CoastieAirman96

Thanks ArNF11

Congrats!

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!! (Buck52; Navy04; killemall; eagle1012004; Gastone; j92mike; Palma114; TALON II FE; Hamslice; ITChief67; ALL the HADIT.COM Elders) for your kind words and support, it's been tuff sleeping these last few days or getting back to normal routine for that matter! LOL BUCK52...thank you sir for the additional benefit, I/d card, health & life insurance, prop tax info. I really needed that since I been researching the internet to see where I'm suppose to go for the family i.d. and such. Also, please do share my story in "success stories", that's sounds cool. For once, I truly feel successful from having hung in there on this thing & that I didn't let up off the gas pedal much or become strayed from it by all my everyday stresses. I will say that, I'm so confused as on how the VA decided on my retropay $$$ amt. My new info is & effective dates is (ATTACHED) what conditions were granted NEW, INCR, or not increased since I'm still waiting on the BBE to arrive but since HADIT.COM is a family, can any of you take a stab at this one for me? Thanks again!!! SEMPER PARTATUS

Hey fellow vets! So, I logged into eBennies early this AM & it has finally happened...Im now at 100% w/ SMC-s1 and not rly sure if its P&T or TDIU but honestly, it doesnt matter...100 is 100 & im just beyond happy for my wife and 3 kiddos more than anything...blessed! So, heres the breakdown: OLD Comb Rtg--80% Primary SC Cndtns : 70%--TBI w/ residiuals; Secondary 30%--Maj Dep Disrdr NEW Ratings & Conditions Comb Rtg--100% Prim: 70%--TBI w/residuals Secondary: 50%--Migraine HA; 10%-Tinnitus; 100%--PTSD w/Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD); SMC-1 Its still hard to believe this is happening for me & my family. I want to thank all of you for the support, advice & encouragement. To those who are still fighting...KEEP AT IT and dont give up! Semper Paratus CoastieAirman96

Hey there ALL...hope all has been well with everyone & sorry that I have been away from the forum for a while but I wanted to update you all on the current status of my claim. Like I told my wife 20 min ago, I'm like 58% "nervous" 42% "excited"...but I feel 100% BLESSED, either direction the ball may end with this claim here in the next few days! It's been roughly a year (5/25/15), since when I started my claim & 02/12/16 when my claim was received by VBA and about 04/22/16 the status was "Prep for Decision". Now...its estimated completion date is 05/20/2016 to 05/22/2016 and is "Pending Decision Approval" for final decision review & award approval which is the exciting part. The parts I'm most nervous about is 1) "how fast" the entire claim process has gone since last May and, 2) the thought of my PTSD (1 of 3) C&P exams have yet to be uploaded into ebennies yet. Maybe they will be Overall, I'm going to remain as positive in thought. Thanks everyone!

Hey guys! Seems like I been away from you guys for a while now, so I knew I needed to login and share some updates with my fellow hadit.com vets! I had my final C&P Exam--Hearing Loss/Tinnitus last Monday April 18th. I checked eBennies last nite 04/285/16, and my claim is now in the Prepped for Decision: New Documents Rcvd--Development letter Sent, so I'm happy to see that its been moving faster than I originally expected or had hoped it would be. After all, I submitted my claims about 73 days ago and my estimated completion time was 06/22/16 to 10/122/2016 and now its 05/22/16 to 06/23/2016!! Sooooo...I been busy with other things to this point and even now and not sure how I shold be feeling when it appears to be moving so fast now. With that being said, I had three exams (TBI Residuals--HA's/PTSD/Tinnitus) and I only seen that my VARO has only recvd or showing 2 of 3 exams in eBennies today when I logged in. So, what does that mean if the PTSD DBQ wasn't shown & the TBI Residuals--Headaches & Tinnitus were, with it being in the PFD stage? Semper Paratus

