Carl the Engineer

I've been waitng for some tomato's, maybe next year, Hamslice

I guess I jumped the gun on my update, Just checked my calendar on eBenefits, I see that I had a C&P today at 3 PM. Another paper exam. Anyway, they must be working the last denial hard, Hamslice

Update 26, Two events today, First, claim went to pending decision today with a end date of 11/18. Second, got the white envelope today, Service connected for "Left ankle Achilles tendonitis (claimed as pain)", Percent assigned, 0%. Also, We have deferred a decision on the following issue because we need a medical opinion "right foot plantar fasciitis" So, to date; 1. Heart Disease secondary to HBP rated at 0%, service connected at 30% 2. Tricuspid regurgitation (also claimed as heart disease), not serviced connected. 3. Right foot plantar fasciitis increase currently rated at 10%, referred 4. Left ankle Achilles tendonitis (claimed as left ankle pain), secondary to right foot plantar fasciitis, service connected at 0%. 5. Left foot condition (claimed as pain), not service connected. My second addendum, this time for the increase to right foot plantar fasciitis has not posted yet. Should soon. Then I will know more. Enjoy the nice weather, 70 degrees September 19th way up here is nice. Last year it snowed on the 12th!!! Hamslice

All of my original claims were by VA examiners only. Now, some of my icreases and secondaries are based on civilian docs with C&P exam, both. So, yes, Hamslice

They were probably not looking for your signature. Your claim must need a higher up to sign an approval, etc. Are you sure the request is for you. Mine have all been a "VA facility". Anyway, sounds promising, Hamslice

syne7, I too was at 70. Put in a claim for an increase and three secondaries. Looking to get half service connected. So far I am 1 for 2. 2 still in the works. I believe you will have to see a examiner for all eight, however, some will just be a couple questions as they will probably use your medical evidence and some of theirs. My claim for Heart Disease, they did a ultrasound even though I had a private ultrasound 3 months earlier. The VA did not do a nuclear stress test, but used the test from my private doctor from the test, again, 3 months earlier. So, no rhyme or reason on what they will also test you for. I am currently at 80% with one or two conditions reffered. They did service connect my Heart Disease secondary to my HBP at 30%. So I went from 70 to 80. It kind of looks like I will end up with a raw scare of 84, VA math 80%, so, I will have to look at all the medical evidence and see if I got the proverbial "low-ball" Hamslice

Also, I just see now that my claim for left Achilles tendon pain is service connected, but at 0%. But, my left ankle pain is still referred and no mention of my increase to right foot plantar fasciitis. Oh, well, Hamslice

Update number 25, Back to gathering evidence, I see on eBennies that a "Request number 3" from a VA facility, I see on eBennies that I had a C&P yesterday. Apparently I need not attend. I confirm on myHealthyVet that I had a C&P yesterday, appointment kept. No addendum on mHV yet. Take a couple days for that to show up. So, from the evidence I have, it looks like the rater(s) wanted more info from the C&P examiner. New date of 3/25/2017, but I think that will change fairly quick. I hope, Hamslice

Update 24, Still Pending, but, new end date 9/20, Lost a couple days!, Hamslice

It sounds to me like a increase from 10 to 20%. You would not have two ratings for the lower back with the same description(s). FWIW, I would read the reports and see if there is any arthritis associated with you lower back. It will not add anything to your lower back, but get it service connected as then when your neck etc., gets bad, you can claim that as secondary to your lower back. Also, your Lumbar and your Thoracic are the same according to the VA, and one rated as one, even if they have different issues. Your cervical (neck) can be rated separately. I am rated 20% (Lumbar and Thoracic) and 20% Cervical, both for range of motion. I do have DDD and DJD in my Lumbar, Thoracic and Cervical, however, range of motion is where you get 20% and more. X-ray evidence is 10% only. Hope this helps, Hamslice

Update 23, Pending decision approval again, New date 9/22, Maybe by the weekend, Hamslice

