RockyA1911

I spoke with a VA service rep this am and was told my claim is in for authorization and rating was completed last Friday. I can't believe this crap. He told me that I have been increased from 10% to 60% with retro back to April 05. My effective date of my claim is 25 Mar 05. The skull loss alone under diagnostic code 5296, inner and outer tables, for size exceeding 4.177cm or larger than a 50-cent piece at 50%. Both past and recent SMRs and VA medical records verified mine to be 4.5cm x 4.5cm. The skull loss was claimed in 1976 on the same claim form using the exact same medical evidence used when they awarded me 10% in 1976, for also claimed post concussion residuals the day after discharge from the Marine Corps. This is an open claim since Nov 1976 and I should get retro back to then according to the CFR. My entitlement arose in Nov 76 for the Skull Loss. Since I was already getting 10% and if they awarded the 50% for skull loss but not retro, that is 60% combined right there. That means they must have denied: Post Traumatic Encephalopathy due to S/C TBI (C&P More likely than not) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C&P More likely than not, IMO More likely than not, combat award) Surgical Scar from TBI surgery and cranioplasty (C&P More likely than not) Cognitive Disorder due to S/C TBI (C&P More likely than not) Tinnitus (C&P more likely than not) Skin Disorder (C&P more likely than not) Unemployability (Psychiatrist and VA Neuropsychologist, both stated unemployable) I guess I won't get the actual brown envelope to where I can figure out what they did wrong or what evidence they looked at. But, clearly they had to have not even looked or had a lot of it or were missing my claims. Either way, after waiting almost two years this really sucks the big one. I even made copies of the CFR reg on retro payments, the 1976 claim with their stamp on it, their 1977 VA C&P and neurological exam report, and their 1977 rating decision rating decision form that even mentioned the skull defect and size in the narrative portion. At the bottom of the decision it had just "10% award for post concussion residuals due to head injury." I sent that two them almost two years ago with the statement in support of claim form and listed each document as an exhibit. I just don't understand how they could have turned down seven of my claims as even just the Skull Loss and PTSD alone if at least 30% is 65 rounding to 70%. I don't understand how the VA can service connect the TBI skull loss and the post concussion residuals due to TBI and deny service Encephalopathy, Surgical Scar, and cognitive disorder due to the same S/C TBI. This IS FUBAR at it's best.

VIKE17, I and others really appreciate your explaination on how the process works and the 6 teams. You stated that it is when the claim is at the rating board and the RVSR requests the C&P exams if necessary. For myself and others the rating board and the RVSR is the last place it goes and I and others C&P exams are sometimes 6 months or older before our claims are even sent to the rating board. I thought a ready to rate status meant that the claim was just that, ready to rate with all medical evidence and necessary documents verified PRIOR to sending to the rating board and RVSR so all they have to do is review the claim and make the decision. So when you said it goes to the RVSR and he is the one that schedules the C&P I am completely confused now.

Surprisingly enough, the VARO in St. Louis contacted my buddy by phone last week. The previous week he had gotten a letter awarding increase for PTSD but deferred Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD and TDIU. The guy said he was the rating officer and wanted to know more info or if he had any medical records for the Sleep Apnea. My buddy told him he had sleep studies both by VAMC and IM sleep study, that the VA gave him the CPAP and showed him how to use it etc. along with the C&P and had sent them all that last May. The RO said he did not have those records and asked that he mail them to him attention his name and also stated he was going to fill out some request form to OPM for the TDIU. So this one did actually contact the veteran and was interested in getting his claim resolved completely.

Did you click "Ask a question" and get the IRIS site with the drop down menu selections?

