ihateliver

Yo Vync how the heck did you make the appointment? I called the 1-800 number and the rep said I needed to send a letter to the Baltimore VARO to make an appointment. I know doggone well a letter to BVARO will not fly. I asked the jamoke is there a more direct way to make an appt and he hung up the phone.

Can I just walk into my VARO to view my files. The last time I was there the front desk person told my that DAV had the same information they had and I could view it there. However the DAV person just submitted a FOIA request for me.

A thousand thanks USMC_VET

I call the VA and they hang up on me after they inform me I need to write a letter to the VARO in Baltimore. Ok what kind of letter? I visited the DAV there and the rep said that he completed a FOIA request for me but I don't see it in ebenes. I have sat on my 40% for over 20 years without 1/100th of the knowledge I've been learning through this site. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I've been low balled. I have most of my military records but I don't want to send duplicates of what the VA has reviewed. However I do not know how my ratings were reviewed. Can anyone inform me on how to properly request my c-file? Thank you.

Ok I dsee that I'm currently at 40% because 10% bilateral was mover to 10% right leg and 0% left leg. They didn't add 10% to my disabilities. Secondary to bilateral varicose vein status post stripping 0% Service Connected 02/04/2011 Varicose veins, right leg 10% Service Connected 03/31/1998 bilateral varicose veins status post stripping 10% Service Connected 09/16/1996 pes planus (flatfoot) Not Service Connected hearing loss Not Service Connected varicose vein stripping left leg 0% Service Connected 03/31/1998 left ankle sprain (claimed as nerve pain) Not Service Connected skin condition (colored skin, right leg, chest and right side of head) Not Service Connected hallux valgus, right great toe with degenerative changes 10% Service Connected 06/09/1992 status post fracture, distal phalanx of the index finger 0% Service Connected 06/09/1992 right ankle sprain Not Service Connected chondromalacia of the patella left knee 20% Service Connected 07/18/1994

For Gastone - Feelings are like xxx xxxxx, everybody's got, right. No room in VA Claims for what we think "should be," it's all about Medical Evidence and Nexus. What can you prove with your old medical evidence that the VA already has in it's hot little hands? Not sure. What NEW Medical Evidence, that was not available or presented with your original claim? Not sure yet. Need to get my C-File You did keep your original Award/Denial letter, right? No Did you agree with the original rating decision? Ever file a NOD within the 12 months after the date of the Award?No Have you continued to receive VA or Private Medical treatment over the years for your SC conditions? Yes Any medical evidence to support an increase per 38 CFR 4 to any of your SCs? Probably. I need to review what I have along with additional info from Doc.

Gastone - Thanks for the info. I was a young whippersnapper know it all. However I never really understood the depths of red tape that the VA ties around our necks and games they play with our ratings. I just took what they offered at face value and went on with my life. Went to college, got married, had kids, jobs...you get the picture. However now I'm a little more mature and see that the VA may not have decided my cases fairly, or they may not have had the correct information. Years ago I used some DAV officers, but looking back they were overwhelmed and didn't have time to review my case the way I should have. So now I guess you can say I'm taking back the power of my case with the help of sites like this. I've talked to many vets over the years, yet not one recommended this site to me. Also, when I first got rated, none of this information was readily available. So thank you guys for arming me with this valuable information. In fact, I visited with a local VA rep and he informed that the VA seems to have miscalculated the bilateral factor in 1998 and may have missed bumping me up to 50% from 40%.

USN_HM_VSR Happy Fourth. Did you mean to follow-up on your earlier comment?

USN_HM_VSR Yes. Within the last year. I'm now on a CPAP.

Thank you USN_HM_VSR

jbasser The agent that has not followed up with me is accredited and is listed on the ebenefits site. The practice has expanded yet no calls from anyone or any communications from them whatsoever. In addition, I want to file for items that VA may not have considered properly in the past. I, like other vets, have put too much weight on VA to handle my claims, hence only 40%. I believe I should be no less that 70%.

broncovet I think I will take USN_HM_VSR's advise and file a notice to revoke the POA I had with him. He is not listed on the VA benefits site. But just to make sure.

Here is my current rating. I have some of my military medical recored that show I has multiple visits to the docs for sinus issues. That is why I want to claim Sleep Apnea. Also my stripping was unilateral not bilateral. I had massive varicosities on my right leg until I had surgery about a month ago to remove them. Sinus issues are more challenging now where I take steroids to keep my sinuses clear. Other issues as well. Rated Disabilities Disability Rating Decision Related To Effective Date Lumbosacral strain Not Service Connected systolic murmur Not Service Connected right shoulder condition Not Service Connected scar(s) of the left popliteal area, left groin inguinal and left midfoot medial aspect secondary to bilateral varicose vein status post stripping 0% Service Connected 02/04/2011 Varicose veins, right leg 10% Service Connected 03/31/1998 bilateral varicose veins status post stripping 10% Service Connected 09/16/1996 pes planus (flatfoot) Not Service Connected hearing loss Not Service Connected varicose vein stripping left leg 0% Service Connected 03/31/1998 left ankle sprain (claimed as nerve pain) Not Service Connected skin condition (colored skin, right leg, chest and right side of head) Not Service Connected hallux valgus, right great toe with degenerative changes 10% Service Connected 06/09/1992 status post fracture, distal phalanx of the index finger 0% Service Connected 06/09/1992 right ankle sprain Not Service Connected chondromalacia of the patella left knee 20% Service Connected 07/18/1994 Here

Thanks USMC_VET - I actually faxed a similar form in to the Baltimore VA that I found on the Attig Law site. He has some great information and books on his site. However I will probably send in this form as well.

