary wanted a quick claims process in place by 2015. So this may be true and I will keep all of you posted. I did not believe it but we will see what happens. 120 day mark is April 12, 2015. Runrdud3

Does anyone know how long the claims process is taking? I heard that after all the VA problems the goal is to have claims complete in less than 120 days starting (2015). Has anyone gone through the Salt Lake City VA and what has been your timeline? I'm over 90 days so I am hopeful to hear from them. Runrdud3

My situation is similar. I'm at 70% (50% sleep apnea/ 30% Meneires/ 10% foot). I was rated for the menieres less than a year ago and my symptoms have gotten worse. My private doc (treating me for this) agreed to write a letter stating that I am unemployable to include sedentary work due to menieres disease causing episodes more than once a week. I'm about 90 days in review status and the DAV tells me the Salt Lake VA are completing cases in less than 120 days so if I hear anything I'll keep you posted. Runrdud3

Thanks Buck, No, I'm not in voc rehab. I'm currently 70% for menieres and sleep apnea/ planter fasciitis. I'm hoping they allow me to have a C&P exam so I can see a VA ENT specialist so I can get a possible higher rating. If Meneieres episodes are happening more than once a week with vertigo, the rating is 100% and that is my dilemma now. Hopeful to hear something soon.

Sounds like a good way to pursue it. My doc did state the effects it has on daily living. Are you trying to get IU for Menieres? The DAV tells me I will more than likely not have a C&P for an IU claim as I was rated less than a year ago when I put in for the claim. I don't know why because a VA ENT could evaluate me again so I will have to see/ Should be hearing something soon. Thanks

Thanks georgiapapa, I wish I could have got a letter from the ENT I saw a year ago, but he moved his practice to another state. I am working with the DAV and they claim a letter from a primary care doc is a golden ticket. I am certain that I will have to go the C&P process to verify the condition getting worse. DAV tells me that in some cases, you do not even have to go through an exam to get approved. Seeing is believing!

Thanks for the info carlie, On Jan 2014 I was rated 30% for Meneires (an initial increase). I went through a private ENT doc as well as the C&P docs at the VA (Audiology and ENT) before the decision was made. My Meneires has gotton worse since Jan 2014 and my primary care doctor wrote a letter on my behalf stating that vertigo and dizzyness causes me issues with ability to work to include sedetary work and I put in for an IU claim in Dec 2014. I was wondering how much weight a private docs letter will hold and if by chance another round of C&Ps is waranted.

In Dec 2014 I put in a claim for IU due to lack of being able to work because of meneires disaese. I am rated at 30% for this with sleep apnea at 50%. I have obtained a primary physicians letter stating that the disease has prevented me from gainful employment to include sedetary work. What are the chances of this getting approved? Any info would be greatly appreciated