ozboi

A Statutory Housebound Rating requires a Vet to have (1) SC Disability rated all by it's lonesome at 100% and (1) or multiple additional SC's that when added together using VA Math (excluding the 100% SC) have a Combined SC % of 60% or more.
This is an SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) Award ($342) that is paid in addition to whatever a Vet's actual Monthly SC Rate is. The Vet doesn't  have to be Housebound, nor is the 21-2680 required.
You say you're not HB, so don't worry about it.
Just consider this discussion regarding SMC S (1) if you ever have a single SC that could or should be rated at 100%.
The possibilities of SMC Awards is why Vets with a Scheduler 100% or IU Ratings continue to File Claims for either a New DX or an existing SC Increase. Getting to 100% SC, is not the end of your VA Claims Journey.
Semper Fi

You have two different topics here...it is a little confusing....
A re-open is usually what they call a new claim that re-opens an older claim,that might have been denied or awarded  long ago but N & M evidence would possibly garner an award or a better rating or EED.
I think you want the VA to 'reconsider' based on new evidence you have sent to them within the appeal period (one year after decision.)
I think the VA will get it regardless of how you filed it, but by N & M, do you mean you have a strong IMO/IME?
Or did they misinterpret the established medical record?
One thing is for sure...it is difficult to overcome a negative C & P result that VA used to deny.
The best way to do that is to get an IMO/IME that conforms to the IMO criteria here at hadit.
If the IMO/IME doctor, after reviewing the C & P exams and all other available medical records, gives a positive rationale that can overcome the C & P results, any fee that IMO/IME has cost you can be easily absorbed by,hopefully,  a higher rating result....and could keep the claim out of the years involved in the hamster wheel rigamorale of appeals.
Forcing vets to pay for expensive IMOs ( we have proof here at hadit how that is often the only way to succeed) not only is unfair ,in my opinion, but the fact that so many IMos from real doctors can turn the tide of claims, also indicates how incompetent many C & P examiners are.
A good IMO/IME doctor ,with expertise in the field of the disability,will go over everything in your medical records....everything.....(to include your SMRs if needed for the claim, and that is what you are paying them to do.
and they also need a copy of any negative C & Ps as well.
I fully believe my IMOs would have cost me much more than they did, but I had prepared a cover letter ,citing and tabbing specific entries in the  VA med recs, that proved my husband had been never diagnosed or treated for DMII and that it had contributed to his death.
I studied endocrinology to do that and also ,sine Dr Bash is a NeuroRadiologist, he could interpret the MRIs etc etc the same way I did. A VA Endocrinologist had denied the claim twice.I knew more about diabetes at that point then she did.I also obtained a brief favorable IMO from a former VA neuro.
I had 3 , BVA wanted 3 so they remanded for another opinion and I fully knocked down that opinion myself and sent my lay medical opinion on it to the BVA. I then even paid for a 4th IMO but BVA concurred and awarded, before the 4th IMO doc had prepared that IMO.
My long point is that even if a VA specialist in the field of the disability opines negatively on a claim, 
there is a good chance they could be dead wrong.But it would take an independent real doctor, not paid by the VA, to overcome that C & P.
I cant wait to hear who Trump picks as Secretary.I have written to practically all of them starting with Jesse Brown. They will be hearing from me as soon as I find out who he picks.
The C & P system is the main reason valid claims are denied, in my opinion.It is unfair and discriminates against disabled veterans by forcing them to pay independent doctors who will take the time to fully assess their records.Most disabled vets cannot really afford to do that.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

My suggestion is to get your own IMO/IME doctor to rebut this C&P exam.  This is they way I have always done if when I was successful.   If you just ask for another exam from the VA you are liable to get one just as bad.  You should get your own doctors who are neurologists to rebut this exam.
 
John

You were referred to the TBI team. ( "TBI team follow-up to monitor treatment progress and coordinate care.")  I appears that you should be getting an appointment with them.  That is where you should inquire if you are affected by TBI, and if they give you an affirmative response, and schedule you for treatment, I would say yes, put the claim in based on the Blue Button records that they are generating.
But just to be safe, log on to EBenefits.com ASAP and get a claim started to preserve the effective date.  Once you initiate the claim, your effective date is preserved, and you have up to a year to finish submitting it.  That should give you plenty of time to get all of your ?'s answered and collect all of the evidence you need.

