11bjohnny

Thank you so much for these resources! I think I have a plan of action now. 1) Attempt to find a VSO who can help me get access to view VBMS to ensure that the evidence I submitted was there, or go up to the VAMC and request my records (I dont think mailed evidence would be there would it?) 2a) If the evidence is there, appeal for a HLR citing the evidence that I submitted. 2b) If the evidence is not there, or I cannot gain access to VBMS, appeal again attaching the evidence I sent with my original paper claim. 3) Reevaluate once more action happens. (is it sad that I wanted to type "reevaluate after contact with the enemy"?)

The denial letter said that they reviewed my current medical records and my service records as well as letters dated ____ and ___ but those dates correspond to letters they sent me so I do not know for certain that the evidence I sent was "reviewed". After researching a bit more, I am appealing and sending the evidence again only for the next person to say "this was already here and the person before me looked at it, no need for me to do their work again." My evidence was only in the form of my first and last physicals showing my arches had falled, and although I never see hypertension listed in my in service records, I found that nearly every one of my BP readings in the last 2 years of service were elevated and I was prescribed BP meds twice while I was in (both the BP and meds are in my service medical records). As for the nexus, no I do not have that as I have only used the VA for my healthcare since I was MEBed. I was hoping to get a C&P, to me it is pretty clear that both conditions have been present since I was in service and are still issues I deal with... If someone doesnt have a primary care doc other than the VA, how does one go about getting a nexus letter? I imagine it would be a little off putting to the Dr if I went in the very first time and asked them to fill out lots of paperwork for me (DBQs) only to probably never come back to them.... I am going to file the NOD today. Am I correct in understanding that the NOD really just needs to state that I do not agree with the decisions on (condition 1) and (condition 2) decided on <date>? As @broncovet mentioned the 2 routes for appeals above, I only see "Decision Review Officer (DRO) Review Process" & "Traditional Appellate Review Process". Are these the HRL & SCL reviews? With the "new" claims processing, will it hurt me to submit all the evidence again, physicals, prescriptions, and BP readings, if they already have it in VBMS? If the answer here is maybe, I will work on finding a VSO who can help me review VBMS. Thank you all for the very helpful replies!

Makes sense... So I may or may not be able to get in touch with a VSO that would allow me to see if the evidence is in there.... And I may be better off just waiting for the C-File to show up (should be less than four months since the decision was sent). /shrug I guess it is what it is.

Thanks for the reply @broncovet, I have not been working with a VSO on my claims, the last one went through super painlessly with a positive outcome! I assume there is no way for us mere mortals to view the VBMS without a VSO? How long is the typical process to get setup with a VSO, and is it worth it if I expect my C-File soonish? I should have a copy of my C-File by the end of January (estimated on VA.gov). So I understand, I should take no action until I am sure what information the VA has as that may invalidate one appeal or the other.

Good afternoon, I am hoping for some advice on how to proceed or what I need to do and how to do it. Back story: I spent 5 years in the Infantry with one tour to Iraq. I broke my leg and that lead to me getting an MEB. I submitted a claim for pes planus and hypertension due to issues that have been getting worse for some time. Because I couldnt figure out how to add attachments to the claim in Ebenifits, I printed the form and mailed it along with my first and entry and exit physicals (to show that I had developed flat feet while in the service), blood pressure readings and a prescription history for blood pressure meds issued while in, and one statement each to support the claims. (These were to the affect of, we rucked a lot and carried heavy loads overseas for my feet, and explaining that I have been borderline hypertensive since I was 20 while in the service and I pointed to dates for BP readings from service and shortly after discharge...) The initial claim was denied because I submitted using an outdated form (that I printed autofilled with all my claims info from EBenefits the day I put it in the mail ... go figure that one...). After getting the denial, I called to see what I had done wrong, and was told that I could resubmit online, but I didnt need to resubmit the supporting documents as everything had been scanned into my file when the first iteration was received (they were even able to read me off some of the info that I had sent). So I resubmitted online through the new va.gov website. This time the process went from new claim to denial in just over a week! The denial letter came stating there is no current diagnosis for pes planus (a VA doc JUST (within the past three months) provided me insoles to treat this condition...), and that neither event was shown to have occurred in service by a review of my Service Medical Records. This is correct because I thought having foot pain went with being a grunt and the BP meds came from the psychiatrist and the PA refused to ever address the issue. My questions, I know that I need to file a NOD. I have been waiting for my C-File since May of this year... Should I wait until I receive my C-File to submit the NOD? Submit a NOD now stating that I disagree with the two denials? I feel that had the evidence I sent been reviewed, they would have at least sent me to get C&P exams.... The last question... Should I just find a DR to complete a DBQ for me and file a claim to reopen these denials?... Thanks for any advice.

They are legit but seem to only want to go after the low hanging fruit (hearing, lower extremity issues if you have service connection for something lower body already). TL:DR; they may be able to help, but the amount of work they did for me was minimal. If you are too lost/busy/lazy to put together the claim yourself, go ahead and give them a shot. They WILL get a pretty good amount of the increase from you though (5 times the monthly increase which can be paid over 10 months or in a lump sum). I didn't know where to start and heard about them, reached out and about 2 months later they sent me a packet to send to the VA. The paperwork they sent was pretty standard and honestly wouldnt have taken me much time to put together myself (list MOS, explain experience in Iraq and around heavy weapons and machinery, etc). I also have some pretty good hip issues due to a limp that I was seeing PT for that was simply listed on the claim form (right hip condition) and sent along. They provide a phone call before the exams and basically reiterate the same thing that the pamphlet in my C&P exam scheduling letter stated, be honest about your condition, don't tough up, move to the limit of pain (dont push past it). Basic advice that is seen all over this board. I put together a second claim on my own and spent about a week seriously reading and getting my ducks in a row (I wont know how it all turns out for another couple months probably). I could have done the first claim in a matter of weeks starting from scratch without going through them. I bought "The Veteran's Survival Guide" from Amazon and it does kinda make a bit of sense on how to get started if you arent one to read multiple posts to get the idea for free. (I probably could have done without the book but I tend to over prep sometimes...

Thank you all for all the replies! I got out by MEB due to a broken ankle (likely due to too much rucking while training myself for Ranger School...), I am more than a year out. Thanks for the advice Bronco! I am planning to write a lay statement detailing the extensive rucking, foot patrols in Iraq, and purchasing of insoles and see where it goes. I have copies of my exams, but dont have a copy of my C-file. Should I reference the date of the exit exam at all in the claim, or again just leave it with less is more and not try to do the specialist's job.

Hi all, I am putting together a claim for pes planus. I am currently rated for my right ankle, right hip, and left knee; all direct service connection not secondary. My entry and exit physicals both have pes planus marked, but they were mild upon entry and moderate when I got out, both mentioned as asymptomatic. I was infantry so lots of rucking and foot patrols, so I am sure that played a role in my arches getting flatter...I did buy over the counter insoles while I was in and I was just recently issued insoles by the VA. My question is, with the only mention in my medical records being my physicals and the arches being worse at the end, is it better to claim here for a direct cause by service, or aggravated by service? Thank you in advance!