[Whereto go from here]

Thanks Vync. I need to clarify things. This is why I am confused.

I received the decision letter which shows:

1. Evaluation of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), left lower extremity, which is currently 20% disabiling, is increased to 60% effective Oct 6, 2017

2. Evaluation of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), right lower extremity, which is currently 20% disabiling, is increased to 60% effective Oct 6, 2017

3. Basic eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance is established from Oct 6, 2017

Evidence is followed by reasons for each extremity......

Below the ‘reasons’ there is the following statement:

”Please note: This is not considered a full grant of benefits on appeal; therefore, we are also sending you a Statement of Case.”

———————————————-

Note: My original date of claim was 10-19-2010.  I want to disagree with the effective date 

————————————————-

The SOC shows issues as follows and denied both issues

1. Evaluation of PVD, left LE higher than 20% prior to October 6, 2017 

2. Evaluation of PVD, right LE higher than 20% prior to October 6, 2017 

——————————————————-

Note: I have new evidence and want to disagree/appeal the SOC findings.

So......Do I Submit a NOD for an earlier effective date of the decision and Appeal (per VA form 9) the the denial shown on the SOC? I am super confused.

CHR49

 

[Whereto go from here]

Not sure where to go from here. Would appreciate help

History:

BVA Granted Peripheral Vascular Disease for right & left lower extremities - secondary to PTSD  --> Sent back to RO for rating

RO low balled ratings at 20% per extremity effective 1-19-2010. —->  NOD, asked for 60% with evidence

RO rated 60% for left & right lower extremities effective  10-6- 2017, (total rating of 100% P&T) —- RO Denied rating higher than 20% prior to 10-6-2017 (both legs) - Received NOD form and Statement of Case with VA9 form.

I have new evidence plus evidence of record showing I deserve 40% for a 2 yr period of time (2010-2012) and evidence showing my 60% effective date should be in 2012. Do I file another NOD or appeal with BVA using VA9 form? My service officer was not in office. Another service officer said I should do another NOD. 

 

Opinions appreciated. I want to do this right.

CHR49

 

[Success at BVA level]

I believe you are right broncovet......nothing to lose, so might as well. My wife & I have been working on it all day. Time is short on this one since its been to BVA - rated - then NOD. Hate that we have to wait for years, yet have to jump thru hoops & do things quickly for them ..... but its just the way it goes. Thanks for offering your opinion. This is such an old post I thought you may miss it.

[Success at BVA level]

On 4/4/2016 at 1:02 PM, broncovet said:

As already mentioned, the next step of your claim, now that you won sc, is for the VA to lowball or noball you.  Or, they may just skip to hornswaggling you on the effective date right away.  Let us know which they do.  

Broncovet....

You are right on! They lowballed me. I ended up going from 50 to 70% & filed a NOD ..... waited 450 days to hear that they approved my requested rating of 60% per lower extremity. I am now 100% schedular - P&T, no future exams......BUT.....they hornswaggled me out of 7 years on the effective date. Not sure where I’ll head at this point, got the paperwork on the 23rd, so I’m going thru medical files right now.

[100% P and T SMC L]

Congratulations MBL!!!

[Success at BVA level]

Thanks everybody! Enjoyed reading your comments and congrats. Still waiting to hear more on my decision. Totally agree that this is not the END of the story. I will share what they decide once I receive it. Just hope it's not another 6 year wait!

Really gets me that we are given all sorts of deadlines yet they can & do take as much time as they want.....same old story all the time.

[Success at BVA level]

I know this post is gotten old but I thought others might be interested in reading the BVA decision on my case. I have mixed feelings every time I read it because of the struggle I had getting to this point. Here's a link to the decision: http://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files5/1541030.txt

If the link doesn't work here's the info you'll need  [or search 2015 files for PTSD, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension]

Citation Nr: 1541030	
Decision Date: 09/24/15    Archive Date: 10/02/15
DOCKET NO.  13-05 305

CHR49

[91 year old WWII vet finally gets his decision.]

