DisplacedCoastieinCanada

Hi there, everyone! I'm hoping I posted this in the correct place. I have a question regarding a claim I am thinking about submitting in the near future. Here are my current rated disabilities before I start: 80% total service connected disability based on the following: 70% service-connected for Major Depression/Generalized Anxiety 40% back injury 0% Binge Eating Disorder (I can't seem to pull up my rated disability on the Ebenefits site right now, but I recall I was rated at 0% since the CL&P examiner believed I might have a problem with binge-eating, but I do not think I was aiming to claim it at that time, so it was rated at 0% in case I need to pursue it later.) Here's my questions: If I successfully prove that I have Binge Eating Disorder, will this be a separate rating, or would it be lumped onto my Depression/Anxiety rating? I thought I read somewhere that it might be lumped. If it is lumped, would my Depression/Anxiety rating possibly increase, or would I essentially just be submitting a claim without any hope of compensation? To be quite honest, it is a very long and expensive trip for me to get down to the US for these exams, so I have to strongly weigh cost versus benefits in these decisions. My 2nd question is whether anyone has experience claiming acid reflux/GERD as a condition that was began due to eating disorders? I developed acid reflux during my time in service, but I am not currently rated for it. I believe it was caused from binging and purging to maintain weight standards. Unforunately, the binging has continued throughout the years, with sporadic episodes of purging that I believe have caused my acid reflux to increase in severity. Thank you very much!

I should also ask: Does anyone know how much notice you typically get for the re-exam? I'm hoping at LEAST a month, but ideally more....

Thanks very much for the very helpful info, Vync! Based on the breakdowns of what 100% and what 70% look like in real life, I'm definitely a solid 70%. If there were a rating between 70 and 100% I'd probably fit there, but I definitely have persistent, noticeable, documented areas in my life that are affected by my mental health situation. Thanks everyone else who has replied and given your two cents. I'll stay posted for a potential re-exam, but I won't stress about whether or not it does happen. I don't think I'll apply for the increase since I am still able to work and be somewhat productive there. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Hi there Broncovet, thanks so much for your input! With what you mentioned about potentially being "flagged," I will make sure I am monitoring my email, physical mail, etc, in case they do reach out to me. But as others advised too, I will do my best not to hold my breath and stress about whether or not they do reach out or not. Could you tell me what P and T means? (Permanent and something or other I'm assuming...?) Thanks!

Hey there. I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect over the next few months. I'll summarize my situation briefly here. I have 2 VA-rated disabilities. 70% for Major Depression and Anxiety, 40% for a back injury. Both of these are listed as not permanent. I was discharged in January of 2015. May 2015 I received my ratings. I was bumped up from 70% to 80% in December of last year when I had my back re-examined. Prior to the re-examination last year, my back was only rated at 10%. I know that the VA likes to re-exam at the 5-year mark. I'm wondering if I should be expecting a re-exam for depression and anxiety early next year. I'm very much hoping that I'll slide under the radar because I live in another country and I was just seen a year ago for my back, but I know this is unlikely. I'm guessing the VA has an automated system that shows a glaring red mark for people coming up for re-examination. Honestly, I think my depression and anxiety has gotten worse and has further affected my quality of life, but I will have major issues affording the trip down to the VA, and if they did drop my rating, I stand to potentially lose my house since I have to re-qualify for my mortgage next year. Side worries, I know, but big ones for me. Anyways, is there any chance that I might not be called in for a re-exam, or is it pretty much inevitable these days? Thanks!

Hi there jbasser, thank you for your response! I'm not sure however, that they would have a copy of his medical record at all. The one my ex had at our home was the original medical record. This is the same medical record I was not allowed to even bring home for a day because of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the information inside. I'm thinking if he has the original...there probably can't be another copy that they would have sent to St Louis, or anywhere for that matter. I should mention as well that the minimal hospital notes that I was able to get my hands on were from a civilian hospital that he was seen at. If I'm correct, my ex has the only copy of his record and was not supposed to be sent home with it. I've heard of situations similar to this happening years ago in the CG before they started really cracking down on their documentation practices. So if my assumption is correct and he has the only copy, I'm wondering how or if he will be able to file a disability claim. How could the VA verify his injuries? On the same token, how they could argue against the fact they he sustained those injuries during that time? I'm just trying to gauge what their response might be when he goes forth with his claim and they are unable to locate his medical record.

Hi there, I'm actually here to ask this question on behalf of my ex husband, who served 4 years in the Coast Guard. He is about to apply for Disability Compensation for his ankle, and hip. He tore a bunch of tendons in his ankle while he was in. I was able to acquire the hospital notes for his visit, but his xray does not exist there anymore as they are only required to keep their records for so many years. My ex was discharged in 2003. Furthermore, my ex somehow has his medical record! I know that he is in no way supposed to have it...the CG should have sent it off to a records center or the VA, right? I'm wondering at this point how he can prove that his condition now happened while he was in the CG, and whether his missing medical record would help or hurt his case. I tend to think it would look very bad for the VA to reject his claim based on the fact that the military lost his record. Then again, if they can't obtain the information to substantiate his claim, who knows? His current situation is deteriorating...he has now been diagnosed with athritiis in his hips, likely as a result from over compensating on his ankle for so long. He works a very physical job and I can only see his pain getting worse in the coming years. Has anyone had experience with the VA not having their military medical record? I'm really hoping this does not prevent him from being able to be approved for Disability. Thanks!

Hi there everyone. This is my first post, and I am so, so glad I found this forum! Honestly, I'm just glad to have found other veterans to speak to. I've only been discharged for 7 months now, but I really miss the feelings of comradery that I felt while being in the CG and being surrounded by other active duty people. I have since moved back home to Canada, and my return has felt so much less like a return home and more like learning a whole new world of rules. (Civilian life, medical care...despite being "free" up here has been really hard to come by, and basic things like car insurance really throw me through a loop with my mental state.) On that note, I am expecting a letter from the VA very soon. I submitted my application for Voc. Rehab about a week ago and the lady I spoke with informed me they were mailing me a letter of some sort. I'm hoping this is maybe an appointment letter. Here is my situation: I have major depression, anxiety (panic disorder according to some civilian doctors,) and possibly PTSD, though it hasn't been officially diagnosed by the VA. Since getting out, and while I've been trying to adjust to life back home, I've had so much trouble with concentration. I am usually the kind of person who will learn a job quickly and shine in my role. This has not been the case. I've been screwing up on the job almost daily, and have been getting verbal reprimands. I can't wrap my mind around simple daily functions like obtaining health care, getting my prescriptions refilled, and getting my GI Bill started so I can attend school. I have no degree, but am making decent money working at an entry level job. I am entirely willing to relocate back to Montana if I can get approved for Voc. Rehab. Honestly, I feel like my well being depends on it. I am terrified each and every day of losing my job, and it stresses me to the point of feeling like I'm losing my mind. My personal life isn't granting me much reprieve either, so I'm really facing an uphill battle every day with my mental state. I guess I'm sort of wondering what the letter in the mail might be about, if anyone has an idea. I'm also hoping to obtain a realistic idea of what my chances are of being approved if I am making a decent income already...even though the job is stressing me out. If my application is approved, I would likely attend MSU for a degree in Environmental Sciences, majoring in GIS/planning (GPS, cartography stuff...totally a field I could see myself being happy in.) Thank you for listening, and thanks in advance if anyone has advice or guidance to offer :)