Vike17, I don't really think it would take too much IQ to sort this out, it is just a simple case of plain old clear and unmistakable error in not awarding the skull loss with EED of 26 Nov 1976. This is my case for the skull loss: Clear and unmistakable error, Skull Loss The essential argument is that the April 1977 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in its failure to apply pertinent laws and regulations. Allegedly, the grant of 10 percent evaluation for residuals post concussion syndrome with brain trauma, temporal lobe contusion, left, chronic in May of 1977 was based on evidence containing virtually the same facts as was the rating decision of April 1977 granting only a 10 percent evaluation. Therefore, the former decision udebatably prejudiced the appellant by failing to properly consider the evidence. Further rating decision dated April 1977 stated “Neurological examination to a large extent within normal limits although outlines of the skull defect were palpated in the left temporal parietal area. Despite undergoing a cranioplasty for the in-service head injury, the veteran has not been service connected for skull loss. Strangely enough the identical same facts used in the 10% rating also showed military medical reports showing cognitive disorder and encephalopathy. The VA stated in 1977 that "it was within normal limits". Exam at VAMC Iowa City Neurology reports still have cognitive disorder and post traumatic brain encephalopathy due to S/C TBI along with surgical artifact "surgical clip" still present in my brain. Go figure? I had this while in the military after injury and before dischare. The VA said it was now normal the day after leaving service. Now 30 years later the VAMC in Iowa City says I have it again and it doesn't change and that I have always had the cognitive disorder and encephalopathy. The neurologist told me the VA in 1977 had to have misread the EEG, also the Neuropsychologist said the same thing. "The VA in 1977 errored in interpretation of the EEGs." I have nothing to do but hang tight and await a decision if it ever comes.

There is some merit in what 1968 says and I didn't dream the below statement from the recent Independent VSO budget on critical issues. Go to VA Watchdog.com and read the whole story. "Recently VA has adopted a tactic of diverting public attention away from the structural claims backlog it holds by demonstrating great speed and efficiency in adjudicating the claims of soldiers and Marines wounded in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While at the same time boasting that it is breaking all records in awarding these new veterans their rightful benefits, VA sits on hundreds of thousands of older claims filed by veterans of prior conflicts and military service. These claims lie dormant, awaiting some future resolution.[/color] We applaud VA’s efforts to help our nation’s new veterans, but we feel dismayed when VA continues to fail our older veterans by allowing the backlog to grow daily. " My claim has been at the rating boart since June 06. Everything was furnished with my claim, in fact there was no missing DD 214's, SMR's, C&Ps, or any of that. All of those things do not apply to my claim and there was no extra documents under duty to assist. I have been on comp since 1972. I believe what the IVSO Critical Issues stated is true. The VA cannot even give me a estimate as to when my claim will be adjudicated. It will be two years March 07. If they don't do it by then, then I will be definitely going on 3 years for the simplest of claims. The VA failed to adjudicate and award an open claim back in 1972 of which all mine and the VA's records are and were complete. The RO forgot to add the skull loss that I was examined for with C&P and I had claimed at the same time on the same form for TBI while in active service. They awarded 10% for Post concussion residuals due to TBI and forgot the claim for Skull Loss measuring 4.5 x 4.5cm or larger than a 50-cent piece both inner and outer skull. I even had a recent C&P exam and guess what the skull loss is still there. No kidding, the Navy performed a crainiotomy and surgically removed the skull and cranioplasty was performed. All this was done for the same TBI and is what the VA used to give me 10%. Since 1972 my claim for the skull loss resulting from military surgery is pending and categorized an open claim since there was never a denial, they just over looked it on the rating evaluation form. So my claim is over 30 years old. There is absolutely no excuse for this lengthy delay. I do agree that my claim is more than likely not gathering dust on someones desk and is more likely in a file cabinet labeled "Do Not Touch"

I think it will be a lot longer than 12 months. I am now going on 22 months without a decision on my claim submitted March 05. It has been with the rating board since June 06. I was told last week the VA has it projected as being completed in March of 07. So that would be two full years since submitting my claim. They say there is a heavier backlog now than previous, so be prepared for the long haul. If you receive a decision sooner than two years, then consider it a stroke of luck.

