paulstrgn

I hate seeing the benefits promised to us retirees disappearing. I guess the government forgot about this promise also to all the retirees. I receive emails from Military.com about More than 3 dozen Military Hospitals to Stop Treating Retirees, Families, Memo Shows. Here is the link to the article: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/07/more-3-dozen-military-hospitals-stop-treating-retirees-families-memo-shows.html?ESRC=eb_200210.nl

Happy to be back on Hadit!!!!

I am like Vetquest I see my MH doc via Tricare, I don’t need a referral so I can see the one that works best for me. All I can say is if you need MH help please get it, it is the best thing you can do for you and your family.

Thanks Vync for keping on this, I still have gotten no where with this.

If they did not grant you, the disability/increase requested then there is nothing to update. I hope the VA is just slow in your case. Remember you must login to VA.gov to see the status of pending cases. Now in my case eBenefits shows an increase in hypertension but my HLR has not been closed. There is nothing perfect about how the system may or may not be updated.

Like Bronco states you need to wait for the envelope. It will tell you what they decided. Good luck!!!!

Concragulations on the win...you worked hard to get it. Like Buck says above and as you did Bronco, never give up for when you do you lose. Enjoy the retro and go and do something fun, you have earned it!!!!

You need a good IMO like Shrek says, that is what it will take to help get it approved. Good luck

Like Shrek said it is best not to check every day but yes, it is hard not to. We have all done it but it is best to try and not think about it. Try to only check once a week, its hard but you can do it. After all, checking it every day does not make it go any faster.

Very true...it is rated at 0%.

I have 10 secondary rated disabilities plus SMC K. As Vync states look at other factors of your SC disabilities to see if they are causing additional disabilities. My SMC K is actually secondary to one of my secondary disabilities. Look at all of your prescribed meds and see what possible side affects they may cause. Look at everything.

@lawbro that is great, I am glad the call went well for you. I hope that you will have a decision soon with a positive outcome.

I have also had Peggy start an ITF when I called them before. If you had called in the past and had mentioned something to them they mave have started it thinking you were going to file a claim.

Do you have a VSO that might have started a claim on your behalf?

Congratulations on the win Vync!!!

GB I agree that it does not help the veteran it can actually impact the VA employee. If their rating is low they can be put on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) and if they do not improve they can be terminated. I have seen this happen at my agency, so it can make a difference. Now more than likely the person will improve enough so they don't lose their job but hopefully they will get their act together and do a better job towards the veteran. Vync, I am glad to hear they called you back.

Shrek and GB are correct about the effective date. I agree that the VA is not your friend. In your case the VA medical decided you needed a CPAP but the VA benefits side was never told (the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing). One would think that anything on the medical side would automatically trigger the benefits side, but that is like believing in Santa Clause. Since you are over 30% make sure you have your spouse and children listed (if you are married or have children) for you do get paid extra for them. I am sorry you lost out on extra money, but always remember whenever any medical issues change file for an increase or even a new claim.

Congratulations on retiring, since you are busier that means you are having a good retirement!

When I won my BVA I just did the calculations in MS Excel, I had to figure out what I was rated and what the new rating would be. It was a pain but it was within a few dollars of what I received from the VA. I found mine to be more accurate than using the retro calculators. JMO

I am sure you already have done this but just in case. Make sure you write up a statement listing everything you have mentioned here in this thread. I would also get lay statements from these folks listing everything that they do for you, especially how your niece now has to drive you every where. JMO Good luck!!

Welcome to Hadit Bookieboo79. GB has good advice; you may also need an IMO (independent medical opinion) to tie your hysterectomy to your military medical treatment. If you do decide to go with a VSO make sure that they understand what you want to file and that they know how to file for it. If they say you do not qualify and should not file, then find a new VSO. Personally, I think you can file for your disabilities on your own, after all no one is more interested in your disabilities than you are. I also highly recommend you going through your medical records (if you have not already) and make sure that you have filed for all the disabilities that you are entitled to. Also, make sure that you file for any disabilities that are secondary to your rated disabilities or ones you are getting ready to file for. I personally have 9 rated disabilities that are secondary to other disabilities. Good luck!

I am confused, so what if it helped you do your job more efficiently. If it was caused by the military and it is causing you unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations then it is a disability that should be rated by the VA. I don't see what difference it makes if it helped you do your job better in the military, besides you are no longer in the military. I believe you should file again for OCD and also PTSD especially since they say you met DSM-IV PTSD Criteria. I personally would file for both. Good luck

You should get retro pay, depending on how large the retro pay is the longer it takes to get it.

If you are married make sure you have your spouse and kids in the system, you get paid extra for them.

Did they deny it or give you 0%? If you have the VA letter either as denied or with a zero you can appeal it. Just make sure you have good evidence to justify what you are requesting. Good luck.