Chief1997

I think I’m good to go right now this claim where are you happy today acknowledged the error and awarded me compensation for the melonoma scar on my forehead. They did refer my claim back to the VA and to further evaluate an error with my basal cell carcinoma scar from my forehead, so for now I’m good to go not sure what percentage they will assign for the basal cell carcinoma scar if approved by the VA

My cardiologist has changed my blood pressure medicine once and the new blood pressure medicine did not change my ED, it is still as bad as it was on the other blood pressure medicine. she did think there may have been some correlation to new cholesterol medicine she prescribed me. Wondering if I should just go in with the form (the dbq form for genital and loss ofreproductive organ) since she has already change the medicine once and see if she’ll fill it out for me to submit for compensation.

So it appears a nexus stating secondary to high blood pressure would be essential. I’m seeing my VA cardiologist end of NOV. think I might get her to give me a favorable nexus. My ED worsened after she changed my blood pressure medication and my cholesterol medication this past year. Any suggestions on how to ask her for this help in requesting a link between my hypertension and ED? Since it’s a VA doctor does the statement need to be “it is as likely as not” or “more likely than not” linked to my hypertension. OR can a simple statement that is is very likely related to hypertension. I am also seeing a urologist for my ED at the VA, think it possible the urologist would give me a favorable link to the cause being hypertension?

I suffer from erectile dysfunction. I am considering applying for ED as secondary to my High blood pressure and on my sleep apnea, I am service connected for both of these conditions. I was recently approved for high blood pressure/hypertension under the pact act. I have had blood pressure issues for many years, in the past year. My cardiologist at the VA has had to increase my blood pressure medicine and add on a new additional blood pressure medicine soon after the medication adjustment my ED came significantly worse. The cardiologist switched me to a different blood pressure medicine my ED did not improve. my question, would it be best to ask for service connection for ED based on both OSA and hypertension or simply just ask for it secondary to hypertension? And lastly, would I need a doctors opinion saying my ED is secondary to hypertension? Or could I simply submit medical journals stating that my ED is related to, and secondary to my hypertension and or OSA?

I was amazed to find my appeal to higher level review has already been decided on only after four or five days after submission. I got a favorable decision. I’m very happy with, although in the final decision, they did mention that they’re requesting a duty to assist error has been identified during the higher level review of basal cell carcinoma removal with residual far head scar. They further stated that “we failed to get other records. We will develop for additional records.” Is this a good sign for my additional claims condition or is it just a routine correction for this condition?

I was able to contact my DAV representative. He read my denial letter and he also agreed that this is a CUE and filed an appeal for a higher level review. We discussed what should be stated in the appeal over the phone. I can’t recall exactly what he said. It would state in the appeal, but it sounded very similar to what you posted above. Do you think I should add your suggested wording to the higher level appeal once it appears on va.gov?

i’m having a difficult time trying to find out how to upload my redacted denial letter. I did speak with the VFW representative today, and he believes the reason my claim was denied for both melanoma and basal cell residual scars from removal of these cancers on my forehead. I put the claim in on August 5, 2022. He believes that the reason they denied these two conditions was that I read question service connection under the presumptive condition of the pack that yet the pack that was not approved until August 10 2022. He believes all I would need to do is file a supplemental appeal using VA form 20-9055. And state my claim needs to be considered under the PACT Act presumption.

i’m having a difficult time trying to find out how to upload my redacted denial letter. I did speak with the VFW representative today, and he believes the reason my claim was denied for both melanoma and basal cell residual scars from removal of these cancers on my forehead. I put the claim in on August 5, 2022. He believes that the reason they denied these two conditions was that I read question service connection under the presumptive condition of the pack that yet the pack that was not approved until August 10 2022. He believes all I would need to do is file a supplemental appeal using VA form 20-9055. And state my claim needs to be considered under the PACT Act presumption.

I was denied service connection for my presumptive exposure to gulf war toxins. I had both a melonoma and Basel cell carcinoma removed from my forehead in 2009 and in 2013. I am claiming the scars these cancers created after they were removed. I am registered and approved for toxin exposure yet the c and p doctor did not provide an association of my cancers to exposure to the gulf toxins even though both cancers are on the presumptive list. We considered whether your condition resulted from a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) in service. (38 U.S.C. 1168, 38 U.S.C. 1710(e)(4)) The evidence of record shows participation in a TERA due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in Southwest Asia. this is what the VA sent in my denial letter: We requested an examination with medical opinion based on toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). Although the evidence of record shows participation in a TERA, the medical opinion provided by the examiner does not show an association between your claimed disability and in- service TERA. (38 U.S.C. 1168, 38 CFR 3.303) Favorable Findings identified in this decision: You have been diagnosed with a disability. Melanoma surgically removed from the forehead in 2013. You were exposed to fine particulate matter during military service in Southwest Asia.” Favorable Findings identified in this decision: You have been diagnosed with a disability. Basal cell carcinoma surgically removed from the forehead in 2009. You were exposed to fine particulate matter during military service in Southwest Asia.

