AirForceVetsWife

I agree with all of you. I'm just glad it stayed where it is.

@GBArmy I was thinking the same thing. Just let it lie. We are ok, we got the right outcome, so it's fine.

Great news..finally got the letter in the mail, they continued my husband's 70% rating. The letter says although recent evidence shows some improvement in the condition, sustained improvement has not been definitively established. The VA examiner opined that your condition has progressed and it is concluded that there is not likelihood of improvement. In addition there are some additional symptoms including insomnia, anhedonia, social isolation, lack of interest, lack of energy, feeling worthless that show that the severity of your condition remains at your current benefit level. We reviewed the evidence received and determined that your service connected condition hasn't increased on severity sufficiently to warrant a higher evaluation. There is no evidence of record that shows you are unable to manage your financial affairs So first thing: it doesn't say anywhere that there would possibly be a routine future exam like this one..he is coming up on 6 years of this rating. Does that and them saying no likelihood of improvement mean we shouldn't expect an RFE in the future? I know it's the VA and you can't count on anything though... Second: there WAS evidence that he can't manage the financial affairs because the buddy statements that we're listed as evidence clearly stated first thing that he is irresponsible with money. Now we aren't looking for an increase, we were fine staying at 70, but do I need to somehow make record that he CANT manage his financial affairs? Or just leave things as is and not rock the boat? I mean not that I can just call up and say oh by the way make a note that he can't handle the money, I have to. Just a few curious things. I'm glad to have this behind us.

Still no packet in the mail from this morning. Business day 6

What sucks the most about this one is...I don't think that will matter, looking there. This was an RFE so we are waiting to see if his rating stays the same or proposal to reduce. I just hate the long wait

https://www.stripes.com/congress-pentagon-step-toward-allowing-far-more-shoppers-on-base-1.536168 Looks like 30 percent rating or higher. That would be a great privilege!

The VA said they completed the RFE claim and mailed the packet 5/16/19. Of course it says wait 7-10 business days before calling about the packet. We are only 2 hours from the nearest VA hospital. Do the packets come from the main VA in your area? Because to me, it doesn't take this long to get mail from there. We usually receive mail from Nashville in a day or two. I just hate this waiting to see what the outcome is. And every day we check the mail and NOTHING. So today would be the 5th business day that we haven't received anything. And then of course Memorial Day is going to add an extra day in there if I have to wait into next week to call and say we haven't gotten anything. This is just frustrating.

Thank you! Fingers crossed! I hate waiting for the mail. I think I'm just rambling my thoughts out here to make me feel better. I'm choosing to stay positive

We are now sitting at preparation for notification. End date tomorrow-5/19. Nerves are shot!

I believe your correct. I just hate waiting for the mail haha. They should be able to give you an instant notice too!

Thank you! Its so nerve wracking. I hope it'll be good news. I don't know if its good or bad that they didn't take very long..I just hope we can get over this hurdle quickly

Do you all know if even they propose to reduce, will it drop his % shown on ebenefits? or do we just have to sit and wait until the packet

Oh boy. Its moved to Pending Decision Approval now and the completion date moved from 7/22 to 5/18-5/22. NERVOUS.

Just have a plan of action and if he has a VSO, if not then get in touch with one as soon as the decision is made. Then again, he could just remain at that current rate but, I did read his recent exam you posted and the examiner put him in the %50 area but, usually the rater can go up one and keep him at his current rating. @Bwaveteran That's what I was thinking because technically in 2013 in his initial C&P they checked the same box, which would be in the 50% category but they rated him at 70% Do you have to have a VSO from your county? We have one here local that he used to talk to...but then he turned out not to be so great and helpful. I work at a doctor's office and we get a lot of vets in from the choice program that speak highly of a certain VSO about an hour away

That's just so crazy! I mean...I don't know. I get they want to make sure someone isn't getting money for something they don't have. But, this alone puts so much stress on someone. My husband is so anxious now.

Now it says its at preparation for decision!

So...just to get my ducks in a row and hope for the best but prepare for the worst...I can reply to the proposal to reduce, if they send one and can I also reach out to the WH hotline?

VA.gov says the VA has reviewed the exam..well it says they've reviewed submitted evidence for Request 1 and Request one just had VA Medical Facility

@Berta yea about as prepared as possible. I'm planning on fighting it however we can if we can, if they lower it. It just seems like...they're saying he isn't better, but yet..i don't know. My thinking would be though that since he's les than a month away from being at 70% for 6 years, that they can't just use this exam to say he's better..and it doesn't say that he IS better anyways! This is just frustrating. And what else is frustrating is they don't mention what he said as to why he wasn't seeing anyone right now. This is all so crazy. I really hope they keep him at 70% and don't reduce, but I'm going to fight if they propose to

@Berta I thought it was a little weird too since his initial C&P in 2013 was done by a psychologist and he was great. Looking a little further it looks like he has some psychology certifications... I don't know seems weird. I told him the same thing. I let him know that we need to be checking in with the mental health clinic for sure

@Berta from what I can see on the doctor, he was a neurologist. And yes, this was a VA doctor. They wanted him to go through a contractor at first and I requested VA only. It just seems so contradicting...because he didn't check off many symptoms, but he explained a lot of pretty big depression symptoms and then wrote that this is the progression of the major depression...so it is getting worse. I just don't want them to reduce. I hate this waiting.

I submitted them on VA.gov beforehand. Hopefully they have em

I think, I hope, my lay statements will help...if they read them.

Thank you!!

Well, you all have been an awesome, welcomed help so I appreciate it all! I would welcome a good surprise haha