Sgt. Wilky

You're going to need an increase of 50% or more in order to get to 100%. The math is subtractive. 90% to 100% would require an increase in a lot of things you have, or another condition rated at least 50%. You may not even truly be at "90%". You might be at 84.6%. Based off what you posted, the calculations only come out to 52.7608%. I'm assuming you're rated for something(s) other than what you screenshot. Attached is an old VA compensation calculator I think I found here many years ago, in Xcel. Sempter Fi, Sgt. Wilky Well, nevermind, it won't let me. Send me a private message and I'll forward you the Xcel based calculator if you want.

I would not wait to file for the second condition, you file either an "intent to file" or file your claim as soon as you can to preserve your Effective Date. If you wait to file until after you get the first claim adjudicated, you could be waiting years. Don't wait, file now. I don't have the experience to say otherwise, and others may chime in with much more institutional knowledge than I have, but that is what I would do. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

When they call you to set up your appointment, don't be a smart aleck (NOT saying you would or will, just don't), and kindly ask them what part of your claim this is for. You will then be able to prepare and get your ducks in a row. Under no circumstances should you miss your appointment, unless of course, it's for something serious. Do everything you can to make your appointment. When you get there, no matter how rude, disingenuous, or insincere they might seem to be, do not lash out or be a jerk. There are plenty of posts here about almost any condition you've claimed for so search in those posts to gain the benefit of others' experiences. Arm yourself with information so that you will be well-prepared for the exam. Best of wishes and Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Yes you did! And without Hadit.com, I'd have never, NEVER gotten to where I am today. I wish there was more I could do to help. But I hope every one of us has a Merry Christmas. Thank you, all of you, for what you have done. "...good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Congrats to you @broncovet! I just noticed you're a fellow Colorado vet. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

I have been dealing with the BVA since 2008 and the first time I received an email was back in August of 2020 telling me they reached a decision and that was it. Fast forward to September of this year, not only did I get an email, but it summarized on my *new* ebenefits page what the decision was; i.e. "(issues) was granted; (issues) not granted". I still had to wait for the decision letter to come in the mail, which took a ridiculous amount of time, about 4 weeks from what I remember. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Will try to help as we can. I'm glad Hadit has been here for me, and I've been here since 2008. I'm very much ignorant of a lot of things, but this site and the people on here have helped me immensely. I hope people can and will give to help other vets find their way here. Sgt. Wilky

Any government program that makes promises can't be trusted. Waut till Social Security runs out of money.

Thank you, that answers my question, and in my claim, I'll try to remember to include that information for the "This is what happens when I don't have my medication". Thank you much!

And my question to that, is how does medication affect the rating? I ask this because I've been on Px for this condition for 20 years. If it wasn't for the meds, I would have all these symptoms, because there have been periods of time when I didn't have meds, and the symptoms return immediately. I have an intent-to-file filed, and I'm in the process of gathering my records for this and such, but I need to be able to adequately explain it. What @Dustoff 11 and you @Vync have stated is beneficial information to help me word my claim, so thank you for summarizing what was there. I appreciate everyone's knowledge. The VA system, and the myriad of information required to understand the claims process is still very murky, even after 14 years of being on here. Granted, I don't spend a lot of time here, as I'd like to, but Hadit.com as truly been a huge help to me in my claims processes. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

What happened to this post? This was good information to have. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Everytime I have had a C&P exam it was done by a NP. And every damn time, his word went against my GP Family Doctor, my Neurologist, my Rheumatologist, and other doctors. The NP in Cheyenne, Wy, was a turd and years on this forum has taught me that most C&P examiners are. I wish to the Lord Almighty that someone, somewhere would expose the "training" these C&P examiners get in order for them to deny, deny, deny. I have not had one C&P exam go in my favor, and it was the reason why I have spent years on appeal. I'm still in appeal because of that jerk. I too, have had the judge at the BVA apologize to me, twice to be exact. I know there are good people on both the VHB and VBA side of things, but I don't trust (and never will) the C&P examiners. The examiners have done more damage to my perspective of the VA than any one thing or person. I understand the VA's obligation to weed out the liars, but this is how they do it? It's atrocious. Sgt. Wilky

