bob_abad

Hi, This is my 1st time to post since HADIT has been modified..Just an FYI... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101010/ap_on_bi_ge/us_social_security_no_cola

1st of all, congratulation to pigdriver! Now I have a question. I am now 63 yrs old, and I planned on working until I am 70. When I start pulling my SSI @66, will I continue receiving my 60% non-taxable income from my VA pension with no deduction?

Hi gang, Me again w/ this ongoing Sleep Apnea(OSA-incurred after service) battle w/ VA. I received another denial letter as of 03/15/10. Oh boy! VA made a terrible mistake on this one! Here's the event summary: > My c-file was brokered to Phoenix VARO (from Oakland VARO) around Dec '09 timeframe > I forwarded my required evidence & docs to the Phoenix VA as per instructed. It included witness letters, IMO, OSA medical records, VA supplies & others. > But almost at the same timeframe near the end of February, the Oakland VARO was getting ready to deny my claim again. > There was a miscommunication between Phoenix & Oakland....Would you believe this?????? > Now my c-file was returned to Oakland. They sent the denial letter as of 03/15/10. > I went to Oakland VARO to inquire if they received my SOC response from Phoenix..The answer was no! > I was sooooo frustrated @VA for their major f%^& *p!! > My 1st time to go to our local county VSO to seek assistance...She just shook her head re: VA and immediately followed up to re-open. >Ok, my case was finally re-opened since 03/18/10. According to IRIS, it is in development stage. Question is, how long will it be there and what is the next stage? Hear from someone soon. Thanks!

Hi Delta, If I am 60% now, and "if" I be granted w/ my OSA re-open claim using CPAP(50%), that means 80% for me? Just curious..

Thanks Bronco..Would you happen to know the url of the VA Disability Benefits Summary (from 0% to 100%)? Thanks in advance!

Hi, Can someone forward over the url to the VA SC Disabled Rating Benefit Summary? I can't find it... Like what additional benefits I am eligible if up to 90 or 100% rating, something like that.. Thanks in advance!

Hi gang, Another question perhaps from somebody that has idea of my situation. My OSA re-open claim was processed/completed from the rating board on 03/03/10 as per 1-800, & a 1-on-1 visit to Oakland VARO. As of yesterday(03/09/10), my claim is now in Apeals w/ no narrative info. What is it doing in Apreals stack? I thought the next step is Post-Determination? Hear from you soon. Thanks for your time.

Hi gang, My OSA re-open claim is being processed in Phoenix RO as brokered from my Oakland-VARO. I called the 1-800 to inquire my status few minutes ago. Here's what he said: 1. There is good news! 2. It was completed from the rating board and wait for a little bit longer as it will go to the finance and end approval. I am impressed as my re-open was submitted late December Y2009 timeframe. On Feb. this year, they requested an IMO, 2 witness letters, my CPAP supply record from VA & the VCAA letter. I responded two weeks ago. Here's my question. Would it be possible that I can also be denied from the rating board? The 1-800 service rep seems to be encouraging but he can not access the internal entry or update of my record re: rating board & then next, etc.. What do you think? Hear from you soon.

Congrats also, and hang in there in your health status.

Xing my fingers while my OSA re-open claim was brokered out in Phoenix to expedite the processing. I belong to Oakland-VARO. Phoenix VARO seems to be more organized. I recently responded to their additional request/requirements which consisted of: 1. VCAA reply 2. IMO from the sleep doctor..Finally! 3. 2 witness letters of my OSA. They even provided a guideline how to close the letters. 4. Medical records from my private sleep doctor 5. CPAP records & medical supply records from VA Let you folks know the outcome in few months. Praying and chanting everyday!

Hi gang, Been helping a fellow VN vet buddy for three years now. He was informed his claim was completed from the rating board and he should be receiving the VA letter very soon. The 1-800 or IRIS will not tell him anything. Is there a possibility a claim can be denied from the rating board? I always thought when a claim is processed & completed from the rating board, it was just a matter of financial matters? Hear from anyone soon. Thanks in advance!

Hi gang, Does anyone know the status HR2254? AO Equity Act of Y2009. Helping out a fellow VN vet.

Broncovet, Thanks for sharing this one. I have been wondering in the past how I can acquire my military records for my record keeping.

Hi Berta, This is what my ex-Navy VN friend is waiting for as he is part of the "brown water". Any idea when it will be approved or signed into Law? How will we find out?

