chgofire

Yes, been rated for TBI, been to C&P prior. Can't recall whats my rating at this present time. According to QTC they're going to do an ACE exam, something about records verfication, etc. Forgot what ACE stands for..

Received a letter from a company called QTC, which I found to be strange since I am rated at 100%. Called the company and asked them questions and they stated that they are a 3rd party agency hired by the VA. The case officer informed me that I have a claim under the VA but the fact is that I don't have any claims active once I was rated at 100% I stopped. So I was under the impression that this company was either a scam/fraud or something. Normally the VA contacts you directly, but? Called the VA to confirm this "QTC" company, and the VA informed me that my TBI injury is not a permanent rating so therefore follow up exams can be issued to see if symptoms have improved or gotten worst. I was under the impression that once you reach 100% and no further exams were needed. Now I am confused and perplexed and scared of losing my benefits that I worked so hard to get. Basically, I can't live without the benefits since I am not working or barely working for that matter. The "QTC" company said that an "ACE' exam will be done by a physician. (ACE) Acceptable Clinical Evidence... So apparently this "QTC" company is a company that is hired by the VA to assist them... So, can anyone guide me or provide me with some information about this process? Thank you in advance~

I have suffered the ultimate slap in the face for my service to my country by my employer. They are trying to use my military service connection as an excused that has absolute no bearing to my job performance and they are now trying to use an excuse that I lied when I had originally applied to the job, now 15 or so years later after the fact. When I originally got hired, all of my application status, background, etc. was completed. However, I got deployed and my hiring process had to be placed on hold until my return from active duty, upon my return I was immediately hired no questions asked. I successfully passed all written exams, certifications, and performed the duties of my job according the policies and procedures. At no time I felt the need to inform my employer to disclose my private HIPPA info to them because I was seeking guidance and treatment privately without the use of my funded health insurance from my employer. I sought help from the VA because at that time I didn't know what was going on, it took a lot of work on my end to successfully attend counseling, mental health assistance, group meetings, etc. and at no time was I ever a threat to myself, my co workers or the public. I kept all of VA health access private and none of my performance records or personnel file ever indicated that a "so called" service connection impaired my ability to do my job. NO RECORDS! To make the long story short I was let go of my job and now I find myself in a legal battle trying to get back to work. However, this legal battle has been taking a long time and my employer has not paid me in nearly 2 years. I have lost my marriage due to the financial hardship that my employer has put me through, along with my mother passing away recently and the unfortunate circumstance of being placed in a very extreme financial hardship. I can't begin to explain what I have lost, thankfully my service connection monthly allowance has helped me survive, as well as working ride share for Uber/Lyft and selling just about everything that I own to get buy. Needless to say that I have now come to a point that I have never envisioned, such as the possibility of seeking a financial relief by filing for bankruptcy. This kills me for the fact that I have maintain almost a perfect credit and I try to pay all of my bills on time, I can't afford to lose my house and the basic things that I need to get by. So with this dilemma it leads to me seek some guidance, since my monthly allowance that I received from the VA not tax deductible, should I disclose that to the bankruptcy court? I am getting a work related pension, but its not nearly enough since I didn't do the necessary 20 years to retire with benefits and a pension to survive, instead I am barely making $800 a month if that! on the pension from my employer. Along my earnings from ride share work, which is not a lot of money but at least, it gets me by. I have not been able to obtain full time employment due to the current legal battle that I have going on and I have tried to contact so many agencies and politicians for assistance, unfortunately my call to help has not been answered. I have tried to reach out Congressman, Senate, Local politicians, Federal and State agencies only to end up with absolutely no help. My ultimate goals are to regain what I lost from my employer and hopefully come back to work and finish what I started. But I need some financial help and the only option that I see at this moment is to file for bankruptcy. My story is a very complicated and sensitive issue, which a post on a thread can't possibly explain everything but with that being said I don't wish this to happen not even to my worst enemy. It's extremely depressing and sad that this is going on but it is now I have no other options. So can I apply for bankruptcy given all the above and if so, how can I move forward? Thanks to all in advance...

I was told that those who are rated at 100% qualify to shop at the Commisarry, however, I don't know how that works. When I was on active duty you needed a military ID card, can a service connected veteran obtain an ID card? If so, how is that process accomplished? Lastly, I was also told that now I qualify for dental benefits. It was a long road to finally get rated at 100% after years of fighting the bureaucracy of the VA system, thankfully I didn't give up but I almost did. If it wasn't for other combat military service veterans that guided me and told me not to give up, I probably wouldn't of been here today. I was rated at 90% for a loooooong time, finally 100% I thought this would never happen but it did... Brothers and sisters never give up the fight, especially if you earned them! Any assistance, guidance will be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance~