Hey guys! Seems like I been away from you guys for a while now, so I knew I needed to login and share some updates with my fellow hadit.com vets! I had my final C&P Exam--Hearing Loss/Tinnitus last Monday April 18th. I checked eBennies last nite 04/285/16, and my claim is now in the Prepped for Decision: New Documents Rcvd--Development letter Sent, so I'm happy to see that its been moving faster than I originally expected or had hoped it would be. After all, I submitted my claims about 73 days ago and my estimated completion time was 06/22/16 to 10/122/2016 and now its 05/22/16 to 06/23/2016!! Sooooo...I been busy with other things to this point and even now and not sure how I shold be feeling when it appears to be moving so fast now. With that being said, I had three exams (TBI Residuals--HA's/PTSD/Tinnitus) and I only seen that my VARO has only recvd or showing 2 of 3 exams in eBennies today when I logged in. So, what does that mean if the PTSD DBQ wasn't shown & the TBI Residuals--Headaches & Tinnitus were, with it being in the PFD stage? Rx7mike ... I checked VA Notes in myhealthevet and no C&P Exams are showing either, just thgt I let ya know! Semper Paratus

UPDATE...So finally, I have an upcoming c&p exam for PTSD-2ndary to Pers Asslt at 9 & 10am, i presume it will take two hrs or maybe ine of the hours is for my claim increase for MDD (30%) currently, since so many symptoms overlap. Any advice would be surely helpful. Thx everyone for the support!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to update you all on my claim filing status. Today, I received from FEDEX a pkg with 3 envelopes containing my appts from QTC C&P Exams! On Friday, tomorrow 03/25, I have a exam for my claim filing for an increase of TBI w/ residuals & depression. Then, next Friday for PTSD. So part of me is surprised, scared and excited all at the same time because it's been a while since I been to a C&P exam. I'm just glad its moving along after having submitted my claim about a month ago 02/12/16. It's in the "gathering evidence" stage, with the VA needing my records from my VA treating facility with a 04/15/2016 deadline. So, with my c&p exams getting underway. I'm hoping the claims process for increases for tbi; depression & new claim for ptsd non-combat/personal assault & tdiu all become wrapped up by the minimum time given being in June, this summer. I appreciate all the ongoing support and inclusion I have received from ALL of you. I will keep you all posted too. Brian Semper Paratus

Checked ebennies earlier today & seen that my claim has moved up by a wisker to the "gathering evidence" stage, requesting/awaiting VA Med Recs from OKC VA. I dont feel so hunky doorey like i prolly should but I'll take it because Im sure it can go backwards at the drop of a dime...lol Anyhoo...im a just keep pedaling ahead till the chain breaks ?

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Hey BroncoVet...so i had an intake appt with Roger Hale from the www.halelawfirm.com & received a packet in the mail today that included a form VA 21-22a to sign & send back with other docs. Now, tht im looking to appoint RH as my legal rep, what do i need to do to revoke the appointment of the VSO rep i have been assigned to up to this point, considering they haven't done squat a no point of my claims process? So do i go on ebenefits to do this, or fax/mail a revocation form or letter? Thx Bronco and anyone else.

"Coastie Ten years is way to long to get this resolved. There are special rules regarding TBI. I suggest you contact a NOVA law firm. https://vetadvocates.org/welcome/find-an-attorney/ How long has it been since your Board decision? The best time to appeal would have been within 120 days of the Board decision." Thanks BroncoVet, I looked into the NOVA law firm and I have found an attorney out of Ada, OK that I will be in contact with to set up a FREE consultation. Thankfully, my in-laws live in Ada area, so we are always down that way visiting

That sounds really awesome! Congrats as well! It sounds like your TDIU claim went about 3 months or so...whew! Sure hoping that same blessing or luck swings my way since I submitted my TDIU claim 02/12/16 and ebennies say between June-October 2016 a decision is possible.