Welcome Aboard!!!! SA requiring use of CPAP is 50% compensation. From the CFR 38 part 4 6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed): Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy.................................................................. 100 Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine......................................................................... ......................................50 Persistent day-time hypersomnolence ................................................................... 30 Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing.................................... 0 Semper Fi!!!!! RockyA1911

Citation Nr: 0102100 Decision Date: 01/25/01 Archive Date: 01/31/01 DOCKET NO. 99-22 315 ) DATE ) ) On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Louis, Missouri THE ISSUE Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). REPRESENTATION Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Richard A. Cohn, Associate Counsel INTRODUCTION The veteran served on active duty from April 1970 to December 1971. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 1999 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office in St. Louis, Missouri (RO) which denied service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The record includes all evidence necessary for the equitable disposition of this appeal. 2. There is competent medical evidence linking current sleep apnea to the veteran's service-connected PTSD. CONCLUSION OF LAW The veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service- connected PTSD. Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-475, 114 Stat. 2096 (2000); 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107, 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a) (2000). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION The veteran attributes sleep apnea to his service-connected PTSD. The veteran does not contend that he incurred or aggravated sleep apnea during service and there is no evidence of sleep apnea or other sleep disorder in the veteran's service medical records SMRs. Procedurally, this appeal is developed fully and ready for Board adjudication. The RO has verified the veteran's period of service; there is no issue as to the substantial completeness of the veteran's application for VA benefits; the veteran has undergone VA examination pursuant to the application; the RO has requested and associated with the claims file all available service and postservice medical records pertinent to this appeal; VA is unaware of other unrequested records pertinent to this appeal, and; the evidence is sufficient to permit the Board to proceed with appellate review. See Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-475, 114 Stat. 2096, (2000). A veteran may be entitled to service connection for a disability under either a direct or secondary analysis. Direct service connection is warranted for disability resulting from disease or injury incurred or aggravated in service. 38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (2000). Secondary service connection is warranted both for a disability caused by a service-connected disorder and for a disability aggravated by a service-connected disorder. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a) (2000). In the latter case, compensation is limited to the extent to which the service- connected disorder increased the severity of the secondary disorder. Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 439, 448 (1995); Jones (Wayne) v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 134, 136-37 (1994). A service- connected secondary disorder becomes part of the original disorder. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310(a). The veteran is a decorated former Army combat soldier whose PTSD has been service-connected since July 1995. SMRs include no evidence of a sleep disorder in service and the veteran claims none. VA medical records confirm that the veteran underwent sleep studies in February and October 1998 from which he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. A VA psychiatric progress note from February 1999 briefly reviewed the studies' findings and applicable research and concluded that PTSD and its treatment "in all probability has aggravated the obstructive sleep apnea." The note further states that "it is certainly as likely as not that this veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to his PTSD." The VA physician who examined the veteran in July 1999 identified two likely causes of his sleep apnea: enlarged tonsillar tissue and obesity. The physician found no etiological connection between PTSD and enlarged tonsillar tissue. However, he acknowledged that "an argument could be made" linking the veteran's obesity with PTSD although the veteran's medical records did not include another medical opinion to that effect. In the Board's judgment the record presents adequate evidence upon which to base a finding that the veteran's PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea. The opinion expressed in the February 1999 progress note is neither ambiguous nor equivocal on that point. The July 1999 examination report is more tentative -- finding only a medical possibility of attenuated causality under a different rationale. Nevertheless, the July 1999 opinion does not refute the February 1999 opinion, and it is well established that VA itself may not refute expert medical conclusions in the record with its own unsubstantiated medical conclusions. Colvin v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 171, 175. (1991). Therefore, absent medical evidence actually denying a causal linkage between PTSD and sleep apnea in this case, the Board reads the two opinions together as providing, at minimum, evidentiary equipoise which must be resolved in the veteran's favor. See 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(B). Accordingly, the Board is constrained to find that service connection for sleep apnea is warranted here under a secondary analysis. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.310. ORDER Service connection for sleep apnea is granted secondary to service-connected PTSD. WARREN W. RICE, JR. Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

You guys take your packs off!!!!! This is simply no more than just the annual exam by the VA primary care doctor. They always do lab work once a year to check for cholesterol, diabetes, liver, the whole blood work up, make you drop your pants and play stink finger, Blood pressure, etc. Your primary care VA doctor also renews your prescriptions for the upcoming year until the next appointment. If the cholesterol or BP is out of whack the PC doctor will prescribe the new meds for this also and will test your blood levels every 6 months for these meds and then renew them if necessary or change the dosage. No big deal. We all have or are supposed to have an annual exam by the VA in order to stay active in the health care system. If you don't go to these they can drop you and let some other veteran that wants annual exams have your place. Is this at a clinic or at a VAMC? Look on your prescription bottles, is the Doctor you have an appointment with the same one on the bottles? If so, it is definitely your annual exam. Is this your first one? You had to have a primary care VA doctor in order to receive medication from the VA.

