Rob m

Joe, I have claimed a few of the same items you have (Sinusitis, Sleep Apnea and squamous cell carcinoma) the conditions may be different and the degree of disability may vary. I'm expecting notification any day now (I'm in pending notification). Once I hear I will let you know, this may give you an idea of your anticipated award percentage.

I recieved my "letter" 26 July 2011 and I'm still waiting for my check. Maybe my situation is unique maybe not, I don't know. You may have some time to wait.

You need to stall as long as possible. Take the maximum time on all appeals, request ect.. Maybe you can conviently lose the papers and request additional. Go on leave for awhile, report to sick call and get put on quarters. I don't recall the exact reg, but there is something out there that states if you make it to 19 years, they cannot discharge you early (prior to 20 years) Stall, do your homework and if all else fails, go talk to your commander, I believe most will accomodate you.

Do you have a vet rep? No I do not What steps have you taken so far to get your money? I have only called the 1-800 number Have you moved or changed bank accounts since getting the award? No, I have not moved or changed bank accts Have you IRISed them to get hard copy (I always suggest asking for email or snail mail IRIS responses). I do not know what this is, I need to google it and research what this is and how to request it. Have you contacted the RO VSM and their director by fax or by phone or by mail? No If you tell me what RO handled your claim I will post their contact numbers. I orginally submitted my claim to the Atlanta office and they forwarded it to the Jackson Mississippi office. Have you contacted your Congressman/woman ? No, but I feel like I should. I feel what has happened to me is almost criminal in nature. Have you contacted any member of the H VAC? I do not know what this is. Have you contacted VA Central Office? No, only the 1-800 number Did "Peggy" say she would put in a formal Inquiry for you? No, Peggy only said they would send a message and "get to the bottom of it". I feel confident that no money has been paid out thus far as I have checked Ebenefits and have not seen a payment. I am going to school part time and my Chapter 33 post 9/11 GI Bill payments always show on Ebenefits so I'm not worried someone else has robbed me. Thank you for the help

One year ago today (26 July, 2011) a big brown envelope from the VA arrived stating I was found to be 80% service connected and would receive $x,xxx per month. I thought great, I need the money and while I am working, it is getting difficult and I could use the financial assistance. I waited a few months and never received anything so I called and was told to be patient, sometimes it takes a few months, so I waited. 3 or 4 more months passed, again no money so I called again and was told the same thing, so I waited. Another 3 or 4 months passed and I called again, Peggy told me she had never seen anything like this and would get to the bottom of it. I called last week, same story, no new information but Peggy did say “ at least your retro is growing larger”, I am beyond tired of the situation. My advice to all vets who receive the “big brown envelope and letter” do not count on, spend, expect or make any plans for your newly awarded funds until you have a check in hand or deposit into your account. Again, I thought I would have had this long, long ago and I am still waiting with no expectation of anything happening anytime soon

One year ago today (26 July, 2011) a big brown envelope from the VA arrived stating I was found to be 80% service connected and would receive $x,xxx per month. I thought great, I need the money and while I am working, it is getting difficult and I could use the financial assistance. I waited a few months and never received anything so I called and was told to be patient, sometimes it takes a few months, so I waited. 3 or 4 more months passed, again no money so I called again and was told the same thing, so I waited. Another 3 or 4 months passed and I called again, Peggy told me she had never seen anything like this and would get to the bottom of it. I called last week, same story, no new information but Peggy did say “ at least your retro is growing larger”, I am beyond tired of the situation. My advice to all vets who receive the “big brown envelope and letter” do not count on, spend, expect or make any plans for your newly awarded funds until you have a check in hand or deposit into your account. Again, I thought I would have had this long, long ago and I am still waiting with no expectation of anything happening anytime soon.

I'm 11 months ahead of you (01 Feb 2011) and still waiting. I think you still have a good wait in front of you.

Called the 1-800 number last week trying to get DFAS to audit my case and start payment. I was told it could not be done until I fill out form 21-681. I have searched and searched and determined this form does not exist. I asked if I needed the 21-651 (waiver of retired pay in lieu of VA pay) and was told no, you need 21-681. I am beyond tired of waiting for my money. The rep said well, "at least your retro is growing larger". I'm thinking what good is that if I can't fill out this ghost form and get my hands on the money.