Whoa! My head is definitely spinning at a 1000 rpm after reading all this TDIU_S-IU & E-S IU! So much that im now questioning if I filed/submitted my claim(s) right, based on all the quoted verbage from VA regs abt TDIU! Im still fairly new to the forum but have initiated posts & replied to thm too. So, i have a question of clarification & guidance to ask to make sure i followed va claims protocol by the book and/or based on the experience of my experienced veteran brethren thruout the hadit.com site. Im a Airman (1996-1999) & Coastie (1999-2001) Vet of the Gulf War era currently rated at 80% SC Combined-- 70% TBI w/ residuals due to personal assault that ocurred while in svc 03/2000 and 30% MDD--Secondary to TBI snc (06/2010-NOD award date) frm filing the NOD (06/2009) for the VA decision of my orig (07/2007) award of only 10% for TBI & 0% for MDD which was incredibly sickening to say the least even after providing countless private MED/MH trtmt evid, STR showing the ER record of my assault & injury & rest of my trtmnt during tht time with exception to the Neuropsych test results tht the VA rptd in the SOC, they werent able to obtain frm Travis AFB, buddy (svc) statemnts, c&p exams (gen & mh in 2008) in which the MH examiner royally screwed me by stating in my final rpt tht "i had smoked weed snc age 15" which was not EVER my doing or admission which led to my initial denial of MDD, but was later upgraded to 30% & TBI to 70% (due to law chgs for TBI 2008) in which i rcvd bk py only to 2008 for tbi & bk py to 2007 for depr incr frm filing the NOD in 2009 whn i had plenty more hlp frm my prvte MED/MH evidence, statemnts, & hlp frm 2010 C&P exams which supported my sc claim even more for depr in the first place. I tried proving SC for MDD gng back to 03/2000 but the key evidence (psych eval/MMPI-2), was supposely "unable to be obtained frm TAFB which was BS, so i lost out on possibly 7-10 yrs of bk py for MDD i fig'd. Now, since 2009, i hv rcvd trtmnt/meds frm VA pcp who diagnosed me with ptsd & snc 2015 seeing my VA psychiatrist & therapist (TDRS, VRC, etc). I strtd an intent to file claim on 05/24/2015 & finally submitted ALL new evidence thru FDC using ebennies for an: 1) New--TDIU; 2) Increase--PTSD-Sec to Assault-Non-Combat; 3) Increase--TBI w/resid; 4) Increase--MDD At 80% SC CR (70%-TBI; 30%-MDD), was i to "ask for E-S IU" to be considered for tdiu or are they the same? I also filed the TDIU form. Also, if im not awarded TDIU, but have met reqs for 100% IU will it be inferred & granted snc i hv a CR of 80% for ALL mental hlth & tbi and show enuff evidence to warrant it? Lastly, if my tbi/mdd/tdiu increases are denied cld i possibly be granted enuff ptsd (like 70%) based on my current VA diag & ongng trmnt w/o hvn a ptsd c&p exam or is the exam req'd? I figured, if im denied all but ptsd & i get rated at 70% wit or w/o (c&p) added to my current 70/30, it will put at CR of 97-98% or 100% IU. Otherwise, im really lost on how this tdiu or ES-IU, IU stuff goes. Thx and srry for the novel! CoastieAirman96 Semper Paratus Thanks BroncoVet for the info, i will look into that but i know i have passed the time limit to appeal the BVA decision. That board decision for my tbi came in June 2010 frm the NOD i filed in June 2009

Whoa! My head is definitely spinning at a 1000 rpm after reading all this TDIU_S-IU & E-S IU! So much that im now questioning if I filed/submitted my claim(s) right, based on all the quoted verbage from VA regs abt TDIU! Im still fairly new to the forum but have initiated posts & replied to thm too. So, i have a question of clarification & guidance to ask to make sure i followed va claims protocol by the book and/or based on the experience of my experienced veteran brethren thruout the hadit.com site. Im a Airman (1996-1999) & Coastie (1999-2001) Vet of the Gulf War era currently rated at 80% SC Combined-- 70% TBI w/ residuals due to personal assault that ocurred while in svc 03/2000 and 30% MDD--Secondary to TBI snc (06/2010-NOD award date) frm filing the NOD (06/2009) for the VA decision of my orig (07/2007) award of only 10% for TBI & 0% for MDD which was incredibly sickening to say the least even after providing countless private MED/MH trtmt evid, STR showing the ER record of my assault & injury & rest of my trtmnt during tht time with exception to the Neuropsych test results tht the VA rptd in the SOC, they werent able to obtain frm Travis AFB, buddy (svc) statemnts, c&p exams (gen & mh in 2008) in which the MH examiner royally screwed me by stating in my final rpt tht "i had smoked weed snc age 15" which was not EVER my doing or admission which led to my initial denial of MDD, but was later upgraded to 30% & TBI to 70% (due to law chgs for TBI 2008) in which i rcvd bk py only to 2008 for tbi & bk py to 2007 for depr incr frm filing the NOD in 2009 whn i had plenty more hlp frm my prvte MED/MH evidence, statemnts, & hlp frm 2010 C&P exams which supported my sc claim even more for depr in the first place. I tried proving SC for MDD gng back to 03/2000 but the key evidence (psych eval/MMPI-2), was supposely "unable to be obtained frm TAFB which was BS, so i lost out on possibly 7-10 yrs of bk py for MDD i fig'd. Now, since 2009, i hv rcvd trtmnt/meds frm VA pcp who diagnosed me with ptsd & snc 2015 seeing my VA psychiatrist & therapist (TDRS, VRC, etc). I strtd an intent to file claim on 05/24/2015 & finally submitted ALL new evidence thru FDC using ebennies for an: 1) New--TDIU; 2) Increase--PTSD-Sec to Assault-Non-Combat; 3) Increase--TBI w/resid; 4) Increase--MDD At 80% SC CR (70%-TBI; 30%-MDD), was i to "ask for E-S IU" to be considered for tdiu or are they the same? I also filed the TDIU form. Also, if im not awarded TDIU, but have met reqs for 100% IU will it be inferred & granted snc i hv a CR of 80% for ALL mental hlth & tbi and show enuff evidence to warrant it? Lastly, if my tbi/mdd/tdiu increases are denied cld i possibly be granted enuff ptsd (like 70%) based on my current VA diag & ongng trmnt w/o hvn a ptsd c&p exam or is the exam req'd? I figured, if im denied all but ptsd & i get rated at 70% wit or w/o (c&p) added to my current 70/30, it will put at CR of 97-98% or 100% IU. Otherwise, im really lost on how this tdiu or ES-IU, IU stuff goes. Thx and srry for the novel! CoastieAirman96 Semper Paratus

