ShuMan

LOL sucks so much, they were actually knowledge reps who seemed to care.

No link, if you call it says before you get to a rep that there closing down. I knew a couple of the reps there by name and they don't know where they are going to be transferred too yet. There office closes September 11th. My thought is that the number got out to too many vets and there call volume increased like crazy.

All good things must come to an end, the VA office of communication and case management (1-202-530-9470) is no longer going to be taking calls. This has been the most helpful number to get information out of the VA, sad to see it closed down.

https://www.valor4vet.com/about -- My Number one recommendation for an IMO. I have used them with great success. $300 - 400 per IMO. I did not use these guys but I did speak to them on the phone. www.reemedical.com -- They are a company that can get DBQs filled out for you. There focus is the joints. Up front $1775 flat fee for all DBQs. Veteranrating.com -- If you go here and fill out some info they can recommend medical consulting company's to work with.

I used valor4vet for my appeal and a first time claim, for an IMO. The first time claim was successful because of the IMO. If you can make it to Arizona they fill out DBQs for about $150. I would highly recommend them and I've had positive results using them.

I would call the number you gave me and see if they can see the request in your file? I called and they said that they can see the request in my file from the hotline. I haven't seen any results yet but I do know they put in the request.

I called because at a C&P exam they examiner did not use a measuring device for ROM just eye balled it and of course it was way off. I request a new exam, well see if I get a response. Overall it was a very positive experience, great customer service with people that at least pretended to care. I'll report back on the results.

I haven't got the results yet, so we'll see how it goes. I do agree it leaves the client in a tough spot when there is so much riding on a range of motion test.

lol thanks Hamslice. I was just in shock she didn't measure me. I was like what do I do now, do I let her finish? Do I say something? I'll see the results here in a couple days but it was the first time during a C&P I was dumbfounded. I was ready for this one, did my research and everything.

Can't believe I had a C&P examiner just eye ball my ROM. I've been to a fair share of C&P exams and thought that the whole C&P examiner didn't use a measuring device couldn't happen to me. I was wrong and kind of shocked. I had her complete the exam.

Indianapolis RO DRO review - 450 days and I was told it wont even be looked at for another 360 days at the earliest.

I too emailed the secretary and got a call from my RO. They basically told me that It's going to be at least another year but they told me my number in line and there average completed DROs per month at my RO. I was ok with this answer, it provided a realistic time line. It was kind ok like ok I fought as best I could and now nothing to do to speed this up so time to wait. I've since been gathering more evidence for my claim.

They can be. I had insomnia for years and finally had a sleep study done about 2 years ago and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I'll be honest I love my CPAP, it changed my life. It really puts you in a deep sleep and actually got rid of my insomnia.

Long process, at the Indianapolis RO the current wait to for your claim to even be looked at is 3 - 4 years. Unless you have some kind of hardship, time to sit back and wait.

Thank You!

Don't be scared to make some noise...

Thank you!

Very true my friend! took a year to gather all necessary documentation for this claim.

Hamslice! Thanks for the advice brother, I'll reach out to the doc that wrote this letter to see if they think I can get secondary service connected for this. Agreed I haven't even went after any secondary service connections yet.

Agreed! There will be more battles just have to take time to sit back and enjoy this victory!

lol thank you! Luck of the draw...lol

Brocovet, Your answers are always very detailed and thought out. I appreciate the advice. I think i do have the triangle due to the one year presumptive period after discharge. I have a diagnosed condition 3 months after discharge, current condition and nexus. I'm thinking the va denied it because it wasn't technically in service.

Hey Vync! Thanks for the response. As far as missing the in service event. I am service connected for my right shoulder but my left was only diagnosed 3 months after my discharge date at the C&P exam for my right shoulder. Shouldn't this qualify as my in service event because it was diagnosed within in a year of discharge? I could be wrong but I thought I heard that somewhere.

The sweet taste of victory and the bitter taste of defeat in one letter...lol Got 50% service connection for left knee, brings my total rating to 80%. Got denied for left shoulder issues. Working on a reconsideration as we speak but I'm going to enjoy this 50%. How I did it? I combined some of the veterans law blog and some of what I learned here. I had a package that stated off with a nexus letter from Valor 4 vet (I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a nexus letter), I had to go to a private doc to get a diagnoses, so I included that, a chronological order of my care for the issue, personal statements and buddy letters. I did this for 2 issues and 1 was accepted and the other not, so its still a crap shoot..lol. My claim was decided in 90 days. Thank you to everyone on this board! P.S DRO appeal still pending, been waiting a year and got 2 to go.

I was denied a claim for left shoulder tendonitis and left shoulder arthritis due to the condition neither occurred in nor was caused by service. I included a nexus letter, here is the medical logic from the nexus. “The patent demonstrated physical examination findings at the C&P examination 3 months after discharge from the military on 10/30/2009. At the time the examiner reported diagnosis of chronic left shoulder strain and found crepitus on the physical examination. At another C&P examination on 09/29/2015 the examiner reported decreased range of motion and pain with movement on examination, a compensable finding. Additionally, Mr. Vet has a diagnoses of left shoulder tendinitis, osteoarthritis of the left AC joint, left shoulder strain, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder by an orthopedic specialist on 11/16/2016.” “The attached medical documentation demonstrates the presence of the conditions in service, a chronic ongoing condition, and a current disability” I have contacted the doc that wrote me the nexus and she is writing a letter for me and I am filling for a reconsideration. I believe they denied me due to the chronic should strain not being diagnosed until 3 months after discharge at C&P exam. I thought that since it was within one year it could be service connected. Does anyone know the regulations I can quote to fight this?