myrah

Just wanted to thank all that have provided me with tidbits of information from 2007 through January 2023. Some of that info came from direct input but most was gleaned by lurking. My journey has been slow and painful but in the end it resulted well. I managed my claim myself with occasional support from different VSOs; don't believe that I would have been successful without the knowledge that came from hadit.com I still have multiple issues pending to include an appeal that's about # 2000 on the docket. Will continue to push these eggs up the hill just not as quickly as before. Good luck to all that are still pursuing their claim with the VA and thanks again to everyone associated with running and managing this site. myrah

Update: DFAS paid retro CRDP minus 12.5k in taxes on 21 Jan 2020. On 4 Mar 2020 VA paid retro pay from Mar 07 - Oct 19 for the difference between 40% and 70%. This process seemed to take forever to finalize but I am simply happy to be done with the retro pay issues. Still have lots of work to do and uphill battles to fight but with any luck I can successfully finalize all remand and other issues within the next 12-18 months. Thanks to all that have assisted me over the years.

I said that I would update so: Yesterday my checking account showed an approx. 33.5k deposit from DFAS which I assume to be retro CRDP minus 20% CRSC during same time frame. My eRAS showed a gross payment of 45k so my question would be whether or not the payment (tax form) will reflect different amounts across 13 years or if I will have to eat the payment as a one time tax burden in 2020? Still pending VA retro pay which should be about 3.5 times CRDP retro. Never heard another word from VA regarding their decision letter and its failure to address other remand issues so can only assume that I need to file a NOD for what wasn't rated and items rated that I disagree with. Best to all,

Wow.... Well.... WTF! Was on top of the world until I had the opportunity to review the C&P notes. Now I know why my decision letter only touched upon what was granted. 12 Nov PTSD C&P: minor disagreement - I believe that I should be rated at 50% vs the 30% just granted. Will file a NOD. 13 Nov All Other (13 issues): I realize that the VA can't assign a specialist to conduct all C&Ps and and although I thought that this Advanced Practice Nurse had done a good job; after reading her C&P notes I am left wondering whether or not she serves to ensure that veterans receive (or not) their fair due, or simply works to ensure that she still has a job comes next Monday. I am Gob Smacked. As Bon Jovi once sang - Shot through the Heart. I need to regroup.

That's fantastic for you! Congratulations. I myself just received (13 Dec) something C&P wise that seems to be more in line with the Old Friday the 13th mindset. Again - good on ya.

Yes - diagnosed as result of Nov 2019 C&P, 12.5 years after PTSD was noted (not diagnosed) in my retirement exam. VA Remand process resulted in a request for PTSD evidence. I submitted detailed synopsis of four non-combat stressor events and a 10 year old buddy letter that supported one event. C&P examiner was a clinical psychologist and had read all stressor info prior to C&P. Total duration of C&P was 50 minutes. Granted 30% PTSD. The rating decision only mentioned one stressor. That event was tied to the award of a Soldiers Medal and was the least severe of the four submitted. Don't know why the rater chose that one but guess it doesn't matter. Good luck with your claim.

The 30 days comment seems accurate. My C&Ps from 12 and 13 Nov were conducted at VA facilities. 12th showed up in Bluebutton Notes yesterday, 13 Nov has yet to post (just checked).

Broncovet & Vync - thanks for the post rating decision guidance. I can't afford to get it wrong this time around as if I have to wait another 11+ years for the VA to get it right I might not remember what it was I was fighting for in the first place. I will reread the decision multiple times to ensure that I haven't overlooked or misunderstood anything as well as relook all known evidence. I don't have a copy of my c-file but do have copies of my SMR. My 12 Nov 19 C&P for PTSD posted today so expect the 13 Nov 19 C&P (all other) to post tomorrow. They awarded me 30% PTSD so I am very interested in the all other C&P as it should provide some insight towards the 10 conditions overlooked in the rating decision.

Bottom Line Up Front: 80% effective 1 Dec 2019, 70% effective 1 Mar 2007. Decision letter dated 26 Nov 2019. Previously 40% VA & 20% CRSC. VA and CRDP retro will likely take quite some time to to make it to my checking account but just knowing that I will eventually receive it is good enough for now. I am an AD retiree and long time hadit lurker who has gleaned a wealth of knowledge from this site over the past years. Thanks to all whose experiences and or comments have contributed to my VA claim education. History: Previously granted 40% (initial claim) effective 1 March 2007 / retirement date. Second claim filed in late 2007 within one year of retirement: being employed in Iraq and Afghanistan for 9 years resulted in my claim getting stuck on the VA denial wheel. Eventually an appeal ended up at the BVA and on 22 Feb 2018 they issued a remand directing the RO to address all 14 issues in my second claim. 20 months later (late Oct 2019) VA notified me of C&Ps scheduled for 12 & 13 Nov 2019 - attended both. On 25 Nov I noticed a cryptic note on the va.gov site stating that my C&Ps had closed and "Auth Referral - case sent to AAFC for potential fee review", and the ebenefits site reflected 80% under Disabilities. I received my BWE on 10 December. The decision letter only addressed 4 of 14 issues from the remand. All four were favorably actioned and the rater added in a secondary condition at 10% (left leg radiculopathy) that wasn't claimed. So now I am left wondering what happened to the other 10 conditions not addressed in the rating decision and whether I should hold off for a month or so to see if I hear further from the RO or to send up the red star cluster now. I will update my success or lack thereof upon resolution of the 10 conditions currently pending decision.