Snakes

The C&P exams are not the same now, I agree bring everything w u, I did the first go round and the doctors told me they already had them on file and read over my file before I got there, so this time since I’ve been totally in the VA system I assumed they did the same, no not the case, I told them what was in my file and they said they would look later, I doubt they did, they’re just information recorders now and they send it to the VA to make a decision is what it felt like, 10 mins and ur out, they have their hands on the door ready to leave, so be mindful of that, I really wish I would’ve prepared more, one was virtual so idk how I would even present the info to him, I guess I can appeal and try and get more evidence, Its hard that I’m down to that last 10% but I guess all I can do is try

So I went to two exams w LHI, the contract company doing the exams now, it’s nothing like it use to be, they don’t have a set of questions they go down the list for u to answer and it’s more like a 10 min appt instead of an hour. They expect u to bring all the evidence and what u want to present, I went from 60% to 90% plus I get SMC for creative organ loss which I think is 200$ and something close to 300$ more a month, I’m still IU though, they also sent me the 10K life insurance. They denied a bunch of other claims I put in and didn’t even send me to an exam for so imma go talk to the VSO about it. I just wish I had that last 10% and I could be done w it all. Just gotta keep trying I guess

I started counseling and I’ve been diagnosed w some mild TBIs, I have to see a neurologist in 2 weeks, and I have to go to the TBI clinic regularly, along w discussing it w my primary care doctor, should I see a private neurologist separate or is this enough to back up my claim? I know I will have to pay out of pocket but it might be worth it, someone told me that it takes 6 months to process a claim, should I put in now or should I build my case and info up bc I don’t feel like me getting in front of them and telling them my situation they are gonna deny me 100% compensation, but I could be wrong, I don’t know about the SMC, I have good days and bad ones

Thanks, hopefully it all works out and most importantly I hope I start feeling better and get my health right

I decided to fight for what I’m deserved, I’m not gonna put in for everything at once though, I’m gonna put in a new claim for TBI’s I had and I’m gonna file for an increase for PTSD. I believe there is no way they are gonna deny me 100% rating after I talk to them. I’m determined. I may put in for SMC too and see what happens. I’m losing my fine motor skills in my hands. Thanks.

Thank You for your help, I know it took awhile to write that, I agree w u, I should go after whatever I can and I’m going to, I’m just collecting all the info I can right now. I’ve been diagnosed w several TBIs recently, I have a whole list of symptoms and have to see a neurologist. I had someone tell me about SMC and that I might qualify for it bc I have a damaged organ from my service, my brain. I’m now trying to figure out everything about SMC and if I qualify for that.

Can anyone recommend a law firm to help guide me through the oncoming process? Who is the best? I see C&K and Woods, I seem to like Woods bc they explain things so well and have been in business since 1985, thanks for your help

Thanks Rattler, the steps you mentioned is pretty much what I did w my primary care dr, I told her the whole story, my life before my injuries and life after, I wrote down all my symptoms and she typed everything I told her up, now I have to wait to go to the TBI clinic and do it over again. You’re saying since I went 100% IU A year and half ago, I can’t be re-evaluated for 5 years? I think the local VA officer said I could but I could be risking everything. SS judge said I would be reviewed again in a year bc I was a young man and could possibly get better. That’s why I fear walking to the mailbox everyday. I am getting SS now but if they take it away I don’t know how I’m gonna make it. Right now I just need to get better, I know that, I’m just trying to collect as much info as I can during this process so I’ll be ready when it’s time. Thank all of u again for helping.

No my initial injuries for TBI were in 2003 when I was deployed in Afghanistan that I listed in the first post. They should be in my Med file. That’s when The symptoms started, now I just reagrivatted it through the years after. I told all of this to the dr this week and now I have to go to TBI clinic at the main VA hospital. I have no idea what is gonna happen from there. Thanks for telling me about SMC. That’s something I’m definitely going to have to look into in the future.

