Carl the Engineer

Vync, I have Barrett's and a hiatal hernia now. And I take a pill twice a day for it. It is very manageable for me. I was denied, but not sure why yet. I would like to get it service connected, cause it can lead to cancer, etc. I was on NSAIDS from 2004-2008 while in the service and then 2008-2019 through the VA. So, at least 15 years. My denial was in June last year, so I have a few months for appeal. Both my issues the VA started on my since I went 100% are just about wrapped up, so I will be requesting my c-file soon. Then I will have the reason for the denial. Thanks, Hamslice

Ah, that's the rub, It will be interesting to see how they interpret my app. Not working, but nothing saying I can't work from a doctor. It's funny that they send (include) the link and application when you get 100%, and it doesn't say anything about being employed or not. I believe if this is the case, that you can't work, then it should be available only to those on TDIU. Just sayin, Hamslice

They looked at all that in ONE day? Am I missing something?, Hamslice

Support for VALI, S-DVI, and VMLI: 800-669-8477 That's the number I called, Hamslice https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/?postLogin=true

Congradulations to everyone! Keep plugging along, Hamslice

I will say that we have a few Veterans on here that work at or have worded at the VA, and that I appreciate that immensely. They offer an inside look that we would not have otherwise. And, I also appreciate that we have Veteran's that share their experiences with us. Some have an easy time and some have a hard time with the VA. There are things that need to be fixed for sure, like the delay in mail. It makes no sense. As a matter of fact. I bought an electric motor (6"x12" and about 15 pounds) on Saturday from a guy in California, and I got in the US mail on Tuesday. There is absoulutely no reason VA mail a first class leter takes almost 30 days. Also, I can get my medical exam records in the private world same evening or next day online. I can't even see my C&P exams from a year ago unless I get a copy of my c-file. But, I have a couple (VA initiated) claims in the hopper currently, so, I'm waiting to request my c-file when those are done, but the main issue is, I should be able to online and see my complete c-file at anytime. My military 201 file has been online since at least 2008. And, they still add to it sometimes. Transparency and timeliness would be a big help. I have no answers, Hamslice

No doubt, Hamslice

The problem is, and I think, I just mentioned this in a different topic, Is, that when the VA schedules the Veteran for another exam, and they (VA) does not say why. It would be so much better for the Veteran's sanity if the VA said, "we need another exam because this or that was missing from the first exam". But, no, the Veteran is in the dark, Hamslice

My case is a bit different. I am 100P&T and I do not work because I don't have to. I have nothing from any doctor saying I can not work. I called the VA life insurance and the lady said I did not qualify because I could work. After I seen this topic here, I decided to fill out the form and send it in. It has a spot for you current doctor, which I put my current VA doctor. It has a one line where you enter what condition prevents you from working. I put "totality of my VA disabiilities". As for records, I put see my VA doctor. LOL, so in theory, the VA insurance people should be contacting my VA doctor to see if I am unemployable, and also try and get my VA medical records. Bottom line is I say I can't work, and the VA says I can work, without any exam to say otherwise. Been 3 months, Hamslice I have been paying for the 10K for over 10 years.

Vync, I put NSAID use in my denied GERD claim. I haven't got my c-file yet, so not sure why. My exam was referred and then sent out to some doc in California for the denial. Where you successful? Thanks, Hamslice

Well, when you file for a increase, you get the date of the new evidence, unless it is longer than 1 year, then you get the date of the C&P exam. And I waited 14 months trying to figure out what I wanted to do. So, if you go to the doc/thearopist, and you get the exam record back, and it say you have something new ailing you, and you think it could be secondary to a service connected condition, file for it right away. Anyway, I went to the doc for lower back pain, which I was already rated at 20%, after I had a couple days of immobility (pain) more than usual. She sent me to physical theropy. After about 6 sessions, they had stretched me a couple different ways and had releived what ever was happening. When I got the notes for the sessions, the theropist wrote I had this, that and the other. So, after a year of fiddling, this was already rated, so I file for an increase for this, that was new, so I filed that secondary to this, and the other was too new for the VA to understand. The VA defferred this, changed the name of that and deferred it, and denied the other. My rating stayed at 90 and I thought it was over. But, in the end, the VA increased this to 40% and changed that into bilateral 10's. It looked like the other was rolled up into the overall rating as well. But, I waited over a year spinning my wheels and it cost me a year, Hamslice Tic-toc

