halos2

Your VSO probably wanted you to protect your date. The date received by the VA is the retro date to go back to when you get approved. You will get paid to the date they received the claim, upon approval.

Strap on your seat belt and get ready for a long ride. This will take a consideratable amount of time for them to review all of your SMR's and exam results, and hopefully you have sent other evidence. Remember YOU are your best ADVOCATE when it comes to your file. Gather all evidence and statements from all who can validate your claim. Read, study, and take action to prove your disabling condition. Make it hard for them, VARO, to deny or low-ball you. Good luck and hold on tight for the ride of your life. B)

These products do not do what they claim to do. No $ saved using them. The oly one who gets $ is the person who sells these gadgets. Keep tires inflated, drive speed limit or little less, no jack rabbit starts/stops. Keep windows closed and air on,(windows open slow down car airflow), keep trunk empty as weight there decreases gas mileage too. Don't have luggage or tow things on roof, slows down airflow and decreases mileage too. Keep car tuned up, oil changes on time, other maintenance, air filter changes too. No need to use premium gas regular or medium grade good. And getting back to your comment on mileage rates from VA you know as of Feb 1st 2008,they changed from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. First raise in 30 tears. BUT also the deductible went up from $6.00 round trip to $15.54 round trip. With the maximum of $46.62 deductible per month( that equals 3 round trips, so if you have 4 or more in one month, they just take out for the first three) A vet can ask for the deductible to be waived if it will cause a financial hardship, but I have yet to see anyone get it at my VAMC yet. The P.A. has yet to see one get it here either, yet. Remember VA pays zip code to zip code to CLOSEST VA. I choose one in my state, and get paid to go to the closer one in another state. ( I go 135 miles one way, started there in 1985, never got mileage before. They pay for the one 120 miles away.)

I know what you are saying. I too do not have the $$ to get the high profiled IMO's. I have used 2 of my own Dr's I have been seeing for years. I have done all of the leg work/book work/report work/evaluation work/ regulatory work and compiled it for them to read, tweek and sign. Throughout this process I have done it all. Read John D. Roche's books, Leggets Book, Utalized Watchdog.org/Jim Strickland, hadit, vajoe, Veterans Benefit Network, and so many case studies on VA.Gov site. It has been, and continues to be a passion to find, evaluate,educate,conquer, and hopefully eventually win. I was fortunate to have a VA supervisor who did help me some along the way too but he has been shuffled and is being forced into retirement as he has helped too many vets the last 2 years. You have to do it all in order to win...I did not know this till after I was granted 30% on my claim(a) and denied on claim(B). My VSO did nothing, told me nothing...and I started to read, and then found this VARO rep to assist me along the way, and thus my book purchases and web searches... I googled over 3 years ago and started it all after I sent my first NOD. This site here has many good people that will offer you advise on what they have done and what has worked for them but you are your own advocate who will need to gather it all to win. Different VARO's rate and deny or grant at their leisure. MO is extremely tuff! They have some people who will do anything and everything to DENY. No matter if the evidence is right in their face. Ex. Gaf 40's with Dx.Chronic PTSD, numerous symptoms for years, much psych records and documentation out the wazzo, and 30% granted! Just make sure your fight is on paper with words to help your case. No threats, cursing, demanding,etc. Facts, and documentations, will help you win. Doesn't happen fast though. Good IMO's to refute their (VA's)statements will help you to win. Never give up!! B)

Berta, What was the small statement?? You have got my curiousity going wild.

Tom, we all feel your happiness!! Yipee!! B) What state are you from?

My DRO took forever. I first requested it in Jul 06 and finally got my answer in Mar 08. I thought she was on LOA.

Hey LarryJ I thought OZ was in Kansas, not UT. What gives? :D

Was treated for 39 years for back injury and VA claim further injuries are why I have disability...not original service injury with months of treatments and no relief noted at all in SMR, but they claim later injurys are cause...

Automated via computer. I received these letters every 2 months for over a year. Plus they kept sending the physicians the letters for their info too, after Drs sent it 3 times they called the VA as I gave them the direct extention, and the VA said they had all the copies they sent 3x, but was also computer generated to keep requesting this for a year. Thats why my file-folders are 3 ft high. Too many copies of the same info over and over... Better to have more than not enough.

