Carl the Engineer

If you are Jxxxx, it does sound promising. I get spousal aid and attendance for my non service spouse (she has MS) and when I do what you did it shows comp for her. Good luck, Hamslice

There is no rhyme or reason for what happens from prep for dec and to complete. And don't be alarmed if it goes back to prep again. I had one go all the way back to gathering information. So, yeah, anything can happen on eBenefits, that's for sure. Movement means something might be happening. It can go back and forth a couple times in the same day when it nears its end. Favorable or not. Just the way it is. Hoping for the best for you, Hamslice

File. In some cases the VA awards IU even when the situation does not meet the guidelines for percentages. Also, if denied, but later "it should have been" awarded, the earliest date might help. Can't hurt to file. Now... Especially if you can get the doc letter stating you can't work because of you service connected disability. Hamslice

I somewhat dissagree as we all know, your VA primary care will not do a C&P or and this is for sure, will not follow the checklist (?) for an increase. Heck, I have had my meds increased by my VA primary and now I am supposed to ask her to fill out the VA form(s) for an increase, etc. Every increase I have won (3) involved a claim and a C&P. And is the VA doc going to go to bat for you with a denial, etc. of said increase. Unless the VA docs have a new attitude about comp, I don't see this benefiting the Veteran. Looks like easy denials to me. And are they going to take your civilian doc's word for it? Highly doubt it. Now your claim will turn into a regular and off to the C&P exam you go. Yes, for an increase. Most all my FDC's became regular claims because of the VA's issues, not mine as they had everything from the start. And most if not all were wins. First reports on this will be interesting, Hamslice

4000 pages! Holy cow, you might want a knowledgable IMO rep parse that thing. You may have more going for you than you think. There has got to be more than 20% in 4000 pages, Just sayin, Hamslice

I did write a buddy letter for a Soldier that worked for me in my section while in Iraq. I actually put him on night shift so he could sleep during the day when his tentmates were out on patrol. If I hadn't changed his work hours, he probably would have been a casualty found with a sock stuffed down his throat. He snored like he was cutting firewood for the winter, loud and all night. His condition started when the temps got to be 110 degrees or more day and night. It was tough to sleep. I usually woke up in a puddle of water (sweat) in my cot. Nice... Anyway, he got 50% service connected for sleep apnea. You can have your buddies write letters, and then you can review them to see if your think they will benefit your claim. If not, don't send them in. Simple.. Hamslice

"Under the new DRC, veterans must work with a VSO to help them get together all the necessary paperwork, and they must have their comp exam with a VA doctor before submitting their claim." How the hell does that work? Do I just call the VA and tell them I need a C&P? I suppose I could just tell them I need a C&P for this, that and the other and see what falls into my favor and then make the claim. This could get intereresting. Just sayin, Hamslice

I have had two C&P TBI screening since getting out of Iraq in 04. One right away and then a couple years later. I have never claimed anything associated with a TBI. The examiners tell me that it is just nomal post deployment screening. I have also had a post deployment PTSD (C&P) screening. It could be just that. Or related to one of your ongoing claims. Most importantly, just go. Don't miss an appointment with the VA ever. Sometimes its a trigger that is in the VA system for your specific situation. When I got out, I got the free VA 180 day dental exam. They sent me the C&P letter and when I showed up they said the dentist had to leave, because his father just passed away, and that I could reschedule. I told them that I had private dental insurance and see my dentist regularly and that would not be necesary. We'll, 6 years later, I get a C&P notice for the dental clinic and went for my free (180 day) exam. LOL.. My name must have popped up as not having it done on some checklist. Anyway, don't sweat it, and go to the appointment, Hamslice

We'll, that "Super Hero" is a winner in my book any day of the week... Just sayin, Hamslice

Winning................... Hamslice

I went before the ABCMR (Army) twice, lost twice. I researched over at least 100 cases, and almost everyone lost. Especially illegal drug use related discharges. The only winners I could find were clerical errors. Kind of like the VA cue deal. Just sayin, Hamslice

Winner, winner, Christmas dinner, Hamslice

Special Monthly Compensation http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/specialmonthlycompensation.html "The basic idea is that the VA wants to give additional disability pay in cases where the disability is so severe that the regular ratings just don't cut it. For example, the loss of one hand and a foot is more serious than just the lost of one hand." Have fun reading, Hamslice

I must have missed this post, but yeah, when its starts jumping around alot, that usually means they are working it. Keep up the good work, Hamslice

Yes it is, and thank you to everyone... Hamslice

Winner, winner "Turkey Dinner"... Hamslice Good on you!!!!

paul, Working fine for me tonight at home. I do have problems when I try at work, usually won't let me go very far. Can never look a payment history when at work. I think it has something to do with firewalls or filters. Not a computer giant by any means, Hamslice

Tbird, Pretty sure you meant assesses, Not asses, I had to look it up as I didn't think it was a word. It is a word and not pretty. Not being critical or a spelling Nazi, its just my mom was an English teacher and once and a while I have a flashback, and then my OCD kicks in and I can't proceed without fixing. LOL. Hamslice

