halos2

The original date of Tinnitus was 05 and he got the usual 10% They denied hearing loss back then but did give him hearing aides. He never appealed that rating...He did start out at 30 % PTSD and went to 50% but did put in for increase for that, and put in for IU too...Basically been waiting since 09 for the original appeal dates. Yes the ED was one he applied for in 08 though...Told him to go for whatever they have him scheduled for and to be honest and truthful on all his disabilitating conditions...Thanks John for you comment.

This vet received notification he was to have C & P exams for his conditions claimed...one for ED because he put a claim in for it a few years back, and one for hearing loss?? He did not put in a claim for hearing loss, and both were related to his claim for IU...This seems really odd. Nothing really mentions his increase for mental health PTSD related to the IU...He will go to these, and beings that he is not going to see BH do you think the VARO has enough evidence regarding his mental status and documentation to not need more to grant this yet are trying to tie up his ED with it? The hearing loss is a questionable thing as no where has he claimed this...He does receive 10% for Tinnitus, and this was granted back from 05... Any comments or suggestions on what else he should do/say regarding this questionable claim?

Berta, He does not use a computer very well There is one in his home but he is lower than a novice when it comes to usage. He does not really have the desire to learn either. He is a member Tuy Hoa vet. No he did not add this meds to his forms. Guess he thought everything is in his records. He was in a PTSD tx program, yes. Problem is some of the guys in the program kept telling him to try and "act normal" or they will try to keep him longer or might do shock treatments on him!! Are you kidding?? So he went in with a GAF 42 and came out with a 55...He did have episodes of screaming nightmares where staff or roommates would wake him up.(Yelling I'm gonna kill you or something to the effects get them, get them, etc) (some were documented in nurses notes) VA hosp sent 95 pages of his VA hospital tx info, however I don't know if they have the one's from his inpatient PTSD tx one's?? They knew he was in there, but could it be because he tried to be "on his best behavior" the last 2 weeks it hurt him? He was a very violent man too. Abusive to wife and family. Violent in fact. Alcoholic, but drinks seldom anymore. I have helped him along this way but it seems like he doesn't want them to know how warped he really is and every once and a while tries to "act normal" as he really believes he will be committed into a insane hospital...(Do they even have these anymore?) He did get an attorney for his SSDI but I told him NOT to for the VA claim...I helped him these years, and there is basically nothing different an attorney could do at this point, and I as a relative have done it all for him, so he can receive help in his life freely! Thanks for your impute. He doesn't remember his password for hadit, so he will have to learn how to retrieve it. Time for him to get involved with computers 101... OMG I did write a post about him like over 20 months ago...found out his spouse wrote some comments back then for him...Don't know why I let them drag me back into trying to help them except I did have them file for SSDI as you folks here at hadit suggested... Thanks for more info to give her (him) esp from Berta and PR.

Va math % do suck...I know a GWV who is 80% with the lovely VA math which is what he gets, even though regular is 160% Gotta love VA math !! That's what they use to pay with. So looks like 90 here rounded off...is correct for your claim % listed.

Berta, Just trying to establish a stressor with fear(see response to pr below). MO does not allow unemployment benefits doesn't matter how many years you worked and never received benefits if you are agressive with workers and some managers...he filed they denied, he appealed, they denied, he appealed and they denied again as to aggressive loud vocal threatening comments to the staff at his previous job... as far as his claim he was 30 appealed got to 50, put in for increase denied, Nod, Denovo, waiting on this since 5/09, and put in for TDIU post tx PTSD program. over 2 years ago...hr went into PTSD Tx in Topeka Ks over 2 yrs ago...So his VSO (VFW) has told him RO rater has his file...for 3 months then put back in another area reviewing it, then back with a rater again now a few months...( Never heard anything about NOD results but if it keeps going back to a rater someone made some decision along the way...Right?) I know there is a back log as so does he but rater to a VA person, back to rater...??? Also when he went into an inpatient tx program for for just over 7 straight weeks they finally gave him 100% for 1 month not 2 so he put in for the other week too,,,this was 7 months after the program...yes he was in over 24 days one month and continued to next month without a break for a total of 47 or 48 days for both months. They write on the statement the dates he is eligible from the 8th of one month to the last day of the second month, but only paid him for the first month. He is unemployable all this time,,,hence his claims...so 5/13 will be 4 years for the initial request... BTW he waited 4 years with his original claim for PTSD and Tinnitus with the appealing too...just thought with mixed messages something would proceed faster now...yep I too can not assume anything with the VARO either...Got a head ache so composition is fragmented, sorry. Thanks PR and Berta.

