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paulstrgn
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Posts posted by paulstrgn
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WOW...I am impressed to have a claim completed in less than a month. Congratulations!
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I have been lucky so far with DRO reviews so far, I have filed two EED and won them both. I have to date only filed one case with the BVA and I also won it.
For me the P&T is worth it, the education benefits my two boys will get make it worth my time. I have invested that much time except for doctors appointments, the time to put the case together is only a few hours each time (I would say less than 10). I do research issues at night for various reasons I do enjoy researching interesting items.
I find that the work I have put in for the VA claims have not taken much time at all from my wife and two small boys. But I also consider all this work is investing in my wife and kids future.
1 hour ago, jfrei said:I have stopped fighting for an EED just because it’s time to focus on my children priority family over VA
I can certainly appreciate putting your family first, you are never wrong when you do that.
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Absolutely buck, I will have them just discuss how I am able to do less, range of motions (not being able to perform different movements). basically along those lines,
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10 minutes ago, Buck52 said:
I choose the DRO Hearing at my R.O.
I would like to but I am unable to ride in a car for that long (Roanoke is about a three hour drive from where I live) so I will request a telephonic hearing.
18 minutes ago, Buck52 said:Notarized statements about my hearing loss from family & friends.I had for my evidence
I did not think about letters from family members and friends. After all it can't hurt.
I always get good suggestions and ideas from you buck.
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24 minutes ago, Buck52 said:
just make sure you File your NOD in a timely manner usually within 30- 60 days of the proposal .
Buck I did file it timely, now I am just waiting on the VA.
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13 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
their attempt to reduce would mean that something in your record is "supposed" to be so significantly improved that it warrants a re-examination.
The reexamination for my IVDS at least came from a reconsideration for a increase, but nothing for the femoral nerve issues that the interpreted from the QTC C&P.
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3 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:
I am just wondering if Richards stated experience is mostly with vets who are over 55 or who have had their ratings for 5 or more years?
I am over 55 but have not had the disabilities rated for five years yet. I waited 20 years after I retired from the military before I filed my first VA claim in 7/2015. I try not to think of the money I have lost by waiting so long...
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6 minutes ago, Richard1954 said:
Not one time has any medical issue been reevaluated unless it was requested
In my case I went in for a reconsideration of my back and knees, after the C&P (which I thought went well) the DBQ indicated my back got better and the denied my knees. Then out of the blue I received a letter from the VA with a proposal to reduce. They wanted to lower my IVDS from 20% to 10% and my left and right Femoral nerve from 20% to 0%. Now I never asked them to reevaluate my nerves in my legs yet because of the DBQ the VA now wants to lower me. So yes the VA can and does try to reduce ones ratings.
So yes they can propose to reduce issues you never asked to have looked at. As I was told by the regional office in Roanoke, VA told me that any time you go in for an exam they can reevaluate your other disabilities! BTW all my disabilities are listed as "Static" which is supposed me mean they will never get better.
So I must disagree with you thinking of it as a "an old wises tale" for it is not, and it is not poppy cock. JMO
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On a side note. As you may remember the VA has proposed a reduction due to a bad C&P which was done by QTC. This was done last December, now I have been complaining about this with the VA as well as writing a complaint to QTC (this was last May). To make a long story short I got this idea to call QTC to see if they will write a letter stating that the C&P that was performed in December should not be used because of possible errors (I wanted to give QTC a way out without saying the doctor screwed up). After I called yesterday I spoke with three different individuals and they were all very sympathetic to what has happened. I last person I had spoken with yesterday said he was going to speak with the quality section and have them call me to see what could be done. Well I was never called back by them, but I was called back just this morning by the person I spoke with yesterday and he has reached out to the Roanoke office and they will set me up with a new exam to help resolve these issues. He also told me he will followup to make sure I get to see the right doctor, needless to say I am very impressed with this individual.
This is why I believe we need to be vocal and not afraid to ask to have problems corrected when we have been done wrong. I have emailed the Chief of Staff of the VA when I had a problem and it was corrected that very same day. I have contacted the assistant director of the Roanoke office about problems and have received numerous calls from them to correct these issues/problems.
I always to to keep the emails profession and brief, I just try to tell them the problem and ask if they can help get it back on track.
So my recommendation to everyone is don't be afraid to email or call these place to try to resolve your problem. I also do not do this on ever case or problem, only the ones I can't get fixed.
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By not finishing it makes your partner start to wonder if they are not satisfying you. JMO
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Buck I will apply, I am just waiting on the doctor to send me his notes so I can submit them.
13 minutes ago, Buck52 said:If I was you I would ask for the P&T on the conditions that are never going to get better
Without the depression I am at 93%, other than OSA everything else is at 20% or 10%. I guess I don't know what the justification would be for asking for P&T. I am a full-time government employee so needless to say I am able to still work..
22 minutes ago, Buck52 said:once your P&T they call off the Dogs (so-to-speak)
I am with you on that buddy, other than asking for an EED, I will stop my pursuit unless of a major medical problem such as a heart attack or perhaps a worsening of my IVDS (which is still getting worse, I have lost another 2' of height in the last 18 months).
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What does your doctor say about this issue? Does your doctor say its a form of ED? If you have not seen a doctor then I would. I believe this is a form of ED. I would suggest still filing for SMC K as "Loss of use of a creative organ". If you cannot finish then you cannot get your partner pregnant (it does not matter if you want more kids or not) so you have lost the use of a creative organ.
