[Any male hadit member had their prostate removed?]

ouch!!! Sounds terrible.

[Confused? 30% or 50% - Migraines C&P Exam]

Bronc is correct; you never know how a rater will work his/her magic, so there is no purpose in guessing what they will do. That said, you probably should expect that if there is any gray area, they will chose the the lower level. But really, what do you have to show there was an incident in the service and more to the point, how can your doctor connect it with what your medical condition is now. Do you have str showing the event and treatment? A Buddy letter could help substanctiate the event if you had someone that witnessed the event. But that still probably won't be enough to say that that event caused your current disability if you don't have record/diagnosis  of your original injury. If your doc has nothing to review from your incident, he can't compare it to what you have now. No nexus. Maybe there is info in your c file. As Bronc said, order it and see.

[Unattended HSAT for Existing Diagnosis?]

It's only been 3 weeks if I read your stuff correctly. I'd give it a little time to settle out before I called the WH. It's the VA, man. You are going to wear yourself out. As a couple of guys say, get yourself a hobby to keep busy. JMO

[Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act]

It's official.

President Trump signed last night!!!

[Confused about service connection]

It's early in the morning, and my little gray cells are not all up yet (O.K, maybe it's nothing to do with what time of day it is) but what is CKD?

[Veterans Law Blog strategy vs eBenefits]

One important thing you have is s-c of GERD; you have STR that it occurred while you were in and you have it now. GERD is a tough one because it is going to be hard to prove nexus. Almost anything you come up with they will deny and say it was caused by something else. Your weight, for example, which wouldn't be allowed as s-c. So, don't play doctor; get a good IMO from an expert to support the STR you have. One possible connection could be from meds prescribed by the VA for other s-c. disability One example is meds for b/p. Some can cause GERD. But whatever, it is definite you need to get a good diagnosis.

[TKR 1yr ago, now REVISION]

If you have surgery, even if it is a repeat, you should get the the 100% again. It is new surgery.

[Sleep Apnea Claim Process (my experience, could use advice)]

Good advise given by Vetquest and RyanE. I think you have some good evidence also. But, I think I would raise the pot a little. POSA with a CPAP can net you a 50&% rating; no small disability. I think I not only would go back to my doc and get a stronger worded letter connecting it back to your service time, but I would consider spending a few bucks and see if I couldn't get another IMO/dbq from another sleep doc. It is risk reward; it could cement your disability decision and would be relatively cheap compared to your lifetime compensation. JMO.

[(CAEv2) 3M earplugs]

Certainly could be sound advise from Jfrei if you have hearing issues and served during that time period. I didn't research it, but sometimes the VA/government makes a class action settlement where it is handled outside of the VA system and you use lawyers to work your claim. I have sen this ear plug deal advertised on tv, and I don't know if that is the case here. Look it up and see if you can do both (outside financial payment AND a VA disability as well.) The lawyers advertising should also be able to advise, but be careful. If it is either, or, but not both, you probably have to weigh the one time payment vs. monthly payments from the VA. Certainly the lawyers would want the settlement so they get a piece of the action.

[Any male hadit member had their prostate removed?]

Buck, sorry to hear that. No, thankfully I don't have your problem. I do know that there are quite a few alternative medical procedures and alternatives that can be considered. I would recommend that if you could afford it, you seek an second opinion from a specialist on the outside. If they come up with something that sounds better to you, you at least have some ammo to discus with your VA surgeon. The very best to you Buck.

[E3marine]

It's both. It's bad because it is saying how medically damaged your back/spine is. Back pain is constant and doesn't go away, especially with the degenerative arthritus. But from the point of view of your claim, it is good. Look up your conditions on military disability made easy and see where your conditions may fall in the rating for diagnostic codes; there could be several you may be rated for.

[Migraine claim]

If he didn't get the new exam because he wasn't scheduled, he should be ok. Like Vetquest said, he should be calling to get one scheduled,  if that is the case. If he missed a new exam, he probably will be denied, but it is possible that because it is a little complex, if he requested a new one, they could possibly give him some slack and get a new exam for him. I have never seen a veteran that missed an unexcused exam not get denied. But that might not be the case here if it was a note in his file and the VA just dropped the ball. I mean, he can't reschedule himself.

[Intent to File, 365 days to?]

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.

[Awaiting 020 Rating Promulgation]

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: How far back in Order to Claim?]

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

[VES Exams (2nd Opinion)]

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."

[How do I / Can I file for P&T-- I'm 100% schedular]

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: How far back in Order to Claim?]

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.

[Higher-Level Review Lane]

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.

[Higher-Level Review Lane]

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.

[ETS in 1985, military exam but no VA C&P]

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 am tired of crap put in my VA Medical records]

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

[Did you know A Veteran may be eligible for Beneficiary travel]

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.

[[HELP] proposal to reduce + denied tdiu]

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. 

[Did you know A Veteran may be eligible for Beneficiary travel]

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.