EODCMC

Paul, you should know a website costs money to maintain and improve...it's not a drop in the bucket. In order to provide a free source for advise and help, the only way to do it is to sell adds, and/or ask for subscriptions, or take it out of pocket. Myself? The subscription price is low enough and well worth the money. Because of the work relationship, it might even be tax deductible.

It doesn't serve as a link for me and when I Google "Apr 5, 2012 source citation" , it doesn't provide the source...not readily anyway. No matter.

Well, based on this information (info), I have no decision to make. I am required to use Tricare. Can You tell me where this info is referenced from? It's dated in 2012.

I queried my VSO rep again about my concerns. She responded with: "I apologize for any confusion or delay- when you sent me the signed NOD last Wednesday, I faxed it in. The NOD has already been filed in your case and should no longer be a concern. This is a moot point now that a decision has been made on the issue. As for the decision, it is possible for the decision to change between the date of the decision and the notification letter; however, it is unlikely. It sometimes takes a few days/weeks for the decision to be finalized and for that information to be reflected in ebenefits- please do not rely on ebenefits until the rating has been finalized- it is often unreliable. I will continue to check on your case this week and will let you know when it has been finalized. As for the effective date of the dermatitis, you filed an intent to file on 2/9/18 and a fully developed claim on 2/24/18 for an increase in dermatitis." I thanked her and told her: "Thanks for relieving me of my concerns. I feel comfortable and will await the arrival of the decision package. Please do not cancel the NOD until I have had a chance to review everything."

Thanks Tbird, I will definitely renew at the end of May.

Tbird, how do I know when my subscription is up for renewal?

"At higher levels, such as CAVC, these judges know how to read. Sometimes, hurrying your claim up is getting it to someone who knows how to read as quickly as possible" Probably so...definitely a good strategy if one is already being compensated at the 100% level.

Galen, don't discount the fact the the VSO rep can help. Definitely seek one out and enlist their aid. Unless, you can afford an attorney. My comment was about putting all your concerns in their hands. They are not going to help you by being your research and strategy team. They are not going to be a pen pal. In fact, from my experience and what I read here, they are only slightly responsive to real time communications And, they are not accountable. Some folks have no computer and/or no internet service and/or capability. They are forced by circumstances to rely mostly on their VSO rep. I wish there were more reach out programs for them. With few exceptions, many of the folks that visit this site need to be the CEO of their VA claims. That said, they can be the hammer when you need to pound nails.

Galen, very good question. my opinion for what it's worth. The VSO is just another tool in YOUR toolbox. The organization rep is more important than the organization itself. WWP rep can be great in San Diego and the Rep in Norfolk might not measure up. What I learned to get from them is a glimpse at my file and where it stands in the process. They can get information to the RO easier and faster than you can. I wouldn't expect any of them to be more knowledgeable about your claims than you should be. I found myself interested in your comment: "...Virginia Veterans Admin office on Quantico and they say they also help with VA claims..." It's possible they are not overwhelmed with claimants.

Berta, thanks for the reaffirmation and offer of help. I will certainly do as you suggest. I'm a little torn between gratitude of the VA (My Country) with my disappointment with their process and systemic shortcomings. That they will compensate me for my service maladies takes precedent. I don't want to come away from this challenge looking mercenary or a gold-digger. Regrettably, I think the folks working the processes will think that way regardless of the validity of my claim. I'd like to convey a compliment to you, Asknod, Gastone, and Broncovet; thanks for taking the time to reply. I find myself reading your comments on these forums, even when the subject matter has no relationship to my claims. "EOMCDC please don't feel that you misled us---this VAOLA crap could give anyone PTSD." Is this a stressor? Ha...they probably wouldn't appreciate the humor if I filed a claim.

