papahotel58

I did, they put me in touch with one of his constituent, I gave them the privacy act form so they could talk to the VA on my behalf and today I talked to the VA rep in the senators office and he gave me the same answer the VA does, its pending final approval....same old crap, N.C. Senator Richard Burr, thanks for nothing.

I was wounder if this is the norm. Its been over a year now my claim went from the recommended decision to pending decision approval back early June 2016. I live in NC and was told by my DAV rep that my claim is being reviewed in New Jersey. Ive gotten better about checking eben everyday and keeping busy, but its still a painful wait. Can anyone share any advice or self examples of what kinda of wait time Im looking at? The claim is a fully developed claim. Been told so many diffrent things by the VA and DAV that its hard to give them creditability at this time. Currently at 90% recived a letter from DAV they got from the VA stating TDIU from July 2015 - March 2016 then 100% schedular after March, but nothing offical yet. respectfully, Papahotel58

Thanks Gastone, I'm retired military. Nothing on E-bens yet. ...Crossing fingers

Haven't see any Retro pay yet but IU was back dated to July 11 2015 to March 8, 2016 per the DAV than I became 100% scheduler after that date. I'm thinking its gonna be in the 15k range I was 90% prior to this decision. I have direct deposit set up to send an alert for any deposits. I plan to file for the property Tax and life insurance once I get the official word. Just seems to be dragging along, I live in NC and was told that my Claim was now in Baltimore under final review, its been close to 80 days since a decision was made on June 16,2016 now a new decision was made on Aug 19,2016, fearing I'm going to be stuck on a ferris wheel to nowhere fast.

I was notified by my DAV rep back on July 5, 2016 that a decision had been made on my claim on June 16, 2016 and was pending final review and authorization, I haven't hear a word from the VA or seen any changes in ebenifits so I email IRIS/VA for a update since no one at the call center knew any thing and the stories changed each time I called. Below is their response. If you wish to reopen this issue, you may do so within the next 14 days. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Response By Email (Department of Veterans Affairs) (08/29/2016 11:38 AM) Thank you for your inquiry to the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Rating Decision has been completed as of 8/19/2016. A Notification letter will be mailed in the near future to inform you of the rating decision and when to expect your first payment. Now I'm confused, I thought a decision had been made back on June 16th? maybe there were errors and a new decision had to be made? So my question is its been over 80 days since I was informed of a decision and now another decisions has been made will I have to sit through the approval process all over again ? or does this sound like I'm finally going to get that big beautiful yellow envelope? thank you all for being here to help.

Anyone able to shed some light on why my va claim has been stuck in pending decision approval for over 8 weeks? or is this the norm. The DAV gave me the unoffical notice they got posted by the VA back on June 16, 2016 and when I call the 1-800 number I get the standard answer read off a card. Just looking for a little insight, I know that's asking a lot when dealing with the government but its worth a shot. Thanks fellow vets for any support you may have to share.

Thanks brokensoldier244th and Buck52 That's great info and good advice.

Just got off the phone with the VSO at the VA he found what the problem was holding up my decision and told me to expect my package within 10 days and gave me a IRIS number. However I am very concerned with what he told me. The letter he read said, A combined evaluation of 100% plus entitlements to benefits at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability has been assigned as a result of the following actions, Entitlement to individual unemployability is granted effective July 11, 2015 to March 8, 2016. Migraines 30% increased to 50% PTSD 50% (no change) Sleep Apnea 50% (no change) Services connected Radiculopathy left upper 20% Services connected Radiculopathy left upper 20% Degenerative joint Disease 10% increases to 20% Cervical strain 10% (no change) Tinnitus 10% (no change) He also told me there was no mention of 100% disability after March 8, 2016, could this be possible? I did the VA math and was more than 95% what am I missing? Will I have to go through the appeal process now after all this time to prove it all over again? Or am I over thinking this and just need to wait till I get my package from the VA, maybe the 100% rating is hid within the 8 pages...Thoughts?..so stressed...Help me brothers....sisters.

