Avi8tor66

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help!

Good morning! I am posting this question for my husband who is now unable to type due to the tremors in his hands. He was stationed on JI 1975-76 and his exposure is due to the AO that was stored there (the metal drums stored on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean….salt water and metal drums…= leaking barrels). Parkinson disease is now on the presumptive list so I will be filing to add this to his VA disability. He is already rated at 80% (I did his filing by myself with so much help I received on these forums)! We visited our local VSO and he was very overworked and didn’t offer much info for the initial filing..so I took it on myself and we were successful the first filing….due to all of the info and help I received on the forums. The question I have now is… 1. I read that there is an automatic 30% given for PD under proven AO exposure and that then they look at the extra (lack of better word here) physical issues PD causes. He has extreme tremors in both hands (affects handwriting, typing, etc), shuffling and dragging of both feet/legs, Restless legs, excessive drooling, gastro issues, heart arrhythmia and high BP (which after months has finally under control with multiple meds and Clonidine for emergency episodes that he has to carry in his pocket. The Hypertension and arrhythmia started early last year as the PD progressed. When I file to claim the PD HOW do I or CAN I, add these extra issues which are secondary to his PD? Under the presumptive for AO from what I read there is simply a form to fill out along with Dr’s diagnosis. Therefore, my question as to the best way to file? As his PD progresses (he’s showing more and more cognitive changes) and I worry so much about PD Dementia or Lewis body dementia which exposure to toxic chemicals cause. He is not handling the diagnosis of PD very well…he’s withdrawn and it breaks my heart! And I am very angry that he and many others were sent to an area that was contaminated with so many toxins! None of the issues above have been addressed with the VA yet. Any ideas, suggestions and help are so appreciated! Thanks so much for your time! Blessings to each of you, EJ

I have a question concerning backpay. Background info... i am retired with 21 years service. I just received my first VA check today (reg monthly amount) for my 80% disability. It was for 1 month. My question is where does the backpay come from? I know when you are retired they have to do an audit, and since I am qualified to receive all my retirement pay because I have over 50% disability, and if I understand correctly, I should receive the full monthly VA amount from my filing date. I just don’t know where/who the backpay will come from, and also any idea as to how long it usually takes for the backpay to arrive? It’s been 3 months since approval, and the backpay would be for 6 months. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Good morning! I had a couple items of my original claimed that had been deferred with an estimate complete date in February. I know ebenefits has changed recently, but was told the “disability” tab still worked, sort of a backdoorinto your claim, so I looked at ebennies today and it shows an increase in my disability percentage, (yes!) but the status shows under review. There was an item that was rated “not service connected” and one that was, but it was given a (0%] rating. The other was SC, and rated. A couple of days ago the status was “ pending decision approval” and then today I found the updated % rating, but the status now says, “review of evidence”. I don’t want to get my hopes up, and wonder if possibly the item/s that were rated not SC and SC but 0% are possibly being reviewed? Obviously someone has updated my percentage, which is great, I just pray it’s correct! I looked under the letters option, and found a letter with the new rating listed. The VA.gov site is not as up to date on the claim status. Anyone have any idea what may be going on? Thanks for any help in understanding this process.

Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate it!

Good morning! I have searched (and my wife has too) and just don’t totally understand the CRSC and if it would be advantageous for me? I am retired AF with 20 years and a few months. My disabilities are all combat related, and I am currently rated at 60%. My retirement pay is not deducted from the VA benefits, so this is where I need clarification. I am thinking that because I receive my full VA amount and my full retirement pay separately, (my retirement pay is not decreased) that I am not eligible to apply for the CRSC, is this correct? I have a spouse and no dependent children. My confusion is that I have read some vets posts that are 100% disabled and are receiving all of their VA and also receive CRSC. If you are over 50% your retirement not reduced, so I am wondering why/how the CRSC? Would someone please explain? I don’t want to miss a tax free opportunity if I am eligible for it. Thanks!

Thanks! I’ll post soon as I know something.

Thanks for your response. I did file as secondary. Had my C& P and the NP said she had not and didn’t review my records or completed DBQ while I was with her. She just asked me some questions as she was typing into the computer. I’m hoping she reviewed them after I left or will before she submits her report. My sleep study was ordered by my PCP, as I have never used the VA doctors as yet. I do not live near a VA clinic so I use my personal Dr and he refers me to specialist, etc as needed. My CPAP was prescribed by an MD specializing in sleep issues, along with Klonopin nightly. I’m a little confused as to the not having reviewed my records, exams, etc...maybe that’s normal for some Dr’s? Maybe they do that after the patient leaves? Thanks for any input!

Thank you for your response. Yes, the VA has an electronic copy of my records, sleep study, DBQ, etc.

Yes I did claim Amy OSA as secondary to PTSD. I did do a sleep study (not through VA) and have a completed DBQ. The VA has the copies of everything. I just got back from my C&P exam with VES, and the NP was nice, asked me some questions, had not and did not look at any of my records, sleep study, etc. She said the VA has them. Should I be concerned that she hadn’t and didn’t review my records? My wife said perhaps she was gonna look at my records later, prior to sending in her report to the VA. Any input, etc is appreciated! Thanks!

I have a claim in for sleep apnea and I had a complete sleep study 9 months ago. My claim was filed complete with the sleep study records and a completed DBQ. My study was not done with the VA, my PCP set it up with a local sleep clinic at the hospital. I have a diagnosis of moderate OSA (Cpap needed) with occasional central episodes, RBD ( acting out your dreams) and PLMD/RLS. The VA contractor (VES) called to set up an appt. and they did not have a copy of my sleep study or medical records mentioned above. The VA has the records so I am confused...is this appt to set up another sleep study? Or possibly to have the NP doing the exam review the DBQ and offer a Nexus? I am hoping I do not have to do a sleep study again...I have SC PTSD and sleeping is very difficult for me anyway, much less in a hospital setting, strange surroundings, etc. My question is has anyone had to have an additional C&P exam (sleep study) when the one they had before was only a few months before? Also when there was a completed DBQ submitted along with the study notes and records that documents the diagnosis? Any help is appreciated!