paulstrgn

I called today for clarification and found out it was ion hold from a FOIA request I did last September for my C-File. I informed the 800 at the BVA that the FOIA request had already been completed as of March 2019. She made notes indicating what I had told her and now hopefully they will finish the case. I agree that I need to be patient, but it does help to keep checking and making sure I am not the hold up. I am being positive that it will be a grant.

Yes there would be a bi-lateral rating for the two legs. I am not sure what your total rating is, but for the two ratings it would be 46% + 4.6% (bi-lateral) for a total of 50.6%. Which rounds down to 50% total. I use a calculator that has a bi-lateral portion for calculations. It is located at https://www.microhealthllc.com/veterans-central/bilateral-va-disability-rating-compensation-calculator/ Hopefully this helps.

You can also look in Ebenefts under the disabilities and it will show any new disabilities approved or that has been increased. That is where I always look when I have a claim closed.

@asknod You really laid it out plain and simple, I like that. Yes I would hate to pay someone $37K but I would love it even more if I won $188K. Really is what a person must think of is they won the lotto and the government takes out the taxes. Yes it is a lot of money but it is also a fare amount to pay, plus the vet needs to remember the extra they now get every month is tax free. Thank you for spelling it out, I believe you made itvery clear.

Thanks Vetquest I hope it is also a good outcome. At best it will be split, SA approved and Hypertension remanded (so they can do the BP checks to determine what the percentage will be). I am hopping it does not bounce back and forth too much.

I know I need a hobby other than checking on pending claims! Vets.gov shows my appeal has been with a judge since Jan 17 and that it should be completed within 1 - 2 months (I know its an estimate). I called the BVA 800 number to check on the status of my appeal. I was told a pre-decision has been made. Does anyone know how long it takes before the judge makes a final decision? Yes I am impatient and hate waiting,

Its like having Tricare...they want to bill the other company first. I am asked every time I see a doctor on base. You won't pay anything.

I don't have any advice for you @nancygail but I can offer my thoughts and prayers for both you and your husband. You are both going through very tough times...but you can make it!!!

@vetquest You may want to look at applying for federal jobs in your area. As a disabled vet you have several ways to be hired. If you think you may be interested look at this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ You should set it up to send you daily job announcements via email. I know you live in TN but there may be federal agencies in your area. Plus if hired the government is really good about supplying reasonable commendations. I have been working from home for over 1 1/2 years from my commendations, mind you not all jobs allow you to work from home. Plus medical insurance starts on day one if hired no matter what your disabilities are.

@RBrogen that is great, yes you need to push the issue when they do wrong. Be prepared to tell them facts, also if you have any evidence that helps your case bring it too. Good luck on Thursday.

I called the White House hotline at 855-948-2311 and complained. I also emailed the regional director about my issues with the C&P. She had someone call me and we spoke for over an hour, I have my new C&P on Friday.

The advantage of seeing contractors, you can ask for different ones and they seem to always accommodate.

I have a QTC appointment on May 29. When they called me I asked about my complaint and was told don't worry it is in our records not to schedule any appointments with him or the office he works out in. I am pleased that it is in their system so I don't need to always ask if it is that particular doctor. With that said I know many of these doctors also work for LHI and VES so I will always make sure if scheduled for an appointment it is not with that doctor.

I agree...we talked about that when she was doing the C&P

Perhaps the doctor I will see next week will be a tank driver/medical doctor...lol

She was a good pet shrunk though...plus she marked all the right boxes so I got the 50%. Seriously though she listened and she asked the right questions. She seemed to care.

Thankfully I am not paying for it directly...except it does come from our tax dollars!!!!!

They even flew her in from Kansas for this...I would thought they could find a local doc but I guess not.

This is my second C&P with VES, the first one agreed with my depression and I was awarded 50% which is what it should be since I am working. I will let you know what I think of the second VES C&P. The first doctor was retired Army and was a veterinarian and also a physiologist...some combination...lol

I know how dare them to be so fast...lol

@GeekySquid I don’t understand why either of us need a C&P after all there I nothing to exam. Why are these just not simply phone calls. I am sure you will get to the 60% for yours, if you meet the requirements then you meet the requirements. I also always try to be friendly with the examiner while explaining my issues. I had one examiner tell me they wish they could also write up an issue we had discussed that I was not there for.

@GeekySquid How I wish I could earn a million bucks a month...hahaha I agree that there are a lot of advantages at being 100% scheduler. I believe with seeing the VES doctor next week that they will put me over the top. I will make damn sure that they write everything down and measure me correctly. I will make sure they now about all my limitations from my back and nerve issues in my legs.

@GeekySquid That makes sense, I would rather have 100% P&T than take a chance with IU. I do think that my best best for an SMC would have been with IU but I am okay if I don't receive it for that reason. Some day I may become housebound and that would be a different issue. Most everything is secondary to my back, but is may be one of my secondary issues that might cause housebound.

I did tell them I wanted a male doctor and she understood. I was surprised that they will do a C&P on me as well, nothing to check or see after all. I have an appointment with VES on Friday May 24 for a new C&P I had from a complaint I made about the QTC doctor. I had emailed the regional director in Roanoke and she had this guy from the VA call me (they are wanting to reduce my back and femoral nerve issues).

If I should get 100% P&T and then file for IU, do I still keep the benefits of the 100% P&T, I am most interested in the $1,000 per child and even spouse while going to college. Also if I died before they start college are they still entitled to the $1,000 per month while going to college? My kids are currently 6 and 10 (second marriage). The way my health has been declining I wonder if I will be around until then? I am just trying to be realistic is all. I am always coping what you guys write here and them saving it on my computer for future reference, I just pray my computer doesn't die is all...lol