"Subsequently, during one of my regular visits to VA Dermatology I questioned the VA Dermatologist (specialist) on the % of my body that was affected. She put in my notes (My Health Vet) that it affected more than 60%. Additionally, I had a C&P exam for sun damage and actinic keratosis (AK). The examiner put on the DBQ that more than 40% of my body was affected by Dermatitis." This was new evidence supporting the notion that the decision for 10% was not reflective of my condition. The condition did not worsen, it was there for the DBQ; the examiner failed to look. I think I understand the confusion...I may have misled you all. I didn't ask for a technical reconsideration; I used the 21-4138 to communicate informally to the RO that I had new evidence that they may have rated me too low. I was giving them and myself an opportunity to readdress this prior to submitting a NOD. My VSO rep did this for me once with a successful outcome. I asked the rep to do it again. I was surprised at his response. He thought I was rocking the boat and by raising my concern, I open myself to losing the 10% that was originally awarded. I was dismayed because he either didn't look at the new evidence or he had some other motive. So, I did it myself. This was probably a mistake because I think they opened it as a new claim and didn't read the Statement in Support of Claim. Apparently, a VSO can send these directly to an RO as informal conversation. However, the only way I could was to open the claim in the normal way, online. I included a detailed explanation that this was for reconsideration and not a new claim. Whether I did something inappropriate, can the VA open a New Claim for something that is still in the appeal timeline of one year from the dated letter of the decision. Apparently, common sense doesn't prevail when it comes to chipping away at one's retro. They are willing to let me open an expensive NOD and devote resources to an appeal that is avoidable and will probably go in my favor.

Bronc, you said ChampVa is the best...does that include Tricare. Im not sharpshooting you, but I think I have a decision to make. Additionally, we can still use the VA hospital/clinics regardless of which insurance I go with, right? Lastly, if there is anyone out there that lives or spends time in the Philippines, which one is best? I spend a couple of months a year there.

asknod, first of all...thanks for responding to my post. Para (1) - Not only should the evidence have been in my file, I referenced it in my reconsideration request. I have my C-file, but it is not up to date. Para (2) - Understood. Para (3) - Understood Para (4) - Yes, I may have been acting a bit timid. I figured the truth would have prevailrd. I never expected the VA raters to act like aggressive District Attorney, seeking a conviction regardless of truth. In this case, someone completely lacking integrity. And, I'm disappointed with a VSO that either takes the path of least resistance or is in cahoots with the raters. Nevertheless; It was an honor to serve. If they never introduced concurrent receipt, I'd still be honored. If things don't go exactly my way, I may be disappointed, but I am still honored. But, just like a lopsided fight...they aren't going to walk away smiling. Thanks again!

Little chance that I will receive the decision documentation prior to Tues. May 2. On E-ben and Vets.gov it still has it in "Pending Decision Approval".

Thanks Berta, I fully understand your advice. The Dermatologist report and DBQ happened a couple of months after the original decision for 10%.The original decision SC me for Dermatitis at 10% was based on a C&P exam that included many claims combined. He never did an inspection of my condition unclothed. In fact, he didn't even ask me to roll up my sleeves. No, it only corresponds to the date I submitted the Reconsideration. I think they may have looked at it as a NEW CLAIM. The only way I could submit it electronically was to open a claim and attach a 21-4138 with the following verbiage: " I respectfully request Reconsideration to correct your Dermatitis decision effective Mar 1, 2017. On the decision letter dated May 2, 2017, I was rated at 10% based on "less than 20% of the entire body affected". My VA Deramatologist (Specialist) report of Jan 6, 2018 and a recent DBQ dated Feb 2, 2018 differ with that opinion. The Dermatologist opines that more than 60% and the C&P examiner has an opinion of more than 40% of my entire body is affected by Dermatitis. Additionally, I am prescribed antihistamine medication, topical steroids and quarterly PDT (UVA) for Dermatitis." If, by mistake, they opened this as a NEW CLAIM, they should have closed the NEW Claim and combined with other open claims and it would be recorded. My Reconsideration request was seemingly ingnored. No mention, no documentation that they even received it. Not until my VSO sent me the e-mail that it was increased with a Feb 9, effective date. And again, how can they start a NEW CLAIM when I am still within the 1 year threshold for the same condition?

Thanks Bronc, You are absolutely correct. I missed the point entirely when I was thinking this through.