OK the bsv was to point out his active participation and documented he kept the enemy from advancing any further and killed enemy and a sabotage team sent them to help him found he had the enemy pinned down and unable to advance...showing a scarey situation and his reaction and ?remorse?guilt? fear? He was 30% PTSD appealed and got 50% and put in for an increase and denied and appealed...this claim is from 5/09...He turned into a monster and trying to state mental problems continue to get progressively worse...

Seems like they are stating an appeal is possible, due to the fact of the decision that is to be made...however as we know an appeal is always possible but granting is another decision, and you can appeal that decision with a NOD and state what you want...but you may never get what you want but do not give up...keep trying!!

Veteran worked over 48 years and never applied for or received unemployment benefits as he always worked. The last 12 years has had many problems changing jobs back and forth between 2. Put in VA claim in 05, and appealed a few times and was at 60% with PTSD @50% and Tinnitus @ 10% so vet receives 60%...still has VA claims appeals, however denied unemployment for "irrational behavior, and use of foul language and yelling and shouting co-workers and explosiveness! " Denied unemployment so he had to file for regular SS benefits, and filed for SSDI. DENIED! So he has an appeal for SSDI and one for his IU. VA is doing nothing with his claim, knowing he is unable to find employment/therefore no job but they too refuse to act on this. So now he sits more depressed than prior and waiting since 05/09 VA, and 11/10 SSDI to get some action. He did a Congressional Inquiry with SSDI and they seemed to get response "SSDI will investigate." 2 months ago...VA says file was with rater and pulled for inquiry, so it will take forever to get back to a rater... WTF? He is VN vet awarded Bronze star with Valor...for combat, and states killing the enemy,,,yet VA and SSDI appear to think or believe he is OK? Or think maybe he will die while waiting? This is getting so old!!

One vet friend has been waiting since 08 and the other since 09...their claims were from 05 and 06 originally...they appealed the decisions when they got their initial awards...Waiting and not patiently...

Thanks Commander. Guess govt is too worried about dealing with top officers/govt officials with their girlfriends rather than with disabled vets! Boo Hoo for vets. And the Generals walk...

Appears to be a reduction so you better put in an appeal ASAP to protect the original rating before they drop you down now!! They can reduce you within 30 days so you better put in in before the 30 days they are going to sever you.

Still waiting for a decision guy I know on what should be an easy claim.(However nothing seems that way with the VA). Vietnam vet with Bronze Star Valor and well documented in Commendations he was awarded this for securing his region and a sabotage team sent to assist him found he had the area secure with the enemy not able to advance...(BTW he killed 8 and wounded others), Anyway he was at 50% PTSD after fighting over 4 years and then got terminated from his job for Explosive Behavior and threatening others, and missing work, no call, no show, and denied unemployment after over 44 years of working without ever putting in an unemployment claim ever before. Plus he went through a PTSD inpatient treatment program. Separated from his wife now due to his violent abusive behavior. He filed, was denied, appealed and sought a DRO review, and has been waiting and waiting. He put in for regular SS and has been receiving this a few years, and the VARO keep saying they need his SSA records before they make a decision...They know he filed regular as his income was significantly decrease due to termination of employment, so he had to file @ 63 yrs of age. HE SITS AND WAITS LIKE OTHERS AND GETS MORE DEPRESSED AND DISCOURAGED. He just recently contacted his Congressional representative and the liaison has helped him more in 6 weeks than his VSO has these years. Still he has to wait. LIMBO here. Any one else in his boat?

Soglad you got rated and approved. Are you satisfied with that rating, or do you think you have more disabilities that would warrent a higher percentage? Remember you have 1 year from the date they gave your last rating to send in an appeal, notice of disagreement. Just in case...

Jargon, sorry for misspelling...

