GBArmy

WaitingGamer Welcome to Hadit; glad to have you aboard. EBenefits will not provide any input to results of an approval until you have a chance to get the decision letter in the mail. That is approx 10 days. However, if you go to VA.gov and look up your documents and get a status letter, it usually has an update before you get your letter. Another hint would be to go to your checking or wherever you have your disability deposits made, if any, and see if you have any deposits made to you. The wait is frustrating, but it is what it is with the VA. Wish you well.

Berta I believe I know which one; my post just before yours says I agree with you. You're cool; no apogees needed from you. You help a lot of people here and we know it. Thanks.

Here we go again. The VA did away with dbq's public access to veteran doctors for IMO/IME's a few weeks ago. Now, they are going to restrict access to the VBMS system to only a key person of record at a law office, etc. Others will not be allowed to view. Throws another curveball at us for sure. Article is from CC&K https://cck-law.com/blog/va-proposes-regulations-to-limit-attorney-access-to-the-veterans-benefits-management-system-vbms/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=April_2020

Vync What is your opinion on this: The veteran should be eligible for S-DVI at the award of a grant for any NEW disability granted. In other words, if a veteran was at 10% and later, he submits and wins another disability claim, he has an additional 2 year time period to sign up i.e. the clock restarts again.

SPO As you probably know, you need the Caluza Triangle for success in your claim. What is the event or illness evidence in the service? If you didn't provide that on your original claim, you need to provide now. If you don't have it, wait and see what is in your c-file. Under findings on your decision letter, what did they list, if anything? I looked at your documents and there is mention of your problems but not necessarily a diagnosis that you have the disability, or the severity of your conditions. So, if they denied on your original claim for "no Clinical diagnosis", on a supplemental claim you want new and relevant info.Yes, you do need a IMO from your doc that says you have "x" and these are the reasons why they are connected to your service time. (Need the words "as likely as not").The VA can't use a dbq furnished by your doc to make their decision, but if his IMO talked specifically to symptoms that correlate to the rating levels on the old dbq, it will make it easier at your c&p. They will take the easy way out and just rubber stamp the original decision again if you don't nail it. Maybe i'm wrong, but my experience seems to indicate that if the VA denies a claim initially, you have to strongly address the "reason" of the denial. Do a great job on your submittal; if you think you can just submit because you don't have all the info ,but it is good enough to submit, it probably isn't.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with this VA benefits process. Reaching out to help veterans is a time consuming and often challenging task, and to help a brother or sister get benefits they deserve is a great feeling. However, I find the most disappointing thing isn't having the VA making an obvious mistake and denying a claim. To me, it is the frustration of providing the guidance and all the info necessary for a veteran to be able to succeed and they don't do anything. Happens way to often in my experience.

Mitchvetinfla This may provide a possible resource for you: http://www.independentmedicalexaminer.com/

Seminoles I'm sure you on board wit smc(k), but if you're maxed out on the ratings for that urinary disability, obviously smc(k) would be an add-on for even though you are already at 100%. Even if you do receive it, it is good to call it to the attention of others that it is an ADDITIONAL disability for even 100% veterans are entitled to if they deserve it.

If you use military disability mad easy, you will see a general explanation of incontinence see http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/thegenitourinarysystem.html#urinary For example, if you have to urinate 2 times during the night or, every 2 or 3 hours during the daytime those symptoms would result possibly in a 10% rating. So, you want to be sure your conditions are bad enough currently to equal a compensation. If not, you could get rated service-connected, but it would be at a 0% rating. That in itself isn't terrible as they would pay for your pads and other supplies since it is s-c. If you already collect SMC (k), that is a separat disability and not related to this condition. Get you referral and get your medical records and/or c-file. We have info here on doing that as well

scooter318 Yes, that is a start. Call or request an appointment or ask for a referral for a specialist. With this coronavirus thing, it is going to be pushed out, but maybe you can see an outside med specialist. You need to get a diagnosis for your current condition. If you go outside, ask before you commit for the appointment if the new doc will give you a medical opinion on your condition to support your claim; it may cost but you will need a nexus connecting your current conditions and what was in your service records (str's.) You have to also have to have an event or evidence of your problem while in service that will be in your medical records. There are resources here on Hadit to talk to the elements you need for a successful claim. Do research and come back and ask questions. See if your conditions are defined and what symptoms match compensation by starting here http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vadisabilityrating.html

FlyBoyLeRoy 69 days is what HLR is taking on average now? Wow, that's quite an improvement. I have one open and the standard quotes is that the average is 125 days. I hope you're right!

