Ret.Navy

Congrats, good to see another well deserved victory!!!

Congrats!!!!

You may want to submit a claim for IU. if you fit the criteria, If not I would definately file for an increase which may bring you to the rating(s) required to apply for IU which is what happend in my case. IU is not for those that just can not return to their former job, but those that cannot do any job. Another consideration could be chapter 31 (voc rehab). If found to have a serious employment handicap you could return to school or get training for a new field which may not not aggravate or be affected by your disability. Chapter 31 also pays a monthly stiepend (depending on traing type, hours, and dependents). I just experienced a simular situation and it has taken me three plus years claims and appeals included. I say this to prepare you, not discourage you. Good Luck. Chapter 31: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ Also, I would get a second, third opinion before another back surgery. I wish I would have.

Not sure of this helps, But I have heard of some establishing a nexus using documentation that display symptoms, such as evaluation reports or written counsleing for daytime sleepness, or treatment from medical for symptoms of SA/OSA but not the disorder its self, anlong with statements from others within your command. There was a sailor that I worked with that was constantly being wrote up for falling asleep on duty, being late to muster for oversleeping, and other things related to SA. He wasn't diagnosed while on active duty, but eventually won his appeal.

Congrats BBF, well deserved victory.

Peggy:

Congrats!!!!

Sounded like a good plan, but what happened. http://www.fra.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=8469

Thanks all... More Great News. Won SSDI appeal today, with the onset date that I wanted. WOW! It was a long ride, but worth the wait.

Last Name, Last Four, Next

My DRO hearing was yesterday, and although not finalized I was awarded IU P&T.

Thanks Berta for your response. I was injured while on active duty, but not from direct involvement in combat. I had career ending surgery (not knowingly of course) near the end of my second emlistment. one of my VA ratings is 50% for PTSD, but this issue was not related or addressed at my med board which led to my retirement. To my knowledge I do not fit the criteria. I am just curious why some retirees were excluded from concurent reciept

I have reviewed as much info as I can on CRDP and understand that I am not eligible. I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any plans to add those who were medically retired with less than 20 years service and rated at 100% or IU P&T by the VA, will eventually be included in CRDP. I ask because there are those who were found unfit for duty due to an in service injury who would have retired with 20, had they not been medically retired before reaching 20 years of qualifying service.

Thank You all for your support, I have heard a lot of negative things about dro reviews, and I just want to say to the group. Give it a chance, the road to the BVA is long anyway in most instances. Make sure you have documented proof, an established nexus, and a easy to follow claim. The more supporting documents you can submit in some type of order that makes sense to someone other than yourself, you are bound to prevail. An imortant thing to remember is that someone some where looking at just you last name and last four, and a few exerpts from a medical record cannot feel your pain and anguish through a few sheets of paper. The easier you can make the raters job, the better chance you will have at success the first, or even the second time around. I thank God for giving me the patients to stay the course (IT WAS ROUGH, trust me), and all the support of veterans here at had it, and to all those that fought the good fight before me, and to those that still carry the torch today. Some of the dispointing news that I have read over the years can dampen the spirit, but just know that every veteran, every claim, every rater is different and you owe it too yourself to stay the course. I know too many veterans, and I am sure there are tons more, that won't fight for what is theirs. To them I say, just as you stood your ground when you dedicated your life to the service of your country, you must still stand your ground now in service to yourself and family. If you don't care about your claim, do not expect the VA to either. Yes it hurts right now, but trouble dosen't last always. weaping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. My prayer is that every deserving veteran will one day recieve what is fair and just, and that God grant them the strength to push on, inspite of the pain, limitations, and difficulties.

As usual, I appreciate the info, Thanks Carlie.

I really want to give everybody the short version, but there doesn't seem like there is one. It's been a while since my last log in, I've been down for a while from pain, doctor visits, being down, and other things, well anyway. I traveled to my DRO hearing today, and recieved the shock of my life. I filed a claim early in 2010 for increase from 60%, finally after fighting over two years I recieved an increase to 80%, Still feeling low balled and not understanding the reason for denial of my IU, I filed an NOD. Well jump ahead to today, hearing lasted all of two minutes. I didn't have to say or do anything. I was told after reviewing my file, the reason for my earlier denial, and items pointed out by my attorney and doctor, that I was was awarded IU permenently, with special monthly compensation, back to the effective date of my original claim...and I was like wow. I was expecting the worse, and perparing myself for the long road to the BVA. Also, not sure how true this is, but I was also told that after the hearing, decions can still take a while to be finalized, I was told (unofficially of course) to expect a final decision on the sooner side rather than the later side. I guess we'll see when the decison comes. I guess I could give a short version. Well I just want to say thank you to all the moderators and members of Had It for all the encouragement and solid advise. To any one distressed about a claim stay the course stay encouraged, and don't give up. A well developed, documented claim will eventually prevail. (salute) Permission to go ashore... (salute returned) Permission granted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to everybody here on Had-it for there advice and support, especially Bertha, Carlie, and Pete53. No envelope yet, but my lawyer's assistant called me and told me that I had been increased to 80% and some of the other contentions were still pending. I called Peggy shortly after and she confirmed my SC% was 80%. My claim was closed Aug 4, so I should have a letter soon. I was really thinking my IU claim would have been granted because of all the incapcitating events documented by my doctor, but 60 to 80 is a good start. I will post details as soon as I have them, and thanks again had-it. Its been a long 26 months in the making.

Thanks USMC, That was helpful, but at the end of the day I know I have to be patient and wait. Its just that waiting is hard, especially this close. I'ts hard not to check ebenefits, and hope and wonder all the time. I just hope I am not all worked up for nothing.

All I see is AB4, AB7, and 10 Pref. There never has been an AB8 for me in that section.

Just my usual check for 60% SC.

under "acces my documents" I have never had an AB8 even before my claim for increase was decided and I still don't. The only docs I have ever had under that tab was AB4, AB7, and 10-point pref.

I never even knew about benefts explorer until today and want to know how accurate it is. I am curently rated at 60% and my claim for increase was closed on Aug 4th. I checked the benefits explorer today for the first time and in the drop down menu it has a raiting of 80%. I am hoping this is good news, but I know I need to wait for the envelope.

That video is to funny, that made my night. Thanks Carlie. That is exactly what happens when I call.

According to ebennies and peggy my claim is pendiing decision approval. What is confusing me is peggy told me last week that a decision was made on the 19th of July and that it was awaiting approval, today peggy says that a decision was made on the 27th (today) and that it was waiting final approval. Then she proceeds to say that it is in the final stages and once a decision is made they will notify me, and that Waco usually takes 37 days for this process. Can any body make heads or tails of this. I think they are still just stringing me along. And why is 1-800 called peggy anyway? (just curious)

Congrats on the increase. What is your VRO?