Rob m

I've got about a month until I start terminal leave for retirment (20 years) and I set up my retirment physical with the base hospital. I had a list of all my current and past medical issues that I plan on filing VA disability for. The doc looked at my paperwork and said "if your filing a VA claim we do not give you a exit/retirment physical, the VA will do that". and sent me on my way. Sounds strange but I do see his point if the VA is going to do my physical then maybe an exit physical is a waste of time. Anyone else run into this situation when retiring??

I'll be retiring with 20 years of service, injury did not happen in a combat zone but just the bone removal measurement alone qualifies me for 50% (greater then a 50 cent piece I think reg 8045) my Neuro doc said if it was up to him I'd be rated at 100% , but its not up to him, its up to the VA and their docs/raters. Thanks for the help.

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are concerning hiring a lawyer to represent me when I file my VA case. I'll be retiring from the military in a few months and have a federal job lined up in Georgia. I don't want to go through years of appeals and low ball offers (which could still happen even with a lawyer) and maybe never get what I feel I truely deserve. My main condition in skull removal with under lying brain damage and cognitive problems associated with this. I also feel like I have PTSD from the incident but according to my Neuro doc he said thats a mental condition and my injury is a physical condition so I may line up a different doc after I move. Can anyone reccomend a GOOD lawyer in the Georgia area? Thanks

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are concerning hiring a lawyer to represent me when I file my VA case. I'll be retiring from the military in a few months and have a federal job lined up in Georgia. I don't wnat to go through years of appeals and low ball offers (which could still happen even with a lawyer) and maybe never get what I feel I truely deserve. My main condition in skull removeal with under lying brain damage and cognitive problems associated with this. I also feel like I have PTSD but according to my Neuro doc he said thats a mental condition and I have a physical condition so I may line up a different doc after I move. Can anyone reccomend a GOOD lawyer in the Georgia area? Thanks

I'm still active duty but plan on retiring soon and submitting a claim for TBI (partial skull removal with underlying brain damage) . I'm currently seeing a doc for headaches and taking meds for this. I'm wondering "if" the doc finds a med that works for me and "if" the pain goes away can I still file a claim for headaches or will the VA consider me cured? I have several other related claims I plan on filing for, but I've been in allot of pain for years and don't feel optimistic about pain relief. Thanks Rob

http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/woundedwarriorpay.html

CC, My AI problems started about 9 years ago when I was in Kuwait. I was walking through a bombed out building and found a piece of a bomb/shell casing. I picked it up, looked at it for a minute and threw it back down. A day or two latter I started getting rashes/hives. Every mil doc I saw told me it wasn't related and then about 3 or 4 years latter a private doc told me I had an auto-immune system problem which was causing the rashes/hives. Thanks for the input and I will make sure it is addressed at my exit physical later next year. What I would really like is a cure, but after appox 9 years of having this I don't think that is possible.

I have hives (urticaria) which are more or less controled with medication (daily tablet for the last 9 years). Anyway I saw a dermatologist who through blood work exams told me I have an auto-immune system problem and this auto-immune problem is what is causing my hives. I was wondering if this would be considered 2 different claims? 1. Claim for the auto-immune system problem 2. Claim for the hives caused by the AI problems. Also can being on long term meds be considered a third claim? I am active duty so all this should be service connected. Thanks Rob

My injury was the result of an in-service accident (not IED) I haven't had any problems doing my job and I want to continue working. My reading difficulties, I believe are caused by a bit of dyslexia. I had no problems reading prior to my accident so I believe my dyslexia are a result of the accident. So if I understand this correctly, if you are rated 100% PTSD then you cannot continue to work, doing so would risk your benefits. What if the the PTSD is rated at 50,60 ect.. percent? I hate asking so many questions, I just don't want to get stuck in a postion I can't get out of. Lastly, if it came down to it, could I ask the VA to only rate me schedular so I could continue to work? Thanks

From what I understand (still learning) if your rated 100% schedular then you can work unless the rating is for a mental problem. What is considered mental? I had a head injury and have a plate in my head (I consider this a physical, not mental disability) Large scar (again physical, not mental) Small amount of under-lying brain damage (Physical) I have head aches, and some problems reading/writing..is this considered mental Bottom line is I want to be able to work no matter what my rating is 10%..50%..100% I will be filing a claim upon retirment from active duty this time next year and I'm trying to learn as much as possible prior Thanks for any clarification

Is it the same amount as 100% Schedular? Tried looking it up, couldn't find it Thanks

I may be off track here, still trying to learn but considering my conditions I may/may not qualify for 100% not sure but I don't want to be surprised one day. My fear is that if I am rated at 100% the VA may not let me work again. From what I understand if granted TDIU, you cannot continue to work. What I don't want is the VA telling me I can't work anymore. I'd much rather take 90% and have a full time job then 100% and not be allowed to work. If a person is 100% does the VA given the option of TDIU or not, if given the option I would turn TDIU down. Sorry for the rambling

I've thought about medical retirement, but I'm only 1 year away from regular military retirement, shouldn't have a problem sticking it out. One of my biggest concerns is still being able to work. I want to work, I'm only 43 and can't imagine not having a job.

