Hamslice

In the last ten years, I have submitted 4 or 5 rounds of claims, probably close to twenty individual claims. Some or most of the claims overlap regarding medical records, both civilian and military. Each claim I have included all records related to the issue claimed, each time. I did not rely on the VA to look for anything on their own. I received my c-file for the second time in 2018 and it has the same medical records in at least four different locations on the disc. I think they just add info to your c-file and there is now order or arrangement, not a compilation. "Duty to Assist", Just sayin, Hamslice

We'll, it looks to me that it occured in service, the surgery anyway. Something doesn't add up, that's for sure. Did your man join when he was 17 years old? Just curious by reading dates. If you keep getting denied, you might want to consider a lawyer. 80% of something is better than 100% of nothing, everyday. Have you used a service organization or rep?, and what do they say? Something is amiss. Hamslice

Here is what I did and what happened. I deployed 03-04 Iraq. When I got out in 08', I made a bunch of claims with the VA. They have my medical records, except for when I was medevaced to Kuwait City Hospital for a week for heat exhaustion or viral infection, not sure what it was. I then sent for my medical records to St Louis and received everything I already had, and no record of my stay at KCH. Not sure when, but I then sent a request to all of my State reps and Fed reps, six in total. About 3 or 4 days later, I got a call from my US Senator's office, a retired SGM, who was going to represent all of the reps I sent requests to. Apparently they all work together or whatever. Anyway, about two months later I received a letter from the Senator stating that they were unable to find any records for me regards my stay at KCH. About a year and a half later, I received a brown envelope from some Army Medical unit, from Hawaii, I believe, with about 30 pages from my stay at KCH. Nurse and Doctor notes as well. Nothing about who sent it or needing any response. I have no idea who helped me out, or if it just took that long for someone to connect the dots. So, what I am saying is, your record is out there and maybe just hasn't caught up yet. I didn't know what unit was using the hospital in Kuwait while I was there and I am sure they rotated out just like the Combat Units did. Get your name out there, Hamslice

I have learned on this site (from Bronco) that the VA rates symptoms, and with that in mind, with my last set of claims, I was pleasantly surprised. It went like this; "I have been told I have an irregular heartbeat (symptom) that was recently discovered during my annual physical, and I believe it is related to my LVH, Hypertension or HBP medicine." I was awarded 30% for irregular heartbeat secondary to my hypertension. Of course, I included medical records supporting same. I had a very favorable C&P examiner. I didn't play dumb, but I didn't play doctor either. I just told her what happened and what I did or didn't do. I did bring her medical records, which I had never done before, and she took them. So, there is that. FWIW, Hamslice

All, After many years (20+) of slight heartburn, swallowing problem, etc., etc, I requested a (EDG) Esophagogastroduodenoscopy to see if I do in fact have a problem. I did have severe heartburn in the late 80's, which would wake me at night etc., but resolved itself, I thought, until I talked to the doc today after my EDG. Preliminary procedure findings; Grade 2-3 gerd, suspect Barrett's Esophagitis, type I sliding Hiatal Hernia and they did a biopsies of GE junction. My daughter, who is an RN, was my driver today. I gave instructions to the doc to tell her my findings after the procedure as when they told my after my colonoscopy, I didn't remember a thing. Anyway, he told my daughter that he has seen it a hundred times before and that I have Barrett's Esophagitis and will wait for the biopsies to come back. Worst case could be a form of cancer. Back to the beginning, I told him that I had severe heartburn along time ago and he said that I still have it, just my sensors were burned out a long time ago. I should have been on medicine for a long time, etc. One of my original (denied) claims when I left in 2009 was for Gastroenteritis, but was denied because of no symptoms. I suspect my symptoms were burned up... After the results come back, new medications, and some research, I will shoot in a claim, Hamslice

so·lic·it /səˈlisit/ verb ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone. ask (someone) for something. No one asked me a damn thing regards IU, Hamslice

OK, I was service connected for HBP for 10 years at 0%, because it was treatable with medication, etc. I my last claim for 5 disabilities or increases, I claimed an increase for HBP because my medication had increase, now 2 pills vs 1. I also included two inservice, one military, one private 90 days apart, reading of over 100 systolic from 5 years before I left service. While at my C&P, I did explain to the examiner that the VA reg regards 3 tests, same day, 3 separate days, was quite odious and not realistic, and that no physician, military or private would do that. I also stated that when I was at those appointments, the nurse(s) took my blood pressure, then had me wait 5 minutes and took my blood pressure test again, but only recorded one reading. Again, I told her that no one does what the VA reg calls for. She agreed, and said that she would submit the two prior readings and enter an explanation. I did tell her that one could just not take their meds for a couple months, then get the 3 readings, 3 separate days, etc. like the VA reg calls for and she told me not to do that. I told I was not, but I made sure she saw my point of view on the unobtainable VA reg requirements, etc. That said, my claim for a increase to my service connected HBP was granted for 10% for only two prior BP readings over 100 systolic taken 90 days apart. Now, bear in mind, they, the VA had those two readings from the git go, but I am not rocking the boat as far as a claim for retro, etc. Because, I was awarded, however, it doesn't fit the requirements for awarding. I am just happy to get the 10% with what I had. Bottom line for me is have a good history and story with evidence for your C&P examiner. They do write (opine) your story for the rater, so paint them a good picture even if you don't think you have a shot, You never know, Hamslice

It depends on your bank. Mine was deposited already. For my VA disability, I have it deposited in my USAA bank account. My other pension deposit is through my local bank, BMS Harris and my deposit is not there and will not be there until the 1st, even on a Holiday. From what I understand, USAA sucks it in, in other words, they know it's coming so they put it in ahead of time, etc. There is an ad for a local credit union that says they will put your normal deposits in two days earlier than other banks, so it is up to the banks. FWIW, Hamslice

I can do it on here stubby pencil which is 100% accurate, but would have to know the disabilities, not just the percentage. And left or right if appendages... It's really simple. You need to be carefull with the calculators when you make changes, sometimes it don't take. Better to leave the page and come back and start over. I had a similar deal before my last round of claims. I had a left foot 0% and a right foot 10%, which by reg is not a bilateral. Has to be a ratable disability. Believe it or not, if the 10% was bilateral, I would have been 90, but wasn't, therefore I was 80%. I fixed that with a new claim for an increase.... FWIW, Hamslice

I have done this twice in the past when a C&P examiner mentioned an additional potential disability. However, I let the current claim run its course and then did a new claim (both were secondaries) to a current disability. I have never sent in additional claims when one was in the works. But thats me. FWIW, Hamslice

Does the "stumpy579 administration" has a hotline?, so I can ask "Betty" where we are at with the survey. Nice, Hamslice

More interesting is, your visit on 02/22/209 was apparently with "Your Provider". Some data is telling the computer you went to a provider on the 22nd, but not telling the computer where you went. Aren't computers great, Hamslice

If you go on eBenefits and hit the disabilities tab, it will show each condition and percentage. It will also show not service connected claims, etc. It will also show secondaries with the parent disability. Hamslice

Anonymously? Just sayin, Hamslice

I think the issue here is acute vs chronic... Not that I agree with, but what they are saying is your issues resolved while in service. I had 3 or 4 issues that where denied because the resolved while in service and or have not residual effects post service. Every issue that I have that is chronic is golden. You need someone to opine that what you are claiming is a chronic condition related to you service. FWIW, Hamslice