First, when you see your doc or theropist, they don't use a tool for measuring you motion, they do their own thing. They use their own language to gauge your improvement, or lack there of, to compare to past and future exams. So, these exams or sessions have nothing to do with what you will be rated on a scale, etc. But, you can get some information from them. So, from what I am reading, your condition has worsened from when you got rated. And you have no idea what will happen if you claim an increase. Only one thing to do. Claim an increase for your back condition. And then, and only then, can you (we) see what the C&P examiner saw and sends to the rater and then what you get rated for. And then, you can accept, appeal or punt. I spun my wheels for about a year thinking I didn't have all my ducks in a row and it cost me the difference between 90 and 100 percent x 12. $14,000.00 ++. Well, not only were "my" ducks in a row, but the VA slipped a couple duckies in without me knowing. Stupid is, as stupid does, Hamslice Claim, claim, claim and worry about little things later.

Oh, I forgot, I agree with John, go to your exam. Cue, I beleive your problem is you can't see what is going on with why they are asking for all these exams, which of course, makes a lot of sense. Wouldn't it be nice if they would send you a letter saying, we need you to go to another C&P exam, because at the last one, your x-ray did not turn out, or we need a different view from a different angle. But, no, they give no reason or what/why. I feel your pain, Hamslice But, go. They're just looking for something to dump you.

I can add this. Before third party C&P exams. Go to the exam. 1 claim gets service connected and one is referred. Go on MyHealthyVet and take a look at the exam, and then you could see that a rater asked the examiner to opine on this or that, but you could see what was missing on the original C&P exam, and then you could see the examiner address the raters question. Or, the rater referred one of the claims and he/she sends it out to a different facility that specialized in that area, and again, you could go on MyHealthyVet and see what the new place had to say, etc., etc. I had on go to three different raters, before a decision was made. Each time coming back to the original examiner to opine on something that was not commented or marked in the exam and I could see what was going on. Remember, this is when everyone worked for the VA and was in the same system. Now, with third pary exams, you cannot see or track your progress on MyHealthyVet. They (VA) should not get rid of any system unless the Veteran says so. Just yesterday myVA said I had to go back to the Ebenefits site to see something. And on Ebenefits, it says to go to myVA to see other things. Appearently, the new system is not designed to replace the old system completely. And when it does become the only one, the Veteran looses out again. Less information is better for the VA, and not the Veteran, Hamslice

Two most important things, Get a copy of all of your medical records for yourself. Always keep for yourself. Make copies from those when submiting claims, etc. Second, and very important. Go to the Army doctor now, before you leave, for anything ailling you. Expecially the minor things. It may seem trivial, but even if the doctor gives you aspirin and sends you on you way, you have a date and a doctors appointment in/on your record. Heres the difference, Remember when my elbow hurt and I sucked it up. You would need a buddy statement to maybe win a claim with the VA. Remember when my elbow hurt and I went to sick call and the doctor gave me aspirin. Well, now you have evidence for a claim. It has to be on paper, or it never happened, Hamslice I am pretty sure when you have your active duty exit physical the VA is involved.

Glad to see you are back!! I just went to 100 back in June, from 90 for two years. 80 to 90 is tuff, 90 to 100 schedular is nearly impossible, however doable. VA math is funny, but if you work thier math, there are little supprises. A 20 percent increase on a 20 percent rated disability is worth more a new 20 percent rated disablility. Just sayin. Increases matter, than secondaries, then new issues. I am 100P&T and my biggest disability is a 40. I thought I had a biggie that would put me over the top, but it got denied (I haven't seen the exam as it was 3rd party and I am waiting to get me cfile until this is done, probably my first appeal) however, the VA rated 2 additional issues they saw in a minor increase I had claimed that put me at 96, hence the 100 rating. Keep plugging, and keep getting treatment for what ails you, and then make the claims, Good luck, Hamslice