Hang in there Buck. A lot autoimmune disorders we suffer from in the form of lupus and RA can by helped by diet in a large way, but not all of it. The medications I listed are not pain medications, they're medications to help control the flare-ups and suppress the immune system from attacking the body. I would begin by cutting out all diary, then move on to wheat products, then sugars and processed foods. It is a serious, life-changing commitment and it is not easy. But I will say, within the first week, if RA and psoriatic arthritis is the issue here, you will begin to notice an improvement. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Buck, I too, have every one of those conditions. Some folks don't like them, but I'm on a wide range of medications including cosyntex (most insurance, and I highly doubt the VA, pay for these [it is for psoriatic arthritis and almost $8k per shot]), Enbrel (not currently on), sulfasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxacholorquine (not the fish tank cleaner), and others. I am not a current patient on VHA, and I don't know if you are. But these are just some of the medications I've been on for about 5 years. Granted, I'm 41 so there may be a little more long term benefit that I will experience. I don't envy you, but I would try to get on some of these or talk to your doctor about them. Also, I have tried altering my diet, that helps. Anything dairy and tomato based, can be highly inflammatory. Wheat products especially (although much harder to control the intake for me), and anything with sugar. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

I too, am very grateful for all the hard work and effort you have put into this site. I know that I have immeasurably benefitted from the information from this site, and I know for a fact that many hundreds, if not thousands have found the information here useful to their claims, and family members and friends of veterans too. Despite all the efforts to tear down Hadit.com, whether directly or indirectly, I hope that Hadit.com will be able to continue to provide valuable resources and a wealth of information for veterans for many years and decades to come. I have no doubt in my mind that the VA would love to see sites like hadit.com disappear, but I'm truly thankful for how it has helped me. Also, a thank you to those vets who have given of their time, experiences, and knowledge of the VA system to help others like me navigate their way through it. I went from 0% to 100% TDIU because of the information on this site. Happy Birthday Hadit.com and thank you very much TBird. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Back in 2017 I too got the dreaded "Proposal to Reduce" ratings letter. It immediately sent me into a tizzy and I googled searched, came here to Hadit, and immediately got into contact with my VSO. At that point in time I was 70%, but what that process did was expose the fact that VA "...mistakenly sent the letter..." and I was told it shouldn't have been sent. But I'm sure had I not made a huge stink (including referrencing the CFR rules that prohibited such a move), they still would have reduced me. I agree that vets need to educate themselves to a degree that they at least know how and to whom to respond/ask if an issue comes up. Pretending like we are not responsible for the outcomes in these scenarios is flat-out wrong (I'm almost positive there are many vets who do this, then scream and howl at the moon about it). We have to be on guard about these. We also though must be very out-spoken against anyone who is playing the "something for nothing" game if it is found out and proved to be the case. All-in-all, the letter ended up doing the exact opposite of its intent, I am now 100% P&T, thanks to my VSO, doctors, and BVA judge who helped me through that debacle (and a hearty thank you to all the help here on Hadit)! Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

This is an excellent post. I just qualified for Chapter 35 benefits and received some paperwork in the mail from the VA for my (just turned) 16 y/o son. My accountant should be aware of this, but I will make sure to inform her that there some very specific rules regarding this benefit and the community college up the street from us should be able to help us with this too. Thank you again and Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Good Lord pacmanx1...

Well, I've had a Notice of Disagreement from my very first and original claim that I filed in 2008 just get remanded from the BVA--eleven years after. I had my C&P exam for the remand today. Can it take forever? Within the realm of human reasoning and understanding, yes. Good Luck, Sgt. Wilky

They tried to reduce my rating too back in 2018. I filed immediately I was just over my 10 year mark. They can't do reduce you without cause. There's a pinned post about the reduction rules, I'd encourage you to go search it out.

I was told that by my VSOs too..."Better rethink filing, it could open a can of worms." That's exactly what they said. But the good folks here especially @brokensoldier244th and several others helped me see the light of that farce. If you have the documentation, if you have the injuries, if you have problems, then file for it. I'm not good enough at this process to tell you how to do it, but I told my VSO I'm willing to take the "risk" and I did. I'm now 100% P&T with U/I. I'm glad I filed at the behest of the folks here. Stop waiting and get some help in filing if needed. At least put in an "Intent to File" notice (?) so that you can preserve your filing date. Sgt. Wilky

I've been discussing these events with fellow Marines and soldiers who were coworkers. What an absolute $%&* show. Every single one of us believe that this is our generation's Vietnam. If this is a taste of what the Vietnam Vets felt, I am sorry I didn't appreciate them more. Semper Fi, Sgt. Wilky

Thanks, not planning on it. I had to quit what I was doing for a reason!

Thank you for sharing the information and for your help!!

Bronco, you and I live in the same state. I was doing some research and I'm not sure I qualify for the property tax reduction. Is the life insurance something I need to research and start or is that something that would come in the mail? Sgt. Wilky