allansc2005

Buck, it's so much better than a CPAP, less invasive... Anyway, I'm outta here, got a few vets I need to help with their claims. Have a good day. 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, I too have OSA, not service connected. Did you know there is now a new AMA approved device that can replace the CPAP? Currently, I'm being evaluated for the device, and if everything goes right, they will implant the device by this summer. No more mask, no more hoses...the device is smaller than a quarter, and it takes an hour to implant.

Buck, some say not to "rock the boat" once you get your P&T IU, others have said to go for scheduler. The law firm Attig, says to not stop at 100% if you think the VA short changed you one way or another... Considering I haven't gotten that "Big white packet" yet, I won't know what I'll do. Except for a CUE(thank you Berta), I'll studied, researched..about every area of VA compensation that exists, and have concluded that you can either sit around whining and crying about the VA, or you get off your ass and be proactive...in other words, do your homework! Speaking of the Big white packet, what the hell is taking them so long?! GRRRR!!! January 12th, 2017, was the decision!

Buck, it took me about 4 years to get an RO review, but as I've written many times here and elsewhere, when I finally went in for my review, I was locked and loaded. Had all my documents, medical records, past court decisions....everything. It took about 15 minutes of Q&A with the RO, and he looked at the stack of evidence I brought in, and he made an on-the-spot decision. "Approved CUE, Approved Permanent IU..." My rep called me later that day and said the Review Officer told him "I've never seen a veteran come in so prepared...I had no leg to stand on but to approve him(me)..." 2-2-0 HUAH!

asknod/Buck, And that's JUST the SMC S. 74K PLUS the CUE $$ is nice no doubt, but I'm much more excited about the Permanent IU. Granted, I'll have to fill out that STUPID employment form every year, but I have an excellent case for a Scheduler as well.

Buck, will keep you guys updated. Yes, the money is nice, and I'm far from poor, but getting my 100% means the most. 2-2-0 Second to none! HUAH!!

Bronco, I'm quite literate, and understand what you are saying, and I didn't disagree with you. I understand that pay/payments in 1990 are not parallel with 2017, 2016, 2015...

Bronco, the CUE is going back to 1990, and the Permanent IU is going back to the first time I filed for it, which was July, 1998. So I don't think my rep was wrong with what he said.

UPDATE: Buck, et al... My rep just called me to give me the 411 on my SMC, how ironic huh? The VA did in fact award me SMC-S back to the time that my CUE is effective, which is December, 1st, 1990! My rep teasingly told me to "Hire a Brinks truck..." because it's an additional $342 a month. Funny though, considering I won my CUE and IU back on January 12th, 2017, I still haven't seen a pay change, nor any "wads" going into my bank account. I can only assume a few more signatures are required given the circumstances?

Buck, is it the combined rating that could qualify you for SMC, or a single rating over a certain percentage?

Was awarded an on-the-spot CUE and Perm IU back in January, during a formal review. Total percentage was 80%, with the largest single condition rated at 40%, a lower spine condition rated at 20%, with other smaller ratings. Also, if it means anything The issue of me needing help with such things as getting dressed, showering, help getting out of bed was raised by my rep; I also provided a sworn affidavit signed by my fiancé that she helps me with these issues. Reviewing officer didn't say one way or the other about awarding me SMC. Do I meet the requirements for ANY kind of SMC? Also, I have gotten responses to this question that have nothing to do with meeting the requirements, I was just given a link to the SMC pay tables, which mean don't answer my question.

I just won a CUE and a Permanent IU back in January. I was total combined 80%, with my highest award at 40% for my knee. I require assistance, due to compensated lower back problems, to bathe, tie my shoes, get dressed...which I told the review officer back in January, and also provided a written statement to that fact which was written by my Fiancé. So does this qualify me for SMC-2, or any SMC? I was told at the review, by the review officer that he approved my CUE and IU on the spot, but nothing was mentioned about SMC.

