georgiapapa

ArNG11, Glad to hear the good news. You did well my friend and I have no doubt you will win your war in the end. Stay well and keep us posted. GP

razinkane, Glad to hear the VA head honchos are helping you. Wouldn't it be great if veterans received this same level of responsiveness and helpful attitude all the time from the VA? We can only hope it will eventually happen. Good luck and Semper Fi. GP

dlove74us, If you are denied, post the reasons given by the VA for the denial. This will make it easier for Hadit members to give you suggestions on appeal strategy before you submit an appeal. As soon as your Ebenefits status changes to "preparation for notification," start checking your "Benefits Summary Letter" under "Downloadable VA Letters." If you receive an award, it usually shows up there before you receive the actual VA notification. GP

The AB8 letter is also known as the "Benefits Summary Letter."

dlove74us, In your records from the VA Women's Health Clinic, did any of the doctors state they believed your breast cancer was caused by your Gulf War service? The reason I ask is because I could not find any info where breast cancer is recognized by the VA as a Gulf War presumptive disease. If breast cancer was recognized as a VA presumptive disease, you would only need to show proof of your service in the Gulf War and a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer. Unless your VA doctors provided reasonable medical rationale in your medical records connecting your breast cancer to your Gulf War service, I do not believe you will be service connected and awarded disability compensation by the VA. To service connect your breast cancer, you would need a strong IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) from a doctor, preferably an oncologist, stating they believe it is "as likely as not" your breast cancer was caused by your exposure to toxin agents during your Gulf War service. The IMO would have to include reasonable medical rationale supporting the opinion of the doctor. Info on IMOs can be found on this website. I hope I am wrong and you win your claim but be prepared in the event you do not. I am a Vietnam veteran and currently have three Agent Orange presumptive diseases so I sympathize with your situation. It took the VA decades to recognize most of the Agent Orange presumptive diseases and the VA will probably eventually recognize other diseases as Gulf War presumptive diseases. If your claim is denied, do not give up. Please keep us posted. Good luck. GP

Jay mega, Don't get discouraged until you receive official notice. Also, a lot of people currently at 100% started at 10%, including myself. Do not give up. Good luck. GP

Jaymega, It is usually accurate but mistakes are made by the VA. Hopefully, you will find out in the near future. Good luck to you and thank you for your service. GP

Me1984, The 5 year reevaluation for reduction is not unusual for a temporary rating. It does not mean you will be reduced. You will only be reduced if there is significant improvement of your service connected condition(s). One suggestion is to maintain a continuity of appointments and treatment for your service connected conditions. A lot of vets are rated 100% temp before receiving 100% P & T. Good luck to you. GP

dlove74us, Without more info, it is difficult for Hadit members to offer an opinion. When were you discharged? When were you diagnosed with breast cancer? If you were not diagnosed during your military service, what evidence did you submit with your claim that connected your breast cancer to your military service? The more info you provide, the easier it will be to answer your questions. GP

ytowngirl126, Call 1-800-827-1000 and see if they can tell you what is going on with your tinnitus claim. The tinnitus claim should have been an easy claim for the RO to make a decision on. If 1-800 Peggy can't give you an answer on the tinnitus claim, send an email to Undersecretary Hickey at: www.Allison.Hickey@va.gov Congratulations on the 90% and good luck with the tinnitus claim. GP

Good luck at your C & P. GP

vern2, Review 38 CFR part 4.118 Schedule of Ratings for Skin disabilities including scars. This should give you an idea as to what to expect with your claim for facial scars. Good luck. GP

COLTTEAM3, I agree with toddt. File for the increases and the secondary. He also gave you good advice for the C & P exam. During the ROM portion of the exam, do not let the examiner force you or intimidate you into any painful ROM. As soon as you feel any strain or pain, tell the examiner it is too painful to go any farther. Even if the examiner says you are not cooperating, stop your ROM as soon as it starts hurting. JMO GP

coastie, Your psychologist can not increase your rating but he/she can certainly support your request for an increase in rating with their notes and reports showing an increase in the severity of your condition. JMO GP

I agree with NK. I feel like our whole government has become totally corrupt.

diver, It is my understanding that pain is not a ratable condition. The VA rates the condition causing the pain. GP

VetDeniedSince1980s, I don't know what to tell you in regards to your clinical records that were shipped to Japan. Perhaps they will show up in the records you obtain from the archives. As a Vietnam veteran, I appreciate your daughter trying to help you with your claim. You have a good daughter. I just commented in another post about a good son helping his father with his claim. The father was also a Vietnam veteran. Good luck on your search and I wish you and your daughter good luck with your claim. GP

george1637, I agree with the others. Go to the exam. In the event you did not know, the following is offered: Since you are rated at 50%, you are now in group 1 in the VA healthcare system and no longer have copays for any VA appointments or VA prescriptions. You are also entitled to reimbursement of alll VA copays you paid for appointments and prescriptions back to the effective date of the award giving you a combined rating of 50%. Good luck to you and thank you for your service. GP

Mike, I totally agree with Tbird. Hiring a property manager will relieve you of all the headaches associated with managing property. GP

Vync, I would also be looking at Parkinson's disease which is an agent orange presumptive disease. Dementia is associated with Parkinson's disease. As a Vietnam veteran, I appreciate what you are doing for your father. You are a good son. I had a jeep roll over accident in Vietnam and the SMRs were not very detailed regarding the extent of my injuries and some of the hand writing on the medical notes was not legible. Good luck to you and your father. GP

godelocs, Ebenefits has a history of crashing and being down when you need it. Personally, my preference would be to hand deliver it and have my copies dated stamped at the RO. If hand delivering it is not possible, I would send it certified mail return receipt requested. GP

ranger11bv, Even if the VA diagnoses you with a medical condition, you would still have to have some strong evidence showing the medical condition was incurred in or caused by your military service before the VA would consider the medical condition as service connected and grant disability compensation. I would follow Carlie's advice and not file any additional claims until you filed a NOD and requested to have your C & P exams rescheduled. Carlie is one of the most knowledgeable people on the Hadit website and she always gives excellent advice. Good luck. GP

You are welcome my friend.

Congratulations.

Right now, the most effective way to get something done with the VA is to email Allson Hickey. I am amazed at how effective she has been helping veterans. Several months ago her job was in jeopardy. Now she is a hero to a lot of veterans. I hope Allson Hickey keeps doing what she is doing. JMO GP