Domepeace

The taxman commeth! Many of you will be filing your taxes this year and will be in for a "rude" awakening when some, if not all of your tax return is "taken" from you through the Treasury Offset Program. Some of you have recently separated from the United States Armed forces and currently still hold a (charged-off/delinquent) balance with AAFES (back child-support as well). If you have not paid AAFES in full by the time your tax "return" arrives to you via direct deposit or check, you can look forward to having your money "taken" from you via the Treasury Offset Program (provided, you are not making regulary monthly payments to AAFES). I'm just referring to agencies that are participating in the TOP program. I would bet that some of you have paid this debt off but, will be stripped of your money for whatever reason (AAFES mistakenly not reporting that you paid it). I would like to provide two websites that may assist you in learnig about the Treasury Offset Program: Treasury Offset Program Reduction of tax refund by amount of debt I hope this helps people that are or will be affected by this. Domepeace!!!

Thank you all. I just made my appointment. I will let you all know the outcome. Hopefully, it won't take 10 years to get an answer back. ;-) Thanks, Domepeace

Agreed. I will make an appointment today. Thanks, Domepeace

I do have it in my SMR but I have not been to the doctor for it in a long time. My apprehension is that if I go to the doctor now for it, it will be a red-flag for the VA to say I am only going to the doctor now because of my claim. Thanks, Domepeace

I'm sorry, I should've wrote this in the beginning. But, the injury is right-arm numbness.

Thank to all for your replies. I wanted to get this information just in case the VA tries to pull this stuff on me. Domepeace

I've seen and read cases that are denied because of: "Evidence of a prolonged period without medical complaint and the amount of time that elapsed since military service, can be considered as evidence against a claim." I would like to know any thoughts on how to combat this. I'm not sure if stating that a veteran cannot afford health insurance is a viable answer. I'm curious to know, what would be considered a prolonged period; one year, five years? Thanks, Domepeace

Thanks Stretch, Where you in appeals when you faxed DAV? Thanks, Domepeace

Good point. I'm going to ask the BVA if my claim has been assigned a docket number. If it has not, I will ask them about rescinding my representation (I think I'm going to fire DVA regardless). As it stands, DVA in D.C. will not be able to review my file until nine months from now. I'm going to be looking into having an in-person hearing. I think the DVA has done a poor job in assisting me with my claim. Maybe I expected too much from them; like probing me for questions that would help me win my claim; as opposed to just looking at my file and writing a blanket statement. Thanks, Domepeace

I have not thought of this as an option; because I don't believe I fit the criteria. I'm not sure if you are hinting at filing a financial hardship to speed up the process. Nevertheless, that is a good tip. Thanks so much, Domepeace

I found that highlightingthe information I want them to see really helps. Domepeace

john999, Thanks for the reply. My DAV rep never advised me of a personal hearing (I'm not sure if they are supposed to). Just all the reason to get rid of DAV. I'm going to do some research on a personal hearing since I don't know the pro's or con's about it. Thanks again, Domepeace

All, I have a claim pending in D.C. (BVA). This claim has been ongoing since 2004. I call D.C. to ask what the hold-up is and they tell me that my file is with DAV in D.C. and BVA is waiting on DAV to review it and send it back to them for a rating decision. I call DAV in D.C. and they tell me they are back-logged and it will take about nine months for them to get to my file. I'm wondering should I fire DAV and have my case decide ASAP? Mind you, when I looked at my c-file, DAV pretty much regurgitated what I had researched and written in my statement. It appears that DAV is not really adding to my case. I'm not sure if I can even fire DAV and get them to send my file back to the BVA. This whole situation was brought on because I also have two cases at my RO; in which they said via letter that they do not have access to my file because it is stuck in D.C. They also said I would have to wait until my claim in D.C. is finished before they can proceed on my RO cases. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Domepeace

Thanks for all of the responses. Domepeace

Yes I do.

