[RAMP WORKS]

I opted into RAMP and my claim has been settled - 100% P&T - 8 years of back pay (which helped me pay off a lot of debt accrued during the wait) - RAMP claim settled within 90 Days! I'm still trying to process this miricle!

They even settled out a new secondary claim that I filed for GERD and Barretts Esophegus in about 90 days. It pays to file a completed claim.

[100% P&t For Ptsd And Voc Rehab]

Marinesniper,

I know this post is old but after reading all of it I'm wondering how you and your family are doing?

Semper Fi Brother

[Opting Into RAMP & "The Process"]

My original claim was filed April 2011, Award was made July 2013, NOD filed May 2014, SOC received June 2015, BVA Hearing was held July 2017 resulting in Remand with a BVA Grant.

It's now been 17 months since my BVA Hearing and the Remand and nothing has changed on EBenefits.  I recently met with my VSO to discuss the RAMP Program.  The VSO told me that I should Opt into the RAMP and I took the advice.  The reasoning was that this is a "Pilot Program" with a goal of 125 days and that once everyone else goes into the RAMP Program, when it becomes law (Feb 2019?), there is no gaurantees that the 125 day goal will still be in place.

My question is what happens after you Opt in?  When does the 125 day process start?  How can you confirm that you are in the RAMP system?

Thanks

[RAMP DEVELOPMENT]

Any updates?

[To RAMP or NOT TO RAMP]

2 hours ago, broncovet said:

"I need more info to advise..."

My original claim was filed April 2011, Award was made July 2013, NOD filed May 2014, SOC received June 2015, BVA Hearing was held July 2017 resulting in Remand with BVA Grant. 

 

[To RAMP or NOT TO RAMP]

I had my Travel Board BVA Hearing July 2017.  I was awarded service connection for cervical disabilities and my case was remanded back to the RO.  By November 2017 I had a C&P cervical exam and my benefits increased from 60% to 90%.  Everything else that was Remanded (hearing, cancer, PTSD) has just been sitting there for over a year, including IU.

I'll be filing two more claims next week that are secondary to the above service connected disabilities with an active intent to file dated 1/25/2018. I have supporting doctors letters.

I've received numerous letters from the VA to sign up for the RAMP Program.

I was represented by the DVA but they have been unresponsive (won't return phone calls or emails) so I'm going to a County VSO to file my new claims.

Should I hold tight or op into the RAMP Program?

Thanks

[Nexus Letter to support secondary disability]

9 hours ago, pwrslm said:

I found that getting a nexus letter from a VA Doc is like yanking a leg off and donating to the red cross. Pointless and ineffective!!

I do seem to have good results getting them to list the etiology of my condition, including the cause, in my medical file. Just get him to attribute the pain meds that you use for your SC condition to the GERD/BE and its just as good as a nexus.

Your lay statements are sufficient to document that you take the OTC meds for your SC condition. Your Doc doesnt need to say that. You are competent to make that point.

The doctor that is treating me and diagnosed my GERD and Barrett's Esophagus is not a VA doctor.

2 hours ago, Gastone said:

VA Dr's are required by VA Reg to complete an Issue Specific DBQ at or near the time of the Vet's Request. The only exception to this rule is for MH & PTSD DBQs. MH Psychiatrists/Psychologists are required to hand off the DBQ Request to a MH  Clinician that is not involved with the respective Vet.

Realistically, not all VA Drs are going to comply initially with the Vet's request for the specific DBQ. That's when the Vet pulls out a copy of the VA DBQ Directive and if need be, request Mast with the Department Head.        When any VMC Clinician Denies a Vet's legitimate request for any service, the Vet must push back by requesting politely, yet firmly, to see the Dept Head and/or requesting a copy of the VA Reg supporting the Clinician's Denial/Refusal of the Service requested.

The doctor that is treating me and diagnosed my GERD and Barrett's Esophagus is not a VA doctor.

[Nexus Letter to support secondary disability]

I have chronic pain caused from a service connected disability that has been rated.  I have treated this pain with otc pain meds for many years. I was recently diagnosed with GERD and Barrett's Esophagus that was caused from the otc pain meds.

I currently have a 90% total disability rating. I want to file a claim for this secondary condition.  I am going to ask the gastrointestinal doctor that diagnosed me to write a nexus letter,. Does his letter need to say that he reviewed all of my military records or is it good enough that he just acknowledges that I have chronic pain and taking otc pain meds more likely than not caused my Gerd and Barrett's Esophagus?

Thank you

[Entitlement to Service Connection for Neck Disability]

Thanks for the help.  I'll have to find my 2013 C&P exam from my 2011 claim. Maybe that will give me a better guess.

[Entitlement to Service Connection for Neck Disability]

I just found out that the Veterans' Law Judge awarded me Entitlement to Service Connection for my Neck Disability.

Can anyone give me an idea on what my disability rating might be? According to my notice from the BVA it states Evidence received...demonstrates diagnoses of cervicalgia, spondylosis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and facet arthropathy of the cervical spine.  I've been in chronic pain for years.  I've been service connected for PTSD 50% and Tinnitus 10% - currently 60% total.  My PTSD aggravates my neck pain and stiffness from tension.

I was also awarded service connection for multiple skin cancers including melanoma.  But at this time I do not have any that I am aware of.  My thoughts are even though I'm service connected I will not get any compensation at this time.

Thanks for the help.

Vietnam Combat Marine 1970-71