*Bergie*

If your award is less than 1 year old than file a notice of disagreement. From what you describe you have issues with your ankles as well as your feet which can be rated seperately. Have your private doctor get you refered to podietry and ortho (for ankles) to establish new evidence and re-open the claim if it is over 1 year old.
Good luck,
Bergie

Pete,
I totlly agree, this is not the first time jerrbilly has had diarrhia of the mouth on a topic he knows nothing about, and it is clear he is mostly speaking out of his @ss. I don't know where this guy comes from but everyone be ware, this guy is trouble...
Bergie

Hi Bronco, Hi Sixthscents,
Thank you so much for the very thorough and detailed answers, I can't thank you both enough...I am working on a NOD claim for my best friend and brother (same person), a man I admire and have strived to be like all my life. So, getting him to allow me to help him is my honor to him...That said, it really is disappointing that the VA still has not done a thing to "fix" itself...I am gonna use the info y'all provided to destroy the DRO that has the misfortune of hearing my brothers case, as there have been several procedural already perpetrated for this single claim that it's time to embarrass them again...
Again, thank you both,
Bergie 

So it's been a long time since I've done claims and now that the VA no longer accepts a 21-4138 as sufficient to file a NOD, I see that the only option is "traditional" or "DRO review." I find this to be a convenient way to deny a face to face hearing, but wanted to ask if there is a way to request a DRO hearing. I prefer to, and have never lost a case when argued at DRO hearing.
Thank you,
Bergie 

This is a link to an article that I like. Hope it helps someone.

Bergie


http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-complications?ecd=wnl_rhu_111910

WOW, I've never been accused of not researching a topic before asking a question and I didn't know there was a quota on the number of times vets ask a question in a search for help. I myself am a "Content Contributor," and as such I've been asked many questions over and over again. So to get an answer like the 1st from "Asknod" has me scratching my head. I would have rathered you just ignored the question instead of providing a rude and personally insulting opinion of something that occurs everyday on this website. If redundant questions bother you it would be best to ignore them, because a comment like your first might insult a vet and drive him or her away for fear of indignation if they ask a question that "YOU" think has been covered many times already...That being said I appreciate the 2nd response you gave, it provides some of the exact info I was looking for but also raises more questions. However, I'll hold those questions for fear of being insulted...
I hope I didn't insult anybody!!!    

No the VARO won't get tired of you Asknod....They aren't smart enough to realize when a vet is holding the NUTZ...in the poker game they are playing with us...So yes continue to call their bluff...

No the VARO won't get tired of you Asknod....They aren't smart enough to realize when a vet is holding the NUTZ...in the poker game they are playing with us...So yes continue to call their bluff...

No the VARO won't get tired of you Asknod....They aren't smart enough to realize when a vet is holding the NUTZ...in the poker game they are playing with us...So yes continue to call their bluff...

Welcome back Bergie!
Brokensoldier is correct. They pay starting the first of the following month. It kind of stinks though, but that's the way they do it.

WOW, I've never been accused of not researching a topic before asking a question and I didn't know there was a quota on the number of times vets ask a question in a search for help. I myself am a "Content Contributor," and as such I've been asked many questions over and over again. So to get an answer like the 1st from "Asknod" has me scratching my head. I would have rathered you just ignored the question instead of providing a rude and personally insulting opinion of something that occurs everyday on this website. If redundant questions bother you it would be best to ignore them, because a comment like your first might insult a vet and drive him or her away for fear of indignation if they ask a question that "YOU" think has been covered many times already...That being said I appreciate the 2nd response you gave, it provides some of the exact info I was looking for but also raises more questions. However, I'll hold those questions for fear of being insulted...
I hope I didn't insult anybody!!!    

Hey Bergie,
If it was simple, like SMC-K, everyone would be able to grasp it within a few reads. I'm still not totally convinced that I have a solid grasp on it either. The VA could have done a better job clarifying it. If they would have added some "real world" examples, it could make a big difference.

Welcome back Bergie!
As info, the Google search links may not be fully functional from that site directly. Due to T-Bird changing the site, she said they should be updated by the end of the month. I had to login to Hadit and perform a search in order to find what I wanted.

It has been a long time since I last visited Hadit, and I've missed those individuals that have become friends. But rest assured I have managed to help many vets along the way outside from those that I helped here at Hadit. Now it's my turn to ask for help. I want to clear up the requirements for SMC so that I can understand it, please. I have PTSD rated at 70% and many other ratings that have put me at 100% P&T. In order to qualify for the SMC do I have to have a single rating of 100%, plus the additional combined to 60%. OR, can I have several ratings that total 100%, plus additional ratings that add up to 60%. The guidelines are very confusing so a bit of help to clear it up would be greatly appreciated... 
Thanks,
Bergie