Thanks for answering, there’s a lot more to the story, basically yes my health has gotten worse and I’ve found new things I can file for as mentioned above, but about a year in a half ago I was doing a lot better, I was in a car wreck some years before that and I had a tumor removed from my ear about 3 years ago. it was basically brain surgery, they had to drill through my skull to try and save my hearing, in short through this 5 to 6 year period I became disabled, some of the worse years of my life, I think w me finding out about TBI’s I just needed time for my brain to heal during these events that happened, here’s the kicker, I had one of my best years about a year and a half ago, I was going to the psychiatrist and primary care doctor and telling them I was doing great, that the new medication mix I was on must’ve worked, i went from having panic attacks daily to a couple times a week, I tried over 20 medications through these years looking for a cure, I was on the verge of looking to go back to work, I didn’t care about anything else, I just was thankful I was happy finally, then it all came crashing down again, I had two hits to the head in the past 6 months, everything has been going to hell since, all my anxiety, panic attacks and everything that comes w it came back. But I found a whole list of symptoms that correspond w TBI. I went to physical therapy and they tested my reflexes. They were hyperactive, he knows I’m a veteran and asked if I had any concussions while in the military bc his brother had a couple. That’s when I started researching TBI’s, I have migraines, light sensitivity and a whole load of other symptoms. I’ve normalized some of them through the years. But it all makes sense now. All these symptoms come back when I have trauma to the head. Even if it’s something slight, my timeline through the years correspond w that. So that is what scares me. I did say at one point I was doing better but things have drastically changed. I’ve chased all my friends away from me recently, my neck and back hurt so bad it brings me to tears. The migraines make me feel like throwing up yet as hard as it is I’m optimistic. I have to be. I’m pretty sure that the neck and back pain is from a pinched nerve. That can be fixed, I just gotta tough it out till it can be, I talked to the nurse today and my doctor is gonna get me to an ortho as soon as possible. All the other symptoms, yea it’s scary but I got through it before and I know the core reason for it now. I just need to heal and when I get to see the doctor they will hopefully have a way to help me do that sooner than it took in the past. I decided today I’m going to pursue my 100% rating. I’m going to gather all the evidence from my previous ratings and I’m gonna file when the new diagnoses come out. I probably need to wait a bit before doing this. I’m definitely going to go to my VA rep and find out about SMC S and the life insurance. What is SMC? I’ve never heard that one

SMC S, what is this? And no I’m not getting life insurance, I’m 39 years old and I’m not married. I thought VA benefits were not taxed. I know I’ll prob lose the SS if I do work in the future. Honest at this point, working is just a pipe dream. That would be years down the road if it ever came to be. I just need to focus on getting healthy and go from there bc my health is in very bad shape right now. I just really don’t know if I should fight for the 100% P&T. A part of me wants to bc I believe I deserve it, I just don’t know the process, the risks, etc. Thank you and anyone else who answers, I really appreciate the help.

I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. About a year and a half ago I was awarded 70% total disabled rating for hearing loss, flexibility of wrist, and PTSD. They gave me IU bc my PTSD prevents me from being employed. I was also awarded Social Security after a long fight. Things have changed since then. I’ve been educating myself on how these things work and unfortunately I have found some new things out recently. My Dr. and I have talked and I have to go to the TBI clinic in my state and be evaluated. I had some minor head trauma recently and someone told me about TBI’s bc I displayed some of the symptoms after. Well not just some, over the years I’ve displayed like 70% of the symptoms. I didn’t even know what a TBI was until a couple weeks ago. I had some concussions while deployed. I had a missile blast, a fall from a tower that was about 20 ft off the ground, and a wreck. In short, I know from talking to ppl who’ve experienced it, they are going to diagnose me w TBI. I also believe it’s the root of a lot of my cognitive issues. I have a timeline of different times over the years I had trauma to the head, even when minor, that causes a list of symptoms. So this is what I’m wondering. Should I fight for my 100% P&T rating? I asked my local veterans affairs officer and she said I should not bc I am 100% through IU and I couldn’t get a better rating. She said she’s never seen anyone that is 100% IU get denied on their review. My social security was suppose to be temporary and I was suppose to get a review after a year. They must of lost me in the mix but I fear walking to the mailbox everyday and find a letter from them. Mostly bc I’m in such bad shape now. She scared me bc she said they could lower my rating and take away my IU. However, I believe what’s right is right. Just on my cognitive issues alone I should be rated 100% P&T. I’ve been diagnosed w/ PTSD, Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, ADD, Major Depressive Disorder, and I take 5 different medications daily for my mental health. I don’t know what to do. Should I appeal the past decisions? They have been past a year now so is that a re-evaluation? Should I file these new TBIs I found out about? Oh I forgot, I also am having severe pain in my neck and back that I have never experienced before. Could be from these injuries. If I do win my 100% P&T and get better, can I earn a income that’s more than my SS monthly income? I would really like to know this bc that is my goal. To get better and feel like I’m being productive. I want to work I want to do something but I would also like something to fall back on bc in the past I just moved from one disaster to the next when it comes to work. I’ve read some other stories on here and understand the frustration. What should I do?