I came to this site to get guidance; I filed all of my recent claims on my own this time. However, I missed the appointments due to receiving the appt letter later than the specified date. So now I had to visit my local VA and re-submit my case for a follow up appointment. Sadly, my VSO is never at the office and she's now moved to another venture so I currently don't have a VSO and I have pretty much given up on them due to the lack of service that some provide. My recent VSO is from VFW, she seems to know her stuff but whenever I call, email, leave voicemails etc. well, I never get to hear from her which is totally unacceptable. In regards to "burn pit exposure or secondary to PTSD" I haven't filed for a claim, yet. When I was deployed our FOB had a burn pit directly next to our sleeping quarters and we used to smell all kinds of stuff on a daily basis but when you're a soldier pounding the pavement on a daily basis, going out on missions, well you don't tend to think about exposure. I developed asthma and breathing problems shortly after leaving the combat zone. During my exit medical or "physical exam" I informed the medical providers had developed some issues with breathing, so it's documented. So I have to consider filing a claim for burn pit exposure and quite honestly I never thought about it until now. That is why sites like these help service members a lot! Currently I am at 90% and it's been a struggle to get here even with a mountain pile of medical records, documented engagements, injuries, hospital stays and treatments. I've come to understand that the VA doesn't truly care about you and they just want you to give up and stop trying. For some reason these civilians think that we don't deserve to be compensated for our injuries. What bothers me the most is that around the country we have Americans and none Americans alike abusing the system, getting Welfare, Link Cards, Section 8, help with utility payments and many even get free housing, WIC programs etc. and these POS have never done anything for this country, let alone risked their own lives for it. So yeah that pisses me off! How many veterans do I see who are homeless, especially in the City of Chicago? Hundreds! Grant it that many of these veterans refuse to get help but c'mon now this is unacceptable! It hurts to see other brothers and sisters suffering, especially those who have worn a uniform for this country. But that’s a topic for a different discussion and please forgives me for venting out but sometimes things just need to come out... So I apologize for that! I’m just fighting for my needs and it shouldn’t be that complicated to do so but this is our Government and I’m sorry to say this, but were not getting treated right by the VA nor our own Government. It’s an unfair trade but I will continue one fighting.

I recently found out the VSO will not longer be working at the VFW, I filed for upper respiratory issues due to burn pit exposure, asthma, sleep apnea and lost of vision due to a TBI injury. So I visited the VA and filed the claims with the assistance of my local VA hospital. So let's see what happens. The VA makes things extremely hard for Veterans I'm not sure if this is done on purpose or what not but it's very frustrating to say the least.. Currently I am at 90% and I have a massive medical file on record and tons of other references. I'm keeping my fingers cross~

I'm currently at 90% rating current ratings are 50% TBI, 70% PTSD, 0% foot fungus, 10% Left wrist fracture. 8 months ago the VA diagnosed me with sleep apnea after a sleep study and I was issued a CPAP machine. Back in the sandbox we were exposed to a huge burn pit 24/7 ever since leaving the service I developed some form of asthma, breathing problems requiring me to carry an inhaler. Also, I have developed ED but when I filed a claim for ED I was not granted any ratings because they link it to my PTSD, etc. which I think it's bs! I should of filed an appealed for ED but I never did since the claims process is so damn complicated and frustrating, not sure why the VA makes this so incredibly hard for injured Veterans especially Veterans who have been seriously hurt by IED's and other combat related trauma. I have to admit that trying to get 100% rating has been not only difficult but painful experience. I’ve been given medication for a continuous foot fungus issue that has never let up but I was only granted 0% for it. So now I’m considering asthma, sleep apnea, ED, and foot fungus. Thoughts, recommendation or advice? Thank you~

To whom it may concern: I came here to get some assistance, after doing 2 combat tours in the middle east, enduring an IED blast, losing some of my brothers, and the list goes on. I've been on a battle for benefits since upon my return in late 2005/6 first rating was 30% then it has been an uphill battle since then I am currently at 90%. However, it's almost next to impossible to get your 100%, I swear sometimes that the VA wants you to be dead instead of providing you with the benefits and entitlements that you deserved. It's frustrating to say the least, personnel at the VA have the worst attitudes, and the thing is that they are there to provide us with a service but they don't care and these people have a job because of those who served their country. But anyway, enough of my ranting. How do I figure or calculate where I am as far as rating goes? These are my ratings 50% PTSD, 50% Headaches associated with TBI, 40% Residual from brain injury, 10% for wrist fracture. I've been fighting to upgrade my rating for PTSD to max it out at 70%, I have lost my wife since I came back from combat, I have suffered from erectile dysfunction, upset stomach, pains in all of my joints, indigestion problems, weird rashes on my skin and red marks. I have a terrible insomnia, the worst nightmares, I am prone to get extremely angry and upset, depressed, etc etc indulged in heavy drinking, suffer from panic attacks, and I tend to be loner. My family doesn't understand me let alone my friends, well, not that I have that many friends to begin with anyway. I get the worst migraines that I end up in the hospital, well I don't want to get too descriptive because I am not looking for a pity party nor do I want anyone to feel sorry for me. That's not the case, I am just a fellow brother that's looking for assistance, I have lost my family due to my issues and its truly been a struggle. I am sure that most whom I here share my same experience but I need help. The American Legion assisted me with my claims process, now at this moment I am working with DAV. So I am looking for guidance, suggestions. To all of my fellow brothers and sisters who have served in combat, thank you for your understanding and support.