Big Congrats to ya ArNG11. Nice to hear that after months of constant beating on the doors of VA Muskogee, that a fellow Okie Vet got those yahoos to open up! I filed (submitted) for an increase to my current 70% TBI w/ residuals & 30% MDD along with new claim for PTSD-Sec to PA on Feb 12th 2016 and quite frankly I have yet to see that "golden" DECIDE ON MY CLAIM button or else I would push it just to see if it progresses anything but till then I will remain at the back of the train! Lol.

Ya Sr Chief, im really not looking forward to how things shake out good or bad at this point when it comes to last weeks mess. In fact, I went to VAMC this morning and filed a request to change my PCP thanks to her lack of interest it seems of what has been going on as of late. I can never get an appt with her when needed like when I needed to see her following my entry into a local hospital 3 wks ago due to terrible pain (sharp needle-like) numbness & tingling all in my right hip, thigh & my knee and i tried following up with her as my PCP & her front ofc asst gave me the runaround in getting an appt. Im 39 y/o and whats worst is that, for the past 8 years, i am & have been prediabetic & hyperlipidemic and I have slowly started to experience other symptoms of type 2 diabetes over the last 2 yrs and yet she this doc & I've felt she doesnt give a sh**. So, i took upon myself to request a change in VA PCP & Mental hlth therapists that i see regularly but im keepn the same VA psychiatrist, she's been consistently helpful since i began seeing her last June. Im just hoping me switching VA providers doesnt cause my current claim any probs.

i can see those reasons you stated as valid "manipulation" tactics used by VA docs & VBA. I tell you what though, i will be paying this C&P doc a visit tomorrow after my group therapy session with my on "informational tactics" to see what I may find out.

Way to hang in there and SUPER GRATS to ya Buck!

So, I received mail (attached doc #2) today from my VAMC's C&P office and low and what's interesting is that 3 days before I went into the C&P office, my own psychiatrists told me to go down to the C&P office on the 1st floor for a DBQ referral since she wasn't allowed to complete the forms, to validate her position, she was nice enuff to give me this nformation sheet (attached doc #1) that happens to be a set of instructions for mental health docs and was probably not to be given to a patient/vet. What i reaaaaaally found to be interesting is the one-line sentence where i wrote the words: (NOTE-->) PLEASE do NOT inform the patient that C&P will complete the forms...yet this C&P office broad sends me a letter stating: (READ 2ND PARAGRAPH OF DOC #2) I don't know what to think at this point. I went to their office on the account of my MH doc's directions and was told by this Shiela Ray (C&P) rep that she would be sending the DBQ forms to the mental health clinic to be completed by MH docs other than my own. It leads me to believe that she plans to review my med recs to fill out the DBQ REVIEW PTSD form herself to send to my local VARO or is she even qualified to fill it out as a C&P admin rep? Otherwise, im trying to understand the point of "PLEASE do NOT inform the patient that C&P will complete the forms". scan.pdf

Hey thanks Green...sorry for the delayed reply.

