attack_boat_vet

Hi all, hope everyone is having a memorable memorial day weekend. I sent a claim in for 100% IU, and I'm currently at 70%. I got a note from the VA for a C&P and then a few days later got a note saying they were contacting my employer (I am on unpaid medical leave) for records, and that it was my responsibilty to make sure they get them. There were no details as to what they wanted or were looking for, does anyone have a clue what they would ask an employer or former employer? Thanks and God Bless our Troops!

Hi all, any advise is appreciated. I was SC'd @ 70% in November for Bipolar. My condition continues to worsen and things at my job are getting unbearable. If I lose my job I lose everything, house, car, and probably custody of my son. My only hope would be to have 100% in place before I lose my job. If I file for an increase to 100% they will likely say I'm still working and deny my claim and if I wait til my job is gone and file TDIU it could take a year and as I said I lose everything. I'm so stressed and depressed...what should I do?

Thanks Betty apology accepted

Thanks Berta...I feel better

It wasn't you I had an issue with rental, it was comments after your post and the apology. No worry, no problem...I got money from the VA and it's Christmas...wooohooo

Thanks and I agree, every vet has the right to apply for benefits if they feel it is justified.

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Obviously this is not the place for me. When one cannot make an innocent comment in general terms without being ridiculed, having their service questioned, or being personally insulted about the medication one is taking, then it's just too negative a place for me. Persoanl attacks in my opinion is what is over the line Pete. If any of you have a minute please read all the posts I've made on Hadit...am I a trouble maker, you be the judge. If anyone mistook my post on Betty's topic as an attack on her or her claim (which it was not) then I am sincerely sorry. Again I wish you all a Blessed New Year.

No problem, I don't think that bogus claims are rampent in the system, but I think there are enough of them to impact everyone elses claims. Happy Holiday's

Since some people believe all claims are legit, maybe I should clarify what I mean by a "false or bogus" claim. Say a guy serves 4 years, during his time he goes to sick call for a stomach ache (the doc makes note that it is likely a virus). He gets an honorable discharge and 10 years down the road begins to have serious problems, he is diagnosed with GERD and IBS, he then files a claim for disability...legit or bogus?

I'm glad you got to let off some steam...take your meds and try to sleep it off. Can anyone say anger management? I'll say it again...I was NOT attacking Betty's claim, and I support her in her effort.

Wings, first off I said noting about Betty's claim, I was speaking in general terms and that is all, it's "mind boggling" that one could take my post as an attack against Betty's claim. Secondly you know nothing about the details of my claim...trust me Betty's claim is nothing like mine and that is why mine went through the system without a hitch. I wish Betty all the luck in the world with her claim, but the system does have it's scammers and they only hurt you and I and all vets with disabilities. My original comment was not to agree or endorse oneshot's comment, I simply think that he did make a valid point about false claims.

We all know that there are scammers out there filing bogus claims over and over clogging up the system and hurting those veterans who truely need help quickly. There are also those filing rediculous claims for horrible ailments like acne and hemmaroids that actually get compensation. I think oneshot hit on something, whats wrong with calling a spade a spade...of course in a nice way, if someone obviously is seeking help on a frivilous claim, isn't it okay to tell it like it is and save valuable time & advice for the truely deserving vet with a REAL disability that began in the military?

What does it mean when a topic is "moved"? Why would a topic be moved, and who moved this one? Just curious...

John, after 5 years of spotless service I began experiencing depression and anxiety, was hospitalized, discharged and given the PD label. I suffered for almost twenty years and finally sought out a forensic psychiatrist who tested me, reviewed my SMR's and diagnosed me with Bipolar. I sent in my informal claim the next day. My doctor agreed to write a letter stating that in his opinion it was very unlikely that a PD exists and that I have Bipolar which most likely began in service. I submitted this IMO letter, my SMR's, etc with my claim and after 9 months I had my C&P, then 1.5 months later I got my award letter. I think the VSO's are not what they are cracked up to be. I am glad to hear that you finally got you claim halfway worked out, are you at 100% now?