OK were told 6th Sept 2012 C-File sent to Active Rating and waiting for a decision...waiting...waiting...called VSO twice and told yep "waiting for a decision." So finally today called VSO and told yes C-File was sent to Active Rating and got pulled out 16th October 2012...What? Where did it get pulled too? So VSO says let me clarify: C-File was sent to active rating and basically it is an area where it sits waiting for a rater to pick it up and sits with many others waiting their turn. OK and now? Well it was pulled out of that area for an Active Rating by a Rater to determine now, or at least in the very near future however it sits on the desk of that rater to make a decision/decide/determine your fate! So anyone else get such answers along the way? Basically steps were followed through before with the claims process and when advised it was with a rater it was, not a holding rater area...yet told decision to be coming when actually it sat in a room with many many folders! TELL IT LIKE IT IS! Here there, over there, over here, everywhere or nowhere!

Basically they do have the control, and can bounce one around on their power trip. You do as I say attitude...probably somewhat worse than your drill sergeant! It can be difficult for some vets...

Only thing I can personally say the BVA will accept internet searches that validate an illiness and case studies and tests done on others with the same diagnoses, however they would not accept actual claims previously decided copies. I did internet searches of studies done all around the world and linked to my specific diagnose. These were accepted and used along the process in my favor. Was advised not to send case claims previously done via BVA. Guess it's like using someone's term paper for your research. Again this is my personal experience and via my VSO VFW in Washington D.C. and their attorneys/legal consultants..(Also not accepted with RO) This was a few years ago...doubt it changed but one never knows...

Congrats on the 70% award. Did you put in for TDIU? Do you have a VSO who helps you with your claim? Have you received the deposit in your bank account yet? Do you work? Have you applied for social security disability? Hope someone can also chime in if they have any idea why the VA would schedule this unless there was something else in your claim filing status request...

Glad you received your rating in these 2 years. Congrats on your new son, and enjoy him, your wife and seek what other benefits you might be able to receive too!

Sorry wanted to add this guys office does not pull the file but has someone review it and the facts, so it doesn't go to the bottom of the pile. It moves on...

Wanted to add something else about the congressman's office staff I refered to a few posts dowm...the liason person told the vet his RO had a new Director and his name, and info about him, ie he really cares about vets and she felt he had "some influence" and I guess we will see...She said the 2 that she dealt with which is in my previous post too. I know it took me forever and settled with them to keep my sanity...I did not use any congressional or senatorial assistance. Just facts, internet studies, became a main point of assistance, and my professional relationship with the C&P staff. I even found a nun from Mississippi to write a statement concerning my claim...(from 1969) . This was my life's purpose to win, for my sanity, and my reputation, and the befefits. So one has to use all the educational evidence out there and all the professional, literature, studies worldwide, facts, books, articles, etc to get the evidence to win! It gets discouraging, very much so, especially when a va employee takes your file and writes a statement to deny by changing the facts/dates/opinions of physicians to deny, then stop payments stating you are deceased, then trying to sever , and denying again, and you request DRO Denovo review hearing, and finally you bombard them, and they cue and you get P&T... So I know how they work, operate, and "make up or change facts" to use any tactic to deny!! If and when I find out this vet finally gets results (satisfactorily) I will post his experience using his congressional assistance. You have to do what you think is your best option...Sorry I got into this more but I wanted you to know the RO is NOT yyour friend, it rarely matters your diagnosis/illiness, if someone decides not to grant, you have the fight of your life on. Good luck and I hope you have a fair person that reads, and understands you claim, and favors on the side of the vet with the evidence. halos2

I know a vet who recently contacted his congressman, after VA stalling since 06...He heard back from them in 3 days (congressional office) the VA is checking this out now! They expect to have an answer within 2-3 weeks...Who knows, however he chose this route when he found out about a vet wrapped up 13 years with appeals and they "looked" into his claims and in a few weeks he got a check for over 400k. I really don't know as I have heard it stalls things but it is an election year...

Great win! Somehow the win takes the sting out of years of torment and appealing. You can find a later model corvette reasonable, but 1963 was the only year they made the split window and they are PRICED VERY HIGH that is with original engine. Enjoy your family dinner.

Nice one! Enjoy.

Love this posting...