Reopen Claim

[JayBrown1]

I would like to know if anyone has information on reopen claims. I was contacted by the VA via IRIS stating that I can't have two reopen claims at the same time, 'Is this true?" They also stated that they lumped the two reopen clams together and are working on completing the claim, however the claimsare two totally different things, sleep apnea and auto allowance. Also can anyone tell me what the term "loss of use" means and would bone fusion be considered loss of use?

[cowgirl]

Ricky, got time for feedback and advice once again? thanks. As I read your reply something triggered a thought in me. I originally applied for several disability issues on my first claim, using advice given during retirement outbreifing. At that time I did not have a VSO and submitted the claim using my own wording, meaning "non-medical" terms to describe issues. Now I truly beleive I have recently rewarded disability issue that was denied from on that original claim. Should I pursue this "probability" or accept current status? Thanks a bunch,cg

------your post said......... big picture of the VA you only have ONE claim. That is the original claim that you file. Everything within that claim is a seperate ISSUE. Lets say you file your original claim in 1995 and you request SC for Hypertension, Sleep Apnea and lower back pain. You have the one claim open with three seperate issues. Now move forward to 2007. You have some new issues you want to claim. Lets say DMII and PN. You now have a re-opened claim with two issues. Does this make sense? In quick summary everything you claim is consolidate within your ONE claim. so yes what they have done is correct.

[Ricky]

cg - what was the origingal claim and what do you feel they recently awarded which is the same issue as on your initinal filing?

[cowgirl]

cg - what was the origingal claim and what do you feel they recently awarded which is the same issue as on your initinal filing?

In my original claim, several years ago, I listed several items under the "nature of sickness, disease or injury", where and when treated. Although I didnt use the word "depression" I did list three items as psych related and or treated. There is a VA note for disabilities claimed in my cfile, consolidating the very items I submitted, with thier word "depression" as a claimed issue. My recent approved rating for depression is directly relates to the earlier items. So I wonder, - can I reopen or ask for reconsideration or am I on the wrong wave length? thanks,cg

[cowgirl]

Ricky or ?

In my original claim, several years ago, I listed a few psychological disability issues but didnt use the word "depression". There is a VA note for disabilities claimed in my cfile, consolidating the very items I submitted, with thier word "depression" as a claimed issue. I am now SC for depression directly related to the earlierissues. So I wonder, - can I reopen or ask for reconsideration or am I on the wrong wave length? thanks,cg

[Ron II]

Here is what happened in my case:

[old post]="I submitted a claim for multiple disabilities including that of cardiac pacemaker implanted due to bradycardia (slow heart beat; mine was down to 20). My question does not involve nexus issues, but terminology.

QUESTION: Should I forward an additional document to the VA citing SICK SINUS SYNDROME as the cause of bradycardia?"

RESULT: Without any futher word from me (i.e., I never submitted additional documents citing SICK SINUS SYNDROME) my claim was approved and the summary of rating DID include the SICK SINUS SYNDROME even though I never used the term in my claim. I don't know of course if this would be applicable in your case.