Good evening, I received a letter from the DAV Friday July 8th It stated "This letter is not intended to serve as your official notification from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)." I have been 90% for a year and I applied for IU and was denied after I lost my job July 2015 and haven't been able to work since. It goes on to say: The DAV has reviewed the most recent VA decision concerning your claim for benefits. A combined evaluation of 100 percent plus entitlement to benefits at the 100 percent rate due to individual unemployment has been assigned as a result of the following actions, IU granted July 11, 2015 to March 8, 2016... so its been back dated to when I first applied and was denied .... so Back PAY may be possible? I hope. My DAV rep told me over the phone that after March 8th I will be at the regular 100 percent rate " did not mentioning any P&T " what is regular 100%? and it goes on to show increases from all SC issues. 50% PTSD 50% MIGRAINES 50% SLEEP APN 20% NECK L 20% NECK R 20% BACK 10% TINNITUS 10% SHOULDER L My questions are; 1. How accurate are these DAV letters? 2. Is the letter from the DAV any indication that a VA award letter is any closer to reaching my mail box within the next month? 3. Estimate on how long before I see any back pay or Raise in my current 90% disability pay. if they are going back to July of 2015 it should be in the ball park of 14K + I'm figuring, Thank you all for your help, its been a real struggle but hopefully things will be easier to manage finically and reduce some of the stress on my wife and myself as I continue to battle my own demons. v/r

Thank you Brokensoldier244th I am currently 90% disabled for s/c 50% PTSD, 50% sleep apnea obstructive, 50% migraine headaches, 20% Radiculopathy/L, 20% Radiculopathy/R, 10% cervical strain, 10% tinnitus and 10%, degenerative joint disease, 0% hearing loss, 0% shoulder injury. I was awarded SSDI last year on first attempt for all s/c disabilities, only things not s/c (in VA eyes) was my left knee and hypertension. I am a home owner in NC, so I will have to check on the real state tax, also got a application from the DAV for disabled veteran life insurance to fill out and return. Its says they pay all the premiums for 100% DV, that's a nice perk. I'm also retired military so already getting Tricare and will get Medicare in less than 2 years. I'm 58 yrs old and really cant deal with crowded places or people well, along with my other issues every day is a challenge, I would have love to have continued working. I had a great job that paid $70k now just hoping to work on my bucket list if I can keep my shit together and live long enough to cash in the checks. Trying to get my son on the right path as well, he served 5 years with the 82nd and got wounded in Afghanistan just having a hard time getting him trough the process. Thank you for the encouragement Brokensoldier.

I received a letter from the DAV Friday July 8th "This letter is not intended to serve as your official notification from the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)." I have been 90% for a year and I applied for IU and was denied after I lost my job last July and haven't been able to work since. It goes on to say: The DAV has reviewed the most recent VA decision concerning your claim for benefits. A combined evaluation of 100 percent plus entitlement to benefits at the 100 percent rate due to individual unemployment has been assigned as a result of the following actions, IU granted July 11, 2015 to March 8, 2016. so its been back dated to when I first applied so Back PAY may be possible? I hope. My DAV rep told me over the phone that after March 8th I will be at the regular 100 percent rate" nothing mentioning P&T yet " what is regular 100%? and it goes on to show increases from all SC issues. 50% 50% 50% 20% 20% 20% 10% 10% My questions are; 1. How accurate are these DAV letters? 2. Is the letter from the DAV any indication that a VA award letter is closer to reaching my mail box within the next month? 3. And how long before I see any back pay or Raise in my current disability pay check. Thank you all for your help, its been a real struggle but hopefully things will be easier to manage finically and reduce some of the stress on my wife and myself as I continue to battle my own demons. v/r

I have a question. I am currently 90% disabled for s/c 50% PTSD , 50% sleep apnea, 30% migraine headaches, 10% cervical strain, 10% tinnitus and 10%, degenerative joint disease, 0% hearing loss, 0% shoulder injury. Awarded SSDI last year on first attempt for all s/c disabilities, only things not s/c (in VA eyes) was my left knee and hypertension. How much weight will my SSDI rating mean if anything to the VA? My 50% rating for PTSD will be increasing to 70% per my DAV reps comments taken from my last C&P exam. I haven't worked in 11 months due to my s/c issues and lost my job because of my PTSD problems. However I did receive a letter from my former employer stating reason for dismissal was due to my difficulties working with others and missing work due to s/c disabilities. I sent that to the VA as well. I filed for TDIU last year and was denied. I refilled my claim again in March, including my SSDI, C&P, Letter from employer and letter from VA psychologist. It has now been pending decision approval for about 10 days and back dated to the original date that I was denied last year. My question is, What is the chances I will be approved for TDIU? and if so will I get any back pay? Its stressful enough with just living day to day and this just adds gas to the fire.