GBArmy

This is your lucky day, because...the answer you want to hear is the same. You must submit in 365 days; you don't have to worry about the VA scheduling you a C&P, or how long it takes to get results, or make a decision, etc., etc. Just get it in before one year is up. Do it now! And good luck. If you have questions, we will try to help.

The easiest thing you can do is call Peggy at 1-800-827-1000 and see what they can tell you. But keep in mind this is a verbal answer and not always reliable. Don't believe anything from the VA until you see it in writing. Good luck.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there. Sure, I'd bring a dbq for the doc to fill-out and send in. Note that he submits it directly via fax to the number on the form. So, read it before it goes to be sure its what you want him to say (or not to say.) But, as Berta said, you can dig up a lot of evidence connecting htn and AO, including the report and studies by the of Sciences that was commissioned by the VA to do the study. AO=Agent Orange

Geeky-am I correct in assuming that "there may be other items', for you, you got exam for tinnitus as well (assuming you do have it.) If they didn't include that you should be automatically checked because it was a hearing "exam."

You are 100% and beyond schedular"; do you mean you have other smc besides K?what does your last decision letter say? Any mention of education benefits or benefits to dependents? The wording on these award letters leave something to be desired often.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there. Sure, I'd bring a dbq for the doc to fill-out and send in. Note that he submits it directly via fax to the number on the form. So, read it before it goes to be sure its what you want him to say (or not to say.) But, as Berta said, you can dig up a lot of evidence connecting htn and AO, including the report and studies by the of National Academy of Sciences that was commissioned by the VA to do the study. He/she might right a letter also based on that study.

Correct; just submitting the HLR keeps the clock rolling. If it is denied (most likely), you have up to a year after to use the , if you have new evidence,Supplemental Lane or the BVA options. And Buck is correct; using HLR Lane you can't submit new evidence. That's why I say it doesn't make much sense to use it because they will be making a decision based on the same evidence you already submitted. They undoubtedly will just rubber stamp the original denial JMO.

The only time I could see myself using HLR would be if I am working on getting more evidence and need more time or I would lose my effective date. Even if it is denied, you would get another year in queue. Just don't see the higher rater changing the lower's answer the majority of the time. JMO.

What is the time frame; when did you get the exam and discharge? The VA doesn't always have a C&P to disposition a claim, and no, it isn't a CUE. You don't know where you are in this. I would start by calling Peggy -800-827-1000, and see what, if anything they have. Let us know.

I think 'nough said on this; nothing more to say. Let's end this thread, and look forward to helping veterans here.

You know full well that the VA is always going to try and keep the costs down, especially when it comes to meds prescribed by non-VA docs that are not in their formulary. The VA basically is saying that if you chose to go to the outside, we aren't going to help you. Not a lot you can do, Sometimes, they just don't have the best interest of the veteran in mind, and simply just don't want to help get over the hump.Just try to go up the chain of command; ask the pharmacy and/or the patient advocate who to go to next and just emphasize that you went to the outside doc they directed you to so why don't they honor the prescription now. Best of luck Vetquest.

Yes, please post more info so we can see how to help.There are people on here that are extremely knowlegeable and can offer assistance based on years of experience.

I was told recently that you only have 30 days to submit for reimbursement by the travel folks. I also was told by someone else when I applied for direct deposit for travel pay 2 months ago that the VA was doing away with sending out reimbursement checks directly to the veteran. Don't know if that is in effect yet though. One more thing about not bothering to submit because it isn't very much and not too far: a friend of mine told me once that WE have to be sure that WE ask for and receive every benefit that we have. Not to do so will allow the VA guru and anti-vets to say "it isn't needed because they don't use it "(whatever the benefit may be.) That is how I view using VA Health care. If we don't use it and end up going to private doctors and clinics, they are going to start to consolidate and reduce the number of VA hospitals and clinics. Think how bad that will be for some of our brothers and sisters throughout this great nation of ours.

I was told recently that you only have 30 days to submit for reimbursement by the travel folks. I also was told by someone else when I applied for direct deposit for travel pay 2 months ago that the VA was doing away with sending out reimbursement checks directly to the veteran. Don't know if that is in effect yet though.

The words "is at least likely as not" is what you need as a minimum. On the dbq, in section 1,Diagnosis, it has ICD code -----. Does the doctor have access to what codes go in that space, are we supposed to provide it to the doctors, or, does the doctor leave that blank and the VA fill it in? I mean, do all doctors have some code book to look up?

You had a year to appeal or lose your original effective date when you first applied. Assuming it was denied more than a year ago, sorry, but it would be a new claim. But it is fantastic that your doc offered to write the nexus letter. There are examples on this forum on what to include, but be sure it says that it is as least likely as not that the burn pit exposure caused your SA at a minimum. He could supplement the letter if it wasn't included. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

Bronc, you Quack me up.... (I can't help myself)

First, answer this question. Do you expect the VA to suddenly become Santa Claus and extend benefits back to day one? No. They haven't announced how they will process old claims yet, and the President hasn't signed the bill yet. But it is a possibility that they will pay from the date you submitted an initial claim. So if you finally submitted in 2012, that is where it may start. Of course, the VA can throw a curve and say it will start the clock the date the bill is signed into law and save a lot of money while that is going back and forth for months or even years. We have waited for 50 years, whats a few more months now. But for those who haven't yet submitted, I would certainly get your paperwork in before the end of the month to at least get on the clock.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there.

Hypertension is not on the current list for presumptive conditions for A.O., but it is recognized by numerous medical journals as the cause. In fact, it is on the short list that the VA is supposed to disposition, possibly by the end of this month. So yes, if you can get a good nexus letter from an outside doctor, you should have a good shot at getting a disability if the numbers are there.

It's automatic that if you have OSA they are going to look at you weight/height and if your BMI shows you are overweight or obese the VA is going to deny because weight is not a service connected condition. But not all OSA is attributable to weight. If that is the case, you need to get an outside medical opinion that it isn't the cause of your OSA but (?) is. For example a sinus or throat issue you can service-connect.

Mrpdbo- I don't know if you have any other disa,bilities, but, in the case of htn, a 0% rating isn't the worse thing in the world. OK, you don't get ant monthly comp for it and money is always important, but the 0% rating means that the VA OWNS your problem, If it goes higher, or you have other problems associated with htn, those will be secondary and could be compensatable. But it also gets you covered for Stroke, TIA's (mini-strokes), heart attacks, and other disabilities, including those problems caused by the meds prescribed. One last thing, if you didn't have any other VA disabilities, if you have two 0% ratings, that could be covered into one single 10% if it affects your employment. So, it really isn't worthless.

As we all say we are not telling you it is or isn't a good idea not to take your meds prior to seeing the doc. The system usually is they take a reading, wait a bit then take it again. The VA does this on 3 different days, so you can space them out if you want. Under your meds, your readings are 114/80, and that won't get you much; maybe a 0% rating if you can show substantial readings taken before that were at least 90%or better on the diastolic. But if I was doing it I would keep a log and take meds on the first day then skip the next. Do this for several cycles. recording the results.Then take meds on the first day and skip 2 days and then go back on. If it really spikes after just missing one dose, then thats it.I can't believe going more than 3 days would get it any higher; it is probably different for everybody. What ever the results would probable be what you get when you go for real. If the results aren't there, well then you know what you should expect. But again, big risk in trying to figure this out.