Kim Rice

OK. So, I applied in Sep of 2018 for ptsd but had an open claim since march in an attempt to retrieve the 10% for gerd/hiatal hernia. I was awarded 70% in December but it was retro'd back to March. I'm learning now that I should have filed for IU when I filed for my initial claim of PTSD as I'd been unemployed for over 3 years. I guess I just don't understand exactly what they want from me. They said they sent me a letter asking about my PTSD stressors and what I sent back wasn't sufficient enough for them to request info from jcc or somebody. I'm so confused right now!!! I just don't know how to respond. I did not get a letter from them about any ptsd stressor. When I was awarded the 70%, I did provide them with incidents that occurred during the military that caused my symptoms of PTSD and I am assuming that is how I got the 70%, but now I'm not sure what they're asking and what letter they're talking about. Is there a way to talk with them directly so I can get more clarity?

In the reward letter, they said Gets was deferred? Can that mean a proposed reduction?

HELP!!! I filed a claim for PTSD and was awarded 70%. I had not worked in over 3 years and thus filed a claim for IU. I've been back and forth with the VA and sending all the info they asked for to include employment info for past 5 jobs. I just received this message below and apparently they sent a letter that I have not received yet but I'm not sure how to respond...please advise.. Again, I've already been awarded 70%, does this mean they might be looking to lower my percentage in lieu of the increase? Goodness, I sure hope not!! furnish details regarding the stressful event(s) that caused your post traumatic stress disorder. the response we received does not meet the minimum level of detail needed for va to seek assistance from the u.s. army and joint services records research center (jsrrc). jsrrc assists va in verifying veteran's claimed stressful incidents when va cannot verify the stressful incident based on records from the service department or when va cannot obtain the necessary records from the service department. it is important that you provide us with more specific details concerning your stressful event(s). failure to respond or failure to provide a complete response to this request may result in a denial of your claim. specifically, we still need: *<insert information>.

Proposed reduction or a Rating adjustment? Although I had not received any payments for the 10% GERD/Hiatal Hernia since July of 2017, my award letter indicates the following: Monthly Entitlement Amount Payment Start Date Reason 130.94 Jan 1 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment 133.17 Dec 1 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment 0.00 Jul 1 2016 Compensation Rating Adjustment 1365.48 Apr 1 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment/Compensation Rating Adjustment 1403.71 Dec 1, 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment Fortunately, I did receive retro pay for I believe the PTSD only per my calculations. Also, I have been unemployed since 2015 and have had difficulty securing employment since I got out. I did look for help in 2016 through the VR&E program. The counselor their was able to show that I had a severe employment handicap and was able to get my expired benefit reinstated. I'm currently not in school because now even that benefit has been suspended because of paperwork not filed. So, to answer your question, there was one doctor that did opine that I should look look into applying for Social Security benefits through the state. Ironically, it was the psych doctor I saw for my initial Psych C&P visit for PTSD. I intend to take her advice and file for SSDI but according to regulation, felt like I qualified for TDIU as well. Thanks for any further thoughts you have regarding my claim as its so difficult to maneuver through.

Proposed reduction or a Rating adjustment? Although I had not received any payments for the 10% GERD/Hiatal Hernia since July of 2016, my award letter indicates the following: Monthly Entitlement Amount Payment Start Date Reason 130.94 Jan 1 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment 133.17 Dec 1 2014 Cost of Living Adjustment 0.00 Jul 1 2016 Compensation Rating Adjustment 1365.48 Apr 1 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment/Compensation Rating Adjustment 1403.71 Dec 1, 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment Fortunately, I did receive retro pay for I believe the PTSD per my calculations. I'm not sure what the other numbers are referring to...it's all so confusing! Also, I have been unemployed since 2015 and have had difficulty securing employment since I got out. I did look for help in 2016 through the VR&E program. The counselor their was able to show that I had a severe employment handicap and was able to get my expired benefit reinstated. I'm currently not in school because now even that benefit has been suspended because of paperwork not filed. So, to answer your question, there was one doctor that did opine that I should look look into applying for Social Security benefits through the state. Ironically, it was the psych doctor I saw for my initial Psych C&P visit for PTSD. I intend to take her advice and file for SSDI but according to regulation, felt like I qualified for TDIU as well. Thanks for any further thoughts you have regarding my claim as its so difficult to maneuver through.

I got out of the Air Force in Dec of 2000. I'm ashamed to say that before I exited the military, I was not informed that I should file a claim as I was having active issues with an "unknown tummy issue" at that time. I was overseas (Turkey) and had been referred to several specialist in the area to determine my condition. No one was able to, other than the fact I was told I had two spleens (LOL). Just before a PCS, I was told my gallbladder was the cause of all my pain and should be removed upon arriving at my next base. When I arrived at my next base, the GI doctor there said it wasn't my gallbladder and that he wasn't quite sure what it was. I was actively dealing with these "unknown tummy issue" upon my exit from the military. Once I got out, I was back and forth to the dr. and emergency rooms for 2 years before it was determined that I had a hiatal hernia along with GERD. I've been on INSAIDS and the gambit of over the counter drugs to combat severe symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, pain (OMG, the painII), and gas since then. I filed a claim in 2001 and was denied! Upon appeal, I received 10% for GERD/hiatal hernia. I have been dealing with issues of PTSD to include depression, anxiety, etc...for many years. As with most mental health patients, the sigma's attached were made it difficult for me to admit first that it was a problem, but then to eventually seek help. In 2018, I filed a claim for PTSD and was awarded 70%. At this point, however, I had lost my 10% (Jul 2016) due to not responding to a request from the VA. My question: My claim was decided with 70% PTSD, 10% Tinnitus, and GERD/Hiatal was deferred. When I view E-benefits, it appears that GERD and Hiatal Hernia have been separated as if into two separate conditions but still is the only condition, besides recently filed IU, I haven't been rated on . I'm not sure what to think of this, any ideas?

OK. Thats it. I should obtain a copy of my cfile. I don't have that. I was actually looking for paperwork from my Oct psych C&P and it is not located in my medical records. I contacted the contracted Dr. and was told they do not keep them on file. I will see about getting this cfile. Thanks for your help

On September 2018, I filed a claim for PTSD and was awarded 70 percent. I have been unable to work since September 2105 and thus filed an IU cla shortly after receiving 70 percent for PTSD. I had a C&P psych exam in October and have been scheduled for another C&P psych exam this month. My question is, why wasn't the psych exam used from October as it was less than six months ago.