samclemmons

Success. 100% P&T as of April 9.

Outstanding Beady! I hate that drive to Charleston. Thanks.

Great information Vync. I appreciate your help.

Howya Folks. I haven't been around in a while but here is my deal in short. In 2009 I was given a service connected rating of 60% In Martinsburg WV. These were all bilateral ratings, feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. The back got no percentage but the others were 10% each. I moved to Charleston South Carolina recently requested an increase in compensation but have no C&P exam scheduled yet. I was issued a cane in Martinsburg as well as being scripted for a handicapped parking pass. Since being in Charleston things have deteriorated and after falling and breaking my first cane I was issued a second. I've had surgery on both hands to relieve discomfort and trigger finger from over gripping the damned canes. I've also had surgery on my right knee to try to clean up the meniscus (it didn't help with the pain) which wasn't succesful. I was issued a permanent rigid brace for my right knee and this whole thing has greatly decreased my mobility. I've also been on an assortment of pain killers since being rated, everything from hydrocodone (before they put all the restrictions on it) to ibuprofen and meloxicam and cyclobenzeprine. I live in Myrtle Beach. I am wondering if anyone had any experience with the C&P exams in Charleston. Do they do it themselves or farm it out? Do I need a private practice IMO for anything? I did claim my hands to be rated as a result of the cane. In general, what should I expect from these people in Charleston? Any suggestions?

I've been in voc rehab attending college since 2009. I have received subsistence from August through May with no interruptions... until now. I've been informed that subsistence will no longer be paid during the period of time between semesters, that is, if the first semester ends December 15 and the second semester starts January 10 then those 25 days are no longer subsidized. I can find no documentation for this change. Does anyone know if this is in fact the way subsistence will be handled from now on?

That's what I'm talking about, thanks bronco! I understand the VA math. The way it stands now I have 6 10's... 50% If they fix the errors I'll have 6 10's and a 20... 60%. That's what I was awarded so that's what I want. Then I'll deal with the NOD for what they mistakenly denied... :D

I pretty much agree with the decisions they made. The problems I've posted in my first post are clearly transcription errors. The "Reasons for Decision" section were transcribed incorrectly to the "Decisions" list. These errors left me at 50% instead of 60%. I'm not challenging the decision; I'm challenging clerical errors. Does this require a NOD? Shouldn't they just fix it?

I received a decision on a few things but there are discrepencies. The first: Under the "Decision" section: Service connection for chronic strain right ankle is granted with an evaluation of 0 percent. Now, under "Reasons for Decision": An evaluation of 10 percent is granted for moderate limited motion of the ankle. The second: Under the "Decision" section: Service connection for chronic right hip strain is granted with an evaluation of 10 percent. Under the "Reasons for Decision": An evaluation of 10 percent is assigned from (date of claim). An evaluation of 10 percent is assigned for limited adduction of the thigh with inability to cross legs. An evaluation of 10 percent is ALSO granted for limited rotation of the thigh with the inability to toe-out more than 15 degrees. A higher evaluation of 20 percent is not waranted unless the record shows abduction of the thigh is lost beyond 10 degrees. Those are the two things I think they goofed on. The first is pretty obvious. The second seems, at least to me, that the percentage should be 20 percent. Yes? What do I do to correct these things?

I filed on February 16 and was awarded on June 23. Damn that was pretty quick. I went from 10% to 50%. After a first read through the decision though I'm thinking they made a couple errors when totaling the percentages... should be 60%. Anyway, this was a huge win. Thanks to the rental and pool guys!!! Thanks also to everyone else who opined. They denied my tinnitus though. The one thing I thought was a lock didn't fly. Go figure. NS

That's what I'm saying Pete. I'm at 10% with claims pending for secondary conditions. On the strength of my Dr.'s examinations and written opinions I was approved for VR. My orthopaedic surgeon did a full examination just like a C&P including ROM and those documents are included in my claim. I am simply baffled why they would request the same material.

I was approved for Voc Rehab on the strength of these documents. I'll be resending the documents tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

I had my C&P exam a couple months ago so the waiting began. Today I received a letter from the Veteran's Service Center Manager saying that they had "requested copies of my treatment records or other evidence" from my doctors who wrote opinions for me. The rub is that these documents were ALREADY included in the claim package I sent way back when. Am I supposed to guess what "other evidence" they requested from my doctors? Do I visit my doctors and get the records again or do I send in what I already sent? Unbelievable how obtuse this system is. Cheers.

Question: Once they sign the form saying they have no more evidence to add to the claim... if new evidence comes to light afterward can they still send it?

Yes. I've had a complete hearing exam from a civilian audiologist who works with my ear, nose and throat guy. I won't have the paper work from them until February 3. I've also had a complete exam through the VA which shows Tinnitus and hearing loss and follows closely with the private practice exam. The VA exam lists acoustical trauma to the United States Navy with nothing specific. I see my civ Podiatrist on the 4th and will request an IMO and will file after that, with or without an IMO since I already have a nexus letter from him drawing the connection. NA