Maybe I should have clarified, I believe I have the Service Connection (SC) part covered. On page 6 of my C&P report, it states "Records indicate a diagnosis of PTSD on 08/29/1993 (I was in the military during this time) for stessor #1. Stressor #2 was from seeing dead bodies and returning fire during a fire fight in Afghanistan (again, during my military time). Page 6 states both stressors meet the criteria for PTSD Thank you

I know this is difficult and I will not know until the official letter is awarded, but can I get a few opinions of what you think my PTSD rating will be? Included are the highlights from my March 2012 PTSD C&P exam. GAF 43 Does the Vet have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV criteria? YES Axis IV- Problems with primary support, problems with occupational functiong, problems related to the social envirnoment Which of the following best summaries the Vet's level of occupational and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (X) Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgement, thinking and/or mood. There is more information, but I picked out what I thought was important. Thank You.

Jake, After re-reading your post, I'm not feeling too good about the situation. I would like to think that maybe an appeal or something may be possible in order to get due back pay, but if the orginal claim takes 1+ yr how long would it take if ever for the VA to give up the back pay funds. I'm worried as I need this money, keep me up to date. Thanks

Jake, I received my orginal award letter 26 July 2011 and still have not seen a penny. After several phone calls, I was told to fill out the 21-651 "Election of VA Compensation in lieu of Retired Pay" to start compensation benefits just as you were. I sent it 30 Aug 2011 and Ebenefits shows it as received 12 Oct 2011. To date, I have not received one penny from the VA, no follow ups, nothing. I did call about 2 months ago and was told to be patient because the process takes awhile. Am I reading your post correctly when you said the VA did not back pay you for all those months because you checked the incorrect box? If that is the case, thats not fair and I will definately take it as far as possible to get my money. I've been retired for 14 months now and feel my back pay should be about $20k and another $2-$3k for my dependants. Before I reached the 1 year mark, I filed another claims so it would fall in the 1 year presumptive time frame. I thought maybe this slowed my payment, but it looks like yours took quite a bit of time also. I understand the VA is busy, but if they have the time to enter my form 21-651 into the computer as received in Oct, one would think a few clicks of the mouse and I would be getting my money in a timely manner. If you have a chance, maybe you can IM me with some contact information, I'd like to talk about the situation as I am not very happy about this long, strung out process. Thanks Rob

Just a quick question If a retiree is 50% or more and receives CRDP through DFAS, can an allotment be set up on this CRDP? Example, if I want $200 per month held out and sent to bank x with the remaining deposited as normal is this possible? Thanks

Cool Breeze, Can you post the number you used to contact the DFAS rep? I was awarded 80% back in July and have yet to see one penny. I, just like you am a miitary retiree and should fall under CRDP but for some reason despite many inquires have yet to get paid. When you post you were paid within 10 days of decision and I am sitting on 130+ since decision there seems to be a big problem. I would like to call the DFAS rep with a few questions. Thanks

No, I do not owe them any money, in fact I did get a $32 check from the VA for medicine reimbursement (I think when you are 50% or more your medicine is free). That $32 check tells me they know I am above 50% so why can't they send me money for my 80% service connected disability??? Hard to understand.

I post this with hopes vets will not count on money due to them from the VA to help solve their problems or help pay their bills. I was awarded 80% in July 2011 and here it is nearly Dec 2011 and I have yet to see one penny. I check the VA payment (Ebenefits site) daily and there has not been any payments so far (nothing has been lost in the mail). While I do hope to get a retro one day, I caution anyone who receives an award letter. Please do not make plans for the money, spend money you do not have and do anything drastic thinking (It will be ok, I have $x,xxx due to me each month). I read payment should be about 15 days or so, i'm on day 125 and have squat. Yes, I called the 1-800 number, no help there, Until you have money in hand, be carefull and do not make hard plans Thanks

I was awarded 80% with a decision date of 26 July (effective to 01 Feb 2011), the award letter stated the VA wanted to reevalute a scar (previously awarded 0%) . I have a scar C&P scheduled for later this month. My question is, why have I not seen a penny from my orginal claim/award? Are they waiting for the information from the scar C&P later this month before they decide to release funds? The retro is growing larger, but I need the $'s now. I would have thought I would have something by now. Thanks

I just received a letter that I have a C&P next month (no big deal), then I look and see that the C&P is with Dr. xx who is currently my primary care provider. What I think is funny, the C&P letter states " Your appt with a QTC examiner will be very different from visiting your primary care provider. The goal of the PCP is to treat you while the QTC examiner is to evaluate you". My QTC examiner is my PCP. I don't care either way, just glad to be getting this C&P exam and hopefully a positive award. Thanks