I got out in 2008 and there was no word about 1 year, much less VA disability. I was AGR (Active Guard and Reserve). They do not even give you a exit physical unless you ask for one. I should state that I was "involuntarily seperated" and not reitred. Fired. I here/heard that those that retired (20 years AGR) had a seperation meeting with a VA representative. Anyway, I researched it all on my own and Hadit.com was one of the first web sites I joined and used. And I did make the one year cutoff. FWIW, I think that the Veteran is both served and missled by the free healthcare when we came back from Iraq, whether it was 180 days or 5 years, etc. The Veteran doesn't claim within a year of seperation because he has 5 years free healthcare. Do you see what I am saying? VA heathcare and VA disability. Two seperate entities, and I don't theink new (and old) Veterans understand the difference. Hamslice

I second number 2. Now I will go back into my cave, Hamslice

Your C-file is your "claim file" at the VA. Now when I say at the VA, that could mean a whole lot of things or places. Also, you request that from the VA. Many different ways, I went to the records department at my VA Hospital I go to and filled out a FOIA (Freedom of Infromation Act) form. I believe I recieved mine, hard copy, in about 3 months. Some here have been waiting up to 3 years and still have not recieved them. From what I read on here, some are recieving it in a cd or many cd's. Hamslice

"So you're telling me there's a chance" Hamslice

Tell me not to be bummed, but after reading some prior posts about St Petersburg, I'm not so sure;. My claim was complete, but then went back to a VSR in N. Little Rock for some fine tuning, Then, I was given 30% for one claim and referred for additional claims from a VSR in Cleveland, Then, it was referred again for further explanation from the examiner from a RVSR in St. Petersburg. And now I see that St Petersburg could be the black hole, I'm hoping that this could be because these are secondary claims, as I did read in here about that. Set me straight, Hamslice

Also, When you get the actual letter from the VA is should as you know shed a little more light on the subject.

Your benifits letter in VA leters in documents tab on eBenifits, Hamslice

W, That or you could have other reasons for congnitive dificulties. You may want to see a real Doctor now that the counselor is saying something is amiss. It could be a current medication or because of another injury or illness. And it could be secondary to one of your current sevice connected ailments and then you should claim it. FWIW, Hamslice

63Charlie, Hey, just for kicks look at your disabilities in eBenefits. You may have one or more contections referred. It should show your new rated disability also, Give it a shot, also your AB8, Hamslice

Thanks for breaking the 90 down. Now, again, no expert here by any means, but aside from the PTSD, if you have treatment records for the skin disorder while in service, I don't see the connection regards AO. How did they service connect the skin disorder without a treatment record? It would have to occured while in service, correct? To negate your complete health record befuddles me, Hamslice

Ok, again, this gets confusing so more info is needed; What are you now getting 90% for?, be specific!, and the dates awarded. Your new claim is for cancer regards agent orange. I can see the VA wanting boots on ground confirmation for this, and denying your claim, BUT, Are your current disabilities related or unrelated to agent orange and your boots on ground? Bottom line is, if you are getting 10% for arthitis in your ankle from a physical training injury in service, they cant take that away because you were not boots on ground. Something not adding up here? Please break out your current rating out for us. Thanks, Hamslice

I had to take a couple minutes to read all the posts, as at first I had just read the last couple and was quite confused. Navy, Great news, and I am happy for you. Sounds like you are getting some relief. RUR, Really, if you're not going to be helpful, why give everybody grief. And name-calling is uncalled for. Just saying, Hamslice

OK, this is out of my league here, but what little I know, here goes, "cutting him off next week". You are supposed to get 60 days to appeal. Did you file an appeal to he reduction? That will give you more time. I see he is 90%. Is it all based on the 65 days or does he have other disabilities from different time periods? What is the disability they are going to reduce? There should be flight manifests some where, but that is really out of my field. More answers will help others help you, Hamslice

Buck, I believe it would be because a certain threshold was met. Separate form whether the Veteran can ever work again, he can/could go to school. Now, if you think the VA uses common sense, well how would you like to buy a bridge I have for sale? LOL, Hamslice