bowright69

So we should send in the form 21-4138, stating that we have no other information. They didn't send the VCAA form this time, only the 21-4138, 21-4142 and the General rating formula's. I made sure he signed everything before sending these in last time. I can't believe I didn't make a copy of it!

My husband filed for IU back in December, he received an increase from 60% to 70% about a week beforehand. In January, somewhere around the 20th, he had his C&P exams. Well today we received a letter from the RO, here is what it says…. ”We are working on your claim for IU, to include a claim for increase in the following service-connected disabilities:” (Then it lists what he is currently drawing for.) “We are writing to supplement the duty to assist letter dated January 15, 2009. As we consider your claim, you may submit evidence showing that your service-connected (list of conditions) have increased in severity.” They attached the rating formulas, release form and the statement in support of claim form. A week after his C&P’s we sent the form saying we had no more information and to decide his claim. My question is, is this some sort of stalling method, and what do we need to do? I would hate to cause a delay, but the paper says reply needed.

Sounds similar to my husband. His blood pressure was 195/148 (this was on record)when he was getting ready to be deployed to Iraq back in 91. They just put a pill under his tongue and re-took it and sent him over. He was over there for 7 months like that. When he got out of the military in 92 he found out that his left kidney was blocked by a kidney stone and was dead. He had it removed but he still has high blood pressure. It took years, but he is service connected for the kidney loss, high blood pressure, depression, erectile disfunction and the scar. He is currently at 70%. I have had to do all the fighting for him, sounds like you may have to do the same.

I sent the IU yesterday, hopefully it wont take very long. I still have one question, I have searched but cant find the answer. On the ED 0% service connected, how does he get the SMC K?

No he was not receiving SMC K, he has just got sc ED 0%, due to the medications he takes for the sc depression and high blood pressure. He has not yet filed for ssdi. I really wish he would see a doctor outside of the VA. They have cut his appointments to every 2 or 3 months. He has not seen the counselor since June, his next appointment is Jan. They wanted him in the PTSD group every other week, but he said he couldn't drive that far every other week. (It's 2 hours away)

My husband filed for an increase back in May of this year and got his decision Friday. He was at 60%, (30% loss of kidney, 30% depression & 10% hypertension.) He filed for increase in depression, hearing in both ears, tinnitus and ED. He went to 50% depression, 30% loss of kidney, 10% hypertension, 10% scar and 0% ED and he was denied on the hearing and tinnitus. He is now at 70% but in his award letter it does not say anything about the SMC K, is that something you have to do after you get sc ed? He was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA but he will not write a stressor letter so he didn't file on that. He has not worked since April of this year and is thinking of filing for IU. What kind of chance does he have getting this? He will only see VA doctors and I don't know if they would back him. And one more question, If you file for UI does it take as long as filing for an increase? 6 months to a year, or maybe a couple of months?

He is in process of getting the leave approved. The VA has started him on some medications and he is having a hard time even staying awake. His stress level and bp are so high right now that he just can't function well. His memory loss is getting worse too, he is making major mistakes at work. Things that he has done for 4 yrs. now he can't remember to do them. Something I forgot to mention is that he was within 30 miles of the Demolition Operations at Khamisiyah. He had testing done years ago, when they said the illness didn't exist. I am not sure if this is something we need to address or not.

I have been searching the internet for weeks trying to find help and stumbled across this website. I have been reading for days now, this place is great. First off, my husband is the one I need help for. He currently draws 60% service connected. 40% loss of kidney, 20% depression & 10% hypertension (from loss of kidney) He served in Desert Storm and has been in the VA care since 1993. He does not see any other doctors, only VA doctors. His health has recently been rapidly declining. Depression, anxiety, anger issues, alopecia areata (circles of hair falling out) his blood pressure has skyrocketed to a range of 180/119. I convinced him to return to the VA for help and they diagnosed him with PTSD. His doctor told him he needed to file for an increase, and could not believe he was still working. He has managed to hold down a job for the last 4 ½ years but is now on a fmla leave. He has had these problems before, back around 1998, they actually took his keys from him and admitted him into the VA psychiatric facility. We have no idea what his diagnosis was back then. I am sorry if I am rambling, I will get to the point. Regional said he needed to fill out form 4138. My question is, is this all we need to fill out? Or do we need to gather further information before we send this form in? I just don’t want to send just the one form in and get denied because of lack of evidence. The only medical records he will have are through the VA. Sorry, one more question. Does anyone know a NSO or anyone that can help in the Central Ky area?