Bill (USAF Retired) Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Back in September 2009, I CUEd my initial Nov 2006 10% rating for asthma because I am prescribed Advair and it was a matter of record when they assigned the rating. I maintained that I should have gotten 30%. I also claimed an increase to my 10% rating for migraines, because they increased in number after VA took me off Imitrex (I'm on other SSRI meds and they don't want me dying, and I kinda like not dying so I'm down with that). The big envelope arrived today. My case got pulled by the Tiger Team in Cleveland, OH and rated. Asthma: Increased from 10% to 30%, effective Sep 2009. They didn't address the CUE issue, so I'll reengage. It would result in a couple of years of 80% overall rating vs my initial 70%, so I want that fixed. Migraines: Increased from 10% to 50%, effective Sep 2009. :: happy headache dance :: Overall, I got bumped from 80% to 90%. I checked the eBenefits site and my retro pay is due to post on Monday. I think the keys are: 1. Patience. All those "hurry up and wait" lines we stood in during our active duty days helped prepare us for this experience. 2. Politeness no matter what. Yes, there will be idiots and lazy folks standing in your path as you seek what you have rightfully earned. Don't give them reasons to shaft you. 3. Make your claim idiot proof: Raise each issue in turn, support it appropriately (i.e., reference the record or appropriate cases/law/regulations), and don't make it personal. Tales of woe don't get rated, conditions do. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Oh, and I'm taking a nice trip to Maine with my back pay. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlie Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 congrats Carlie passed away in November 2015 she is missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bergie* Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Back in September 2009, I CUEd my initial Nov 2006 10% rating for asthma because I am prescribed Advair and it was a matter of record when they assigned the rating. I maintained that I should have gotten 30%. I also claimed an increase to my 10% rating for migraines, because they increased in number after VA took me off Imitrex (I'm on other SSRI meds and they don't want me dying, and I kinda like not dying so I'm down with that). The big envelope arrived today. My case got pulled by the Tiger Team in Cleveland, OH and rated. Asthma: Increased from 10% to 30%, effective Sep 2009. They didn't address the CUE issue, so I'll reengage. It would result in a couple of years of 80% overall rating vs my initial 70%, so I want that fixed. Migraines: Increased from 10% to 50%, effective Sep 2009. :: happy headache dance :: Overall, I got bumped from 80% to 90%. I checked the eBenefits site and my retro pay is due to post on Monday. I think the keys are: 1. Patience. All those "hurry up and wait" lines we stood in during our active duty days helped prepare us for this experience. 2. Politeness no matter what. Yes, there will be idiots and lazy folks standing in your path as you seek what you have rightfully earned. Don't give them reasons to shaft you. 3. Make your claim idiot proof: Raise each issue in turn, support it appropriately (i.e., reference the record or appropriate cases/law/regulations), and don't make it personal. Tales of woe don't get rated, conditions do. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Oh, and I'm taking a nice trip to Maine with my back pay. :) You are so right on your 3 keys. Congrats Bergie As a combat veteran, or any veteran for that matter!!! If you thought the fighting was over when you came home, got out, or when the politicians said it was over. Welcome to the real fight, welcome to VA claims!!! "Just sayin" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator pacmanx1 Posted June 25, 2010 Moderator Share Posted June 25, 2010 Congrats Bill My intentions are to help, my advice maybe wrong, be your own advocate and know what is in your C-File and the 38 CFR that governs your disabilities and conditions. Do your own homework. No one knows the veteran’s symptoms like the veteran. Never Give Up. I do not give my consent for anyone to view my personal VA records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravo6 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Congrats!! United States Army 1990-2001 80% SC, 100% TDIU (P&T) w/SSDI Operation Desert Shield/Storm - 1st Infantry Division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPLS Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Way to go! I like your advice, too. Pat I wonder if I would have all the medical conditions that I have now if I had never joined the Army. I'm pretty sure the answer would probably be no. When I look around and see others my age who were not in the service, most of them look pretty healthy. Do you think all the employees of the VA really understand that it is ONLY because we served that their positions even exist? '67-'68 1st Cav, '69-'70 101st Abn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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