ptsd Claims Submitted, C&p Exams Completed

[pigdriver]

Hi Fellow veterans,

I have a question. I filed claim for Tinnitus and hearing loss in 12/08 and PTSD in 02/09, I am currently being medicated for the PTSD, attending therapy and have had the Tinnitus and hearing C&P exam on 06/01/09 and the PTSD C&P on 06/17/09. I have an 86 year old Aunt that lives in Greensboro, NC who is the last surviving member of my mother's family, she is not well and is requesting that my wife and I move to Greensboro and live with her to care for her until she passes. My question is if I agree and move to Greensboro will that have any effect on my compensation claims, the timeline etc. and if so how so. Plus I am scheduled to begin outpatient CPT therapy this month on the 14th which lasts 6 weeks. Should I attend this CPT 6 week session here in Michigan where I live or postpone it until I move to Greensboro should I decide to do so. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions and opinions.

[Stretch]

CBT is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Is this the six week class you are going to?

[BoonDoc]

I was in the process of moving back to Florida, and the VARO read about it from me telling my doctor, wanted to make sure that I had my meds coming, some are special consult, and I had all of my C&p's, and was told my claim was ready to rate.

Well I get a letter from my old VARO, a month after moving back, telling me that I 'could' have another C&P exam...I was staying in a monthly rate condo until we bought, and I decided to come back where my parents are pronto...I got the C&P exam 3 weeks after returning.

I'm sure that it can be done...but I'm waiting until I get my Rating Decision, and then go from there.

BoonDoc

Been there, done that, got the reduction letter to prove it. You are just asking for trouble if you don't give them a complete change of address, drop the current claim and start all over at the new RO. Yes, you can leave the claim alone and it will follow you wherever you go, so long as you tell them. In about 2 years you will be called in for a C&P at the new VAMC, and then you will have several months wait for a answer to the claim after that.

These folks get confused easily. I lived in Austin, TX using the Waco VARO. I filed a claim for increase, and had my C&Ps. Then we moved back to TN. I gave the VARO my forwarding address, and did a change of address card with the post office. About a year and a half I was contacted by the VAMC in TN and asked to report for another C&P. I asked what took so long and they had been trying to contact me from Waco. A call I placed to the 800# sparked the action that finally got my C-file moved to TN.

Long story short, if I had dropped the claim, gave them my new address, called to verify that my C-file had been moved, then refiled the claim at my new domicile I could have saved myself many months of aggrivation. People can quote regs (and I am a true believer in regs in most instances) and they can tell you what is supposed to happen, but I have lived it and I can tell you exactly what happened.

Good luck

[john999]

I would stay put until I got all my decisions. Once you get the ratings and start to get the money then you can move. Your money will follow you, but just make sure you establish your direct deposit at the new address. You will probably find all VARO's suck. I would never move in the middle of a claim if I wanted to win it.

[pigdriver]

CBT is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Is this the six week class you are going to?

No, the program is called CPT for PTSD?

[pigdriver]

I moved from CA. (California) to Arkansas in 2004. I used my sisters CA. address, for about a year, and my sister would forward my VA mail to Arkansas. I had the DAV as a VSO during this time. It was impossible to communicate with the DAV as they would not call back long distance. I had to fly back to CA., several times for Imo's etc.

I got so fed up with the problem that I resended my POA (Power of Attorney) from the DAV, and then I had my claims transfered to Arkansas. I figure I lost a year in the process.

I would say there are a few factors for you to consider:

• Are you going to move back to where you are living now, later on?
  
• How far are you in your claims process? That is, are you close to going to the BVA, are you in remand, or at the AMC, or are you just at the start of the claims process.
  
• Are you a gulf war Vet, Afghanistan vet, Iraq Vet, or a Vietnam Vet? These seem to be treated differently and new Vets seem to have priority. Some of these newer Vets get their claims through in 6 months.
  
• Do you have a VSO (Veterans Service Organization), such as DAV, American Legion, VVA, or VFW.
  

These are a few things to consider in your decision.

Yes, going to move back, really not moving permanently, just to take care of Aunt until she passes, could be 1 yr, 2 yrs, 3 yrs, who knows.

I am new to the claims process so I don't know where I am, I have had both C&P exams for both claims, currently medicated.

I am a Vietnam combat Marine veteran.

I am using the DAV as the VSO.

[ks1k]

Remember that there are two parts to the VA. The Regional Office, which handles the claims and the Medical side that handles the medical stuff. Be sure to give them both your new address.

I spend part of the year in Florida and part in Connecticut. Never any problems with claims or exams as long as I remember to give EACH office the change of address on both ends of the line.

So, when you leave home give two changes and when you leave your Aunts give two more.

Good Luck

Dave sends