Ann Bracey

The last time I was on this site I left with a very bad feeling ( almost an insult). However I am going to ask this one time in hopes for an answer to my question. I did try contacting Chris Attig as well as other sources and never was able to speak to anyone. If there is a way to speak with someone regarding my issue could someone be so kind as to provide me with it?? I think Miss Berta could answer my question but not sure she would want to. I have called the VA 800 number and they knew nothing about what I was asking. Hope i might get some positive kind response today. Thanks, Ann Bracey

VA denied my claim for EED. My grant for SC for cause of death as well as DIC was granted 8 years after husband's death. ( have included this information before). I know the VA Law says with claim reopened the effective date is the date it was reopened. Now I must decide if I should appeal again or file a new claim going back to when my husband first was diagnosed with condition that caused his death. I feel like because he was Veteran served on Koret Air Base on perimeter the date should be 2010 which is date VA recognized these Vets were exposed to AO. Appeal or file new claim is my question. Help??? Ann Bracey

I would like to know how these procedures applicable to administrative appeals could apply to my appeal for EED, if any. Thanks!

I too have lost my brother, Berta, in January. He passed suddenly in VA Community Living Center Bill Hefner Salisbury, NC. He had resided there for 13 years and I was so blessed for his care. All who worked with him loved him so much. As his fiduciary there was a lot to be done and still not completed. I decided to allow attorney to handle his estate to lessen the burden on me. Sorry for your loss. Ann Bracey

Before I file Form 9 I would like as many answers to this as possible. Since I was granted DIC and SC for husband's death, I am after an earlier effective date . I know the effective date of 2012 was made because I reopened with Nexus letter that was not in C-File when husband died in 2010. The letter from doctor had treated my husband from 2006-2007. The first denied claim for SC was made in 2011 and the evidence includes VA Form 21-534 received 2010. After my long awaited hearing in 2017 finally granted DIC and SC for death May 2018 with effective date of 2012 when reopened. Should effective date not be 2010??

I am back. In my SOC it says plainly that VA Form 21-534 dated 2010 under Evidence. Is this not to believe that the effective date of my DIC should be 2010? Where in the M21-1MR manual does it address this? Thanks Ann

Berta, thank you for your sweet reply. Just had to come back and ask you one more thing. I began receiving death benefits in 2010 when Mike passed. Why would effective date go at least back to 2009 or 2010? Thank you!

Well, I feel like I have hit a brick wall..... knowing this is the intent of the VA! This is probably redundant but assuming all here are familiar with redundancy. My entire situation was made more difficult due to my own condition. (Multiple Sclerosis) In 2009 I went to VSO in Rowan County, NC and filed for service connection which was denied 2011 after Mike died 2010. Appealed 2011 decision which was denied in 2012. It took me until December 2017 to get hearing for service connection cause of death. Granted May 2018 cause of death and DIC. No where in C-File was there reference to claim filed in 2009. I want to thank all who have tried to help me and provided me with information. Having 2 brothers who are 100% I had to assist our mother fight VA for both. Had I know what I have learned here the fight may have been easier. Now I am very stressed and tired. I submitted my NOD for EED, received in Janesville, WI. Now, I wait again . Thank you all very much! Ann

Every time I am on this site I forget to ask this question. When my husband was diagnosed with the condition in 2003 and died from 2010, he was totally mentally as well as physically unable to file a VA Claim as well as stay on his job. Had I not inquired and pushed for assistance from the VA it would have never happened! Due to the severity of his illness and inability to do these things would the VA not have taken this into consideration when first denying claim for service connection??? Would really like some replies! Thanks!!

Can anyone provide me with phone contact for this office? Also, fax sent to Janesville, WI and how to find out if it was received? When faxed it said "Yes" received.

The C-File I finally received in 2018 does not include information that was electronically through IRIS back in 2009 ? What information and how far back should information be included in claims file?

Wishing you the best of luck. I tried for years with no results ended up having to spend every dime and more of our hard earned savings.

As spouse receiving DIC can I qualify for Life Insurance through VA? If so, where to look at options? Please don't tell me EBenefits or IRIS I can not even get through the system. Yes, I can log in to EBenefits but that is all I can do. When going through IRIS it always asks for Veteran's zip code and unless heaven has zip code don 't know what to do. Adding that if I say general question it still asks the same. Any help? Thanks Ann Bracey

When my husband was diagnosed with condition that was finally granted SC for cause of death and DIC for me he was so totally and permanently disabled and it was horrible ! He did not have ability to not only so his job much less file claim! Not only did I lose my husband of 38 years, but lost family I had been a part of since Junior High School. Sad how sometimes the most educated can be so "IGNORANT"! Had I not submitted evidence and filed in 2009 nothing would have ever happened. I am so blessed and thankful for what VA granted me but I think effective date should at least go back to 2009 or 2010.

Trying to make myself as clear as I possibly know how. First filed a claim for service connection for husband's condition with a veteran's service officer in Rowan County 2009. Prior to this date electronic submissions through IRIS over and over. My husband died 2010. From 2009, 2010, in 2011 denied SC because he was a Thailand vet. I understand when vet dies claim dies. 2012 filed again 2013 denied for same reason. Filed for SC for cause of death and DIC. It was not until 2017 I finally had hearing and presented new evidence (Nexus). Yes, this letter was not in c-file but there should be documentation in c-file back to 2006 when this doctor treated him until 2007. Hearing December, 2017 granted SC for cause of death and DIC with effective date of 2012. Hoping this will clarify things.

The c-file disc is dated May, 2018 has about 730 pages. I filed for SC with VSO 2009. Husband passed 2010 received denied 2011. C-file states claim or reopened claim 08/23/2010 exact day husband died. Can someone explain why it would say this when I had received nothing saying SC denied until 2011? Can VA reopen claim on day veteran died when there was never notification of denied claim until 2011? Confusing! Also, the 2009 claim filed 2009 never mentioned in claim file. Can you elaborate on this for me? Ann

Also citation # 1828568 file # 246883845

Yes, Angela, I have C-File.

Can an earlier effective date be achieved or proven with C-File evidence? Just May, 2018 I was granted DIC with 3.156 after husband died 2010. I have C-File and information in it shows back to 2003 when he was diagnosed with condition that in 2018 granted SC. Also documentation through IRIS. I have been told different information as to what I should not do by DAV rep stating it could do more harm than good. The effective date now is 2012. Can you help??? Could I get an explanation as to how Title 38 3.22 could affect DIC effective date?? I feel this may apply to me. Service connection for death as well as DIC awarded May, 2018. Hearing was in Dec. 2017 with 3.156. I have not passed the year for disagreement of effective date..

Why would a DAV service officer send me a letter saying earlier effective date denied when I have not even filed my NOD as of yet?? I thought I have a year from May 2018 to file NOD if I disagree with the effective date. C-file clearly shows information beginning in 2003 when diagnosis of illness that led to death in 2010. Electronic submissions are numerous, private facilities, doctors, congressional inquires, as well as formal claim in 2009, and VA medical evaluations, and death in VA Hospice. My husband was unable to file claim because of his disability and mental status that caused IU . I did it all. Now, is it too late for me to file NOD for earlier date??

Can an earlier effective date be achieved or proven with C-File evidence? Just May, 2018 I was granted DIC with 3.156 after husband died 2010. I have C-File and information in it shows back to 2003 when he was diagnosed with condition that in 2018 granted SC. Also documentation through IRIS. I have been told different information as to what I should not do by DAV rep stating it could do more harm than good. The effective date now is 2012. Can you help???