John Royal

Vync, Thanks for the very helpful information! JR

Any other Brother's and Sisters out there experiencing this?

Thanks Vync! I have not been taking any medications (yet), as I just got diagnosed. I do take Motrin from time to time, but not on a frequent basis. My wife and I both agree that I started having this Reflux issues about a year after I started using a CPAP Machine. I will definitely check with PCM to see if it could be a secondary condition that is related to and/or onset due to Sleep Apnea. I will also be discussing the possibility of the use of Motrin as it relates the Reflux, which is something he prescribed for other SC related conditions. JR

Greetings, Looking for guidance on whether I should file a Secondary Claim for GERD due to its possible connection to my SC Sleep Apnea. The information below is taken from VA Medical Record PCM notes.VA Medical Patient consumed the effervescent granules for esophageal distention. Patient subsequently consumed thick barium material. There is no focal stricture, discrete ulceration, or mass effect on the esophagus. Normal transit of contrast through the lower esophageal sphincter. There was however low-grade reflux in the lower third of the esophagus. Small hiatal hernia. Any guidance is most greatly appreciated! JR

Good morning Brother's and Sister's, I stumbled across this website a few months ago and as of this week we will have benefited from using this program three times. Since joining this Program, we have seen Boston & Joann Jet (2 Tickets - $14.97) , Matchbox Twenty & Counting Crows (4 Tickets - $14.97) and will be seeing the Goo Goo Dolls (4 Tickets - $14.97) tomorrow night. The price for all of these concerts (Reserved Seats) was a Will Call Delivery Fee and all of the prices combined were less than we would normally pay for one Reserved Seat. You can also get tickets to other events, not just concerts. If you are so inclined, use my referral link below (you don't have to use my link), get vetted and benefit from prices that will blow your mind and then you can actually afford buying food and beverages at the event! https://www.vettix.org/ref/339066 JR

Transferred my benefits to her that is...

Buck, I have transferred and she is using the benefits. I appreciate your taking the time to assist! JR

Buck, Just to clarify, she is receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits. The issue we are fighting is the not be able to get in-state tuition because of the her not using the benefits within three years of me retiring. The law came out in 2014 and that is the start date. Definitely going to elevate this to the appropriate levels to ensure that it gets visibility! JR

Hi Buck, My daughter is currently using my benefits at ECU in North Carolina, but due to retiring in Virginia in 2011, she unable to get in-state tuition for NC based upon she did not start using my benefits three years after I retired, which is before the law changed. Once would think they would Grandfather dependents of those who retired before the law was in effect. The three year rule is the sticking point and the even though the VA says that an IHL can grant in-state tuition, the school will not budge and I may need to take this up with my Representative in Congress, as well as file a petition with the White House. The information below is taken directly from the VA's website and note that the last paragraph addresses the IHL having the right to grant in-state tuition regardless of the VAs requirements. Section 417 of Public Law 114-315 requires VA to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty at public Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) if the school charges qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2017. To remain approved for VA’s GI Bill programs, schools must charge in-state tuition and fee amounts to “covered individuals.” A covered individual is defined as: A Veteran who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. An individual using transferred benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code. Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty. Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence). The in-state tuition provisions in Section 417 do not apply to those individuals on active duty using benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty. Public IHLs must offer in-state tuition and fees to all covered individuals with Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB - AD) benefits in order for programs to remain approved for GI Bill benefits for terms beginning after July 1, 2017. After July 1, 2017, VA will not issue payments for any students eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the MGIB-AD until the school becomes fully compliant. These requirements ensure our nation’s recently discharged Veterans, and their eligible family members, will not bear the cost of out-of-state charges while using their well-deserved education benefits. It depends on your school's policy and rules: By law, schools are allowed to have additional requirements that must be met in order for a “covered individual” to be charged the resident rate for tuition and fees. Also, some schools grant the resident rates to students with military connections (current or former member of the Armed Forces, or dependents of current or former members of the Armed Forces) regardless of whether they are “covered individuals.” JR

Anybody out there?

Good morning, Do any of my fellow Veterans and/or retirees know if the Forever GI Bill will address/change the requirement of enrolling in college and getting in-state tuition for a dependent who is using the Post-9/11 GI Bill in a different state within 3 years of the veteran retiring? The reason for asking is, I retired in 2011 (3 years before the Choice Act was passed into law), and my daughter is just starting college this month. JR

Thanks Berta!

Happy to report that my claim was approved and I am now at 70%. I want to thank all of my Brother's and Sister's for their insightful advice and guidance!!! JR

Just logged into eBenefits and my status has changed to Pending Decision Approval with a end date of today. I was thinking of calling the VA to see if they have more updated information, as eBenefits normally lags behind as far as status. Does anyone think this is a good idea?

Updated information on eBenefits now reflects Preparation for Decision. Keeping my fingers crossed that the decision will be soon and favorable!

Good evening Brother's and Sister's, I inquired with the VA on the status of my reopened claim today, as eBenefits says more documentation was needed. I inquired with the VA and they advised that it is back with the VARO in Roanoke Virginia and no other information is needed. I know there is a lag between Ebenefits, the VA and VAROs. I asked the VA Rep if he thought it would be prudent for me to use the eBenefits site to request the VA to make a decision and he said based on his experience that I should. Has anyone used this option in eBenefits before? If so, what was your outcome? JR

My scenario is the same as yours and I am in round 1 and hope that it only takes one round!

Just contacted my local Congressman and hopeful that I will get the same response, as my wait time is between 08/20/2018 - 03/14/2020.

I logged in to eBenefits and the Estimated Completion is: 08/20/2018 - 03/14/2020. It looks like it is time to go directly to the Secretary.

I faxed my 3288 in 2 days ago and got a confirmation that it was received. I will give them a month and then it straight to Ms. Wentzel after that!

Good evening 63Charlie, Did you submit a VA Form 3288 to the VA before contacting him directly? If you did go straight to him, did you submit the form to him of just an email. JR

I will be visiting the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) soon to have some of my previous conditions re-evaluated for increase due to many of the posts that I have read here. I spoke to them and they said they have access to some (I hope all) rating decisions, which I am hoping is my actual C-File. If that is the case and we are able to discern that the VA missed the evidence of OSA in my SMR, should I resubmit the evidence under 38CFR 3.156? If so, would the VA then go back to the date I first applied? Dependent on the advise of those who have experience, I need guidance on how to proceed based on the following information, as I will be discussing this when I meet with the VA DVS. I had surgery for a Meniscus tear to my right knee while on AD (they also removed Arthritis). The VA SC'd me at 0%, but classified it as Degenerative Joint Disease (claimed as Chronic Aches). What is the best way to address this issue? JR

I do have a copy of my SMR with a DX of mild OSA. The C-File is actually in Wisconsin and I am not sure why. I plan on calling the VARO office in Roanoke to see if I can find a MFIC that will be able to put me in touch with a VSO rep to talk to. Thank brother, JR

I was thinking about the acronyms on that level, but after your reply I am ROTFLMBO....