I agree with the advise given also. Based on what info you have provided, it should not be too difficult to get a nexus letter from your doc. You could submit and take a shot without it. In all probability, the VA will rule unfavorably on some or all of your claim and then you can go out and get more evidence for supplemental appeal. That would be a new nexus letter. Save time and aggrevation; do it beforehand IMHO.

I believe that when you put in for a HLR, it is put in a National work que and there are 3 different sites that they can go to. One is Seattle, and I believe the other two are St. Louis and someplace in the SE, maybe Atlanta or St. Pete. I called Peggy and and asked them where mine was and they told me (Seattle.) I'm not sure how it would work if your original claim went to the same RO as one of these 3, but it goes to a higher ranking evaluator so it shouldn't make a difference in theory. But as usual, they just give you the standard line that the average turn around is currently 125 days.

In your case, tinnitus is a more common direct cause of MH conditions, so IMHO I think it is good for your claim results.

dapolgrim The VA often changes the claim to make your symptoms more closely fit with an already established diagnostic code. In this case they are attempting to link your insomnia to a mental health condition, because you are exhibiting symptoms that can be rated more easily. It isn't necessarily a bad thing if the results get you a disability for your symptoms .

Vync Your eval and analysis of the S-DVI insurance is really impressive. Scary, but impressive. As a stupid question, do you have to say that the denial resulted in financial harm (and mental anguish) because you didn't get the additional insurance?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announced, Veterans using VA Video Connect on their TracFone mobile phones through the T-Mobile network, will no longer pay for data while using video telehealth technology to connect and meet with their VA health care teams.TracFone Wireless, Inc is the fourth major wireless carrier to partner with VA to support Veterans who are using VA Video Connect.T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon began enabling Veterans to use VA Video Connect without data charges in 2019. VA Video Connect enables Veterans to video conference with their VA providers on their smartphone, tablet or computer from any location with an internet connection. Not only is it available now on TracFone which a lot of veterans use, but 3 other major carriers as well. And it is at no cost. Major plus for VA IMHO!

Hucast21 What do you mean "If I win at he BVA?" We are positive here. You WILL win, just a matter of when. Right?

Thanks Bronc. Much appreciated.

dipaul Great advise by Vync. If you feel that you have symptoms that put you in the next level and some that put you say in the 30% bracket, it may result in a low ball rating. Maybe not. Your rating isn't going to necessarily be based on how many symptoms they find as much as which rating actually gives you the correct picture of where you are. If you have some in the next bracket and you think they are severe, appeal. Add more evidence; more buddy letters from family, etc. that talk to the severity of the symptoms in the higher bracket especially. Continue your treatment and meds. Just keep at it.

Thanks, Buck. I appreciate it. I'm not shy about asking for advise. Good people to learn from.

There's an old saying: You get what you pay for. Another is No Virginia, there is no Santa Clause. He gets compensated for his many years of medical experience and vast knowledge of the VA disability system. You have to pay for that. I think we all know many guys that say, hell, I ain't going to pay some doc big bucks. I can do this myself. I know several; many years have gone by and they still don't have the disability because they still think they are the smartest guy in the room. You have to get a good eval and nexus. Maybe you can get it from your VA doc. Probably not; or at least not anything that is going to get you a win. I think many veterans don't understand the process and don't have whatever it takes to get there. Those people need to get a IMO from someone that has a great track record. That's where the Dr. Ellis, Dr. Arnise and Dr. Bash come in. If you go to them, you're confident you have an excellent shot at winning your claim at the RO or at least at the BVA. IMHO.

Hamslice Nice of you to buy the little lady a new toy. You know, however, it doesn't end there. Now you're going to increase your phone plan to pay for all the extra time she is going to use

Yes, congrats!!!

Ms. Tbird: I had a boss who used to say at least once a month "change is good." Another of hers was " you either grow (as a person or company) or you die." Can't argue with either. If you are forced to make changes for what ever reason, it provides you the opportunity to look at things from a different viewpoint; that can result in positive change. As for growing, if we stop trying to learn and to improve, even if it a little thing each day, we are sliding back. The new server will result in better performance and make it easier for people to use. That's growthy.