cowgirl

100% agree with Carlie-sis on this one - if the condition is Service Connected or not Service Connected - increased or not - and you are a Veteran - you need care and Veterans are the reason the VA is. Check this and see where you fit in for care -http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/EPG/EnrollmentPriorityGroups.pdf encourage you to CHALLENGE that statement in writing.

Allrighty - there ya go!! Don't forget later when you want to post how the process worked, may help others, well, ok, like me ! Sure am happy that it 'worked' for ya! Cg

Sure hollywood doc I see and understand everything you say, hope for. My joy is coming here to Hadit and glancing around the internet - finally achieving whats been due my family and me for too many years. Meaning, I appreciate your focus and go-get-em 'haditude'. From what I read the er, VA standards are inequally applied interpeted or ignored at different VARO's. So, I'm hangin in here for disabled vet and family 'underdogs' that need help until them cows come home. I have a few veteran associations but none with that you mentioned. Guess it comes down to being one disabled veteran with my entire family still home. With my health and welfare limits sometimes I get to post online in hopes of helping sister and brother veterans. Myself, at this time I continue to encourage any veteran or family member claiming for disability to use proper forms, know dates, research, submit clear accountable evidence, applicable excerpts of VA/CFR or other regulations, miitary and civilian documentation in hopes to validate an 'award' instead of a denial. I sure want the VA to correctly and quickly process claims in a seriously responsible manner. Doesn't bother me at all to point them or spoon feed em in the right direction. Who knows? the information may help the processor or rater with next disability claim for a swift and correct decision. Yes, the disability claim process sure needs an professionalism 'overhaul' now with first thing being "respect" for the veteran with disability. Because like me, in poor health, it isnt easy to think straight. So thats where you come in. if you develop a plan for legal action the history at this site can really help shore up the case.(with permission from the poster of course). Also something welldone like that could help untold number of veterans&families. You have a good heart and energy many vets (like me) here need! Y'all have a good one~!

Nice post and discussion Hollywood doc, Pete and Bronco. Chuckle - - maybe we impart that VA quote 'cannot be fixed' as evidence of concern for fair and equitable treatment. Considering many of us submit excerpts in our compensation claims from their very regulations and medicale rationale - probably we're doing the job for them and ourselves. Maybe the VA can apply correct service connected ratings based correct medical rationale and the information 'we' provide to them from their very own regulations ~! If there is evidence such as awards, citations, military orders (help establish dates), accident reports, personal family coworker letters, employment records, photographs (personal or depictive may help present your words), pharmacy records, current ER reports (forgot that one myself). Remember Medical Records (unsure about Xrays and lab reports) are kept less than 10 years most places - get em while ya can. BERTA - excellent processing! Can you show an example letter with attachments or evidence? THank you

Do you have a copy of your husbands Cfile? there should be a complete history of claims and decisions in there to help you revalidate any inquiry. Dates and diagnosis's, as well as diagnostic codes. Go ahead and post here, we'll at least give a go! The evidence should have been listed on the VCAA letter. Was it? Was there a unit report or citation of sort for the vehicle accident? Was he reassigned to another unit or MOS afterwards because of the long recovery time? Did he attend physical and/or mental therapy during the time he was hospitalized? Do you have his Service Medical Records? Many answers and probably a few more questions will be in there. Like his discharge physical and the recognized medical conditions in effect at that time. Did you husband see any civilian providers after service for continued medical care? or has his care only been through the VA? Does he take medications for any SC condition? Its possible he had a VSO help him file a report after service and either he/or the VSO may have records to then. Did you husband ever process vocational rehabilitation for help? Or maybe a veterans center, from what i understand they keep records totally seperate from the VAMC (Medical Center) records and release them only if the vet requests. For now, best relax for a few days and appreciate the increases. I'm sorry this occured, but suspect these service connected medical conditions have impacted his(your) life and possibly employment issues since discharge. Have a box'o'chocolates and in a few days try meditating for what is 'next to accomplish' on your/his VA list. Best to ya, CG p.d. pardon me if the questions are repeats ~ !