Berta/Vike17 OK, this is the second time I have asked this question without getting an answer. Here it goes: "What about if there are is one decision where there are two claims. The decision was approved (not denied) but only mentioned granting comp for only one of the claims and did not mention the other claim of an entirely separate nature?" "Does this mean both claims are also approved, since there never was a denial of the other claim?" For example I had claimed Left Temporal Lobe contusion, chronic due to TBI and also Skull Loss exceeding size of 50-cent piece which under the CFR 50%. Rating Decision awarded just 10% for post concussion residuals and never mentioned the skull loss. The rating decision is over 30 years old. Is this a CUE, Open Claim, or both since there was no formal written adjudication of the Skull Loss claim submitted on the same claim form, same day, as the TBI Left Temporal Lobe Contusion, Chronic.? The C&P neurologist at the VA in 1976 reported the size of the skull loss, EEG, and X-RAY findings in the C&P exam report of which were all a result of the same TBI occurence.

The VA does not do the LOD determinations, in his case the JAG of the Air Force furnishes the LOD statement. I was in the Marine Corps and the VA requested the LOD determination from the Navy JAG. Also, if he was on AUTHORIZED liberty and diving in the pool is not considered "negligence or own willful misconduct" and therefore service connected. Have your friend write to the Air Force JAG and request "Line of Duty Determination, LOD" from them. If he was on unauthorized liberty when he jumped in the pool, that is not considered LOD, but willful misconduct. Was your friend ever paid a lump sum medical discharge from the Air Force? Edited: BTW, there should have already been copies of the injury investigation report from the Air Force for both separate non-duty injuries. This is done by all branches of the service when an injury occurs and is documented and included in the report of investigation surrounding circumstances of injury. The LOD and Report of investigation are included as attachments with all medical board decisions. Your friend had to have a medical board decision that determined he be discharged medically. All of this should be available from the National Records Center right out of his file. Or specifically request the med board decisions and injury reports of investigation, and LOD determination for each. The only time it will not be service connected is if it was determined to be "Willful negligence or own misconduct." If the LOD states "in line of duty", it is service connected period regardless of he was on authorized liberty or not.

I'm sure you mean C&P Examination, it is not a hearing. Yes, the way things are today with the high volume of backlog 6 months to a year is probably the norm scheduling the C&P exam. You normally will not get them all the same day, the VA likes to piece mill them and drag them out once they start. Be prepared to have one for your specific conditions claimed spread out over 6 months once they begin.

Keep in mind these statistics are from year 2004 and we are going on 2007 in a little over a month from now. So these are what they were way back when. These timeframes do not represent todays timeframes in the filing of claims, they are at least 3 times what the 2004 stats show. Remember 2005 is when congress and the OIG caused all the brew ha ha about how bad the VA was and the long backlog and how they were going to fix the process to speed things up? Well it's about five times as bad now as far as the backlogs of claims with worse decisions that take two years or better for an initial claim or even an increase.

Don't get your hopes up on a decision within 6 months to a year. I submitted my stuff exactly the way you did back in Mar of 2005, that's right 2005! I am on day 611 and this is the latest status I received via IRIS on 24 Nov 06. Notice they said an additional 60 days, which would make it 671 days for a decision. IMO I don't even believe this response because they have told me these things at least 7 times before over the past 20 months. Be prepared for a long wait of close to or at two years or better. They are really backlogged is what they told me. 2 years is about the average now days. Semper Fi!!! Response (Department of Veterans Affairs) 11/24/2006 02:56 PM Dear Mr. XXXXX: On November 2, 2006, we received six packages of evidence. We are now looking through all the recently received information and evidence. If you do not receive a decision within the next 60 days, please contact us and we will follow-up with the office that is making a decision on your claim. We understand that you are concerned about the length of time it's taking to make a decision, however, we are making every effort to make sure that you receive the most accurate rating possible. We apologize for the delay and we appreciate your continued patience. Thank you for visiting our website. Sincerely yours, XXXXXX XXXXXXX Veterans Service Center Manager XXX/XXX Veteran/Inquirer 11/24/2006 12:35 PM Hello, My existing claim is 609 days old and has been at the rating board in Cleveland for the past 150 days. There must be a reason this is taking so long for a decision. Please tell me what the problem is that is causing such a long delay in receiving a decision. If there is something holding it up please tell me what else is needed so I can furnish it. This is entirely too long of a delay. Is there anything that can be done to look into my claim located in Cleveland and find out exactly why they have not rated it?

