waccamawwild

Hearing loss is a tough one to get rated with the VA. The audio findings in my service records show I have hearing problems but I haven't been able to get the VA to support the findings on the outside. Like you I am service connected for Tinnitus. I think getting tested on your own is an excellent way to bolster your attempts to get service connected and a possible rating. Remember that these Independent medical opinions and Independent medical exams carry a lot of weight in the decision rating process. Submit as your evidence if the evidence is in your favor. Good luck and never give up!

I have had C&P exams where they have tried to bend my knee beyond where it will bend. As soon as you feel pain in the movement you should tell them to stop and you can't bend it any further. The VA unfortunately bases their ratings on range of motion than the pain you feel, So don't let them bully you into a lower rating. Remember you can always request an increase later if your condition worsens.

I would also add that there are different veterans benefits available based on the different level of rating percentages so become familiar by going online and looking it up! Listen to the advice of the elders here on hadit.com They have excellent advice because they have already navigated through what other veterans go through or heard it on hadit.com There are some on here that even been raters with the VA or worked previously with or still do and disabled veterans themselves. Be proactive in the learning process. I can honestly say that the more I learn here the more doors that open for me!

Excellent advice from broncovet!

Congratulation and make sure you check into all the benefits you are entitled to. Continue to read the posts on hadit.com. I did and it helped me go from 80% to 100%!

There are two arguments to this. (1) Filing now saves you the earliest date to be paid. However if the information you are waiting for gets hung up in a waiting process the VA likes to close out your claim and deny saying no evidence supports your claim. (2) The other argument is that the VA is notoriously slow so what does it hurt to get started since it takes the VA forever to process a claim. I myself would rather wait and have my ducks in a row before I submitted. Others I hope will give their opinions on this subject. I have personally experienced both outcomes.

I would think with the push to make all records digital that this would not be a problem anymore but leave it to the VA to still have a problem with it!

I had a similar situation happen. The VA scheduled a C&P doctor to do the exam and he did a great job listing all of my info but forgot to provide nexus. I got denied. So I waited for a while and appealed. I took my important info and sent it along with the form to congressman critter and asked that they submit my info for me to VA Regional Office. Suddenly from nowhere I get a new C&P exam. When I went to C&P exam I took all my info plus copy of previous C&P exam. I said I should have already been service connected for this and said "Hey previous doctor didn't provide nexus statement". She apologized for mistake. I couldn't believe it. She says this time you will get your nexus and I did. I couldn't believe it. Suddenly service connection and and high disability rating provided by VA Regional Office. It is amazing how many hoops of fire you have to jump through just to get service connection much less a correct rating percentage for your disability. I have heard no so much from VA I am incredulous when I get a yes from them! I had a DRO appeal approved finally!

I owe everything to hadit.com and my wife. Both have given me unconditional support. That and my belief in Jesus Christ! I keep getting that Holy Bible when I hit those roadblocks. I try to read the Bible and pray. I am praying for all you out there as well!

When it comes to VA disability claims doesn't an IMO from a specialist trump a VA doctor opinion in a rating decision?

OK! When I had a tight squeeze another time I used FEDEX overnight delivery. I used the tracking number and got a confirmation of receipt through an Iris Inquiry giving them the tracking number.

If I were you I would send another iris inquiry with a Dear Secretary of Veterans Affairs and their address with a another request and see if they ignore that iris. Just my two cents but it worked for me.

Try this.. go to website www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/mailingadresses.asp

Almost same exact thing happened to me. The regional office should take it I would think. Just my guess since you have to leave a trail. Also doesn't your evidence intake center have a fax number. Go down to office depot or similar and you have date stamp on fax showing they got it. You probably find a fax number for them on internet. Worth a try. Is there any way to find out where your claim is located physically like 1 800 Peggy?

What if you filed it in a upload on ebenefits. It would be sort of hard for them to deny they don't have if there is an electronic record. My only reason for saying this is I got into a similar situation. I set up an account on ebenefits and was able to upload evidence immediately and it gave me proof of the upload. Just my two cents and good luck to you. The only other thing I can recommend is driving to your regional office and walking up to the desk and submitting it and asking for a date stamped to your copies.

I just want to thank the members of hadit.com from whom I learned how to handle a DRO Appeal which resulted in me being awarded 100% Permanent and Total. I was for many years 30% service connected and finally was increased to 80% in 2001. I have finally received service connection for Bipolar Disorder after many many years. I must tell all of you out there that you can never give up! I finally feel peace! Never ever give up!