Yes, get this claim together and go for it. No one should be made to present a medical condition to the point of tears. My c&p tears were for mental health, not for physical symptoms. Can't imagine the depressive thoughts going through your dear husbands mind for all this. Bless you. Cg

A few thoughts, take them as you will. When I applied for SSDI the SSA clerk said office procedure was to apply for SSI first. Thought about that, only makes sense. After denial came in for SSI she processed me forward for SSDI. That worked. Approved for ssdi with SC condition rated at 60%. With the VA, its timing, regulations and medical proof. So if you file for increase, do it soon, think 'compensation for the average impairment in earnings capacity resulting from the disability' my paraprhase from 38 CFR 4.1, Essentials of evaluative rating. Meaning, I think, ratings are measure of income lost or displaced. Note, if you have any other confirmed or unconfirmed but suspected health conditions that result of ptsd, add those specifically as well. If you have urgent needs, unable to work or get income, ask for swift consideration (or ask you DAV vso the correct wording that works best). If you aren't working, don't have income, thats urgent, isn't it? Best to ya, Cg

Congrats , take a breather, it will all come together - then you'll smile! Do review the decision and discuss anything about it here you need further understanding on. Yes, the anxious or dull feeling that came with my reward after working, worrying and waiting so long was like my last birthday - a big 'high' for the day and a 'so what' the day after. All the best to ya! Hugs! Cg

I have recieved fair decisions, 'by the grace of God go I' and have been blessed by other veterans bittersweet success or efforts working thier disability claim, then humbly posting catastrophies, unimaginable years of struggles and meek existence for a meager restitution for altered health effects of honorable military service. My VA care is good, sometimes exceptional but rarely so. Most providers and clinicians mean well but are undertrained - understaffed or burnt out. There are 'envious' vets working at the VA who reflect that in attitude - as well as staunch brother&sister vets covering my back as well. Tbird Pete, Berta, Carlie, Jbasser Wings Ricky Bronco Stretch Pete999 akwidow navydoc.....Joespehine and everyone !.... Thank you. Because of you I continue to use the VA and it's services - knowing the VA' s only got to get better with use~! I don't feel like a lawsuit is a solution for me - but participating in the here and now keeps 'em on their toes! When the evidence is signed by a doctor, profession title, professional supported opinion and the claim has all the possible details that a vet can get to show health impairment due to service - a claim should be considred not dinked around, delayed and toyed with. The evidence needs to be clear, in elementary wording whenever possible and probaly assigned a control number for each item like 'court trial evidence' - if I have to accountable to tell em what I need in accordance with the regulations - the handlers should be held accountable for the valuable information I entrust them to make a proper decision with. Cg'ho (cowgirl humble opinion)

Been times I submitted evidence through VSO and they used a cover letter 'veteran is submitting additional information to support their claim'. Makes no sense. What claim? What 'information'? From who? If the VSO doesn't know what was submitted, how many pages, etc - no liability. Also, my VSO does not make copies of anything they submit for me. Maybe thats regular operations, but doesn't pass the cya test to me or for me. VSO is a nice channel to have ne'r the less.

Guess you can tell I've been updating my 'prep books' for the family. I printed the lengthy forms to add to the books. As if a bereaved person has all the details. In our family, Quicken to the rescue :). Attended a veterans' (commander) memorial service few years ago, widow said papers were in chaos, never forget the look on her face.

Okay, VA research results keep popping up and looks like the VA budget pays well for research projects. Very interesting the 'Privacy Act Statement' on most VA forms includes a release to include our information into other uses - epidemiological or research studies etc, etc. Wonder if we'll get paid for being 'test subjects? Note: the last sentence is meant to be funny

Here is the form http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-534-ARE.pdf and it looks like it asks financial information first to determine if a widow/widower is eligible by law for pension, aid'attendance, dependents and then if not, then regular DIC monthly payments. It looks like the applicant has to provide all the financial data requested. Lots of details.

