Army-Navy Guy

Using the online VA claim process. After one thought they submitted all support documents for a claim, and you push the button saying this is all I have, “please start my claim”, only to find out you came across something important to your claim, can you still submit it for review?

Using the VA claim online process, after you submit all your evidence, it asks if you are done and want to pull the switch for it to be reviewed and decided. If for some reason, you find some other things relative to your claim, can you still submit data?

I don’t know if anyone noted this, but here it is. Saw it this AM. Changes to CFR dtd 27Mar24

Yes, I have an appointment on April 30th with my PCP dedicated for the NEXUS letter, and of any required exams he will do. My PCP is one of the rare ones who is very accommodating to the patient. That’s great to hear you had a good experience with the VES. My initial experiences with the “old school” VA doctors in 2002, wasn’t great at all.

I am totally confused by the new changes. I have a rating, under the old code at 30%. Did they split out Barrett’s, Diverticulosis and GERD as separate ratings? Sorry about the paste font. How will the changes affect those of us with a current rating. I’m 100% P&T, for about 15 years. Is there a safety net for past ratings not to be reduced? Thank you very much. BTW, I was a member here years ago and it’s nice to see you still posting.

Thanks for the info. Yes 100%P&T for about 15 years. Trying to get this connected truly isn’t a pleasant process as I don’t like shrinks much. Having to bear your demons is a rough ride. It’s been so long that I have submitted a packet, many things have changed in the process. Have any of you had experience with a VA contract company called, VES (veterans evaluation services)? I thought my appointment was yesterday but it’s this coming Friday with them. Apparently the VA contracts out some Dr C&P evaluations that don’t require an actual VA hands on visit. The people that set it up from the VES were very pleasant. Hopefully the Dr is the same. I asked if my wife can be with me, during the interview, as I am hearing impaired. ………I have taken all the advice to heart and have a backup plan. I contacted my PCP and discussed a NEXUS letter. I have an appointment with him on April 30th. Even old soldiers take advice once in a while. He’s a great PCP and said he doesn’t have a problem with the letter, but wants to do a “hands on” evaluation. He’s been my PVP for 16 years. I have no problem with that. As the packet will be in development at the VA, I will submit my Dr’s letter when it becomes available, through the VA portal. Love that portal. Makes it easy and fast. I wear 2 braces and knew from prior research that the VA allows a clothing allowance. I never submitted for it as I really never gave it a second thought about the damage it does to the clothing. I submitted it last month. Some say going after additional service connected conditions, when already at 100%, is not worth the effort, but, if it isn’t documented, it isn’t a problem. I say, if uncle broke ya, he’s responsible for ya! In closing, again, thanks for the info and have a great day.

Broncovet, i agree with your statement in part. Please understand I am not new to the process. I have submitted 5 prior packets, all resulting in favorable actions. I do wholeheartedly agree that medical documents are key. However, in-this case, it was already established via the medical documents that the depression and anxiety are connected to my injuries. Many (most??) reviewers, tend to, “skim” records. I made sure to highlight the most important documents, outlined on my cover letter. And for their viewing pleasure, highlighted the critical data on each medical document. A cover letter summarizing your packet saves time, as well as a spreadsheet with dates and correlating medical documents. I submitted via the VA portal. That was my first time using it and it was painless. Organizing and presenting one’s case is critical. Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on one’s viewpoint), i don't have 1 disability rated at 100%. And don’t qualify with the 60% singular + ??=100, as i am not housebound or in need of assistance. Sadly, the older we get, that could change next week, for some of us. But, we will have to agree to disagree on the Dr letter NEXUS as the “critical”, instrument for successful a packet. It is self evident by established docket cases, as well as by the admission of VA studies, that a service connected injury, with residual pain is linked to a veterans depression and anxiety, more so the case in veterans, vs non-veterans. If this weren’t the case, i would definitely go with the Dr NEXUS. But, no matter how it turns out, I will let you know. Another reason i don’t believe a Dr NEXUS is solely required, is the cost associated to the veterans. Cost isn’t an issue for me, but is for many veterans. Also, based on the evidence provided, the Dr can only state on the NEXUS what can be proven. Even with the letter, without the proper proof, the rater will disregard the letter as unproven. IMOHO the weight of the C&P Dr. is more critical. Thats just me. Many Dr’s will not write one. My pain clinic wont do one. My PC will, but it is a long process that may not even pan out. Shrinks and more shrinks, tests and more tests, meds and more meds….I don’t want more meds. I have more than one should have. I would rather be seen by the VA shrink, and this most likely case, and get er’ done. I do appreciate your response and comments as these discussions will give a different perspective on how each of us do things. I will keep you posted. PS…..moving fast. Heres a snapshot. Submitted packet on Tuesday, Today got the call to standby for a C&P. About 45 min ago, received an e-mail that I have a C&P via FaceTime or Skype (haven't found that out, but will now), for tomorrow at 1430! Is it me, or is this moving fast? Take care.