Most of the time it is not that cut and dry. You want and seek to have a specialization to refute the VA's denial. You need to have more evidence that can be argued against to give the Vet the upperhand. One who is knowledgable with the regulatory process is a major plus for the veteran. Many of the experienced IMO's, as Dr Craig Bash do these exams with the precise information that takes the case and favors the vets by utalizing diagnostics, MRI, X-Rays, Labs, evaluations, etc to basically put the veterans in the drivers seat. It is not just a simple exam, but review of all the exams, and records from active duty to present. This requires hours of reading and documentation of the pertinent facts. Then they have to find the regulations to process the findings of their evidence. They use regulations and disability information and exam result information and tie it together and determine also how disabled the vet is ie 10%, 40%, etc to prove with the regs the limitations and problems the vet has suffered, and continues to suffer. Lengthy process. You pay for their time and knowledge to help you. Nothing is guaranteed though.

You got it, You got it, you know you really got it, once you get the $$$$, you can buy some bobbers and maybe even some worms. Hi yoa silver and away you go! Congrats all the way to the bank. Enjoy! Yipee!! Yabba Dabba Do! :P ;) :)

Make sure you don't go in there dressed to the hilt! Don't smile and joke at all with them. Don't ever say you have had a "good" day. They will turn any little pleasentry into "you are great and about cured!" Always be on the defense with them as in with football. Protect yourself and your rating. If your are in worse shape offer it but nothing other. I have read on hadit where a vet said he went fishing one time and had a good day, well they lowered him down from 100 to 60 and that is terrible. To lower someone cause they said they found a little bit of enjoyment "one day" and dropped him down...they didn't care all the other days were terrible, but that one day is what they made their decision on. You on SSI too? Be honest and tell them your limitations and pain complaints and mental anguish that persists every hour of every day. If you have sleeping difficulty acknowledge it too. Just relax, and you will be fine telling your ailments... :P

Have you sent a letter to the FOIA representative at the VAMC you are trying to receive the records from? Send your letter to that person certified and in the body of the letter state you are requesting any/all records/appointments/test results/lab results/adaptive equipment,etc and anything that may be in their files/folders and any on microfilm...including those in archives... When you sign off be sure to note you wii be sending cc:to congressman(name), cc:senator etc so that when they sign for it and see you are indeed saying the political advocates will be receiving copies of this letter they should act on it as the governmental employees you listed will contact them to check on the progression of the information you had requested. The looser that did my C&P said "vet states previous treatment at this VAMC in the mid eightys for back pain and removal of tumor on face, no such treatment records noted." The bit*c didn't check archives...and what do you know, there they were!

What state are you from? Trying to see if certain areas are more prone to denials and/or low balling vets.

It took me about a month before it came into my bank...VA said computer problems and it was not entered into Depository in Ok where funds come from...I spoke to them on a tues and they told me that for the 5th time, I called the bank and they told me it had been deposited the day before, on Monday. My VSO called me at 7:15a.m. about 30 days prior to receiving it to see if I wanted to accept it...was at 30 and went to 50. Don't hold your breath, but it will show up. The computer system doesn't have any idea what is going on without someone inserting the info. They did a lousy job with mine, but thank heavens somebody could read and insert it in for me. So were you at 30% or did you get approved for 30%? You had 30% on your site. I went and figured mine out by looking at old rate charts for each year...also if you have a dependent and/or children it changes the amounts monthly for each disability rate too. It is great to hear when someone finally wins..YIPEE for you!! :P

(3) Evaluation of evidence: A disagreement as to how the facts were weighed or evaluated. OK, now my one claim was denied as it stated on my disc summary: had normal exam on discharge, back injury referred to one time problem jul69 no prob since well there is no such injury occurring this date or months away from this date so them claiming to use this as my reason for denial should be a cue as the SMR have all the correct dates,treatments,therapies,etc however they use the discharge summary record for their documention to deny. Wrong date should mean not to deny, Right? Wrong date does not have any injuries or treatments to go with it. Correct date has all verification. What do you think? I have to wait 2 yrs for BVA to review then make their decision, then I can cue, Right? :P