Update, One of the two claims they (VA) opened closed yesterday and they sent out a letter today. "Claim for compensation and pension updated January 13, 2022", closed, we sent you a decision letter. I believe this is for the $1951.00 that they say I owe, and I say no I don't. I had a hearing in March for this. Still open, "Claim for retired pay adjustment" still at gathering evidence. This is for the $900 bucks they witheld from my retirement pay, Mar, Apr, May. Anyway, will update when I get the letter in 7-10 days, LOL, Hamslice

I know I am eligible, and I already have the 10K which I pay for, but, I am trying for the waiver. The waiver is where the VA (Government) pays for 10K, and then I read somewhere about 30K. Anyway, the are way backed up and I have heard anything in over 2 months since I sent in the form. Tic Toc, Hamslice

My advice, and mine only, I don't know how many of these posts I have read, but they all are simular. The Veteran trying to go for the whole hog right of the bat. And then the claim gets denied, appeals, cues, goes for years, etc. I would (and I do) always get sevice connected first. You have some medical records, during service, which mentions your back. If you don't well then you are not going to suceed. That record and then current and post service medical records mentioning your back pain. And it wouldn't hurt to go to the VA now and get some physical thearopy (which I did). That record from the VA physical thearopist got me 2 additons bilateral 10%'s that I didn't even claim. Put that all together and make a new claim for back pain. Then, and only then if you get service connected, you can try for an earlier date or other things. Other things. Claim secondary conditions caused by your back issues after your get service connected. I have more secondaries than primaries. Hamslice Work the system. The system is the VA. The VA makes it's own rules. Beat them at their own game.

x2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Well, now, this is what I would and did do. But, I didn't wait as long as you are. I would file for an increase on probably all your current service connected issues. I know less than nothing on the bent brain issues, so I will leave that to others. But, your ratings on your shoulders, neck and knees are possibly the lowest ratings for those conditions possible, and some of those ratings have changed in recent years. I suspect you would get an increase in all of them. I would just tell them you think they should be rated higher as the conditions have worsened. That is what I did and got increases in all of them. They are all rated (anything over 10) on ROM (Range of Motion). I believe currently, the lowest you can get rated for a shoulder is 20%. I claimed an increase for my left shoulder (10%) last year, by stating, the lowest rating is currenlty 20%, and they increased my rating to 20%. Sure, I had the exam, but I don't know if that contributed to it or not as I didn't get to see the results as it was third party. As with most of the cases I see/read on here, there is a lot of talk about Service Reps and Lawyers, etc., but you are not even close to having to be concerned about any of that. Hell, I have the VFW, which you would be hard pressed to prove to me that they have done anything to help me in my claims. Simple, just put in a claim for increase on all of your conditions and then go to the exams and wait it out. I did and I went from 30 to 40 to 60 to 70 to 80 to 90 and then to 100P&T. Put in the claim, Hamslice Otherwise, you are wasting time. The VA ain't going to do it for you!

"Do we pay death benefits? A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. If living apart, they were receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record." https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html Explains it here Buck, Hamslice

What is the highest level of access that a County Veterans Service Officer could have out in the sticks? Asking for a friend, Hamslice

This is like beating a dead horse. But, for the record, I can order a waterpump from rockauto on Sunday and it arrives Tuesday morning. There is absolutely no reason, a Veteran should not be able to get their C-File in 3 days. Period. Recieve the request, copy on a cd, put in mail, arrive 2 days later. Anywhere in the continental US. No excuses, Hamslice Explain to me how delaying the process more than 3 days, expidites the process. When it only obviously compounds the problem.

The VA has thier own rules. Rule No. 1. If you miss a VA C&P exam, we will f**k with your pay. With that said, the reason your POA is telling you to go is, because above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^. And, you are trying to get them to act on a hypothetical. And that is why you are getting various opinions here. They are various, because we have all had our unique experiences. Hamslice