Met a VSO few years ago that told me DIC is income based. I don't think this is true. Anyone?

a. looking at my last decision NOD/DRO the evidence only lists three items. It referred to orginal claim and two other peices of information I submitted. By the grace of God the claim was decided correctly. Like I can return to the first claim submitted and see exactly what was submitted and what they considered? hmm...not telepathic here. Caution for people like me who occasionally 'assume' that the VA does use all VA available records - they don't. Or at least it didn't show on the 'evidence'. I've read enough posts and dealt with enough of my claims to know thats true. I cannot validate they use, read or notice anything I submit as evidence for my claim. There has been few times my VA medical/clincal records have shown in 'evidence' - yup, the times I submitted the pages. well, I don't know why. Additionally, from the time the denied decision, NOD submitted and the long processing wait, several VA medical/clinical records had changed in the MEANWHILE. So it was up to me to bring the processors up to date on all the previously submitted evidence and or submit new evidence even though my records are worked, maintained and accessed by the VA medical center and VARO. Submitting a claim, getting a decision, affirmed or not-affirmed doesn't lessen the work and follow-thru 'ME' the vet has to do. A cover page, listing every sheet of paper, every subject matter and date telling the Rater what is being submitted is a good way to go. Tell them what you are going to tell them and tell them again, index by page number. Highlight only pertinent facts that support the medical diagnosis. And if need be, type up a lead statement on every page., delivering this Evidence for Cowgirls claim (increase, service connection, IU, etc) submitted to VA at such&such an address NOD dated xx/xx/xx. May sound paranoid, but to be sure - initial and date the statement in blue ink. Wishing the best for each and everyone. Just thinkin'

Congrats, read too fast thought it said 'Replying to Stockings' :) - 40 to 70% is good news. Take care of yourselves, read, take a break and reread the decision, ask questions. With a little bit of homework, you can set a target rating goal and submit firm medical diagnosis & reports for all ratings due you. Sure hope you look at any additional benefits offered at the VA and through the state you live in. Best to ya, Cg

Akwidow that is alot of nearly identifiable personal detail - bless you for posting this NOD, my heart goes out to you fighting to get 'whats due' you. I encourage you to do something really nice for yourself - massage, hair, nails, a beautiful peice of real jewelry or even a short cruise - cause you're amazing. Peace. Cg

Awwww - how sweet - just read your Dad story to husband - awwww - thanks for the smile and glad you/he got the care needed too!

Bits of information I've learned. The doctors offices rarely keep any records beyond seven years. On a recent claim I provided the VA with doctors name and address for a copy of my records. After a game of 'who is paying for this tag' the VA gave in and got the records. My Cfile has those doctor records - legal copies and after that decision, I requested a copy of my CFile. Now I have my doctors records (free). Requested relatives records, due to the fire, the Records Center said they didn't have entire records, but many damaged records were photocopied and offered an indepth search for any remains Cost a bit, but got copies of whole and part pages - charred or otherwise. Thankful for the government employee who did that wo.rk Best to ya, Cg

Welcome and nice to hear your 'virtual' voice here at Hadit. I sure wish you the best o'luck with your TDIU request - being St.Paddys day! As far as Independent living assessment, I cannot speak to that, but am curious all the same. What did you and your counselor target for your interest and needs? housing adaptions? hobbies or social type media (computers, TV)?? Hope you post after the visit so we continue to learn how it goes. Best to ya, Cowgirl'with an adopted Irish Happy-tude!

Thank you - my eyes are dry from reading now :) CG

My VSO was able to print out my rating codes, they show on my copy of C-File I thinik the VA rating/reception office can print them out. It shows Service Connected and Non-Service Connected diagnostic codes and on mine is called DRO Decision, shows my active duty dates and legacy codes then whats subject to compensation by diagnostic code.

Got a list of my current rated conditions by code and checked them against last list - some codes changed. Course some coulda got changed by exam but I'm thinking the rating schedule must of updated some. Double checking my codes now. Odd, decision statements don't list codes do they? CG

Got an old knee injury that flares, edema and hurts from time to time. Inservice surgery probably caused more aggravation in my thoughts. Anyone else here have knee joint cartalige problems - if so, whats your given code? CG

If a veteran, tdiu, currently has Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI) RH 20 year endowment plan will the VA waiver the premiums and the vet get the check when the insurance premiums end? CG