Hello fellow vets! I just wanted to take the time to share the news of fiiiiinally finishing my ebenefits claim withiut VSO assistance. I must say, although it has been daunting throughout the 9 month process (since 5-24-15) starting it, I feel relieved that I was able to submit every piece of evidence that was needed in support of my current 80% Combined Rating (70% TBI w/Res (in-service injury) & 30% MDD) to be increased while adding: 1) New claim for PTSD-Secondary to Pers Asslt/non-combat (Submitted ALL categorically req'd evidence) 2) Increase to TBI w/resid Submitted (1st time medical evidence of TBI which occured in 1992 prior to my USCG service TBI due to personal asssult in 2000 3) Increase to MDD that has worsened since my 2007 original award (10%) & 2008 NOD award (curr 30%) 4) Unemployability claim with ALL categorically required medical evidence, supporting statements, employmnt history w/ reasons for lvng attributed to my SC conditions as the primary cause, police reports, education docs, all to show proof of how my SC conditions have totally impaired my ability to gain and/or maintain substantial employmnt but how sedentary work & the workplace is signficant hazard or imposes significant stress so much to where Im unable to work. With that being said, my VA mental health treating docs said the DBQ process is now handled thru our C&P occuaptional health ofc located at the VA hosp tht i go to. To warrant a possible C&P exam or not-- if there is enough VA med evidence history (past&curr) to suggest any of my above claims request is sufficient without examination being needed or not, the C&P ofc rep had to send my DBQS upstairs to the mental health team for for completion & be sent to VARO for decision.

Hello fellow vets! I just wanted to take the time to share the news of fiiiiinally finishing my ebenefits claim withiut VSO assistance. I must say, although it has been daunting throughout the 9 month process (since 5-24-15) starting it, I feel relieved that I was able to submit every piece of evidence that was needed in support of my current 80% Combined Rating (70% TBI w/Res (in-service injury) & 30% MDD) to be increased while adding: 1) New claim for PTSD-Secondary to Pers Asslt/non-combat (Submitted ALL categorically req'd evidence) 2) Increase to TBI w/resid Submitted (1st time medical evidence of TBI which occured in 1992 prior to my USCG service TBI due to personal asssult in 2000 3) Increase to MDD that has worsened since my 2007 original award (10%) & 2008 NOD award (curr 30%) 4) Unemployability claim with ALL categorically required medical evidence, supporting statements, employmnt history w/ reasons for lvng attributed to my SC conditions as the primary cause, police reports, education docs, all to show proof of how my SC conditions have totally impaired my ability to gain and/or maintain substantial employmnt but how sedentary work & the workplace is signficant hazard or imposes significant stress so much to where Im unable to work. With that being said, my VA mental health treating docs said the DBQ process is now handled thru our C&P occuaptional health ofc located at the VA hosp tht i go to. To warrant a possible C&P exam or not-- if there is enough VA med evidence history (past&curr) to suggest any of my above claims request is sufficient without examination being needed or not, the C&P ofc rep had to send my DBQS upstairs to the mental health team for for completion & be sent to VARO for decision.

Hi Berta! I'm thankful for your input and insight. In response to some of your questions regarding my current award, disability & ratings: "If the depression is SC due to the TBI, the VA will only SC one MH issue." I understand your point but my TBI w/ residuals is my Primary injury/disability (70%) with Depression being Secondary to the TBI (30%) however, from my reading & understanding of the Sec of VA addressing of PTSD-Secondary to Personal Assault claims and reading related CFR regs/statues, I took it as PTSD--PA or even PTSD in general can or will be evaluated separately due to some PTSD & Depression symptomology can overlap while being distinct yet possessing differences based on DSM V standards, so knowing that my TBI was found to be caused by the assault & my depression a condition resulting from the TBI w/ res, then the PTSD I have suffered would be a result of the personal assault wouldn't that not be accurate? "If the TBI and/or any other SC conditions prevent you from gaining, and retaining substantial employment,and you are unemployed now, the TDIU claim could succeed." Yes my conditions have prevented this and I've been unemployed since Dec 2014. I have all my employment history, reasons for leaving, work type etc. for the claim. Before being awarded in June 2010, I left my job due to my SC conditions interfering with my inability to continue to work. I have not been awarded SSDI, my current SC conditions & age (39) and the fact that I went to college in hopes of getting a substantial job and keeping it but it never panned out. And Voc Rehab accepted me but again I struggled with securing/retaining gainful employment. Thanks!