I will be simple and brief unless more specifics are asked of me: May 2, 2016 - I received a SC disability letter for Dermatitis at 10%. This was retroactive with an Effective Date of March 1, 2017. Subsequently, during one of my regular visits to VA Dermatology I questioned the VA Dermatologist (specialist) on the % of my body that was affected. She put in my notes (My Health Vet) that it affected more than 60%. Additionally, I had a C&P exam for sun damage and actinic keratosis (AK). The examiner put on the DBQ that more than 40% of my body was affected by Dermatitis. Feb 9, 2018, I submitted a Reconsideration to increase the original assessment from 10% to 60%. I was and still am within a year of that decision.The VA sat on this, presumably because they were going to lump this with the Sun Damage and AK. Not so! Apr 10, 2018 - I emailed my VSO a filled out NOD for submission. She asked me to hold off and see if there was something internally that she could do to move this along. I reminded her that MAY 2 was my deadline. Apr 25, 2018 - I told her to submit the NOD. Apr 26, 2018 - She sent me the following e-mail: ----------------- "Just wanted to check in with you b/c the VA made a decision on your claims! The VA increased your rating of dermatitis to 60% effective February 9, 2018. The left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were both granted at 10%. You are now rated at 100% permanent and total. The VA will be sending you the rating decision in the mail shortly. Please review it carefully and let me know if you have any questions." I thanked her, but yesterday I sent the following: "I just noticed the effective date you indicated on your previous e-mail concerning the Reconsideration for increased rating of Dermatitis. Shouldn't this be March 1, 2017? That's not a small amount of retroactive dollars. As you are aware, I am at the 12th hour concerning a NOD, should that become necessary. I could see this date of Feb 9, 2018 being the effective date of the bi-lateral radiculopathy. Please advise, should we still submit the NOD for Dermatitis? We could always cancel it if everything looks fair when I received the formal package. FYI, I have seen no change on E-benefits nor Vets.gov." My questions: Am I correct? Can they say they Reopened the Dermatitis claim? My understanding is they cannot Reopen a claim until after a year since the decision. Do you think they are dragging their feet until after May 2 when the year would have passed to save a couple thousand dollars in retro? It feels like a backroom deal between the RO and my VSO I plan to get the NOD in with or without my VSO on Monday May1. If this thing goes south for any reaso, including retribution, do I have a case for a CUE? Ha...This wasn't as brief as I thought it would be. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Sorry Grump, that should have read that now that I'm P&T, I was eligible for Champva. NowvI know you can't have both. And, neither of them can be used as "gap" insurance. Therefore, I think the $140 a month comes out of pocket for part B in every scenario. One can be used as secondary to Medicare. The question us, which one is most beneficial. I have been using Tricare and VA care selectively these past couple of years when I was 80%. This really is confusing.

I was told by Medicare on the phone that you can't have CHAMPVA and TRICARE Prime at the same time. I plan to visit both for a detailed explanation.

I forgot to add that I have SSDI. I believe I'm automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months...this is a little under a year away.

I am turning 65 this year. I have Tricare Prime (retired military) and Champva (100% P&T). How does all this play to my advantage when enrolling into Medicare? Thanks in advance for replies.

Congratulations!

News! My VSO just informed my claims are decided favorably and I am now at 100% P&T. Of course I won't completely rejoice until I get the paperwork. Thanks everyone for your help and support.

The VA must have recently returned from the Christmas holidays. My claims just jumped to Pending Decision Approval also. Either that or you are good luck!

Jacksonville Florida/Philippines Jacksonville is a military concentration area and growing retirement area. Long overlooked because it's just past the Georgia line. It has a VA medical clinic but the hospital is only an hour away in Gainsvile. Very low cost of living relative to most other similar places. If you like water, your surrounded by it, but because of the topography most of the major storms miss and slam into Georgia and the Carolina's. Median houing costs are 200s. It's flat, so not for folks that need some elevations. Late fall, Winter and early Spring is nice...you can dress in layers. The other times are extremely mugging and buggy. There are state benefits for 100% disabled vets.