BEVB

@GeekySquid I qualified for a HISA grant for roll in shower, but can't do steps and the HISA grant was going to be enough for a walk in shower and but not enough to do something with the stairs. Now I don't want to use my HISA till I know where I'm going to end up, I'm at my sisters for awhile. 
I did call the Social Worker the other day and they are going to send someone out to check out anything they might be able to do and also evaluate me for home health aide or whatever it's called. I'm pre 9/11 so I don't qualify for the caregiver program, though my niece acts as my caregiver and she is very protective of me. My niece does so much for me she takes care of my day to day life so I just focus on the site. The website takes a lot of brain power so I focus on that and she makes sure the rest of my life runs smoothly.
The VA did approve for community care for my knee so I see an ortho surgeon the 24th, it's very close to where I live so that is a great relief, they are moving my primary care to the VA closer to me.
The psych doc added Abilify to my regiment for a few months and it seems to be helping.

https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5093
The new VA SRD for skin disability is found in the link within this press release.

BEVB,
I have been in appeal since 2009 for migraines, but that's from going from regular appeal to remand.  It has been in remand since 2013.  I didn't seem to get anywhere until I contacted the secretary of the va with an email stating my situation and frustration and then I received callbacks within 2 days from the email. 
 

BEVB, I don't know if you are within driving distance if your RO, but keep in mind you can always walk in to the Regional Office and talk to yhem about your claims.  I walked into my RO to talk to them in regards to my BVA Appeal, about 9 months after it was certified to the Board, and they scheduled my video hearing on the spot.  Bear in mind that at that point i had already waited almost five years, but going in person can't hurt....it pays to be proactive.  I wish you luck and hope this helps.

Hello fellow Hadit users. First and foremost I would like to thank T Bird for creating this site. I would also like to thank the many folks that have contributed and shared information to help Veterans. A special nod to Berta for all of her dedication in helping others.
I was awarded a 70% Disability rating around the first of June. I received the BBE on June 3.
I was awarded 50% PTSD,40% bilateral hearing loss,and 10% for tinnitus. I submitted my claim on Jan.
21,2015. It took 4 months to receive a decision and I'm feeling awful lucky to have received a decision so soon. Trying to process it all and figure out the next step . Thanks again Hadit and all whom share their stories and offer hope thru a difficult process.

I can't believe what just happened. My husband submitted a claim through ebenefits in January 2015 after beginning treatment for PTSD at the VA in the fall of 2014. In early May 2015 he got a call to schedule his C&P exam. He had the exam on the Friday before the long Memorial Day weekend. Checked ebenefits on Tuesday morning and the case had been closed already. He was given 100% for PTSD with an extra year of retroactive pay back to January 2014. This was accomplished in one business day! I almost fell off my chair when I logged on to ebenefits.

Just over 4 months start to finish and a 100% rating. Still waiting on the BBE but the ebenefits letters and payment info are available and I have faith that it will come soon.

The VA outdid itself on this one. I have no idea how or why but thank God. We were really struggling and this is an incredible blessing.

I don't know where to begin. I'm overwhelmed with emotion, numb, shocked, happy, grateful to the VA and the many people/vets who have helped me along the way....I'm still taking it all in. My journey began when I returned from being an Army ground pounder in Vietnam in 1970 and realized that my world and my life was never going back to normal like I thought and hoped it would. I went through severe depression, drug addiction, hopelessness, booze every day, suicide attempts, not being able to hold a job, anger, fights, nightmares, anxiety/panic attacks. Twice I asked the VA for help. Once shortly after I returned home and, again, in 1974 when I was a complete drug addict after my second suicide attempt. Both times the VA rejected me and told me to "suck it up" and move on. I turned away from the VA for 40 years. I don't know how I made it this far except by the grace of God and my wife who has stood by me. I have always felt I should have been left dead in Vietnam as the killer the Army turned me in to rather than live in the hell I've lived in since I got back. Long story short....other vets talked me into returning to the VA for help and I'm glad I did. During my first PTSD therapy session the shrink committed me under suicide watch to the VA hospital under court order. I've been in PTSD/substance abuse therapy now for 6 months, had my C&P two months ago, didn't know what the rating was going to be and when it came in 100% PTSD/MDD Total and Permanent I just couldn't believe it....stunned is not the word!! This will allow me to dedicate myself totally to my PTSD therapy and trying to live the rest of my life as good as I can.

