stillhere

welcome phred to the slow side of the decision. Once they decide then it speeds up a little but not much.

thanks Ron, Ricky, I guess that explains it a little better. I may have to wait and see how the VA sees this, it is their game after all and they have the ball in their court. Thanks Again

Congrats spend it like you want and have a great time.

Hey Berta and Pete, Thanks for the replies, the hand thing just came up and if I had to rate it I would say minor for now but it is on going and comes and goes. Berta, I am in sales and yes still working at the present time but have to ask my boss if I am going to continue. HA HA! I guess the main question was is would they just rate everything at the same time or rate the first issues that I applied for in April 07 and then the issues of Mar.08? The other thing is will the VA rate the first issues back to April 07 or March 08? Thanks for the help.

I started a claim back in Aril 07 for and increase for my heart condition first off. When I sent in my supporting letter I also added PN getting worse and in hands and also asking to get my hypertension that is secondary to my diabetes rated. When I got the two page decision letter in Dec.07 they only addressd the heart condition! I waited until Feb.08 and got a meeting with a new VSO and we together filed a support statment asking why the other issues were not addreesed and also added my reopening of hearing loss and tinnititus and also sleep apena. I got a notice for a C&P for the DB2 and the hypertension but never recieved anything on the hearing loss or sleep apena. I sent them an iris and they said they were working my claim for those two also and have given them a date of March 6,08. Anyhow it is now June and still no word on a C&P and of course no decision. They stated it could take up to a year. Will they rate everything together at one time? Thanks for any insight you guys and dolls would like to share. As always, Goodluck with your claims, Stillhere

If the echo test shows a low left reading not ekg or mets is needed. When I filed for my last increase for my heart the VA tried to make me take a stress test 3 weeks after I had another stent placed. I refused and insteat gave them the report from the hospital of the angio and also the echo. Funny the c&P people still called and tried to assertain what type of mets reading I should have. They gave me an 8 after I answered a few questions. That put me in the same catagory as with the lower egection. Still I did refuse the stress test until my private doc said it was OK.

xman what did the VA say in the decision letter. They should have stated why it was denied. That is the best place to start. Post it here the decision and why and others will come along and help, that has to be a big mistake. stillhere

Not sure but probably goes to NARA like all miltary records. When I first started my claim I had to get a copy of my medical records and was directed to write to them for my records. Stillhere

I am not Pete but I went through a C&P with QTC and about a month later went to the FOI at the VAMC and they told me the same thing. So I went home and did an iris to the RO and they said they had not recieved it yet but when they did if I wanted a copy I had to request it. I requested a copy of the time of my complete C file by the FOI and they sent it about 2 months later. QTC can take quite a bit of time to get their report to the RO or they can go online and type it right in. Your claim should be fine so if I were you either call the 800# or iris and tell them what you want. They should tell what I just said but this was over a year ago so things may have speeded up by now. yeah right Good luck on your claim.

also wonder if they got it moving quicker not only because you had all your paper work proper but because I assume you are of the Iraq war vet era. Good on your claim and enjoy the rest of your life. Stillhere

I am going through VRE right now I sent in the paper work (actually filled it in online at the va.gov site) The VA contacted me about a month later, I am in a very busy area for vets so yours might go quicker. They set me up for my first appointment again about a month down the road, went to that and watch a video with a group of vets that shows pretty good what all they have to offer in the way of training, internships and schooling. Right after that had my first meeting with my assigned counscelor. Make sure you have a good idea what you want to do before you go, sounds like you do so probably no problem there. Also in my case they had to get a medical clearence before I could even particpate. I was referred by my case manager to take an aptitude test that took another 6 weeks did that in Feb 08 did not get back into go over my test until May 08 and then my case manager said I was not relly elligible for VRE but I was for ILP. So now I am waiting for a VA evaluator to come to my house and recommend what I need to make my current job easier and keep me working at what I do. Long short of it is I think they are going to come up with ways that will help and just waiting to find out. I did have some ideas of some other things I wanted to do but they shot them down due to my condition I am 70% with a claim in for increase and the fact of my age I am 58 so school was rulled out but I may get some classes that offer certificates at the community college. They said I also maybe eleigible for a subsitence payment of $645 and oh yeah free dental while I am in the program. That about sums it up on me good luck on yours and hope you get the help you deserve. Thank you for your service!