(3) Evaluation of evidence: A disagreement as to how the facts were weighed or evaluated. OK, now my one claim was denied as it stated on my disc summary: had normal exam on discharge, back injury referred to one time problem jul69 no prob since well there is no such injury occurring this date or months away from this date so them claiming to use this as my reason for denial should be a cue as the SMR have all the correct dates,treatments,therapies,etc however they use the discharge summary record for their documention to deny. Wrong date should mean not to deny, Right? Wrong date does not have any injuries or treatments to go with it. Correct date has al verification. What do you think? I have to wait 2 yrs for BVA to review then make their decision, then I can cue, Right? :P

Berta, back then was giving rebuttal information to VETS and it is an excellent reading/related material to show the inconsistencies the VA had and continues to use to disallow a claim. This is pathetic we continue to be abused and although we have the documentation available, and clearly presented, we are shoved to the back of the line with Deny...Deny.

Berta, Thanks so much for responding. He is on Medicare and has Blue Cross/Blue Shield and was 75% but VA gave him 100% like 4 yrs ago, or around that time, as was WWII and some Cold War injuries too... His VSO is VFW and they say he is not eligible as he gets max amt of 100% disability, but if he was 100% pension he would be eligible. We have asked this for over a year, and since this hospitalization, they stay firm on his "ineligibility." The VSO said no way he is eligible as he is ptiu, and he gets the 100% rate each month from his compensation. Any other ideas? They said they wouldn't even file because he is not eligible at all with his rating for compensation.

Here's a bit of info: for an example with first C & P Dx: Anxiety Disorder;PTSD Chronic Depressive Disorder; Major Depression OCD Personality Disorder (Just listing my psych ones) Axis V Gaf score 50 Meanwhile after the exam Gaf's ranged from 27(one time) to 47's with all of the counseling sessions. Pain Psychologist rated Gaf 38 and stated unsuitable for any type of employment and should be rated at 100% PT. After more than 1 year VA rated me with 30% comp. I filed NOD...they said I was deceased, next they proposed to sever, requested personal hearing and finally after almost 2 yrs got it up to 50%. Gaf's still in 40's. Tell me something's not wrong here... :P And the lowballer trophy and the bonus $ goes to MO.

jbasser, Have you found the post yet? The VA needs to quit using vets for guinea pigs. VA should stop the insanity in regards to substandard care for vets. What other occupations offer their life for the service provided? To go anywhere, at anytime, and fight for freedom for others. Man I wish I went into law years ago! So how do we get the VA to use Real Physicians especially for critical diagnoses and care?

John999, This is too dangerous. Sounds like they are trying to pull a "MARION" here. Cut costs and ignore what the vet truely needs. I would find a cardiologist elsewhere too. You have to keep your ticker working and if care is not there you are in jeopardy allowing others not qualified to assist you.

Berta, I too have a question regarding the elgibility of one at 100% as an 85 yr old WWII vet recently was hospitalized and prior was able to get around on own and was discharged from the hosp 14 days later to a private nursing home...(closest to his own home). His VSO and his VAMC said he would have to pay per self for care,($4000 and up less med A and some private insurance per month). They both said he is not eligible for A & A as he gets max benefit at 100%. However he was informed he could move into a State VA Home(when bed is available) at a cost of $1800. per month, or else move into a VA contracted nursing home for free. Does this seem to be the rule? Isn't it odd to go a State Veterans Home he pays, but federal will pay for him in a regular VA contracted nursing facility.( They will pay his entire cost, he gets to keep all of his checks, all his property,etc) So if this is the "rule" could it be why gdsnide has not been granted A & A? :P The VSO did comment that if he were 170% there was a possibiity he could have been eligible for A & A and help would enable him to go home and receive this care...any clues to this either? Hello Carlie, Hoppy, anyone else know??

I have been receiving my dental care at my VAMC where I receive all of my care. My dentist is totally awsome. He has provided me with outstanding care. I have a highly sensitive gag reflex, so this was the only course of treatment for me.