The moral of this story is, for vets struggling to fight the good fight with the VA,....hang tough...persevere....because, for what it's worth, I truly believe the VA is doing everything they can to "redeem" themselves. You must present your case clearly and properly but the VA now seems to be bending over backwards for vets. It has come way too late for me but it doesn't have to be to late for others. Vets should also lean heavily on this website. There are many extremely knowledgeable contributors on this website that have a wealth of information/expertise and they are more than willing to help you.

I want to thank everyone for their help. I will be dedicating myself to helping other vets. Vets SHOULD help other vets.

I first enrolled on the Agent Orange Registry in about 2008. No real reason then, except others said it was a good idea to get on the list. I was in-country in Vietnam from 1968-69.

In 2012, I saw that Ischemic Heart Disease was added as a covered Agent Orange disease as of September, 2010. I had a heart attack in 2006. So, I applied and got a 60% rating and was paid retro to September 2010. That 2-year lump sum deposit was sweet!

In 2013, I applied for PTSD and was denied because of a doctor filling out his report wrong. I appealed and was granted 50% only 6 weeks later! Now, my rating increased to 80%.

In December, 2014 I applied for a rating because the VA said I was a diabetic and put me on an RX. They rated me 20% for that, but not enough to change the 80% rating I already had.

In February 2015, I asked to have the PTSD rating increased and that I had left my job 2 months earlier because of the PTSD. In April 2015, they increased my PTSD to 70%, for a new rating of 90% overall.

However, they also put the added benefit of Unemployability on the claim, which boosted the claim way up there. With a spouse, I went from getting $1688 to $3415 per month! They now put me at 100% Total and Permanent disability!

When that rating came in, I immediately went to my Motor Vehicle Dept and got a Disabled Veteran plate for my car. Cost: only $4.50/yr! Then to the county appraiser's office here in florida to file for my exemption. At 100% total and permanent, they waive 100% of your property taxes on your home! ($3600/yr savings!) If you are under 65, which I wasn't, you can also apply for a waiver of your monthly premium for some types of Servicemen's Group Life you may have.

Also, but not the least, I went to a somewhat (75 mi. away) local Naval base and applied for a ID card that gives me 100% privileges at any commissary or exchange anywhere in the world, at any military base. I went to an Air Force one yesterday! I can even book a campsite or room at any base that offers it. Disney, Universal, etc are on the discount list too!


The gist of all this, it's that you can do it yourself! Everything you need is available online .Sign up for Ebenefits online today! If you feel you need assistance, see your local VFW, American Legion, of VA Officer. Most states also have service officers that are paid by the state itself. They are usually disabled vets themselves and are there to be on your side. Stay away from the attorneys! They are in it for the money only!

There is a "Request for advance on the docket" due to hardship you can submit. That may help.

The problem I see with this is "who doesnt have a hardship when his benefit claim takes 5 years?"

Some reasons why Vets have won an advance on the docket are:

1. They are terminally ill.
2. They are elderly and may not survive a traditional 5 year appeal.
3. They are homeless and need the benefits to try to get out of the situation.
4. They have children who are homeless.
5. They have a foreclosure notice (or eviction notice) and are threatened with losing their home.
6. They have other extreme financial need such as utility shutoffs, lack of food, clothing, etc.

Something I found out today - - - for whatever it's worth. A BVA judge can assign a case number that somehow impacts the wait time for a decision.
Has to do with part of the case number that is related to a past year. It affects the ageing of the claim, and the current guidance to try to clear "older"
appeals. It can supposedly change the wait time for a decision from years to months. Believe it when I see the results.