Berta, one of the things the review officer brought up at my CUE hearing was how many times he had to deny CUE claims simply because the veteran either didn't know who decided his/her claim or what date(s) the veteran was referring to, or that the CUE was so badly written, that he couldn't understand what the veteran was asking for. Granted, we all aren't great writers, me included, but for something as important as a CUE=MONEY, if you are lacking in reading, writing...then either ask the American Legion, VFW...somebody to help you write it, or if push comes to shove, pay somebody to help you write it. Also, as I've written in my other posts, the BEST way to deal with the VA, be it a CUE, IU.....is to not allow them to look for anything. Supply them with the records, Dr. statements, C&P exams, Nexus letters....don't make them look for them in your files, because in all honesty, they-VA, hate looking for stuff!

Mark, as a footnote, avoid any attorney who asks for money upfront, not only is it illegal, but these "attorneys" tend to not be VA accredited because of their shady way(s) of doing business. Once again, avoid Rep For Vets, they drag your case out in order to get more money.

I just won Permanent IU and a CUE, so I'm at that 100% plateau. Will I still fall under the VA pay system, or will I be "converted" over to DFAS? My accountant seems to think I will be switched over to DFAS.

Mark, I can tell you who to NEVER hire, Rep For Vets! They strung me out for 4 years, making promises, making up excuses for not returning my calls, LYING to me...! They have numerous BBB complaints, and they have recently removed their commercials from TV.

killab, While we are waiting on Berta(she wrote a winning CUE template for me), you might consider spelling out such things as "DBQ, VA..." in the first part of your letter, then abbreviate them later on. Also, it doesn't look like you clearly ended your letter with 1. How the VA's decision affected the outcome, i.e.; your percentage and amount of money you received were affected, and 2. Close your letter with what you expect the VA to do about the CUE. By the way, I won my CUE and Permanent IU at the Columbia, SC office back in January. Hope this helps my fellow veteran. Allan

New CUE winner here. My CUE case was won by having the proper and complete information needed, as well as a BIG help from Berta, who provided a template statement that knocked it out of the ballpark! I think if there is a moral of the story when it comes to CUE's, it would be to not allow the VA, Review Officer...to have to look for anything concerning your case. Provide it ALL as I did in person during a review, or if you have to mail it in, be SURE to send it return receipt, and have copies. January 12th, 2017 when I and my *American Legion rep sat down with the Review Officer, I had a file folder 4 inches thick with proof, VA laws, medical records, including past C&P exams, past court decisions....ready to do "battle" The battle lasted a whole 15 minutes as I was giving the Review Officer everything he need to make a decision, and he made it on the spot, APPROVED! * American Legion rep was just there, I did all the legwork, all the talking...

You're welcome Berta, and as we all know, anything that can reduce the workload of the VA is a plus. Also, feel free to use me as an example on how a properly executed CUE can make a world of difference. As a footnote, the Reviewing Officer read the CUE you orchestrated, and in a matter of MICRO seconds, ruled in my favor stating "This has to be the best written, most concise CUE I have ever came across in my 25 years as a VA officer.."

killab2068, Berta is the "queen" of CUE; her advice and sample CUE letter helped me win my case in a matter of weeks. Talking to all the pros in the area of veteran compensation, I've been told numerous times that the time it took me to win my CUE case was the "fastest" they have ever seen. Kudos to Berta!

This was a CUE and a IU, which went before a RO back on the 12th of January, and a decision made that same day. Never got an increase on Feb 1st. I understand the back pay thing, I was talking about my new monthly increase.

Considering it was in January 2017 when everything was approved, when will my new monthly payment become effective, March 1st?

Oh the information is official. The Review officer told me and American Legion rep during the review that he approved the CUE and IU, right then and there. This was a FORMAL taped review. No BS or word-of-mouth rumors. My best estimate moneywise is somewhere around 90k, simply because one approved claim goes all the way back to 1990

Back on January 12th, 2017, I won a CUE as well as permanent IU via a decision from a review officer, I won both on the spot. So here it is some 6 weeks later, and I still haven't heard anything. No information on Ebenefits page, no contact from my American Legion rep-hell he won't even return my calls! I called the 800 number, and they don't have anything either. What all goes on between the time you win your case, and when you're actually notified? Bank app is set to notify me when the "big one" hits, but NOTHING yet. What is taking so long?

I had a formal hearing, tape recorder...etc. VSO told me my new pay increase would take effect 1 February, 2017, but that didn't happen. DRO did tell me "Permanent", no future exams. As I mentioned to you before, my VSO refused to "walk down the hall" to get a copy of the decision.