EODCMC

Buck, I'll start with the last question first...I'm fairly happy more content. Did WWP treat you like a disabled veteran? & explain the claims process ? Yes, they refer me as alumni and offer benefits above and beyond most orgs...I think. I believe the claims process is similar to the rest. They spent a great deal of time pouring over my record, deciphering the handwriting and offering suggestions. The well known org that I went with first wouldn't even return my communications...and I was a member for 40 years. Did they file all your correct forms and tell you the reasons why? Yes, they filed correctly and explained their logic. Did they charge you for any service they did for you? or and % from your awards? Absolutely free of charge Did they keep you informed of any changes during your claims process? before they actually filed.? Yes and yes Like any of these orgs, the more that you can help them the better the input. If you are putting everything in their hands and not willing to be involved in research and all aspects, you will be disappointed with the results. They encouraged my input, research and logic. The biggest advantage is that they see more than I can. They can actually see when the next milestone is. There is an actual date that the VSR or rater is going to dust off your claim. This is probably why communications are sometimes spotty with the VSO. That said, I'm painting with broad strokes. It's still like being a student in a class of 100 instead of 5. I get more info here and I use it to press my WWP rep. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" when it's respectfully squeaky.

The only snag or delay would be if you are retired military and are currently CRDP or applying for it. If so, they will have to conduct an audit at the VA and DFAS first. This can take a couple of months.

I switched my VSO from ??? to WWP. My new VSO at WWP sent me a document to sign, I scanned it and sent it back via e-mail. Voila! It was done.

Yea Vync...I suppose E-ben is better than the alternative, which is a vortex. I wonder if some of these raters get some sort of sadistic pleasure and use the system to drive us batty. Ha...like me! Hmmm...would this be a stressor?

Interestingly, this moved from Under Review to Preparation for Decision today. Perhaps the raters are ghosting this site? J/K

Ideas anyone? · Claim #1 Musculoskeletal o 09/28/2017, Claim Opened o 01/25/2018, Claim Closed · Claim #2 Skin Condition o 11/02/2017, Claim Opened o 11/06/2017, Claim Closed (Combined with Claim #1) · Decision Letter of Jan 26 2018 o Denial for Claim #1 o Claim #2 it states “ A decision on entitlement to compensation for Skin Condition is deferred” o I had a QTC C&P exam for this on 02/01/2018 · From that point on I had no visibility of Claim #2. On e-benefits it indicated closed but I was never given a decision. I visited the VA and they said it was odd and a mistake had been made. They suggested that I submit a 21-4138 requesting they continue the claim. I did this on 02/09/2018 · The following day it went up on E-benefits as a REOPEN, UNDER REVIEW, Estimated Completion 11/12/2018 – 10/30/2019 It should never have closed to require reopening. It still just sits there with the same estimated timeline. I’ve never had a timeline that went out that far nor sit Under Review this long. Any suggestions?

I live in the San Diego area. It took a week to receive the disk in the mail, once I saw it completed on e-benefits.

I would go up the chain of command in the hospital...the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I hope they give folks something to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Even mild daily doses can be awful going cold turkey.

Sounds like they are throwing out the baby with the bath water, with their growing concerns of opiate addiction. Good luck; I wish you well.

Please see attached. How-Do-I-Appeal-Booklet--508Compliance.pdf

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...but I believe you can explain why you missed it and request your neurology appointment using VA Form 21-4138 and receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case after your local VA office reviews that evidence.

The technician's congenital opinion does not carry the weight of an MD. The VA will probably not make an assumption that this pre-dated your service entry date...especially considering no anomalies were found during your entry exam. I would stay the course; however, they may push it to an appeal.

TINNITUS (claimed as 2nd to L knee osteoarthritis) (Secondary) That's a stretch.

Thanks Berta! Yes, they weighed the Fast Letter heavily in their decision; that and one threshold shift. According to them, my hearing loss isn't great enough to warrant higher than 0% . The Tinnitus was almost a given, once they service connected me for bilateral hearing loss; however slight. Thanks to you and Buck for guidance concerning the IME for my cervical issues. I will pass this along to the Dr's that are evaluating me as I write this. One doctor who has already reviewed the evidence feels that the C&P examiner was running away from the preponderance of evidence that supports my claim. She also found a significant diagnosis in my SMR of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome that she is incredulous they didn't even consider! Hopefully, this will support what I already know to be the truth. Thanks again for your help...you folks are saints, in my eyes.

Thanks again Buck. You are the best!

Buck, thanks for your help. This is exactly what I need. I will organize my thoughts and post the redacted denial here shortly. Hopefully, it will help someone in a similar situation. Additionally, the NOD that I submitted for hearing came back in my favor; 10% Tinnitus and 0% for bilateral hearing loss. I will find time to share this also.

Hi All, I am submitting a NOD for a disability claim that was denied. I know 2 doctors that are willing to look at my record(s) and submit an opinion. They are not a referral and have never submitted an opinion to the VA. Is there a template or can anyone point me in the right direction to ensure they hit the key salient points? Thanks in advance!

The following was recently sent by the VA Medical Center concerning my NOD for Hearing Loss and Tinnitis. This was at the request of the Regional Office Director. I'm expecting a SOC anytime now concerning my NOD: TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE CONNECTION ] a. The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event or illness. c. Rationale: Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) incurred in or caused by hazardous noise exposure during military service. Rationale: DD 214 form reveals that the Veteran had a MOS of Boatswains Mate, which has a high probability of hazardous noise exposure. Thresholds at 6kHz were not tested at enlistment exam on 9/26/72. Hearing loss existed at 6kHz bilaterally at transfer exam on 12/1/00. In the notes section at this exam (dated 12/1/00) the physician notes threshold shifts at 6kHz in the right ear and 4kHz in the left ear. A positive clinically significant threshold shift did occur at 4kHz in the left ear when comparing audiometric evaluation completed in 2000 to audiometric evaluation completed in 1972. This positive , XXXX CONFIDENTIAL Page 9 of 25 clinically significant threshold shift provides objectively verifiable evidence of possible noise injury during this time period. In addition, there is no way to prove stable hearing at 6kHz during service as this threshold was not listed on enlistment exam for either ear. Hearing loss does exist at 6kHz in both ears in 2000, which may be related to noise exposure as there is no objective evidence to the contrary. The Veteran has a diagnosis of clinical hearing loss, and his tinnitus is at least as likely as not (50% probability or greater) a symptom associated with the hearing loss, as tinnitus is known to be a symptom associated with hearing loss.

I believe a threshold shift of 40db is the minimum and they will only accept up to yjr 4000 level.

Ha...than I want a raise!

I must be computer challenged. I am able to update the field "Military Rank" but not the one that indicates I was an E-5 2nd Class Petty Officer. Not that this is bad or demeaning...it's just conflicting and incorrect.

Thanks.

Did you already have a claim in the hopper before you filed the new one? If so, they close the new one and wrap it in with the existing claim.

If your husband is retired military and receives a military pension, they have to do 2 audits first. The VA sends a request to Cleveland before issuing payments. This wait, typically 2-3 months slows down retro, but does not impede your monthly checks. They should start the month following the award.