Trying to do a little research here and wonder if anyone knows the diagnostic code or direction I could follow regarding reading/writing difficulties, my condition is caused by a head injury. If anyone knows what diagnostic codes cover this please let me know. Also I haven't seen a doctor about this because I'm still active duty and afraid that discloser could lead to discharge (difficult spot to be in) but since I'm appox 1 year away from retirement I think it's about time to seek treatment. Back ground 2.5 x 3.5 inch piece of skull removed with plastic plate installed (2 surgeries) small amount of underlining brain damage moderate amount of reading/writing difficulties 4 inch disfiguring scar some headaches Thanks Rob m

Carlie---Yes, it is court ordered child support Philip--I'm still active duty, I'll be retiring about this time next year and will file a claim at that time. With my conditions (partial loss of skull) I feel like I will recieve more than 30% and qualify for "with" dependent rate. Thanks for the inputs

I haven't filed my claim yet, but trying to learn as much as possible first. I have two children (one of which I claim for tax purposes) who don't live with me full time, only part time (spring break and practically all summer). By looking at the comp tables I see there are additional monies paid for children. My question is, if I file a sucessfull claim will I recieve the additional amount for the 2 kids who don't live with me? What about the one child I claim for tax purposes? FYI, I pay child support for each and I'm current with all payments. Thanks Rob

Just wondering if you need to be rated at 100% in order to qualify for P&T. Can someone rated say 70 or 80% qualify for P&T and chapter 35 benefits for dependents? Thanks Rob

rosacea, has anyone been rated for this? I have had a moderate case of this for 18 years now. It is controled with medication but still painfull at times. Thanks Rob

I've had chronic hives (urticaria) for 9 years now. I'm still on active duty but think maybe I should claim this when I retire next year. I take alegra and zrytec daily for this (which does seem to control the hives) I have break outs if I forget to take a daily pill. I saw one dermatogolist and he said I may have an auto-immune system problem. Anyway does anyone think I may get a rating for this when I apply?? Also the condition started 9 years ago when I was in Kuwait. I was exploring a bombed out bunker and picked up a metal casing from a bomb (not thinking anything about it). A couple days later I broke out in hives and have had them ever since. Every doc I tell this story to says it is not related and starts the (have you changed soap, laundry detergent, eaten anything differnt lately BS) I sure would like to be cured, but I feel I will be on meds for the rest of my life. Thoughts ??

Back ground I’m still on active duty, almost 19 years total and next summer I’ll be looking for a job. I want to get into the federal system (GS) system and I’m concern about how a disability rating will affect my future job prospects. Accident Appox 15 years ago I lost a 2”x3” piece of skull due to an accident and the doctor told me I also suffered a small amount of brain damage from an accident that occurred on base. I had 2 surgeries, the first to remove bone chips around my brain and the second, 6 months later to close in the hole, appox 2”x3”. Claim I feel that once I retire in appox 1 year I want to file a claim for the plate in my head and what I feel is a disfiguring scar appox 6”-7” long on my forehead and head. From doing some basic research I believe I will qualify for at least 50% (size of plate in head) and 10% (for the scar) Concerns I’m worried that if I receive 60% or more I may not qualify for a Federal job on base. I believe that since I’ve still been able to work and stay on active duty for 15+ years the claims officer may not give me the percentage I deserve. I’m also worried that because I’ve lived with the problems (see below) for such a long time I will not get what I deserve. Go going symptoms Some difficulties in my reading and writing abilities, I have a little bit of dyslexia that I did not have before the accident and terrible hand writing as a result of the accident (thank goodness for computers) Headaches 4-5 times per month A little bit of dizziness at times Decreased sensitivity in the area of the accident Scar Sensitivity to bright light Any thoughts on the subject (about how a possible high rating will affect Federal job opportunities) will be appreciated Thanks Rob

I currently work in the Fire Dept (USAF) and over the years I have maxed out my certifications. Right now I have 5 classes left for my bachelors’ defree in the same field (Fire Science managment). I'm hoping to get a fire inspector's job, either with the Air Force or the Army. I'm thinking with 20 years experience, certifications and a degree I will be able to get hired somewhere. I just don't want a VA rating to keep me from getting a job. Also I'm thinking if I can land a job first and then apply for VA benefits that may be a better option, don't know for sure.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself, just joined the forum 2 days ago. Having found this site it looks like there is allot of good info, I've got some reading to do. Anyway, like in my earier post I'm active duty USAF and have almost 19 years in. I'm currently deployed to Afghanistan and should be returning to the States in Jan 2010. Thanks for all the informative post and look forward to learning from all of you.

Back ground I’m still on active duty, almost 19 years total and next summer I’ll be looking for a job. I want to get into the federal system (GS) system and I’m concern about how a disability rating will affect my future job prospects. Accident Appox 15 years ago I lost a 2”x3” piece of skull due to an accident and the doctor told me I also suffered a small amount of brain damage from an accident that occurred on base. I had 2 surgeries, the first to remove bone chips around my brain and the second, 6 months later to close in the hole, appox 2”x3”. Claim I feel that once I retire in appox 1 year I want to file a claim for the plate in my head and what I feel is a disfiguring scar appox 6”-7” long on my forehead and head. From doing some basic research I believe I will qualify for at least 50% (size of plate in head) and 10% (for the scar) Concerns I’m worried that if I receive 60% or more I may not qualify for a Federal job on base. Also I’m worried that since I’ve still been able to work and stay on active duty for 15+ years the claims officer may not give me the percentage I deserve. I’m also worried that because I’ve lived with the problems (see below) for such a long time I will not get what I deserve. Go going symptoms Some difficulties in my reading and writing abilities, I have a little bit of dyslexia that I did not have before the accident and terrible hand writing as a result of the accident (thank goodness for computers) Headaches 4-5 times per month A little bit of dizziness at times Decreased sensitivity in the area of the accident Scar Any thoughts on the subject (about how a possible high rating will affect Federal job opportunities) will be appreciated Thanks Rob