What's The Best Way To Get Service Connection

[pacmanx1]

Just my opinion but most veterans are treated at VA hospitals; I think the best way to get service connected is having your VA doctor diagnose you with the condition. By having it diagnosed by VA most C & P doctors will follow the reports from your doctor, may even talk with your doctor about your condition. If it is in your SMRs and VA diagnose you with a current condition it would be hard for VA to deny you. Also if you read the regulation prior to applying for service connection and claim that you feel you should be rated at 20%, 30%, or 40% the rating specialist would have to review the regulation and apply that particular rating to your claim request and give a reason for granting or denying your claim. If you have done your homework it will again be hard for VA to deny and if they deny, you have a good chance on appeal. I know that some will say get an IMO but this works. Some veterans can’t afford to get an IMO so the best thing is to get it diagnosed by VA then file the claim.

Hope this make sense

[carlie]

I can just see a rater going to the boss and saying "hey boss, I just found another way to get this claim denied." Boss then says, "Great job! Keep up the good work."

frank

Wholesale,

I think the bosses reaction would be a little different.

I think the boss would reply with a wink and a smile and say something to the effect of,

Well gosh that's such a shame but really not too bad for the claimant because,

after all we at the VBA do provide for a very generous appeal process.

carlie

[pacmanx1]

Can we please stay on target? please give your opinion/idea of a best way or better way.

Thanks

[WHOLESALE]

Pete, I thought about this question and I don't think there is a BEST way per se for service connection. Since every VARO can differentiate within the vague regs a best way at one VARO may be different at another. The only advice I would give is follow the standard rules of VA protocol.

Here are the three elements according to Hickson case.

(1) a current disability;

(2) in-service incurrence of

disease or injury; and

(3) medical nexus.

You get all these you have a strong case and likely will be granted in the end even if you have to appeal.

frank

Can we please stay on target? please give your opinion/idea of a best way or better way.

Thanks

Edited August 12, 2009 by WHOLESALE

[john999]

Pete992

If your VA doctor has the guts to write the kind of medical report you really need to get SC'ed then that is a very good way to get servic connection. However, getting your VA doctor to do this can be hard. Therefore, having a IMO doctor or private treating doctor is the best way in my opinin. You are paying this guy and if he knows how to write a report you have a good shot at winning. The main thing is to have evidence in the form that Wholesale stated. If you have that you may have to wait but you will most likely win in the end. I don't know what the best way for every vet, but having a good private doctor was my salvation.

[LarryJ]

Still not going the way I thought. It doesn't matter if my opinion is right or wrong just give yours on the best way or how you got your service connection.

So, if I get this correct, you are suggesting that, when you file your claim, you actually state, in your claim, that you think, because of this or that diagnosis (by a VA Primary Care Physician, for example) that you meet the criteria for a, say, 70% award, due to your VA medical records?

Hmmmmm? That's kinda interesting. Haven't tried that, but, it does kinda cut through a bunch of wiggle room for the rater (the rater has to come up with some reason WHY your diagnosis does not rise to a 70% grant of award). KEWL idea! And, if they deny, then you have a "basis" for an NOD, right off the bat, so to speak.

I Liiiiike it. I really do. There are implications therein that would work in the veterans favor, overall.

[LarryJ]

Pete, I thought about this question and I don't think there is a BEST way per se for service connection. Since every VARO can differentiate within the vague regs a best way at one VARO may be different at another. The only advice I would give is follow the standard rules of VA protocol.

Here are the three elements according to Hickson case.

(1) a current disability;

(2) in-service incurrence of, OR AGGRAVATION OF an pre-existing,

disease or injury; and

(3) medical nexus.

You get all these you have a strong case and likely will be granted in the end even if you have to appeal.

frank