Hi gang, Received the VA letter yesterday stating they need more info from me. Brief background: > I hand delivered my OSA "Case Re-open" @Oakland VARO last 12/03/09. * The new evidence I indicated was HTN triggering my OSA. My HTN was granted last September '09. * Also, OSA as secondary to DM-II, Diabetic Nephropathy, Tinnitus, weight gained, and ED. I summarized why there was a connection. Now back to what they needed: > They considered my OSA as secondary to all of the above with a NOTE stating=> "Temporary or intermittent flare ups of a condition are not aggravation, unless the underlying condition, as contrasted by symptoms, has gotten worse" > Apparently using the HTN as new evidence is not adequate. That I must submit "new" evidence to reopen my claim completely. > They want treatment records. <I can get this one> > They needed statements from spouse(home) and from other people(work) who have witnessed my OSA disabilities. <I can do that> > Reply to VCAA notice. <I can do that later> I need your advice as to how can I come up further with "new evidence"? I am running out of option. >>If I have to get an IMO, how should it be stated? Feel free to PM me or here. >>My 1st time to use VSO, should I now consult w/ a VSO(DAV) or county VSO for guidance/consultation? Hear from you soon. Appreciate your time and assistance in advance!

James, Thanks for getting back. I will check w/ him about new list of AO presumptives, etc.. Have a great day!!!

Hi gang, I know someone who is a VN vet and stationed in the south(Long Binh<=>Saigon corridor). Fortunately, he is not diabetic. Is there a way to service connect his HTN to AO after 4 decades of military service discharge? Let me know. He is curious. Thanks again.

Testvet, I believe you are correct. Here is my experience late last year w/ my HTN claim approval. 50% to 60%. > June '09, I sent a request for reconsideration of my HTN claim due to VA mistake/oversight. > Aug '09, my c-file was brokered to Seattle VARO. Oakland VARO is backed logged(they say). Oh great!-was worried.. > Sep. 3, 09 -> had my HTN C & P > Sep. 25, 09 -> I called to inquire, been granted & deposit came in same day(3-yrs retro). Manila envelop followed after couple of work days. As I stated earlier, my OSA 'Case Re-Open' was submitted early part of December. Now brokered this time to Phoenix VARO. Will wait until March for status. Thanks again..

Here's the IRIS response late last week. Our records indicate that your claim filed on December 3, 2009 is currently open and in process. Your claim is currently in the development stage, once your claim file is reviewed for completeness it can be sent to the rating board to receive a rating decision. Thank you for your service to our country! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ This is why I dropped by the VARO yesterday. Handled all my claims by myself since day 1. It's too early at this time. Will wait until March for next visit @VARO.. Again, so curious if my claim was brokered to Phoenix VARO, can Oakland VARO rep access my claim(next visit) much inner updated info?

Hi gang, After thorough research work and preparation, I finally hand carried & resubmitted my OSA claim as 'Case Re-open' file last month @Oakland VARO. On the way home from business trip, I dropped by the VARO to inquire about my claim status. > According to the rep, he looked at my file before being called in. I was not satisfied(still w/ smiling face) leaving the place as the rep just said my claim was sent to Phoenix VARO for further processing. That's fine with me as long as it doesn't get shredded or returned safely to Oakland in one piece! > What bothered me is that he said he does not have indepth access to the status of my claim. He was mumbling about certain category information of my claim, there was a flagged that it is being reviewed but he is sort of confused. Is this true, he can not access my file???? He is a new face(no tie, dirty looking..yuck!) over there, and I wondered if he knows what he is doing or talking about? The reps there has helped me with my claim increase the past few years, they are normally professional looking w/ a Tie or all are dressed appropriately. This dude was not and irritated me as hell! I will skip this dude next time. My prefered rep was out of the office. Please comment or let me know if this rep is telling me the truth. Thanks in advance!

Cav, Congrats also...

Berta, Please let us know what you find out about this one. He has few AO related diseases(DM-II; HTN; prostrate issue, pheripheral neuropathy, and skin rashes..) at the moment. He was denied few years back. He received the ship log from archives. Step in land many times picking up marine spotters, and few special missions bet. ship & land. Yes, this could be a Brown Water Navy.. Quick questions: 1. He is 64 yrs old and he might possibly lose his job by 1st qtr of next year. He does not have health insurance thereafter, can he seek assistance for VA health care coverage? 2. Will there be special consideration for VN vet(zero disabled) that cannot afford private health care? 3. If this H.R. 2254 gets approved, will this become a Federal law or VA law? Thanks for your time..

Hi gang, I am helping out a VN vet(ex Navy-mekong delta area). Can somebody forward the status of this bill? Thanks in advance!

Hi, I have done all my claims & other related SC's onward by myself. Relied heavily in hadit forum and everyone is helpful. The 1-800 & IRIS is helpful for status in a sense but very high level and practically generic updating/information. Their access to your claim file/status is very limited! I recommend that you go or walk-in @your VARO office & talk to the onsite VA service rep. "BE NICE and THEY WILL TREAT YOU GOOD". This way, they can access an indepth status of your claim. They can tell you exactly @what stage your claim is and who has it, etc.. Hope this helps.

Hi, Your hearing okay? No Tinnitus(whizzing or cricket noise) effect from the gulf experience? That's an additional 10% for you.