waccamawwild

Today I made it to 20 years with 80% VA disability. Thanks to Hadit and its contributors!

Today I made it to 20 years with 80% VA disability. Thanks to Hadit and its contributors!

Today I made it to 20 years with 80% VA disability. Thanks to Hadit and its contributors!

If you do "not" have SMC S, then an additional 100 percent for convalescent rating, temporary,  should warrant 100 plus 60, or statuatory SMC S.  That is about $4200 for a year.  
"If" this additional 30 percent for TKR rendered you "100 plus 60" permanently, then that could result in an extra 357 per month for life.  
I say "That sleeping dog" you fear does isnt such a bad dog after all.  Why?  Well he dont look that mean to me, he probably wants you to pet him especially if you throw him a dog biscuit.  (Be nice to the VA people)
And   That sleeping dog has a pretty strong "chain" for your protection:  
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.344
Now, I dont recommend provoking that dog by throwing rocks at him, or shooting him with a BB gun, but, if you are smart, respect him..he is just not that bad of a dog.  
 

This article might be helpful to get an idea of what to expect. Page 2 indicates you should expect to work with a therapist for at least a few weeks with most taking care of themselves after three to six weeks. Of course, your progress may vary depending on how well your recovery is going.
https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/new-knee-rehab-and-pt

Is your knee service connected ? If so read this
https://cck-law.com/types-of-va-disabilities/knee-replacement-lawyer/

That is part of the problem. The VA is vindictive against anyone who complains about the process! There needs to be a better whistleblower policy for veterans who are being abused in their attempts to obtain their benefits.

My claim went back and forth, back and forth. Almost everyday it changes but I wouldn't worry about it.

I wrote my Congressman to get my doctor changed. I am happy with new doctor.

Congratulations!

I won a DRO review with no hearing. I am definitely for DRO.

I disagree. I won at DRO. The DRO review gives a "Fresh Eyes" look at evidence. It also gives you one extra attempt at success. Mine took 2 years start to finish. All time paid in retro check.

If it was me I would have her write a statement and have her go with you to any review or c&p exam. Present the statement to whoever is providing the review and submit the statement to whatever Regional office or whoever has asked for a review. Normally it is the regional office who sets up the c&p exam. If and when you mail it make sure that they sign something that shows that they received it. In the United States it is usually a certified letter and the mail people return a green card showing a signature of who received it. Keep a copy of the stuff you submitted and staple or attach the original statement and keep it for your records.

Thank you Tbird! This website has helped me immensely!

So I talked to a nurse and she convinced my primary care doctor to see me more often. All I want is to do get well or be as close to it as possible.

Congratulations! It took me more than 25 years of fighting to get VA to rate me 100%, so I know how it feels! You are a inspiration to other veterans!

Vync,
     I carried my healthevet files and doctor accepted them and used them in exam. Relax just tell about your problems. My mine went well but it was for Bipolar Disorder.

I have a herniated disk in my back. They didn't care about that: they rated on range of motion.

I was denied service connection for Bipolar Disorder several times in claims with VA. There was adequate evidence in my medical records to support service connection which was ignored. In order to get the VA to read and accept the evidence I got a DRO review (no hearing) and submitted the evidence through my congressman. I won last year!

Congrats! Way to hang in there!
 

NoFace don't give up the fight. You can get help on this site which has tons of information on how to prepare and present a claim to VA. The VA is where you want to focus your attention next. Take a deep breath! All is not lost. Go slow and get help from a good service office. Get a copy of your personnel records and medical records asap to use in your claim with VA. Educate yourself online on the VA claims process. Take deep breaths. We all go through this process! You are not alone!

ROBERT51,
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ABOUT GOING TO A DR. TWICE A MONTH. I SPOKE WITH A LADY FROM ODAR YESTERDAY AND SHE ASKED ME THAT SAMETHING, WAS I GOING TO A DR TWICE A MONTH. SHE ASKED ME ALL KIND OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSPITALIZATIONS, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND AM I ON MEDS FOR THAT, MEDS FOR DEPRESION. SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS GOING TO ASK MY LAWYER WHAT WAS THE HOLD UP ON UPDATING MY MEDICAL FILE SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN DONE SINCE MY DENIAL FOR RECONSIDERATION IN DEC 06. IS THAT A GOOD THING FOR HER TO HAVE CALLED MY LAWYER ASKING FOR THIS INFORMATION AND SHE TOLD ME WITH THE NEW MEDICAL INFORMATION THAT COULD OF MOVE UP MY CASE FOR A HEARING AND POSSIBLY AND OTR DECISION. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEE A DR. AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH?

I applied for SSDI for PTSD for my Vietnam Vet Purple Heart WIA  brother in 2014.   It was declined.  The reason being I didn't have any medical documentation for a certain time period past his last employment in 1988.   Had to prove he couldn't work any longer in 1988 because of the PTSD and they wouldn't accept anything but a medical diagnosis for that time period -- didn't matter he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1978 and again in 1983. 

File the notice of disagreement. Never give up. All the veterans on this site can help you. Many of them have already been through similar situations. Please continue to go to treatment for your PTSD.

File the notice of disagreement. Never give up. All the veterans on this site can help you. Many of them have already been through similar situations. Please continue to go to treatment for your PTSD.