GBArmy

Ranmic As Oceanbound and Vetquest suggest, you want to order your c-file. It quite possibly has additional info notes, etc. on your medical condition that you don't even know existed. You can order it from different sources. Read up on Hadit and do it . Next, I would recommend getting registered on ebenefits; not hard to do and you can find out a lot of info from the VA once enrolled. You can do that today. Once enrolled, what I would do is file an intent to file on ebenefits; again, very simple to do. The reason is it will lock in your EED, early effective date, for filing your claim. Once you file your claim, it takes the place of the ITF. You could also do this thru a VSO, but you can do it yourself and it will allow you time to research for a VSO, a rep or whatever you decide to do. A lawyer can't charge for legal advise before you have submitted a claim and been decided, but they can offer free advise (in anticipation of getting your case on appeal.) Now,yYou need to research on your condition. Go to https://militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/search.php and look up the diagnostic code for Glaucoma; possibly 6012 or 6013. If one of these works, it says that a minimum rating of 10% applies, so it starts from there and goes up. Your continuation of medical care is very significant in showing service-connection for your disability, so your civilian doc's records and input will be important to you. If you can get him to fill-out a dbq for you, it will qualify how severe you disability is and also time of care. Use the latest version of https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960N-2-ARE.pdf Now it is a long form, but again, it is very important to include in your claim. If you have to compensate him to do it, it is worth it. If he is reluctant, tell him that is a necessity if you can be compensated for it by the VA. If you can get him to write an IMO for you also, again, that would really help. Offer to pay for that as well if necessary. You will have questions going forward, but this is a serious disability. You have to be aware how important this VA comp will be if your eye condition gets progressively worse so you are doing the right thing by addressing it now. It is important to you and your family. Best of luck.

GodisGood You might have better luck if you start by posting the decision letter after redacting your personnel info. We need detail in order to advise, what you're claiming, what is your evidence, what are your symptoms, what is in your c-file., etc.

Shrek It looks like Vetquest and I both can't spell your name right! I'm not sure about him, but for me, it's been a challenge all my life. It started in 3d grade; I couldn't remember if catz was spelled with one z or two:) Anyway, we both are pulling for you.

Yes, it is possible. Do you have copies of your str, especially those relating to your eyes and eye exams?

Cynthia I don't know how far you are to the Navy base, but there should be a select few that do letters and exams just based on proximity to military retirees. Try this for a search: https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/ourproviders You have to do your homework with this though. Find out how many nexus letters have the done; how many dbq's, their success rate, costs/ guarantee results, etc. Ask what is their specialty, are they board certified in the area you have a disability in; could they help you if you get a denial, etc.

Bronc-terrific lesson for us all. Each of us are our own best advocate. NEVER GIVE UP!

Usaf9498. Go ahead and order your c-file. It certainly can take months to get, but you should have it anyway. Your ongoing claims will also generate more new stuff, so you will want to get another copy after your claim comes in. The VSO situation is a little more tricky. You can call a VSO and tell them what you want to do and are they willing to work with you. They usually want credit for the POA, not necessarily doing a lot of work for you. If you can't get someone to work with you, I'd do the trip myself. Call and see if you need to make an appointment first, and, can you make copies of some of its paperwork. It is possible they will make a copy for you after it is pulled and mail it to you. You really should have gotten a copy before submitting your claim, so you are working behind the 8-ball.

If you got the buddy letter, I'm sure he will be glad to provide the back up info to make your evidence stronger. You may not need the buddy letter, but complete the info so they can consider it anyway. Do it!

Shek, We are pulling for you brother! Looks like you got a good connection. And as we say, now go out and get a hobby. Or something.

freedomisntfree I am sure that your social security office should be able to provide that info. Word of caution when talking to those people; call back again and speak to another person to see if both their info jive. If you use an income tax preparer instead of doing taxes yourself, the should also provide that info (at no charge.) You want to be careful that it is accurate info certainly. You have until you are 70 1/2 to start withdrawing mandatory withdrawls from the 401 (k), so do the math going out 15 years. You don't want to exceed the income limit on your ssdi max limit. Maybe it makes sense to see your income tax expert and see if your situation would warrant going over the max one year, or, if you can, take out more than you need but keep it under the max limit. It is a moving target though because they can change those tax laws and leave you hanging.

Yes, if you can meet the correct criteria, you can switch back and forth. You can request HLR; get denied; submit a supplemental claim; get denied; request a HLR, etc. Got to stay If you go to the BVA, same thing about other avenues appeals. Not sure you can go back again to the BVA though; if the challenge is based on a different supplemental decision I would assume so. Of course, like Shrek said, you only do one at a time.

