GBArmy

I can confirm also. I asked my VSO for a supplemental decision that was just put into the system yesterday. She also said the VBMS was down most of the day. (I guess I have to wait for another day to find out if i'm a Lucky Guy.)

Well, Berta, I don't think we should RUSH into this. Don't you think they should have studied it more. It's barely been 50 years you know. These things take time! You also noticed that they didn't include hypertension in the bill. Seems that would cost a lot to pay out on benefits, so see, they are going to do some more studying on that one. The article didn't disclose that the scientific data backing inclusion of hypertension is admittedly stronger than the evidence on the other 3. But you can't convince me money would stand in the way of our wonderful Congress when it's about doing what is right for Veterans. It just takes a little time. I truey hope you Gulf War Veterans are paying attention.

Garyling12 Oversimplification: if you are developing a disability claim, the more medical evidence that supports your claim the better. Get whatever you can. As to taking your notes to your other doc for a nexus letter, why wouldn't it be ok? They are your own notes. Do it. Good luck.

SPO It would be my guess that if it were remanded, the RO would have to re-do the exam because they would want to determine at the very least if your conditions/symptoms have gotten better or worse IMHO. I would also assume that if you "won", the court could rule either way. That is, they could determine it was s-c, or, they could send it back. Who knows.

Broncovet is spot on. You have to try several. There could be several reasons, but one that come to mind is that they only have one or just a few attorneys that handle your type of claim and they just can't get it to them for work load reasons. They don't want to put some less qualified expert on your claim and risk "losing" . If you're turned down by several then it may be time to look a little closer at your evidence. But when you are declined, you should always ask why and maybe you may get insight on something. Maybe not, but it doesn't cost anything to ask them.

I'm not so sure how often the VA misses out on applying SMCs. There supposed to be considered automatically, but I've seen where they have missed some that should have been applied. We don't know what his current disabilities are Buck, but think secondaries. If he is s-c for back, how about his mobility. Staggering, gate, any effects on his hips, ankles, knees? Pain as a mental health issue; be careful of pyramiding. Need a good IMO for those. If he had a TBI, does he have tinnitus and/or hearing issues. Small amounts as you know can add up and can often open the door for secondaries. We wish him luck, especially on sleep apnea. 50% is a big one.

I just received approval of 5 disabilities I've been working on for over two years. 30 to 80%. Certainly couldn't have done it without the help, knowledge and support I've gotten from all the great folks on Hadit. But even though anxiety can get to you at various stages of the disability process, you just have to "keep at it." A denial is a road block, not the end of road. If it happens, read and understand your decision letter and get back on that horse. Just wanted to let folks know that if I can do it, anyone can. And should. And, as a reminder, I have sent in a donation to Hadit to help keep it going. Anyone who can afford it should, especially if you win and get a decent amount of back pay. So thank you all for helping veterans everywhere.

Tbird I think several of us regular contributors all drank the same cool aid. Once you get the bug and help your brothers and sisters, it's kinda hard to stop. We not only help the individual veteran or advocate with advise, but many, many others also read it and can relate to a same or similar problem and learn from it. I for one can't thank you enough Tbird for having the insight and perseverance ro keep at it all these years. Many thanks!

Great News!!! It's not over, though. You/we have to be diligent. Keep at home as much as possible and social distance if you have to interact with people. People with compromised immune systems have to be super careful. Hope that vaccine works!

Rattler 767 Good info to share.

Ken If these side issues you have, like tripping (drop foot/ SMC(k) for loss of use?, balance, etc. are not part of the criteria called out on your examiner's dbq, you will have to submit new claims for those conditions. I'm sure they are not. But first, get a diagnosis of them and a nexus letter and then submit a new claim as secondary to your s-c back. I don't know how he will eval your range of motion.

Maybe you're right. But then, maybe not. In any case, it probably won't be long now. You've waited this long, few more days won't matter. Good luck.

That's tuff stuff, Tbird. It's no joke like jbasser said. And she was being careful too. You definitely have to be diligent. They are learning more every day but you MUST isolate from her until she no longer is contagious. We are all pulling for her. And you.

It isn't unusual for the back and forth action; happen a lot. If you check "letters" in VA.gov it can show a change in your ratings. Also, ebenefits under rated disabilities. I had a change the day after the decision was made but the hard copy can take 7-10 days. Also, assuming you have direct deposit, the deposit for back pay can be in your accout in as little as 2-3 days. Best of luck.

11cvolley We know anxiety can be a rough go but you have to keep going. I try to think "OK, can whatever more I do change anything?" If the answer is no, I've done all I could, then you have to convince yourself that there is nothing more you can do until somebody else does what they have to do. I know it sounds arbitrary but if I do that it seems to take the edge off of what I'm worrying about. Helps a little. Just remind yourself that you can't do anything more about it. Good luck on your exam brother.

Lemuel We wish you God's speed on your operation. Be positive; stay strong. Let us know how you are doing brother.

They want more up-to-date medical info on you. Have you been goin to the VA or elsewhere for MH treatments? Are they updated in your VA files for the VA to review. If you are not P&T, and not getting medical help and posting it, better start. It may even help minimize some of your symptoms. If the VA doesn't see you are working on attending, they may assume you must be getting better and try to reduce.

Usaf9498 Sorry to hear about your disabilities man, especially being a truck driver. Vision and joints driving is tough. If you can get the IBS as s-c, do it. The thing about Gulf War syndrome is I believe you have to rule out everything else and when there is nothing left, then it is considered. You GW veterans are going to be fighting that uphill battle for 50 years, just like Vietnam guys have with A.O. I don't think it is too much of a leap to figure your conditions are likely to get worse, so start planning. If they get so bad that you can't drive anymore, TDIU may be something you need to deal with. Can you link your eye condition as secondary to a s-c condition? Try to figure out a plan to get to 100% scheduler, rather than having to hope for TDIU and not being able to work at anything. How about pain as secondary to all your conditions; it would be a MH issue, but keep working on getting more ratings. SMC's may be in the future by setting them. Consider getting a lawyer on GW disabilities. Yes, it will cost you, but the VA will fight really hard to stop 90 going to 100%. And GW stuff they reject at a 80% rate anyway. Your odds of winning will be a lot better on whatever you go after, IMHO. Think of it as an investment. You're still young; the payback is worth it.

Hope you have a pond at this one, Tbird!

Same to you, one and all. Ne well, be safe.

Totally get it. That would be a lot of beans! Can't blame you for going after what you think is your benefits.

Buck Just spitballing here. I wonder if it is a CUE if the VA fail fails to apply smc's, based of course on your record? If it could be then I would just run it by CC&K or one of the big law firms and see what they say. I mean, you have it awarded as a seperate action way after and there isn't any threat to lose it or anything. It would be like new found money, so giving some up to a lawyer who helps you win isn't the worse thing in the world. I'd give it a try.

They will work from your actual, 85, so IMHO you will still be rated at 90%. (But closer to 95, or 100%)

Brokensoldier244th This might be a little old for you, but my kids heard yogi say 'Smarter than the average bear."

Brokensoldier is spot on. This 180 days stuff scares away a lot of veterans. It just isn't true. She just has to prove out s-c, like everyone else. If she was md boarded out or discharged for the injury, it would be slam dunk. I got a friend get benefits (50%) for a disability that happened 50 years prior in basic. The problem is many people, including VSO's just repeat this 180 day thing without understanding the rule. If it happens in-service, you are service connected.