pilgrim01

No the Enemy, you seem very knowledgeable. Thank you for your response. I am going through a similar situation. I have a three Fully Developed Claims with three DBQs submitted. It moved really fast to Preparation for Decision (even skipped a couple of steps). Now, it has been sitting at Preparations for Decision for about a couple of months. My date for completion is 1/31/2017. Any chance of that coming to fruition? Coach Edgar, I am truly sorry and do not intend to "thread jack", but I am just a little frustrated (for lack of better terms) with my claim thus far. I would have thought it would have been quicker, but if it takes this long and I am granted an increase, I would be happy! :-)

Ok. So, QTC called me last week and told me of a routine QTC exam that was this week. I said ok, I can make it. I understand that the V.A. can do this because it has been about 6 years since I started getting disability and I am under 55. So, I go in eBenefits just to take a look and it says that I have an open claim since 3/31/2015 and then it lists just two of my disabilities out of four. The two that are not part of the QTC exam are rated at 10% so I understand. The thing that has me wondering is that when it lists the two disabilities that they are checking they have "(increase)" after each. I want to think I know what it means, but I want to ask those that have been through this already. Thanks, all for your assistance.

Can you explain further rpowell01?

Thank you.

I am. I just want to know the form I need to use and possibly the wording I need to use. I have the new evidence.

This would help me to move forward. Any and all examples would be truly appreciated. Thank you!

Without disclosing personal information, can any one give me an example of how I should complete the New and Material Evidence?

Again, Thanks, all! Truly a great help! I know I will be back with more questions!

Thanks, again all. When I submit the New and Material Evidence, what form do I use?

Thanks, all, for your responses. You all are truly a big help. So, she should file a Reconsideration Request? I believe she had already filed a NOD, which was denied. So, she should file a Reconsideration Request for the back and what should she "re-file", if anything, for her breast cancer?

Hello all! My wife was in Desert Shield/Storm. She hurt her back while serving during that time. She even was on quarters (in her tent) because of this injury. Well a few years ago she filed for disability for her back and was denied. She showed how she was on pain medication and receiving epidural shots for the pain. She also had a statement from another soldier that served with her that was a witness. They still denied her. Proper documentation was not documented because we were at war. She injured her back while making sandbags and carrying and exposing human waste. Well, this past weekend while looking through storage containers for pictures, she found an official form that had her back injury documented on it when it had actually happened! Also, while in Desert Shield/Storm, my wife was exposed to Chemical Warfare Agents (the letter was attached with original claim) which had been well documented as a possible cause of cancer. Well, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2005 and even had a mastectomy and she had to have plastic surgery. That was also denied on the same request. In her last letter from the VA, it stated that her case was closed unless there was new evidence. Well, this is new evidence, right? What should we do now in regards to the back pain and her breast cancer? Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all!

Thanks, Berta. I will be filing today.

Should I submit this new claim via an AMVETs rep or can I submit via IRIS? Which is best?

Thanks, all!

Thanks. So, I need to submit a new claim for the Alpha Delta sleep disorder. I also need to refer to the analgous ratings with my submission, correct?

Thanks, maybe I will refer to the "analgous ratings" in my submission. Should I submit this as a new claim?

I did some research and the doc notes actually state that I averaged 2 apneas plus hypopneas per hour and it was normal to have 0 - 5 per hour. It goes on to say that "Alpha intrusion into non-REM sleep (alpha-delta pattern) consistent with his history of lower back pain". In their ASSESSMENT, it states, "Alpha intrusion into non-REM sleep consistent with the patient's history of chronic musculoskeletal pain". In the CFR, under 5025 Fibromyalgia, it states, "With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms: - That are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy - 40 - That are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion, but that are present more than one-third of the time - 20 - That require continuous medication for control - 10 Note: Widespread pain means pain in both the left and right sides of the body, that is both above and below the waist, and that affects both the axial skeleton (i.e., cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine, or low back) and the extremities. Do you guys think I would I be looking at possibly the 20% or I am stretching this? Thanks, for your opinions/suggestions!

Hello, all! I recently had a sleep study done because my wife said it seems that I stop breathing while sleeping. Well, the sleep study revealed that I do not have sleep apneam but that I have alpha-delta sleep. The doctor said it is due to chronic pain. I hae degerenative arthritis in my lower back and my right ankle. My back aches all the time. I am on medication. I am 70% disabled. Can I make a claim to increase my current rating for this new "alpha-delta sleep"? Has anyone even herad of it? I have googled it and have seen sites talking about it.

Sorry and Thanks.

Just asking.

I just wanted to know if I will get a backpay from DFAS this time around also? Or was it a one time thing?

Berta, I get CRDP.

I was recently increased from 50% to 60% dating back from November 2008 until March 2010, THEN increased from 60% to 70% from March 4, 2010 til now (this was all in the same award letter). I received my backpay from the VA already. My question is will I also receive backpay from DFAS? I know that when I went from 40% to 50% I received backpay from the VA and DFAS. So, will DFAS send me some backpay this time, too? Thanks!

Commander Bob, Yes, I am working. What is IU? Do I qualify for something specal now that I am at 70%? Thanks, to all that responded!

Before the increase, I was 30, 10, 10, 10 = 48.97% (50%). Then, with the new increases, it went to 30, 20, 10, 10 = 54.64% (50% or 60%), and finally to 40, 30, 10, 10 = 65.98% (70%).