John, Nope it's definitely not a missing DD-214, I have three of them and when I got a copy of my C-File all three were still in there from 1976 with that date stamped as received from the VA. Like I said previously I have been service connected and receiving comp for TBI awarded back in Nov 1976. Yes, my claim and file was farmed out to Cleveland on 28 June 2006. I have heard of the shennanigan of "Not associating the evidence with the file" on one of the OIG reports as one of the delay tactics. My VARO is about 250 miles from me and I feel I would get the same answer, "Cannot provide any additional information, your claim is at a rating board in Cleveland". I don't understand why they can't check with Cleveland NOW instead of telling me if I don't get a decision in 60 days from now to contact them again and they will check into it with Cleveland. That would make 669 days my claim has been pending before they will put forth any inquiry to find out why the delay is so long. From what I have read 669 days is the average timeframe for a NOD to be decided, but this is initial claims and two increases for already exisiting TBI. I believe it was intentional my claim was farmed out to another VARO and all the evidence I've sent them over the past 18 months did not go with it. This is the second time. In Sep 05 they farmed out my claim to Seattle VARO for rating and was returned as deferred because they did not have the documentation for Skull Loss, Tinnitus, Skin Disorder. Seattle returned it back in Oct 05. Now they waited until June 28 06 to farm the claim out to Cleveland for rating. But again did not send them any of the evidence that was in the folder until 2 Nov 06. I have been playing musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey for beginning 21 months today!

Well, Got another IRIS inquiry response today. It seemed I no sooner sent the inquiry until I received a reply within two hours. Anyway it's the same ole crap over and over. Now I'm back to 60 days at least, of course I have had that response several times over the past 18 months. Previously it was unknown and the VSCM had no idea of when I would receive a decision, now it's back to 60 days again....... Oh Lordy!!!!!!! The last records I sent them were a copy of the C&P for Tinnitus in June of '06, the other 8 packets I sent to them way back in 2005 and they just now received them?????? Bull, I have the postal confirmation of receipts that they signed for them over a year ago. IRIS Response received today: Dear Mr. XXXXX: On November 2, 2006, we received six packages of evidence. We are now looking through all the recently received information and evidence. If you do not receive a decision within the next 60 days, please contact us and we will follow-up with the office that is making a decision on your claim. We understand that you are concerned about the length of time it's taking to make a decision, however, we are making every effort to make sure that you receive the most accurate rating possible. We apologize for the delay and we appreciate your continued patience. Thank you for visiting our website. Sincerely yours, XXXXXX XXXXXXX Veterans Service Center Manager 328/132 Veteran/Inquirer 11/24/2006 12:35 PM Hello, My existing claim is 609 days old and has been at the rating board in Cleveland for the past 150 days. There must be a reason this is taking so long for a decision. Please tell me what the problem is that is causing such a long delay in receiving a decision. If there is something holding it up please tell me what else is needed so I can furnish it. This is entirely too long of a delay. Is there anything that can be done to look into my claim located in Cleveland and find out exactly why they have not rated it?

Yep, a small branch no doubt, but big enough to defend and protect the Navy against foreign enemies as they always have. The Marines do the combat and the Navy transports and provides the chaplain and the medical care. Semper Fi!!!!!