There is some stuff here you might sure want to read:

 
http://www.disabledveterans.org/2014/05/16/va-screwing-tbi-vets-quick-facts-tbi-evaluation/

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2016/05/05/veterans-affairs-tbi-scandal-affected-25000-veterans/


 
"To ensure that TBI is properly evaluated for disability compensation purposes, VA developed a policy in 2007 requiring that one of four specialists – a psychiatrist, physiatrist, neurosurgeon or neurologist – complete TBI exams when VA does not have a prior diagnosis."
(from above links) The doctor was obviously well qualified to do the exam but I think he used the Glascow Coma criteria and not the tests mentioned in the links above.

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2016/06/02/secretary-bob-mcdonald-announces-tbi-scandal-fix
Do you know the name of the testing he gave you?

I am confused...how did you get a TBI C & P if you have not formally claimed it yet?
Maybe this was some sort of pre screening???
The residuals of TBI are rating as found in this recent BVA decision:
http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp16/Files2/1617317.txt
The exam says" Therefore, the scores from the battery of tests was considered to have below 
standard validity and reliability, and they will not be reported."
That is an odd remark. My husband had to take 6 tests that took 2 days at the VA to assess a stroke and then separate it from his 30% PTSD. Wechsler and put the pin in the box test were two of them.
VA denied having any record of the testing and results  but the shrink who gave him those tests assured me they did have them and, he sent them to the RO himself again.
He also gave me a write up assessment of the results which awarded 100% SC for PTSD P & T in 1997 ( as soon as he sent the records in again to the RO) and then 100% P & T as if SC (1151) for the stroke in 2012. There was more evidence I had for these claims,still pending when he died but I am surprised at the remark from the doc suggesting those tests had no value to the assessment.
" IED blast exposure on 3rd tour...... " is that confirmed in your SMRs?
 
 

Short history on me.... 50% SC PTSD, 10% Tinutis.... 3x OIF Veteran, IED blast exposure on 3rd tour......
 
I took an a test that lasted about all damn day last month..... finally checked myhealthevet and got the results back from the Blue Button from the VA PHD NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST.... can someone please tell me what all this crap means? It sounds BAD to me!!!!!
 
 
VALIDITY:
Test results were below cutoff scores on measures of effort and motivation.  He 
had 1 score less than 5% for validity battery, and the TBI group had 9% with 
this pattern. An additional measure of validity was below 15% cut off again 
consistent with 9% of the TBI group.  Embedded scores of validity on 2 cognitive 
functioning tests indicated likely invalid scores.  The pattern of scores on 
memory and attention tests were not associated with mild TBI or PTSD. 
Therefore, the scores from the battery of tests was considered to have below 
standard validity and reliability, and they will not be reported.
EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING:
Patient was administered two tests of psychological functioning with results of 
clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety.  These can be followed up by his 
menta
l health providers.
FUNCTIONAL MEASURES:
Regarding behaviors associated with executive functioning, the patient reported 
problems with organization and problem-solving and self-regulation of emotions. 
Time management, self-restraint, and motivation scales were within the normal 
range.  Regarding functional skills, the patient reported impairment within the 
clinical range regarding functioning at home with family, work, interactions 
with strangers and friends, driving, daily responsibilities, and health 
maintenance.  He reported normal functioning with regard to completing chores at 
home, his marital relationship, money management, sexual relations, self-care 
routines, and childrearing.
DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS:
No diagnosis: results inconclusive
PTSD symptoms by history and reported psychological distress
SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS:
Performance was notable for evidence of psychological distress in context of 
complaints of severe cognitive problems and psychological problems, and 
inconsistent report of daily living functional skills.
Given medical record and current complaints, it is likely the patient continues 
to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety that may interfere with 
cognitive functioning, especially attention and concentration processes which 
then reduce functional memory skills.  Self-report of depression and anxiety 
symptoms were associated with clinical mood disorders.  Due to the below 
standard validity of test performances and the concern about inconsistencies in 
observed and reported functioning on the mental status exam versus the patient's 
complaints, no diagnosis can be confirmed in these results.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.      Continue mental health treatment with regular follow-up concerning 
multiple reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and behavior 
evidencing poor coping skills.  It is recommended the patient enroll in the 
evidence based treatment program for PTSD.
2.      Medication management should consider limited response to current 
regimen for all symptoms including PTSD, depression, and headache pain.
3.      Sleep disorder exam to determine if additional treatment is needed for 
insomnia and reported restless sleep with nightmares.
4.      TBI team follow-up to monitor treatment progress and coordinate care. 
5.      Speech therapy treatment to address the patient's cognitive complaints 
directly and provide techniques to improve his attention and short-term memory 
functioning.
 
What is the NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST saying here?
Is the PHD NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST trying to blaime all on my PTSD???!!!!!