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Yea that's weird. So I filled out a VA Form 10182 (maybe it was the wrong form). But the only option to check says "Hearing with Veterans Law Judge: I want a Board Hearing and the opportunity to submit additional evidence in support of my appeal that I will provide 90 days after my hearing" It doesn't have a place to specify anything further. Did I fill out the wrong form?

Hi everyone, I had questions about my BVA appeal. I was denied my higher level review so I opted to keep moving forward with a BVA review. When filling out the appeal I selected the in-person or video conference option. VA.gov shows I am waiting for my video conference date. However I am local to Washington DC and would like to actually go in person in front of the judge. How do I go about selecting that option? Do they just look at where you are located and pick an appropriate option? During the process it never specifically asked if I wanted in-person or video. I appreciate any info anyone can provide. Thanks

So if you look at the example at the bottom about sleep apnea it says it would not fall under that code of presumptive because it is a known diagnosable condition. It had a name and we know what it is. Similar to skin cancer. They already know what I have and it has a name and it’s own category. I think the skin conditions they’re referring to under GW means just random skin things that they don’t know what it is but have to rate it somehow. That how I read that part anyways. Ugh. Why do they have to make this so confusing. I can’t believe I can’t get a lawyer to speak with me. I’ve even offered to pay out of pocket and I can’t get a reply.

So I’ve already been denied for the initial claim and the higher level review. I just submitted for a BVA board review but now I’m realizing that this GW may help my situation. So just to clarify you’re saying basal cell carcinoma skin cancer should fall under GW presumptive even though it is a diagnosed condition vs the undiagnosable term? also do I need to specify at any point for them to look at it as presumptive or are they supposed to do it automatically. Basically how do I get them to look at it from a GW perspective. thanks

Hi Everyone, I've got a quick question about Gulf War Syndrome. I just recently found out that the Gulf War syndrome applies to veterans of OIF/OEF, not just Operation Desert Shield/Storm. So I am 36 years old and am up to 11 Skin cancer spots and counting. The definition for GW presumptive conditions states "undiagnosed illnesses" to include skin conditions. So my question is would Basal cell carcinoma cancer count as "undiagnosed" since technically it is diagnosed as such? Or are they only referring to skin conditions that they don't know exactly what they are? Thanks for the help

Thanks for the input. Have you ever seen that term before under the issues tab? I can't really tell if its good or bad. kind of depending on how you read it i guess

Hi everyone, So my appeal was closed on July 15. I haven't received my letter yet but under the issues tab on va.gov, where it used to say the items i was appealing, it now says "compensation issue." Is that normally what it says just when they close the review? Has anyone seen any other terminology in that section? Thanks for your input.

got it thanks. So I guess there's still hope of an award. I'll just wait for my letter.

Hi everyone, My Higher Level Review was completed last week. When my initial claim was completed ebenefits updated my "disabilities" section long before I got my decision letter. Does anyone know if the same is true for the HLR? Basically if the decision was reversed should it be already showing in eBenefits? Because it doesn't even show anything about my appeal anywhere on ebenefits. Thanks

Hi everyone, I about to submit for my appeal and I spoke with a law firm yesterday about representation. They are going to look over my letter and decide if they want to take the case. My question is, is it even worth using one at this point? I think I want to just do the higher level review so what would a lawyer actually be doing other than submitting the form and maybe participating on the conference call with the reviewer. I'm not sure at this point that would be worth giving up 30% of my award. What do you guys think? Thanks

yea. It seems as though if they don't have a clear cut "incident" in your service medical records they can't piece anything together. It's like, how do you prove exposure over years worth of time? They just want a one shot injury that you went to sick call for.

Yea i'm definitely going to appeal. I have my nexus letter from a well renowned surgeon who actually worked at Walter Reed for 5 years. I feel like the rater just completely missed the point I'm trying to make. If I can have the conference call with the "Higher level review" I think it can get cleared up.

Here is the excerpt from the denial letter. A brief back story....So I had 4 cancerous tumors removed from my head and face leaving significant scars. I'm 35 yrs old. Obviously Skin cancer takes time to develop. I provided a nexus letter with specific examples of extreme and prolonged sun exposure during deployments. My face has nothing to do with my back. This was there response. "On your recent VA examination, the examiner opined that the claimed condition was less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness. The following rationale was provided: Upon review of the medical history and service treatment records, the moles noted during the veteran’s active service in 2005 were located on his back and were noted benign at that time. The veteran was diagnosed with skin cancer of the face in March 2018. The malignant moles that were diagnosed as cancer in 2018 were located on the veterans face and not on any moles on the veterans back. There is no documentation in the veteran’s medical records regarding further development of pathology regarding the moles on the veterans back noted during service in 2005. Therefore, a nexus has not been established. The claimed condition was less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service moles "

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the great info on here. I recently go my denial letter for skin cancer and scarring on my face. In the denial letter the C&P examiner referenced an exam from 2005 and a mole on my back as being benign. There for the skin cancer on my head and face isn't service connected???? I have a tremendous amount of factual evidence and a very strong nexus letter from my surgeon. So i guess my question is what my appeal option should be when the denial letter explanation is so far off it doesn't even make sense? I can't even rationalize what they are trying to say because it is so far off base. It seems like the Higher level review option might be the way to go because at least I can get on a phone call with them and explain what's going on. Does anyone have experince getting a conference call with the reviewer under this new appeal system? Thanks for your input.

oh i see. When the VA requests a second exam, do they specifically spell out what the nurse needs to verify or do they just generically tell them, "do another exam"

Hi everyone, Looking for some insight. I have a second C&P exam scheduled for the same issue. Only this time one of the requirements is a "DBQ Medical Opinion - MED" Is there any significance of having to do a second DBQ for the same issue? Are they just looking to clarify something? Why didn't they ask for the Medical opinion the first time? Thanks for your input

great. I appreciate all of the info. I will keep you posted when I get my copy of my C&P exam. I'll be curious to see what it says.

no thats not me. that was just somebody else that commented about their own case

So I have 4 spots so far of skin cancer at 35. 2 years total spent in iraq/afghanistan. I was required to spend several hours every single day out in the sun with no headgear since we were out on a flightline. My doctor stated that all that time out in the direct sun "played a significant role in contributing to his skin cancers and has increased his risk in developing future cutaneous malignancies" So the three surgeries Ive had on my face so far have left some pretty significant scars.

Ive got a copy of my nexus letter if you wouldn't mind giving it a quick read. I feel like it's pretty strong. How do I upload documents here?

Ive got a copy of my nexus letter if you wouldn't mind giving it a quick read. I feel like it's pretty strong. How do I upload documents here?

Not sure. But all the scars checked off almost all the boxes of the 8 characteristics for rating scars. I guess the rater can just look at all the pictures.

Definite yes to all three requirements. And he worked 5 years at Walter reed.

Good to know. Thanks. I seriously doubt she even looked at his DBQ or nexus letter. It was weird that when I asked her if she submits an opinion about SC she said no.

Did you have to prove the acne was service connected first?