I and others have been told these same things. Let us know what happens in 90 days, o.k. Let's see the first time my claim was at the rating board with a decision in 90 days was 18 months ago around Sep 05. Then again in Feb 06 and again in April 06. Then had three more C&P exams in May 06. Was told everything is complete and nothing else is needed and off to the rating board in June of 06. That is where it has been ever since and it's a lot more than 90 days from June thru November. There is nothing difficult or complicated in my claims, all C&Ps were highly favorable especially since I was already service connected for the TBI but they failed to make a decision back in 1976 or just plain missed it altogether that I had also claimed skull loss. The VA has had all this info ever since 1976 and was in my C-file as they sent me copies of it. Yeah I am claiming retro for 30 years back to 26 Nov 1976 and I have sent them their own 1976 files of my claim, C&P evaluations, ,medical and surgery reports from the Dept of the Navy, and their own VA Neurologist explicitly measured and stated the size of the skull loss greater than a 50-cent piece (all in 1976). So it is an open claim and the VA's own documents are proof of it. These claims I filed back in Mar 05: PTSD - C&P highly favorable (More likely than not) and IMO Psychiatrist (More likely than not) Tinnitus - C&P highly favorable (More likely than not) Cognitive Disorder - C&P highly favorable (More likely than not) attributed to SC head injury Skull Loss - C&P highly favorable (More likely than not) plus three Navy Medical Boards Scar - C&P highly favorable attributed to SC head injury Encephalopathy - C&P highly favorable attributed to SC head injury Barrett's Esophagus - No C&P, furnished IMO from private gastroenterologist TDIU - Haven't heard a thing. In addition the VA Neuropsychologist and IMO psychiatrist both stated I was unemployable both from TBI and PTSD. I spent 3 full days with the N.P. back in Dec 05 through Jan 06 before she wrote the C&P. I even have a copy of the VA's Development checklist that has all these conditions except unemployability form I submitted. It also has all the blocks checked that records, medals, etc verified. I am currently receiving 10% for TBI post concussion residuals effective 26 Nov 1976, the day I was discharged from the Marine Corps. The skull loss was on the same claim and I have their stamp on it too along with all the VA exams and everyone mentions the skull loss from the TBI surgery and crainioplasty. There was no mention of it in the rating decision except in the narrative. When it came to the award it was just for post concussion residuals. Skull Loss larger than a 50 cent piece is rated at 50% without brain hernia and 80% with brain hernia. I suffered brain hernia and it is also in the medical reports along with a brain debridement with fragments embedded in the brain. This last XRAY and MRI revealed there is still a surgical clip in my brain along with the encephalopathy caused by old blood according to the VA neurologist.

Chuck75, You've been highly misinformed buddy! The Marine Corps is a separate branch of service within the DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, the Navy is the other separate branch within the DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY. It's like this as far as structure DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 1) Navy 2) Marine Corps

If a CPO is an E-7, then there is an E-8 of which I thought was a Master CPO, the E-9 was a Senior CPO. So what is the E-8 called?

Jangrin, The answer to that is - my claim is not being rated by my jurisdiction VARO. They sent it to Cleveland RO for rating. If I contact Cleveland, they just refer me to the Chicago RO. Who in turn states my claim is located in Cleveland and they have no further information other than it is at the rating board. I cannot find out if it is being worked on or if it is just gathering dust. I asked the Chicago RO to contact Cleveland and find out what the deal is via IRIS and the service manager stated the same ole same ole. "Your claim is at the rating board at one of our service centers and you should receive a decision soon." I have five of those replies. No matter what I ask, that is always the answer. I'm just trying to find out if there is some kind of statute or time limit that triggers a claim to be looked at once at the rating board for a long period of time without adjudication. The way this is set up now it could go on like this infinitely unless there is some process in their system that triggers or red flags stragglers.

Nope! Just a E-8, there are no officers. As far as being a bell hop for the Navy, I'll have you know I was a Gunnery Sergeant and I out rank everything and don't forget it puke!!!! A USMC Gunnery Sergeant is about the rank equivelant in the Army of Major General, Navy - Rear Admiral. The only one that out ranks a Gunney is GOD!!!!!!, in the Marine Corps that is anyway!!!

I want to be able to edit my profile and change this stuff. But again there is no method I have found to do that. It does have a edit profile link but there is nothing on there where you can change you branch of service, group or other info I deem important to me.

I surely cannot find the links that you mentioned on this site under Veteran's Forum, there is nothing I see that says Member's Issues. This site has become a real maze in itself!!!!! Just tell me! Why did T-Bird put everyone here in the Navy, I'm tired of the exercise in futility!!!!