georgiapapa

Fat, It appears to me they are saying there was no record of continuation of treatment for a recurring problem with your right shoulder. If you have records showing you continued to have regular problems with your right shoulder after you were discharged, you should file a NOD. If you could obtain an IMO from your orthopedic specialist showing a nexus between your current shoulder problems and your military service, you should file a NOD. JMO GP

Excellent advice.

You are welcome.

justrluk, The AB3 letter or Commissary Letter will also show the permanent and total status as well as the no future exams reference. GP

justrluk, Benefits Summary Letter is the AB8 letter. GP

Buck, According to an acupuncture website I just viewed, acupuncture in China is typically performed 2 to 5 times per week for chronic pain. Since the Chinese are the experts on acupuncture, I would think better results would be achieved if veterans were offered acupuncture 2 to 5 times per week. However, I realize the VA would have to hire a lot more Acupuncturists to be able to provide acupuncture sessions as often as they are really needed. GP

Oiler1995, The main benefits you receive for 100% P & T that you do not receive if 100% without P & T status are Champva health insurance and Chapter 35 DEA educational benefits for veteran's eligible family members. GP

Andyman73, You can go to the VA website and find the section on "Spina Bifida and Agent Orange." I found the VA info by typing in "Spina Bifida and Agent Orange" on Google and the VA info page was the first one listed. Good luck to you. GP

They will accept copies. Never ever send your originals. Sometimes they will want a certified copy with a seal for documents such as marriage licenses. Birth certificates, death certificates, etc. GP

PR, Sorry, when I started working on my response, I did not see your post. GP

glider222, Send copies of all relevant medical records (military and civilian), If a record does not have anything to do with your claimed condition, don't send it. Make sure you send the records certified mail return receipt requested. Correction in spelling: Newnan not Numan. Since you have original records, make sure you do not lose them. Good luck to you. GP

Congratulations.

diver, First of all, congratulations on your win. Right now you are probably in a surreal state of mind because you still don't know whether to believe it or not. I think every veteran who finally receives the 100% P & T award experiences this same surreal state of mind. When you realize it's true, you feel a great sense of relief. The AB8 letters are usually accurate but id_firefighter is right, you can't be 100% sure until you receive the official packet. I would also follow PR's advice and print out your AB8 letter and any other letters showing you are 100% P & T. If you are 100% P & T, you will now have Champva health insurance and Chapter 35 DEA educational benefits available for your eligible family members. You would also be able to use the VA dental clinic. Depending on your state, state benefits could include significant property tax reduction, free disabled veteran vehicle tag, state income tax breaks, etc. Good luck to you and take care of yourself. GP

Jordan, If you had your 2006 C & P exam at your VAMC, you can go to the "Release of Information" office at your VAMC and request a copy of your 2006 exam report by filling out a form. GP

You are welcome Julie. GP

mcarter985, I hope you receive the proper compensation for your claim. Good luck and take care of yourself. GP

mcarter985, An administrative review allows VACO (Veterans Affairs Central Office) to review a decision that has already been made. More than likely they are reviewing your decision for errors. This is not unusual. Good luck. GP

I am sure you are not calling your VA regional office because they do not accept incoming calls from veterans. Did you file the Fully Developed Clam (FDC) yourself or did your VSO file it for you? If you filed your FDC, did you send it certified mail return receipt requested? If not, what method did you use to file your claim? Do you have written proof your claim was received by your VA regional office? Have you ever visited your VSO office in person? If you filed the FDC yourself and then called the local number for the Veterans Service Organization you designated as your POA, I can understand why you haven't heard from your VSO if you did not file your claim through their office. Veterans usually go to a VSO office in person and file a claim or they file the claim themself without the assistance of a VSO. It is not unusual for VSO offices to be located in the building housing the VAa regional offices but the VSOs do not work for the VA. The more info you provide, the easier it will be for Hadit members to help you. GP

Bob, Did you check "VA letters" in your Ebenefits account? Usually, the letters are updated once the claim is closed. Good luck. GP

Julie1975 Have you tried calling 1-800-827-1000 to check on the status of your clam? Did you file a FDC claim? If you filed an FDC claim, when you call the 1-800 number, ask if they are still showing your claim as an FDC claim or a standard claim. If it was changed from an FDC claim to a standard claim, it will take longer to be processed. Regardless of whether your claim is FDC or a standard claim, if you do not get a reasonable response from the 1-800 number, you should email Undersecretary Hickey and request assistance from her to get your claim moving. Her email address is: allison.hickey@va.gov Undersecretary Hickey has helped a lot of veterans with their claims. Since you are in to your 6th month since filing your claim, you should have heard something by now. I hope you have proof (green certified return receipt card, etc.) of your claim being received by the VA. Good luck. GP

josef7070 Personally, I would not recommend it since you are in the pending decision phase. Others may have a different opinion. Good luck on your claim. GP

Thadine, Your day will come and I hope it is a big day for you. It is hard to be defeated with a positive attitude like yours. You are right. Every time a veteran wins, we all win. Take care. GP

ranger, I started having syncope last year and my heart rate dropped into the 30s. Since I already have IHD/CAD, I went to cardiology at Emory Hospital and was given a tilt table test which revealed I had sick sinus syndrome and orthostasis. As a result, I received a pacemaker implant last May. Syncope is a symptom of several medical conditions so you may have to undergo several medical tests before they diagnose the medical condition causing the syncope. Good luck and take care of yourself. GP

Jayco, I was not aware you are outside US. GP

wingnut73, Take copies of all relevant medical records with you to the exam. The examiner may or may not take them or review them. However, it is good to have them available. I have had C & P exams where the examiner gladly accepted the info because the VARO had only provided them with minimal info. The examiners used the info I provided to complete most of their questionnaire. Once you know the doctor's name, check online and see if he or she is a specialist trained to diagnose and treat your specific medical conditions. If the doctor is not a specialist and your award for compensation is not granted, you can get an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) from a specialist and submit it to countermand the opinion of the C & P examiner. JMO Good luck to you and thank you for your service. GP