BroncoVet i was going to use a Dr for this packet. But after researching, i decided against it. There was so much supporting medical records showing the visits were as a result of the injury, I decided not to use him. Plus, i have never used one in the past and all secondary rated conditions were approved by the VA after my C&P. Rolling the dice!

Rattler, I am already rated at 100% P&T. Knees 60 and 30%, back i think is 20 or 30%, bilateral hearing loss 40%, tinnitus 10%, Gerd/barretts 30%, and a few 10% ones that i can’t remember. I was looking at it the other day. Im either getting old or forgetful….or both. But no, I don't think i have PTSD. I never thought about that. Who knows.

Crazy…I just received an e-mail from the VA. I have a C&P next Friday, the 29th. Could be the fast response is because they put emphasis on mental health issues. I have no idea. Has anyone experienced such a fast response and action timeline? If so, was it similar to my issues of Depression and Anxiety?

Some good news. I submitted my claim on Monday, the 18th, at 1600. It was 157 pages of my related conditions, consisting of operations and ongoing medication issues. Plus a 4 page lay-NEXUS letter. On Wed, i got a call from the VA. They are going to schedule an C&P within 60 days. That was fast. The claim was for Depression and Anxiety from Residual Pain, secondary to 4 knee replacements and an ongoing back condition, all service connected. It was odd as the VA doesn’t recognize “chronic pain” from these injuries, but use the term “residual pain”, and i had to connect the dots separately for each s/c injury. I also used “functional impairment” in my summary. Some may balk at what I’m about to say, but…I have always done my own packets and it resulted in 100% P&T, without an opinion of my PC. On this submission, I didn’t provide a NEXUS from a Dr, as they would write the exact findings and conclusions I did. The 4 page summary I provided, as a lay-NEXUS, will either work or not. I never used a Dr for any VA issues. Nor did I in this one. The rate/examiner will either concur or not, even with a letter from a Dr. My success was using the available data from the VA and docket decisions. Like this site says, “knowledge is power”. I will keep yall posted.

I lost also my right kidney to service connected cancer. The meds i take (PPI’s aka Proton-pump inhibitors), as well as over the counter meds, are directly connected to kidney issues. I also now have “chronic kidney disease” of my solitary left kidney. Having one kidney isn’t good for this. I have been collecting all my medical data from 2002, and will present it to my urologist for a Nexus and submit to the VA, secondary as “solitary” kidney, chronic kidney disease, as a result of losing the right one. Currently, the L kidney it is 75% efficient. That’s actually pretty good for a “one pumper”.

Broncovet….thank you for your response. I gathered all the data concerning the Nexus, all my records, and asked for a appointment to see my PC. Will keep you posted. Hes been around for a while and hopefully he is knowledgeable in developing the Nexus letter. I will ask if he is and if not, i will provide the template(s) and other materials to him. Hes a great Dr and very approachable.

Thank you for responding. The primary ones Im focusing on are; L knee w/revision rated 30%; Right Knee w/revision and instability, rated 60%; degenerative lumbar arthropathy rated 20% (am also going to submit for increase due to current i stability. Anyone experiencing these conditions know how it impacts ones daily life and pleasures. It wears on the ole brain every day. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.