I have done very well with my secondaries. And won with my private medical records only. I have not had to use a IMO or and IME as of yet. And, yes the secondaries are added on unless of course they cause piramiding and then you get the higher of the two. My most advantagous secondary was when I claimed heart disease second to my high blood pressure. I was service connected for high blood pressure at a 0% compensation rating, and was awarded 30% for heart disease secondary 8 years later. This was my error and did not realize how claims work and should have did it much earlier. So, in this case a 0% service connected disablilty got me a 30% increase. Also, my service connected right shoulder got me my left shoulder and righ elbow, both secondary service connected, at 10% and 20% respectively. And, my sevice connected cervical got me my thoracic/lumber secondary service connected at 20%. And, I almost forgot, my right foot got me my left foot, but a 0%, so the fight goes on... In the end, I did get a 30, 10 and two 20's from my secondaries. So without my secondaries, I would be at 50%, now I am at 80%. A big difference. And this process takes time when you are "nickle and diming" it, as one of the expert's once touted on the radio program. My biggest win is one 30%'er. Hope this helps, Hamslice

You can't get to 95 from 86. That's the fun with VA math. 86 plus 60% = 94 and 86 plus 70% = 96. LOL with VA math, Hamslice

WomanMarine, I am glad that something is happening with your case(s). Whether you get what you think or more or less, the most important thing is that your in the system. And service connected for something. Now the hard work starts, increases, secondaries, EED's, etc., etc... Happy for you, Hamslice Keep posting what you find out, its a good read..

70 to 80 is tough, 80 to 90 is tougher, and 90 to 100 is almost impossible re scheduler ratings. However, you with a raw 84, would only need a 10% increase to get you rounded up to 90, so, not so hard, and there is where the train slows way down. You would have a raw 86 and would need a new 70% or an increase of 70% to get to 96 rounded to 100%. Look at some of your other ailments and see if they have worsened or have contributed to a new disability. Claim as secondary, etc. I am currently at 80%, raw 81. At a minimum, I need two 10% increases bilateral to get me to 90. There is where it will stall out for me as the highest single rating I have is 30%. And there is no new 70%er in my future. But it is what it is. I claimed and will claim what I think I deserve and no more. Good luck, Hamslice

I have that card. It was sent to me. I did not request it. I use it when I go to the Veterans Hospital. Just throw it into the kiosk and it knows who I am and why I's there. Even get directions from the kiosk. What do we need people for anymore. LOL.. Now, Wisconsin puts "Veteran" on your drivers liscense if you want. You can have it changed right away if you want. Mine expires in 2020, so I will probably wait until I renew it. Not sure what that gets me, but what the heck. FWIW, Hamslice

rootbeer22, I have not had any reexaminations, but here is the reg, and it mentions age 55, but it also has language that says the VA can do what ever it wants. As usual. Hamslice § 3.327 Reexaminations. (a)General. Reexaminations, including periods of hospital observation, will be requested whenever VA determines there is a need to verify either the continued existence or the current severity of a disability. Generally, reexaminations will be required if it is likely that a disability has improved, or if evidence indicates there has been a material change in a disability or that the current rating may be incorrect. Individuals for whom reexaminations have been authorized and scheduled are required to report for such reexaminations. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section provide general guidelines for requesting reexaminations, but shall not be construed as limiting VA's authority to request reexaminations, or periods of hospital observation, at any time in order to ensure that a disability is accurately rated. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501) (b)Compensation cases - (1)Scheduling reexaminations. Assignment of a prestabilization rating requires reexamination within the second 6 months period following separation from service. Following initial Department of Veterans Affairs examination, or any scheduled future or other examination, reexamination, if in order, will be scheduled within not less than 2 years nor more than 5 years within the judgment of the rating board, unless another time period is elsewhere specified. (2) No periodic future examinations will be requested. In service-connected cases, no periodic reexamination will be scheduled: (i) When the disability is established as static; (ii) When the findings and symptoms are shown by examinations scheduled in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section or other examinations and hospital reports to have persisted without material improvement for a period of 5 years or more; (iii) Where the disability from disease is permanent in character and of such nature that there is no likelihood of improvement; (iv) In cases of veterans over 55 years of age, except under unusual circumstances; (v) When the rating is a prescribed scheduled minimum rating; or (vi) Where a combined disability evaluation would not be affected if the future examination should result in reduced evaluation for one or more conditions. (c)Pension cases. In nonservice-connected cases in which the permanent total disability has been confirmed by reexamination or by the history of the case, or with obviously static disabilities, further reexaminations will not generally be requested. In other cases further examination will not be requested routinely and will be accomplished only if considered necessary based upon the particular facts of the individual case. In the cases of veterans over 55 years of age, reexamination will be requested only under unusual circumstances.

Better than a sharp stick in the eye... Hamslice