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GB you are correct, anytime you file you run the risk of the VA re-evaluating your previously awarded disability. Until you get 100% P&T I personally think it is worth the risk. That is why I amt still filing until I get the P&T added to my 100%.
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22 minutes ago, Berta said:
It pays for any veteran to obtain a 100% SC P & T rating if they can.
Ms. Berta as always is so correct, I am at 100% but not P&T. I do not get the additional benefits of being exempt property tax, personal property tax (in Virginia they also have personally property tax), and the educational benefit. So you really want to be more than 100%, you want the P&T portion as well.
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9 hours ago, Richard1954 said:
60% rating...because its is so rare to get bed rest from any doctor for a back injury now
Richard you are correct, I had over 9 weeks of being out of work for my back issues. But as you said doctors do not put you on bed rest anymore, they actually do not want you to be on bed rest as it is worse for the back.
9 hours ago, vetquest said:I am at 20% also but I have burning and pain in my thighs also.
I currently receive the following:
left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve 20%
right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve 20%
previously rated as right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and external popliteal nerves 20%
left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and external popliteal nerves 20%I am not sure if me feet are already tied into the above, so I will definitely file for polyneuropathy for my feet. I am already rated for flat feet at 10%.
1 hour ago, GBArmy said:You are now rate 1oo% P&T, correct,
GB I am 100% but not P&T, that is because one of my disabilities is for depression (they say it could get better).
I am filing for everything I can to try and get to P&T, I need 20% more to get there. I have a CUE for my hand which could get me another 10% and if I can get the VA to agree with my BP readings I would pick up 20% (I had three readings where my diastolic was over 110). I wrote in the VA letter that if they disagree with my BP readings to schedule me for new BP readings (I hope I don't regret that, you never know what they will read and write down).
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I filed for ED secondary to my back and also my depression. Not sure which one they connected it to but it was awarded as SMC K in less than 60 days.
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As you can see Langin02...everyone above cares for you and your families well being. This comes from caring, as veterans we care about our brothers and sisters, no one wants to see anyone hurting. We know that the family of the veteran can hurt and suffer as much as the veteran does. But always remember as veterans we are always there for our fellow veterans (spouses are just as much the veteran as the veteran themselves). We want to see you and your family safe and free from worry.
Remember you are never alone for your family of veterans are there to assist you as much as possible. Please get the care you and your family need.
- ShrekTheTank, GeekySquid and Lagin02
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I am currently rated at 20% for
8521-8520 PREVIOUSLY RATED AS RIGHT LOWER EXTREMITY RADICULOPATHY OF THE SCIATIC AND EXTERNAL POPLITEAL NERVES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERVERTEBRAL DISC SYNDROME AND DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS WITH
SCOLIOSIS, SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY, AND THORACOLUMBAR STRAIN.
I also have polyneuropathy in my feet, when I look at the nerve matrix for the VA it says for these five nerves "Common Peroneal", "Superficial Peroneal", "Deep Peroneal", "Tibial", and "Posterior Tibial" - "Seperate Evaluation is Prohibited, part of the Sciatic Branch"
My feet are numb, they have the burning, tingling, and stabbing sensations all the time. My feet bother me all the time, especially when I try to sleep.
So my question is, is it possible to to have my percentage raised from 20% to 40% or higher?
I know when I do apply I will also ask for for an SMC K for my feet - this might be a long shot but I will try.
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I use Google all the time to see what side effects my meds may be causing, after all we really never know. If you do discover a med that may cause PVD you will need a strong IMO to establish a SC. I also Google my disabilities that are SC to see if any of them may cause other issues I may have or may get in the future.
Always remember as GB and vetquest say you need to research these items yourself and become an expert in PVD or any other disability you are trying to get SC.
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I am also retired military and have Tricare. When I turn 65 I am required to signup for Tricare for Life (Medicare Part B). I need to do this to renew my military ID if nothing else, not that I want to pay more money out of pocket. I am like Richard above, I have all my medical checks done on a military base so it is free. I do get referred sometimes to a civilian doctor and then I pay a co-pay of $30 a visit. I don't ever want to use the VA and I hope I never have too. For me I may not want to pay the $135 a month but it is worth it to me.
As mentioned above it is a personal choice as to whether or not you sign up for Medicare, but before you make that decision way all the pros and cons of which way to go.
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I know vets have different experiences when it comes to ebenefits, but for me I find it is usually updated the same day a claim closes. That is providing they grant your claim, if they deny it then obviously there is nothing to update in ebenefits. Hopefully in your case they did not update the system.
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2 minutes ago, RBrogen said:
June 5, 1992, less than 1 year of me getting out on July 3, 1991,
Perhaps my math is off, but did you not miss the one year mark by 2 days? If my math is right June 3, 1992 would be your one year mark Hopefully I am wrong.
VA Veterans Selling home & funding fees?
in Veterans Benefits State & Federal
Posted
Buck are you referring to realtor fees which is 6% of the sale price? If so yes they can charge that at closing, you will also have a few other fees when you sell your house. This is common no matter the type of loan. As veterans we save when we buy but not when we sell.
You can deduct those cost on your income tax (I don't believe it change with the new tax law that passed last year).
Have you thought about selling the house yourself? I have done that in the past and it really is not that hard. If you do try to sell it yourself and you are close to a military installation see if they have anyplace for you to post the house. There is also "Military by Owner" which caters to military personnel that may PCS.