USMC_HVEQ

congrats Navy04 on long overdue win...continue to help all these others with everything you have learned in your own process. Yutt

well devil, good to go on doing your due diligence. You need to look up the criteria for each rating. Yes they will go into depth about Stressors. Since you were in Iraq and most likely got a CAR being a grunt, no need to worry about confirming everything. They will go into your background growing up, family life etc. They want to know how you were before Iraq and how you are post Iraq essentially. The C&P is a confirmation usually of what was diagnosed. The percentages for diasbility are based on the severity of your symptoms. It isn't about oh you saw more then someone else or less than. Merely having diagnosis is a start but then you need to look at what your symptoms are. They will go in depth on each symptom as well and ask for examples. The exam will probably be an hour or 2. THey will be judging everything about you ( , remember this. How you talk(fast or slow), eye contact (yes or no), language(curse or whatever), body language, demeanor, how you are dressed, how you are groomed, emotion (angry, cry, no emotion) just a few of the things I can come up with off the top of my head they want to know work history (lost of jobs or lost time due to PTSD) My list to go over: panic attacks (frequency) Irritiability No longer enjoy/Lost interest in things you once used to enjoy Suicide attempts or thoughts Homicidal thoughts Road rage Issues with crowds? Sleeping problems Nightmares isolating yourself? numb or detached feelings? anger problems any issues with cops (being called, restraining orders, Jail, probation, etc) easily startled at all? 4th of july effect you at all? Issues with hadjis? Anxiousness? need things done certain ways, almost OCD like? minor things set you off? depression? weight gain or weight loss? self medicate with alcohol or drugs? risky behaviors? ANy issues taking care of yourself? any issues handling your own finances? any education? (like finished school or went but dropped out) The VA diability compensation is mostly for losing ability to work more than quality of life. So if you are working that effects the level they grant you as well. I hope I helped a little. I will chime back in when I can think of more things. S/F

PR & others, I understand the consequences of I will have to pay a 10% premium penalty per every 12 months, I am off Medicare Part B. I am single, unmarried, no dependents. I only use the VA and have had no problems. Everything at my local VA (Bedford, MA) has met my needs including dental. I understand if I was married then the scenarios may change but for right now, I don't see any benefit for ME, MY situation at this time. I'm not saying you all dont make valid points for the future. What do I need to do to remove myself?

thank devil, i'm 100% VA TDIU P&T so I doubt they would be charging medicare in my case, should be champva or whatever. My meds are all free via VA. If I must reenroll when I'm 65 so be it, but I'm 39. I'd rather the $110 go toward a monthly bill. Is there a special form or procedure to disenroll from medicare part b?

Pete, thank you for the post. I understand the generalities of Medicare Part B. I was more specifically asking if Vets, maybe you, getting 100% from the VA and use only the VA for Health coverage, have opted out? I'm 39yrs old, single, no dependents if that helps. Again, I'm not trying to clog your thread up. I'm wondering if anyone has chosen to unenroll from Medicare Part B, since after 2 yrs on SSDI, it automatically kicked in. thanks again

Hey Pete, Great post. Just a quick question since you are 100%, did you opt out of the Medicare $110/mo payment or do they wack you for it? I just started getting hit. I'm 100% TDIU P&T/ Medically retired 50% DOD & 70%CRSC........I only use the VA for all my health. Just curious if you opted out and if so, how do you do so? sorry if I'm off topic, didnt mean to hijack your thread

Great info... Now the 20%, are you SC by reasons of AO for the DMII? I was diagnosed 2 yrs ago by the VA as DMII and take Metformin twice a day to get my A1C down from 9.6 originally 10.6 2 yrs ago to 6.3 recently as of a few weeks ago.......I never filed for it as I'm sure they will deny for it not being in my SMRs. I only remember on my exit physical being counseled for being pre-diabetic. Not sure that qualifies. Also have OSA that the VA issued a CPAP in 2010 but denied me when I filed a claim and I appealed, but I never knew to get a IMO at the time. It sat on appeal for 4 yrs and suddenly after I got the 100% TDIU P&T, my appeal came back for the OSA as denied. I just let it go at the time. I'm currently 100% TDIU (90% Combined) P&T

You will still be subjected to future exams. It may be 5 yrs instead of every 2 yrs in my opinion. Inside your C-File has the date. If you have any other C&Ps it could trigger a reevalutation as well as a need for increase or If you seek TDIU. This is just my opinion.

I think you are going to have to file a NOD(Notice of Disagreement). Hopefully you can contact them and get a new C&P without dragging this out. I fear this will be dragged out much longer for you. Does the VARO have your current address & Phone Number on File? I totally believe you when you said it wasnt there. Odd they didnt mail or call. I am just trying to chime in. I know this would beyond frustrating for me, so I can only imagine how you are taking it. I admit, I don't know a ton on missing appts, especially C&Ps, some others will chime in and get you locked in the right directon.

Welcome, You can certainly apply for an increase in your PTSD. you can apply online VONAPP application or eBenefits, I think. There are new forms required to fill out now then in the past as I believe they were trying to remove ambiguity. You will need to consult the higher criteria for 70% or 100% on the PTSD to see if you meet either of them. They will ask about what has happened since the last VA rating. They will not be covering what has happened since your last C&P for PTSD. TDIU-is Total Disability Individual Unemployability. This you for not being able to work due to your disability or disabilities and you can't work. you have to show them you cant work, rather than just not wanting to work. If you get SSDI due to PTSD, then that should definitley help your case towards TDIU if that is the route you are going. P&T=Permanent & Total, which is usually added to TDIU if your disability has been static for 5yrs, usually. This is generally harder to attain as no future exams are required and other benefits are attached.

hey welcome and thanks for taking the time to share your claim in such detail. I can tell at least from the comments on your PTSD exam, the rater checked occupational and social with occasional decease is more than likely going to meet the 30% ballpark. I can't speak for the other claims, just trying to help in anyway and there shall be plenty of others, hopefully to chime in.

i hear exactly what you are saying. Most PTSD, people didnt run for help when or immediately after it happened so it appears as if it didnt happen but we know it did in fact happen. What type of MOS were you in? ANy combat action ribbons or badges help as well. You have a diagnosis so don't sweat it.

Welcome, Even as a reservist that is activated, you do have medical records. They are saying your old reserve unit never gave them your service medical records. You need to send them into them if you have a copy. You can also request a copy of all your service medical records by your branch of service. Most will be in St Louis and most should have already been sent to the VA, but it isn't always automatic. PDHA, PHDRA are all within you service medical records. Give them all of them, no need to cherry pick for specifics. You are saying no LOD (Line of Duty), for this stuff. You have a diagnosis, they will give you the benefit of the doubt usually, whihc is what that at least as likely as not (Means over 50% in you favor, not compensation percentage but their opinion). You need to become your own advocate. THe VFW, DAV and many other vet orginizations are nice, but they are usually overworked, burdened and don't put in the extra effort you might think. You need to start doing some of the leg work yourself, no offense. Keep us posted

glad some of the undue stress is hopefully relieved. Thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us. Stay positive and usually, not always, it will work out. have a great day and keep doing what you do for us all here on the site. We appreciate all your help.

the main issue I see is that you decided to quit work. The doc also is saying you can do something, even if it isnt something you want to do. Do you have SSDI? if so that will help your case as well.