Peaches, if you are concerned about the status of your claim and that is your question, well, you should be. But then, anyone should be concerned about the status of a claim submitted. Right? If your issue is that it appears they have added a new disability to your claim, well that isn't necessarily a bad thing either. You see that when the VA is actually working on your claim, they should be looking to provide the highest level of compensation possible for the veteran. In some cases, that could mean to add additional disabilities to the existing claim. Or, to add additional wording so to be more inclusive and therefore enable higher compensation to you. This is because of facts already discovered in your C-file. Do they do this often? In my opinion, no, but good and competent VA personnel do exist and this could be favorable to you. I try to be positive whenever possible; this would seem to be a favorable situation for you. We could go negative, but think positive! Your not going to know for quite a while anyway, so what the hay.

Buck, you are a tremendous asset to this site. You provide wisdom and knowledge that we count on every day by countless veterans and their families. So how come you don't set a good example when it's your problem? NO, don't forget about it!!! Call and keep on calling until you get someone to correct your record. Send a polite message, Blue Button, to your therapist and tell them you haven't heard a response from them yet and it is VERY important to you. Do this today, brother!

Paul's advise sounds like a winner. You have plenty of records showing your responsiveness to appointments. Don't sweat the small stuff. I believe there is someone in charge for scheduling. Call the hospital and start going up the ladder until you get the response you need. If that's the biggest bump in the road for you this month, it's going to be a pretty good month for you

Berta, it looks to me that it is the responsibility of the BVA to render a decision if the veteran's ship log show he went within 12 miles of shore. They are NOT to remand if they have those facts, but make the decision themselves, finding for the BWN veteran.

First of all Shrek, congrats on the 100%. But seeing is believing; gotta see the decision letter and check the wording. I don't know why it would be necessary to ask for an audit yet if you haven't seen the letter yet. Am I missing something from another post? i also am pretty sure you can connect SA to PTSD meds. Google the meds and you probably will see the link yourself. But you should get an IMO from a doc tos ay it, as it is a secondary connection right. Great news for you!

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Good luck brother.

Oceanbound, what have you found that is organic and actually works? I'm sure others would be interested as well.

jdelta You didn't say how long ago you signed up. We are talking about the VA here. You know; the lean,mean efficient machine. If it is more than a few days, then I would probably call Peggy and see if that move the needle any.

This is just my opinion, so that and two bucks will get you a cup of coffee. I am not speaking from personal experiences on any opioids, because fortunately, I never had a long term need. I had surgery for my gall bladder at the VA and my surgeon said after I woke up that I did well but I would have to take some for a few days. I said NO I DON'T. He said, yes you do or I can't release you. I told him I was deathly afraid of taking any of that crap and could handle the pain. Again he said, with a wink and a nod, ok. If I prescribe some and you take them home, what you do with them is your business. We agreed to disagree. But I will say this, you can only make informed decisions based on the info that is available at the time you do the research. But, that said, time usually provides data that may change what the medical profession recommends at at any time. Case in point; my recent post on malaria pills. The DOD said it was ok to use; now, not so much. Substituting one pain reliever for something else may be the right decision now, based on current medical evidence, but years fro now. Who knows?

When you have an operation or procedure that requires a lengthy re-coop, the VA awards a temp 100% rating. After a required amount of time passes, they call you in for a new C&P to see how your symptoms are after the medical procedure. They then rate you based on your current condition. That is standard SOP. If you have an appeal, that is great, but no intermediate uptick in rating will be awarded in the meantime. It is not in their procedures. If you win your appeal, and your rating increases from your new rating of 30%, you will be entitled to back pay comp for the time you were rated at the 30% rate.

Hamslice Interesting point of view, but for the most part, i think you are giving way too much lee-way to the VA. Certainly there may be a few VA docs that would endorse you viewpoint, the majority are not that open minded. The VA doesn't recognize; therefor, the illness, therefore isn't covered.Or, worse yet, doesn't exist. Period. They won't do any research to find out anything and the veteran will suffer because of it. Like you say, there has to be large numbers suffering, then a lot of attention drawn to it, and after years, yes years of denial and delay, they will start to try to make the connections. This is a great example of why you younger veterans have to get behind and support the Agent Orange presumptive delays; the Vietnam veterans are paving the way so you guy will have an easier time with your presumptive hurdles.

Vetquest, it is sad to say I believe that. Very sad.

Hi Brenabehan, I too welcome you. Vync's advise is sound. You may be receiving a decision soon, or, maybe not. No way of knowing. If it is at the rater, and we don't know that for a fact as that is just what someone told you, which may or may not be true, the rater can kick it back for more info in order to give you a complete/accurate rating, he/she may need more info. Check ebenefits daily if you must, but it truly is not unusual for a claim to go back and forth. Point is, don't get your hopes up too high that you have a decision coming in tomorrows mail. By the way, that is where you get the accurate info, in an official letter with official letterhead in writing. Not ebennies. Hang in there, and good luck. If you have an issue with the decision, come back and ask for advise.