PEACHES1962

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

Big Congratulations!!!!

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

Congratulations!
Not sure how you are thinking but as long as you continue to work, you don't qualify for TDIU.  TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) this benefit is for those veterans who disability(ies) has not reached 100% and their service connected disability(ies) make them unable to work and unemployable.  VA would then grant them TDIU. If you did decide to leave/quit your job, you would still be rated 100% P & T SMC and you would not qualify for TDIU because it would simply pay the same rate.

I am really excited and surprised to learn that I finally reached my 100% P&T SMC from the VA.  I just wanted to express my appreciation to this website reading about others success and not giving up. I was truthful with my disabilities to my C&P examiners and when I doubted my issues would not be looked at seriously I found that they were. I often think about how I wish I would have done this years ago. I know back then that I did not understand the system and that all I needed were my medical records (enlisted and VA) along with understanding how my illnesses/issues were connected. I always thought that being female in the military was really hard, but proving your disabilities afterwards seemed unimaginable. However, I did it and now I am 100% P&T SMC.  I am not going for TDIU because I really love my job and have no intention of quitting/leaving at this time.  Thank you HADIT for assistance with my guidance in this process!!!

Excellent advice!
The route to higher ratings is often increasing existing ratings. If you have evidence within the past 12 months showing you meet the rating criteria for a higher percentage, consider submitting it and requesting an increased rating. If the VA sends you for a C&P, it usually means they may either need clarification or your evidence is nearing 12 months from the time you filed. Remember, increases do not require a nexus.
Another avenue is secondary disabilities. When a SC disability, or the medication used to treat it, causes another disability, consider filing for it. Of course, secondaries require a nexus.
I'm glad you are not giving up.

sounds like my story! cept my wife was the one that convinced me to fight and restart everything.
keep up the fight and never give up

Years ago I would not consider restarting the task of executing my VA claims.  I found that I had to prove myself to the VA which in turn infuriated me. However, after years of denying myself what I had earned for my service to our country I finally restarted everything in 2018. To date I have a 90% rating and am working on my 100%.  At this time I am not attempting to claim unemployable as I still want to work and I love my job. A good friend and fellow female soldier encouraged me not to give up fighting and I eventually restarted and haven't quit yet. I never thought I would get my rating up so quickly in one year but I did with honesty and perseverance.  There are no tricks to getting your compensation/disability and getting useful and good advice from soldiers who have been where you are truly a treasure. I am so glad that I found this site and I will continue to forward my knowledge to anyone who asks.  I am also glad I found this site.
 

Ok, great! I'm glad you won that. I'm in the process of filing a similar claim as you listed above.
Same thing, great IMO and am now just waiting.  
It's good to see sleep apnea secondary to fibro  win.  
Thanks again for all of your previous posts, very informative.
Waterboy

Years ago I would not consider restarting the task of executing my VA claims.  I found that I had to prove myself to the VA which in turn infuriated me. However, after years of denying myself what I had earned for my service to our country I finally restarted everything in 2018. To date I have a 90% rating and am working on my 100%.  At this time I am not attempting to claim unemployable as I still want to work and I love my job. A good friend and fellow female soldier encouraged me not to give up fighting and I eventually restarted and haven't quit yet. I never thought I would get my rating up so quickly in one year but I did with honesty and perseverance.  There are no tricks to getting your compensation/disability and getting useful and good advice from soldiers who have been where you are truly a treasure. I am so glad that I found this site and I will continue to forward my knowledge to anyone who asks.  I am also glad I found this site.
 

I was surprised sleep apnea could be a secondary condition connected to fibromyalgia.  I just had a C&P exam and it looks like a favorable outcome. I have attached the documents. This might be helpful to someone.
 
Sleep Apnea DBQ.pdf Medical Opinion DBQ (Secondary Service Connection).pdf

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.

I would but I have been out 33 years.  Acquisition of buddy statements is impossible.