J Basser - It's stories like this that make me so angry. Thank God your grandfather had you & your many resources to turn this into to the best story ever! Congratulations....your grandfather deserves all he's gotten & more!

[Success at BVA level]

USMC_VET

Thank you for the great tips. Much appreciated!!

I have neck problems that have gotten worse due to dives out of bed during nightmares so the doctors tend to related most of my symptoms to my neck. I've been putting off the surgery due to the fact that I need to be able to work.  

I have just started using secure messaging so I will continue to do that. 

[OMG, I am FINALLY PERMANENT!!!]

Such great news! Congratulations!!

[Success at BVA level]

Thanks Broncovet - I have had some symptoms (1 episode of short term left arm paralysis, left eye changes & short term bouts of confusion/memory loss) but I have a feeling it will end up at 0% since all of those things have been pretty much ignored. Most important was to get the diagnosis on record since it is a huge problem for me. I'm just so thankfully to have this over with.

[Success at BVA level]

I should have placed this post under Success Stories. Can it be moved?

Chr49

 

 

[Success at BVA level]

Received a letter from BVA today stating all 3 of my claims have been granted. I filed for bilateral peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery disease & hypertension secondary to PTSD in Spring 2010 - 5 1/2 yrs ago.

Can anybody tell me how the bilateral carotid artery disease will be rated? I've found all of the information I need regarding PVD & hypertension.

Also, when I filed all of my appointments to monitor my PVD were dropped so I'm assuming they will order testing before rating...Am I correct on this?

Thank you for any words of wisdom you can give me.

CHR49

[Christmas Present From The Va]

This is wonderful news! Congratulations!

[Increase From 60% To 90%]

Way to go!! Congratulations OSC!

[Success!]

Such great news! Congratulations!

[Tdiu Fast Letter - June 2013 - Fl13-13]

Thanks Carlie!

[I Finally Get To Post In This Topic]

Great news Flatbroke! Gives me hope!

[Ebenifits Says 100%]

Sounding like you may have some great news coming soon! Congratulations!

[The Va Can Read]

Way to go! Congratulations!!

[I Won I Think]

Congrats Vet12! Always nice to read a success story.

[After 2 Yrs 8 Months Brown Enveloped Arrived!]

Great News! Congratulations SSGmajik!

[Nashville Vs Murfreesboro Vamc]

Nashville is in cahoots with Vanderbilt. A very good school. You do get some residents there. Murfeesboro is OK but I like Nashville. I spend a lot of time in Franklin. Now as for Tennesee as a whole. Do you really want to spend 9.75 percent sales tax. Tennesee is 7 percent but each town charges their own so it can as high as 9.75 percent.

J

Boy is that the TRUTH!! It's 9.75% where I live. Not a cheap state to live in. Check the areas out carefully before moving.

[Nashville Vs Murfreesboro Vamc]

Barbamatt..

I don't live in Murfreesboro or Nashville so I can't tell you about living in the area but I chose to use Nashville/Murfreesboro VAMC's over the Johnson City VAMC (which is about equal distance from my home) due to my medical needs. My primary care & MH are done in Murfreesboro but I am sent to Nashville for some of my speciality issues (vascular and orthopedic). I've been to both ot the emergency rooms and received care quickly in both situations. The only time I was hospitalized it was in Nashville and I felt my care was fine, the personnel/doctors were especially good to my wife. As far as primary care goes, the longest wait I've experienced was 1 hour and they have slipped me in early several times, especially if I had multiple appointments. In my experience, appointments with a specialist mean longer waits but I've received excellent care. The two VAMC's are in the same system and they have a shuttle bus if you need it. I've found both facilities friendly and easy to navigate. Hope this helps.

[Vamc Travel Pay Is Going Direct Deposit]

Nashville allowed me to choose between cash & DD in January, even though I had sent in the necessary paperwork. They stopped my cash payments when I went for my February apppointments. Although I prefer cash payment on the day of appointment, DD has been made within 10 days and it is coming thru at a higher rate than I was receiving per cash.