I was rated on 26 July and in the award letter it stated I would recieve xx dollars per month. Here it is 20 Sept and still nothing, how long does this process take?? Also, the VA does not not have my banking information, I'm checking the mail box daily and have yet to recieve payment. Thank You

I recently filed a NOD, a dependency application and a new claim all about a month ago. The dependency claim is showing as of 15 Sept on Ebenefits, but under "what action have we taken" it shows QTC 12 Sept with a suspense of 11 Nov 2011. Any ideas what this QTC is??? Thanks

Just wondering if I made my point clear. I'm hoping for an increase, guess I'll have to wait and see. Thanks Veteran received a rating decision dated 26 JULY 2011. Veteran disagrees with the 30% award for chronic migraine headaches and the 0% rating for exotropia with poor convergence, visual tracking and ocular alignment due to traumatic brain injury. Veteran requests a Decision Review Officer (DRO) reconsideration for the maximum allowed by law. Please consider this letter to be an official "Notice of Disagreement" (NOD). Reasons Chronic migraine headaches- C&P exam 04 and 24 May 2011 shows complaints of headaches 2 to 3 times per week lasting several hours to 2 or 3 days with the episodes incapacitating 10 hours per week. Veteran currently takes at least 4 different medications for this condition. Title code 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations assigns a 50% rating when migraine headaches are very frequent and completely prostrating. Veteran experiences chronic headaches 2 to 3 times per week lasting up to several days since Aug 1993 (reference members service medical records) this qualifies as very frequent. C&P exam states veteran is incapacitated 10 hours per week. While the C&P exam does not use the word "Prostrating" (uses incapacitating), veteran is unable to perform assigned duties and meets the criteria of prostrating. Veteran current works as a fire inspector and is assigned a permanent bed (fire dept bunk). This fire dept bunk is used when the member does not go home sick or is unable to function. If it was not for this specialty job, it would very difficult the veteran to keep and maintain gainful employment. Exotropia with poor convergence, visual tracking and ocular alignment due to traumatic brain injury- This disability is not specifically listed in the rating schedule, therefore, it is rated analogous to a disability in which not only the function affected, but anatomical localization and symptoms are closely related. C&P exam 24 May 2011 states exotropia with poor convergence, visual tracking and ocular alignment is directly related to veterans traumatic brain injury (TBI). Title code 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations states a higher rating will be assigned if there is visual impairment due to this condition. Please review veterans service medical records. Veteran's chronic symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, inability/problems reading, occasional vision loss and photophobia. Please reconsider previous ratings Thank You

OK, the envelope came today and I was awarded 80%. I am retired military and I am recieving a military retirement check. Here is where I am confused. Page two states my VA comp will be $xxx monthly, then it goes on to say " We denied your compensation grant because you elected to recieve your military retired pay in lieu of compensation. VA restricts payments of military retired pay and VA comp. If you elect to recieve VA comp please complete VA form 21-681, Election of Comp in Lieu of Retired Pay or waive of retired pay to secure comp from dept of VA". I was under the impression that any rating 50% or more would qualify for both, retired pay and VA comp. Can anyone help out. I'm hoping to get both if possible Thanks

So, I went and had a sleep study done a few weeks ago and went for the results today. Doc said I had 37 episodes during the night which was an average of 5.7 times per hour. One of the times I stopped breathing, it was for 50 seconds. Due to the math (time sleep divided by episodes) 5.7 times per hour, the doc said my conditions was very mild to mild. The doc set me up with an appointment tomorrow to get a CPAP machine. My question is, even though my condition is very mild to mild, can I claim and hopefully qualify for VA disability? I am within my 1 year of discharge so this will be service connected. Thanks Rob

I've read that a rating of 100% for a mental condition and working is a no-no. My question is can a person work who is rated 100% from a combination of different factors such as 50% Ptsd, 50% for something else (not mental), scars, bad knees, ankels and so forth be allowed to work? I havent gotten my rating yet and one of my primary concerns is being able to work regradless of my over all rating. At 44 years old I can't imagine not working. Thanks.

Looking over my DD214 under section 13 "Decorations, Medals, Badges ect.." I have listed South West Asia Sevice Medal with 1 sevice star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. My question is, do these qualify as combat action medals?? I plan on filing a PTSD claim and I read if you have a Combat action medal it helps the case. Thanks