I hear you I am going with my gut. I’m going to pursue different paths to get my independent medical opinion. I posted this mainly to alert other veterans of this potential scam. Unless other vets have use the service and found it to be credible, they let me know, otherwise others beware.

I been researching the Internet to try and find doctors or organizations to assist me in getting an independent medical opinion so I can appeal my denied claim. I believe I filled out a form online with an organization called Veterans Benefits Evaluations. I received a call from a lady in a call center in the Philippines, who told me she received my information concerning my denial for disability claim, and that for them to help me the first step was to gather basic information me about my claim or the next step would be a free consultation, with more detailed advice concerning my appeal of the denied claim and the help that this organization could provide at that time. Both her call and potentially the next consultation call are both free. She did ask that I text a copy of my denial letter for more experience staff to read and evaluate before consulting with me. Has anyone out there dealt with this organization with regard to giving veterans assistance with appeals on denied claims? Are they legit? I’ve seen other forums on here about the same organization or similarly named organization, giving veterans C and P examinations. I have already had my C and P exam. This is a Company providing assistance to veterans with denied claims, just not so sure if they are legit or not? Ladies name was Verna that called me from 407-584-7768

Thanks, that’s what I thought myself get my own IMO and appeal directly to BVA. The VA claims reviewers are so messed up, it seems they spend more time trying to find ways to deny claims as opposed to helping a veteran get it approved. My claim sat in the “Regulatory or Procedural Review” for months. My decision by VA excluded and had my conditions link to the incorrect exposures, they kept referring that the cancers were not a result of Herbicide exposure. I had to tell them twice the cancers were linked to Gulf War exposure and not agent Orange exposure. I have 3 choices for BVA appeal. I’m thinking of going with Evidence Submission Lane? Your thoughts on this lane or other lanes? Direct Review Lane: The BVA directly reviews the evidence that was before the VA in the decision on appeal. The BVA has a 365-day timeliness goal for this docket. No new evidence will be considered nor hearing available for this option. Evidence Submission Lane: Additional evidence can be submitted with a NOD and within a 90-day window following submission of the NOD, no later. The BVA does not have a duty to assist, no hearing is available, and the record is closed after the 90-day window. Hearing Lane: A hearing will be scheduled with a BVA law judge in which the BVA will choose the type of hearing (video conference or in-person in Washington, D.C). Additionally, the appellant may submit evidence the day of the scheduled hearing and up to 90 days after. The BVA does not have a duty to assist and the record is closed.

I attempted to upload my VA denial letter for this post. I do not see it here. How do I add the denial letter to this post

I’m a gulf war veteran that was exposed to particular matter during military service in southwest Asia under the new pact act. My exposure in the golf war area is acknowledged by the VA and I am considered a veteran exposed to particulate matter in the new presumptive list has melanoma and any head face or neck cancers listed as presumptive conditions. I had a melanomas and a basal cell carcinoma removed from my right and left for head’s. The melanomas removed in 2013 and the basal cell carcinoma was removed in 2009. The VA has denied me service connection for the scars associated to these two cancers their reasoning for the denial is they requested an examination with medical opinion based on toxic exposure, they do acknowledge that there’s evidence that shows participation in toxic exposure. However, the medical opinion by the examiner does not show an association between my claim disability and in-service toxic exposure. My frustration is I believe that a presumptive condition is supposed to be automatic approval, so I’m confused why they denied this claim and what should I do, when I appeal this should I go directly to the BVA or do a supplemental appeal? I’ve been down this road before and here in Florida. It appears the supplemental appeals rarely get approved. It is if they just follow the local levels decision I have had better success at the board of veteran appeals , thoughts, ideas and recommendations are appreciated. Attached is the VA’s denial letter.

I’m a gulf war veteran that was exposed to particular matter during military service in southwest Asia under the new pact act. My exposure in the golf war area is acknowledged by the VA and I am considered a veteran exposed to particulate matter in the new presumptive list has melanoma and any head face or neck cancers listed as presumptive conditions. I had a melanomas and a basal cell carcinoma removed from my right and left for head’s. The melanomas removed in 2013 and the basal cell carcinoma was removed in 2009. The VA has denied me service connection for the scars associated to these two cancers their reasoning for the denial is they requested an examination with medical opinion based on toxic exposure, they do acknowledge that there’s evidence that shows participation in toxic exposure. However, the medical opinion by the examiner does not show an association between my claim disability and in-service toxic exposure. My frustration is I believe that a presumptive condition is supposed to be automatic approval, so I’m confused why they denied this claim and what should I do, when I appeal, this should I go directly to the BVA or do a supplemental appeal? I’ve been down this road before and here in Florida. It appears the supplemental appeals rarely get approved. It is if they just follow the local levels decision I have had better success at the board of veteran appeals , thoughts, ideas and recommendations are appreciated. Attached is the VA’s denial letter.