THank you all for your asisstance. I do have old medical records from my military service. I'll start with those.

Broncovet - Thank you much. I salute you for your post.

OSC - We are all thick skinned around here. Thanks for the update. I meant no harm, but the senior vets, whom I have great respect for ooowup kinda got in my craw with the bankruptcy and the sorry to hear of my issues replies. I'm new here and I was looking for productive advice. Overall this site has a lot of great information and my hat goes off to all great men and women who post helpful advice for those of us that need it. My God Bless you all, and May God Bless the United States of America.

Thanks for the info Hamslice. Navy and Pete I don't need sympathy. I'm a fighter bros. I ain't broke, just fighting for what I freakin earned!!! I don't need no stinkin bankruptcy and don't feel sorry for me. Either help with some productive advice or stay in the bushes and watch!

I've haven't done anything since the 90's because the DAV in Baltimore is overwhelmed and I was frustrated. However this site has given me a new life to pick up the ball again. I started a new claim on 5/6/2015. Hopefully I'll get it right this time. My pes planus is service connected from the 80's.VA totally missed that. In addition I had sinus problems throughout my military service, now I have sleep apnea with a CPAP. I may not be 100% like many of my brothers, but I know I'm greater than 40% Rated Disabilities Disability Rating Decision Related To Effective Date Lumbosacral strain Not Service Connected systolic murmur Not Service Connected right shoulder condition Not Service Connected scar(s) of the left popliteal area, left groin inguinal and left midfoot medial aspect secondary to bilateral varicose vein status post stripping 0% Service Connected 02/04/2011 Varicose veins, right leg 10% Service Connected 03/31/1998 bilateral varicose veins status post stripping 10% Service Connected 09/16/1996 pes planus (flatfoot) Not Service Connected hearing loss Not Service Connected varicose vein stripping left leg 0% Service Connected 03/31/1998 left ankle sprain (claimed as nerve pain) Not Service Connected skin condition (colored skin, right leg, chest and right side of head) Not Service Connected hallux valgus, right great toe with degenerative changes 10% Service Connected 06/09/1992 status post fracture, distal phalanx of the index finger 0% Service Connected 06/09/1992 right ankle sprain Not Service Connected chondromalacia of the patella left knee 20% Service Connected 07/18/1994

I have never applied for increased benefits. However readng HADIT it appearsthat I may be entitled to more than I am currently receiving. Below is my current rating as it stands in eBenefits. The Pes Planus is service related. Hearing loss is service related (I was a 13E in artillery). Nothing for vericose vein stripping? I just had the right leg in surgery. I have other items that I had while in service that have just gotten worse over the years. Can I file for those as well? Secondary to bilateral varicose vein status post stripping 0% Service Connected 02/04/2011 Varicose veins, right leg 10% Service Connected 03/31/1998 bilateral varicose veins status post stripping 10% Service Connected 09/16/1996 pes planus (flatfoot) Not Service Connected hearing loss Not Service Connected varicose vein stripping left leg 0% Service Connected 03/31/1998 left ankle sprain (claimed as nerve pain) Not Service Connected skin condition (colored skin, right leg, chest and right side of head) Not Service Connected hallux valgus, right great toe with degenerative changes 10% Service Connected 06/09/1992 status post fracture, distal phalanx of the index finger 0% Service Connected 06/09/1992 right ankle sprain Not Service Connected chondromalacia of the patella left knee 20% Service Connected 07/18/1994 Not sure where to go with all of this. Hope I can get some help. Currently I'm going after my C - File.

Can anyone assist me with obtaining my C-File which is what I understand is the first step needed to start this journey. I have not filed anything in a long time. I'm currently at 40%.

jbasser. NOD a decision? Please explain. Thanks. I'm new here and don't understand the lingo. Anyway I'm a pretty smart dude. Buck - a $500.00 mistake ain't that bad. I've made worse. Anyway that was a few years ago. I need to know where do I start now to submit my own claim since this jamoke isn't going to do it. The rep came as a referral from another 100% veteran. I spoke to the guy last week. He had his wife, also a vet, working with the guy as well. However I found out that she ended up submitting her own paperwork for increased benefits and is also now at 100%. All without this dudes help. I was informed that the VA rep may be overwhelmed with work and is lagging on many vet cases at this time. However that is unacceptable. I did sign an agreement to pay him 10% of any retro pay received. However not sure if I qualify for any retro since no claim had been filed on my behalf. I will do this on my own with your guys help. Step one anybody? Getting my C-File?

jbasser I currently do not have any claims outstanding as far as I can tell. Nothing shows up on eBenefits. And Tbird I will not post his name. Thanks.

I've currently been at 40% for years. I've never really kept up with my issues, but I do have some old records that show sinus issues all the way from 1981 that could be contributing to conditions I have had over the years. Now I'm on a CPAP and just had surgery on a leg that veins got so bad my foot was discolored. Other issues as well.

I don't want to post his name yet because he is legit and he does help other vets, however I honestly believe at this time he is overwhelmed. I had decided earlier not to contact him (I've tried unsucessfully to reach him over 20 times in the last week) anymore and if I do not hear from him, I'll report him myself. I check eBenefis and there is nothing filed on my behalf. The times I have spoken with him he says that the Baltimore office has a backlog on claims. He did get me a psych eval, but that is all that has been done and that was two years ago.