Papa

Isn't it amazing how things in the VA can differ from one Vet to another!!  Are you by chance rated Housebound?  I would think this would help you qualify.  I am 100% PT Housebound, but I know I do not qualify since I'm a Vietnam Veteran.  I really wish I had some great advice to help you, but do not give up. 
 
Papa

The VAOIG will protect VA employees if they murder Veterans.   Murderers get paid vacation.  
http://www.disabledveterans.org/2015/12/11/va-employee-charged-with-beating-elderly-patient-to-death-still-employed-at-va/
However, dont even think of bringing a Bible onto government property, this is illegal.  
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/04/12/bibles-are-being-removed-from-missing-man-tributes-at-va-clinics-and-military-bases-why.html
I think maybe it should be the other way around, that Murderers get punished while Bible's are fine.  
 

My mind isn't what it use to be,  but I believe it was a BVA.  The appeal was handled mostly at the Houston Regional office, but when they where not giving me the stuff I needed, and my lawyer did not respond I would call the VA HQ in D.C. 
If, I'm going to pay a lawyer 20% I expect them to earn it. I would never pay 33%.  That's just me. 
PAPA

When I decided that a Lawyer was the way for me to go, and did my research I selected one. We agreed on the 20% of retro. I had no problem with that. Then I found myself doing most of the research.  They sent me a copy of the only letter that they sent to the VA. A fourth grader could write better.  Well I did win my claim and expected that the 20% would be withheld. I was mistaken. In my package they did withhold the 20%, but would not pay the Lawyers because the VA said they did not earn it. The Law firm appealed, but lost, 9 months later I got the 20% in my account.
PAPA

When I decided that a Lawyer was the way for me to go, and did my research I selected one. We agreed on the 20% of retro. I had no problem with that. Then I found myself doing most of the research.  They sent me a copy of the only letter that they sent to the VA. A fourth grader could write better.  Well I did win my claim and expected that the 20% would be withheld. I was mistaken. In my package they did withhold the 20%, but would not pay the Lawyers because the VA said they did not earn it. The Law firm appealed, but lost, 9 months later I got the 20% in my account.
PAPA

In 2012, I was awarded 100% P&T for PTSD, Housebound, both knees, back, nurophy, diabetes, Parkinson's, etc.  My issue is that I have to maintain the 100% for 10 years before my wife can qualify for DIC.  While no one can know when it is their time, you can look at my list, and see it is not good. 
Younger Vets may or may not under stand this, but most of the Vietnam Vets should.  In 1973, I was having a very hard time adjusting, and my Back was killing me from an injury.  I went to the VFW, and ask the guy what I would like to do, and he started crying like a baby, and told me to get the "F" out of his office, he was fed up with cry babies.  Some people are very brave when they have 4 people backing them up.  I finally got a DAV VSO to put the claim in for me, for emotional issues and for my Back.  They both came back rejected because they were not in my record.  They were saying that I had zero treatment.  It took me 40 years, but I finally got the VA to admit that I did injure my Back in the service and was treated for it.  I was also sent to the Shrink in 1969, since the Doctors could not figure out a medical problem I was having.
Now, I'm honestly not interested in any back pay (I am not stupid however) all I really want is the change of the effective date to help with the DIC. 
PAPA
Missed you all.

In 2012, I was awarded 100% P&T for PTSD, Housebound, both knees, back, nurophy, diabetes, Parkinson's, etc.  My issue is that I have to maintain the 100% for 10 years before my wife can qualify for DIC.  While no one can know when it is their time, you can look at my list, and see it is not good. 
Younger Vets may or may not under stand this, but most of the Vietnam Vets should.  In 1973, I was having a very hard time adjusting, and my Back was killing me from an injury.  I went to the VFW, and ask the guy what I would like to do, and he started crying like a baby, and told me to get the "F" out of his office, he was fed up with cry babies.  Some people are very brave when they have 4 people backing them up.  I finally got a DAV VSO to put the claim in for me, for emotional issues and for my Back.  They both came back rejected because they were not in my record.  They were saying that I had zero treatment.  It took me 40 years, but I finally got the VA to admit that I did injure my Back in the service and was treated for it.  I was also sent to the Shrink in 1969, since the Doctors could not figure out a medical problem I was having.
Now, I'm honestly not interested in any back pay (I am not stupid however) all I really want is the change of the effective date to help with the DIC. 
PAPA
Missed you all.

Mark,

Apparently, you have never worked for the Government. The word "Planning" is a no no. As far as I know, there are only two Regional Offices in the state of Texas, Waco and Houston. What usually happens when a business has a big increase in customers, they expand to meet their customer's needs. The Valley has needed a Hospital for years, and its needs its own VARO. Basically, they need to access the workload at all the VAROs and make adjustments. At the start of each war they should start planning on this. Start wars, you make Veterans. Don't want Veterans, don't start wars.

Papa

I really do not think anyone is surprised at your post. If, you look at it deeper, it is probably worse.


Papa

Feb 16, 2010. IMHO, Houston does not care.

Papa

I do not know if this would work, and do not know if it would be in your budget, but I would start going to a private shrink. They are more likely to do the DBQ for you. Also, I do not know if the Vet Center would be willing to do this. BTW, if you have to go the C&P route, please read the rules and the way to act at these exams. The two PTSD exams that I had, they would ask me how I was feeling. Please, do not tell them you are feeling GREAT!! You might be, but it is how you feel on a daily basis. I told one that I feel like an elephant is sitting on my face, and passing gas.

Papa