SangreJoven

Hello, I just wanted to share a new Facebook group I created. The purpose of this group is simple. We want to provide veterans with assistance in filing their claims, and answering questions regarding veteran benefits. Our group is administrated solely by accredited individuals who have all worked at either the Veteran Benefits Administration or Social Security Administration in some capacity. We have Veteran Service Representatives (VSRs), Rating Veteran Service Representatives (RVSRs), Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), and even some Claims Representatives (CRs) from the Social Security Administration. Every admin is here to help, but please understand that we are all doing this on our own time at absolutely zero cost to you. Please feel free to reach out to any of our admins directly via private message if you have a question that you are not comfortable discussing openly on the group, or if you simply just prefer that manner of communication. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1721462284563314/

Sorry to hear that your husband is getting the run around. Fortunately the C&P exam is pretty cut and dry. I remember when I went through my mental health C&P. The examiner didn’t really want to hear anything from me other than the answers to their questions. They didn’t want me to elaborate on anything, or go into specific details. They just asked me a battery of questions, and then it was all over in about 10-15 minutes. Apparently, they get whatever they need directly from those questions, though, because the rated me at 50% for my anxiety. Hopefully your husband has a similar experience.

Will do. Thanks!

Very true. :) The other thing I wasn’t sure of is that I had started a claim back in July to save my date of claim because I plan on filing a new claim soon. If I submit a claim for convalescence temp 100% would that mess up my date of claim?

I'm scheduled on November 20, 2017 for a reoccurring left inguinal hernia repair surgery. I'm already service connected for a left inguinal hernia, so would I be able to apply for temp 100% for the convalescent period while I heal (around 4-6 weeks). I looked at 38 CFR 4.30, and it sounds like I can. I've never had a surgery for something I'm service connected for, so I was just curious if it even qualified. Thanks!

Since your husband was directly engaged in combat he should have been awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, or some other form of commendation for it. This is the breakdown of recognized combat decorations right from the M21-1MR. If your husband has any of these decorations, be sure to inform the VA about it. If he has one, the VA will order a PTSD exam based on that alone because it's considered definitive "proof of combat." https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwit7_yz06DXAhWMTCYKHbtiDfoQFggpMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.benefits.va.gov%2Fwarms%2Fdocs%2Fadmin21%2Fm21_1%2Fmr%2Fpart4%2Fsubptii%2Fch01%2Fch01_secd.doc&usg=AOvVaw2cTyz2ngnxWPgmf4q1DXnP When a Veteran has received any of the combat decorations listed below, VA will presume that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy, unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary: · Air Force Achievement Medal with “V” Device · Air Force Combat Action Medal · Air Force Commendation Medal with “V” Device · Air Force Cross · Air Medal with “V” Device · Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device · Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device · Combat Action Badge · Combat Action Ribbon (Note: Prior to February 1969, the Navy Achievement Medal with “V” Device was awarded.) · Combat Aircrew Insignia · Combat Infantry/Infantryman Badge · Combat Medical Badge · Distinguished Flying Cross · Distinguished Service Cross · Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” Device · Medal of Honor · Navy Commendation Medal with “V” Device · Navy Cross · Purple Heart, and/or · Silver Star. Important: · Receipt of one of the decorations cited above is not the only acceptable evidence of engagement in combat. · If a Veteran received a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Iraq Campaign Medal, but not one of the combat decorations cited above, develop for the claimed stressor as shown in M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.D.14. Receipt of these campaign medals alone does not generally indicate engagement in combat.

Truthfully, I wouldn't worry about it until you physically have the paper copy of their decision in you hands. Ebenefits is notoriously bad at keeping track of veteran claim status, and often leads to more misinformation than anything else. Just be patient. You've already waited this long. :)

Are any of these conditions listed in your service records? If not, do you have any conditions in your service record that would be connected to them? Are you a Gulf War vet? If so, that may give you a little leeway going for chronic presumptives, but it's not usually an easy route.

Hello there! I used to work at the VA as a veteran service rep, so I wanted to try an help make your claim process a little easier. :) Do you have an eBenefits account and a MyHealtheVet account? If not, I'd recommend getting both. You can file for VA benefits via eBenefits online, and, with MyHealtheVet, you can view any and all medical records and lab reports you've had done at any VAMC. It comes in VERY handy when filing for benefits. From what you said in your post, I'd recommend claiming the following conditions. Bilateral knee pain Bilateral ankle pain Back pain Sinusitis Headaches (secondary to sinusitis) Anxiety (secondary to bilateral ankle pain) Note: Explain how you were separated for a PT failure, and how this condition not only ended your military career, but it has caused you undue stress at work and home because you aren't able to complete daily tasks without it causing pain. The more information about how this condition affects your life in a negative manner the better. Here's the rating criteria for both Sinusitis and Rhinitis. Claim the one that best matches what's in your military records, and then claim headaches as a secondary condition to it. 6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic. General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC’s 6510 through 6514): Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries...50% Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting...30% One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting...10% Detected by X-ray only...0% Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician. 6522 Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis: With polyps...30% Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side...10% It's also a good idea to scan any and all documents regarding each condition into a PDF file, and upload them with your claim. I hope this helps get you started! Please let me know if you need any help!

Thanks for the reply! :) Yeah, I've got all of my military records, but I was never diagnosed with CFS. I've got an appointment on August 22nd to go over my sleep study results, so I planned on bringing up CFS then.

Hello fellow vets! I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea (the VA considered as mild), but they also said that my Epworth Sleepiness score was higher than expected. I'm always tired, and I have trouble staying awake whenever I'm sitting down for long periods of time. It's also made driving long distances a dicey venture as well because I've fallen asleep behind the wheel on multiple occasions. Does this sound like it could be CFS? I'm a Gulf War vet, so I know I could claim it as a chronic presumptive, but it looks like the VA is denying more Gulf War claims than granting them. I was wondering if I would be better off claiming CFS as a secondary to my sleep apnea or possibly my GAD? Im not service connected for sleep apnea yet either, but I plan on claiming it secondary to my GERD so it shouldnt be an issue. Thanks for any help! :D Here is the quote from the VA's sleep study findings: "Of note, the degree of daytime sleepiness (ESS 18/24), appears out of proportion to the severity of sleep disordered breathing. After adequate treatment of OSA, daytime sleepiness should be reassessed to ensure improvement of symptoms."