Yes... It's hard to explain, but I would have several throughout the day. I was just curious to know if each one that I had throughout the day (on the holter monitor or ekg) would constitute as seven episodes; not one episode. Thanks, Domepeace

So, are you saying that: If I wear a Holter monitor for a day and I have Arrhythmias/PVC recordings seven different times throughout the day, does that mean I've had seven episodes or one episode? Thanks, Domepeace

I'm curious to know what would constitute an episode of Arrhythmias/PVC? I'm fuzzy on this portion: "...with more than four episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor..." So, here is the situation. If I wear a Holter monitor for a day and I have Arrhythmias/PVC recordings seven different times throughout the day, does that mean I've had seven episodes or one episode? I'm of the opinion that it means I've had seven episodes. The Schedule for Rating Disabilities does not seem very clear on this point. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Domepeace

Thank you all for your input and kind words. I am going to gather my thoughts and write something that will help us all (IMO). Domepeace!!!

Does anyone know the procedure to get the ball rolling on a rule change for a specific disability? Does it have to go through Congress? For example, I found a rule change by browsing hadit.com. The rule change was in reference to scars. But, I'm curious to know if a veteran can bring up a "well grounded" reason as to why a rule should change on a specific disability. The article leaves a lot to be desired. The article does says to contact Maya Ferrandino, but I thought I would see if anyone else had something to say before I do that. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Domepeace!!!

I'm curious to know about a few things. I did notgo to Desert Shield/Desert Storm; but I was on active duty at the time (stationed in Germany). I've been out the Military for about 10 years now. I recently was diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnea. I believe I actually had it while I was in the Military; but I don't have any medical evidence supporting it. I had/have high-blood pressure; which was manifested in the Military. I actually am serviced-connected for high-blood pressure. Based on some research I've done on sleep apnea, sleep apnea can cause high-blood pressure. That's why I believe the two are connected. Looking back, I could see the symptoms of sleep apnea while I was in the Military. I would never feel fully rested when I woke up in the morning (among other things). I thought it was just part of the Military way of life. For those that were in, you know what I'm talking about. At any rate, I've heard and read a little on "Sec. 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed." I'm curious to know am I wasting my time filing a claim for an Undiagnosed Illness? The only "evidence" I have is from my wife (dual military). She noticed the signs while we were both in the Military together. Thanks, Domepeace

This may not be exactly what you are looking for, but I asked for the docket number of my claim and I was able to find it online when I went to "search decisions" on the VA website. Domepeace

Hypothetical... If you have a service-connected disability (high blood pressure), and you apply for outside life insurance (in which the premiums would be through the roof), can this play a part in refilling a claim? I know some people that are virtually non-insurable because of high blood pressure. To my understanding, VA will only shell out (at the most) 60% for high blood pressure. I also understand that if a person passes away from their service-connected disability, the surviving spouse receives the monthly D.I.C. Has anyone ever filed a claim secondary to high blood pressure for being unable to secure "affordable" life insurance? Thanks, Domepeace

Anyone ever heard of WARMS? I'm trying to figure out if it is codified law. The eCFR (compared to the cfr) is not. I have a claim pending and believe I'm in good shape when it comes to the WARMS info, since it is a VA site. Please tell me what you all think. Thanks, Domepeace P.S. There was a change to the "Skin" rating: 7804 Scar(s), unstable or painful: Five or more scars that are unstable or painful 30 Three or four scars that are unstable or painful 20 One or two scars that are unstable or painful 10 This is the main part that I was talking about: §4.118 Schedule of ratings—skin. A veteran who VA rated under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, or 7805 before October 23, 2008 can request review under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, and 7805, irrespective of whether the veteran’s disability has increased since the last review. VA will review that veteran’s disability rating to determine whether the veteran may be entitled to a higher disability rating under diagnostic codes 7800, 7801, 7802, 7804, and 7805. A request for review pursuant to this rulemaking will be treated as a claim for an increased rating for purposes of determining the effective date of an increased rating awarded as a result of such review; however, in no case will the award be effective before October 23, 2008. Thanks again, Domepeace

Thanks for the heads-up! Domepeace