What you say is indeed critical when you meet the Doc for your C&P. My award letter included the C&P examiners findings and right there in quotation marks was exactly what I said when asked "How are you doing today"...I replied "not very good at all". Be honest, but be careful because what you say can and probably will be used against you.

I did all the work/research myself and filed myself. I was in the Navy from 1980 to 1987 and was given the infamous "personality disorder" code on my DD-214. I thought it was going to be a real battle, but I guess doing my homework and having Hadit made the difference. I had my C&P on Feb. 14th and got my award letter on Dec. 8th. I was given a GAF of 50, still holding down a job, and was given 70%.

I sent in my informal claim in January '07, the VA will pay me from February '07

Hi all, I must admit when I filed my claim after being out of the navy for years, I was not optimistic about being SC'd much less getting an award. Yesterday after only 11 months I got the big white envelope. I was afraid to open it, imagine my suprise when it said I was SC'd at 70%. I am so happy and glad it's over. I just wanted to thank all on this board and the wealth of information here, I wish you all a blessed holiday season!! :P

The panel is loaded with VA officials, The hearing is in RealPlayer & the hearing starts about 15 minutes after your player pops up. http://www.senate.gov/~veterans/index.cfm?...ngs&rID=943

Maybe this will push the rediculous hemorrhoid claims to the very back of the line so actual disabilities can be rated...just a thought. hemorrhoids are the 11th most common disability for which U.S. vets are compensatedLISA HOFFMAN, Scrippsnews.com

Thanks for the replies. So if I currently am working full time, but having a difficult time, I could still get a SC rating of say 50% which is where my private Dr. said I am when he looked at the 38 CFR mental disability rating criteria. I realize it is ultimately up to the VA, but if I go to a C & P exam and say I am struggling but holding down a full time job at the moment will they throw me out on my ear?

I have a question about working and getting benefits at the same time. I have heard both answers, yes you can draw disability if you are employed & no you can't be gainfully employed if you want to get disability. The latter would mean that the only rating you could get would be 100% IU if you weren't able to work. How does the VA give say 30% and expect you to not have other income? Can someone clarify the VA rules on this...Thanks so much in advance!

I have a simular situation and this is what I am doing. In 1987 I was honorably discharged but with the "personality disorder" label. The VA doesn't recognise personality disorders as a disease or disability so I have suffered almost twenty years with this stigma. I finally found a Psychiatrist who knows his stuff. He reviewed my military records, and my history. He diagnosed me with Bipolar II and believes based on my Navy hospital records that it originated back in the military. I knew I had to have something to dispute the personality disorder seperation code and diagnoses, so I asked him if he'd do a letter for me and he agreed. My letter states that I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II that had its origin in the military, based on 5 years of spotless service (good conduct medal & command letter of commendation) prior to the sudden onset of depression at age 25 followed by 20 years of depression & hypo-manic cycles. He states that I could not have possibly developed a personality disorder at age 25 because personality disorders begin in childhood or early adolesence and service on a submarine would not have been possible with a personality disorder. He says that the personality disorder diagnoses in 1987 was "incorrect" and that Bipolar disorder often goes many years before it is diagnosed. He states that in reference to 38 CFR, Ch. 1 I am significantly impacted due to specifics I won't get into here. There is more but you get the point. I also have a peer reviewed Psychiatric medicine article that I will include in my claim authored by 15 promenent Psychiatrists that states that Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed and/or mislabeled and frequently goes undiagnosed for many years. I am still gathering other evidence and materials to include in my claim so I can have as solid a case as possible. You have to have something in my opinion to counter the "personality disorder" diagnoses or you are dead in the water with the VA. It has to come from a psychiatrist. My doctor is a forensic psychiatrist so he deals with investigating mental health histories and the impact they have on a persons life. I have not submitted my claim yet and I myself have a lot of questions about the process. have you done some research on the VBA decisions regarding personlity disorder & depression? Go here http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html and type in "personality disorder, depression, and bipolar" in the search box. This has really helped me to see how the VA & VBA treat evidence and mental disorders. I hope this helps...good luck