Mike, Hang it there and see this through, I am like you had many echo and stress test and still stuck at 60% why who knows but I am putting in for a claim for sleep apnea connected to the heart situation. Don't know how much longer I can put up with this crap but hope to see it thorugh. Good Luck to you! I do wish I could just curl up and forget the whole s--t!

Go to the va.gov website and click on benefits and then click on VRE I think that is where I filled out the application form 28-1900 (vonapp) and submit it online. The contaced me Sept.07 and I sent the form in in August 07. Goodluck

Betty, I would suggest that you do an Iris information request and see if that tells you anything. It has been over a month right? You should be hearing something very soon. Good luck

Nothing yet Berta but I will keep an eye out for it and let you know. Stillhere

Vetswife, Congrats hope the surgery goes good!! Stillhere

I can't read or understand most of the mumbo jumbo but looks like your heart is doing pretty good. Stay on your meds and keep excersing if allowed. Goodluck with your claim, Stillhere

With my claim I was denied heart disease as I put in a claim as heart pain, and then BAM while the cliam was being denied I had a heart attack with risidual heart damage and left with a left ventricule ejection of 46% and they granted me on my DRO review CAD at 60% back to the date of the heart attack. So like Berta said you might get a higher rateing depends what your cardio doc writes. Good luck with your claim!

Correct and you are probably rated at at least 60% for heart disease right?

Berta, I know about your troubles with the VA over the years and find in disgraceful. My next question to you is if something happens to you and the claim has not be decided to it just close? sounds like they are waiting a lot of us out. The VA knows damn well I will be lucking to reach the age of 65 with all my conditions! The Irs responces are getting rather mean spirited too if you ask. Read below: All claims submitted while an active claim is running are processed together. I answered your question pertaining to your hearing loss claim. the date given is when the claim was established in the system. Please read my response thoroughly and read the letter sent by VA last month. If you have problems understanding anything you may want to contact a Service Organization Representative to assist you (DAV, AMVETS, VDVS,etc). We cannot further explain what has already been said. If you have additional questions please call 1-800-827-1000. Sincerely, And you are right the VSO officer I use just says sit tight and let them process the claim. My original question was if they had reopened my cliam based on the new audiologist test and IMO that I sent them. All they say in their answer is we are working your cliam and it will take a year. Hell that does not tell me squat. Sorry I am getting a little worked up. But I deal with people everyday and if I am asked a question I get the answer for them. I don't tell them in a round about way I answer the damn question yes or no!! Stillhere

I have heard horror stories before of claims taking an ungodly time but this is the first ime I have evergot a Iris coming right out and predictiing at least a year! My last claim for my heart increase filed in April 07 and awarded and compensated Dec.07 Maybe you are right I am a lucking one just hope I am stillhere. Good luck with your claims, Stillhere

I put in a claim in Feb. 14th VA sent me a Iris saying my cliam was processed with a date of March 6th and will take up to a year!! Anyone else getting this? Why are they stating a year for a claim now I thought it was supposed to be getting better! Is this just a stalling move so the vet will not bother to call or Iris or is it really taking a year?? Goodluck with your claims, Stillhere

Betty, Take a couple of deep breathes and it will all be better. After all you have been made to go through it is amazing you are still sane! Stillhere

OK I just signed the VCCA sheet that says do you have anymore info and I said no they have it all. for the sleep apnea I have their sleep study and my letter from the doc, and for my hearing loss and tintnitus they have their audiologist and the letter from my outside audiologist. I also sent them the release form for my podiatrist for the foot pain. That should cover it all. I am still a little concerned that they did not request a C&P exam for the hearing loss or the sleep apnea but I guess I will have to sit back and see how they trry and spin this one. I can only hope that the ol ticker hangs on I find dealing with this quite stressful and if I don't get satisfaction this time I amwashing my hands of it and turning it all over to a lawyer even if it does cost me. Thank you all very much for all your help over the past few years I don't know what I would have done without the help of Hadit and it's members wether it be just support or words of wisdom you have been a godsent to me. Thank you, Stillhere

Thank you I am just a little bit worried on the hearing claim. I mean they denied me in 83" with just a one line denial. Oh well guess time will tell. Stillhere