5 Years Total Disable

[windy city]

i have read on this site that if you have been disable 5 years or more that it is hard for the va to reduce your %. what does this really mean, is it if you have been rated for a disablity at 100% for five years or is it 100% including all your disabilties combine.

[john999]

What it means according to VBM is that if you have been totally disabled for at least five years the VA cannot reduce your rating based on a single examination. They can do anything they want but you have a good appeal is what

it really means. If you are total for five years and are over 55 it is even harder because the VA must have clear evidence you have improved. They have to examine your entire record and not just a quick snapshot by some doctor who thinks you have improved. For instance, you go to the VAMC and the doctor asks you how you feel and you say "I feel better". That is not enough to reduce your total rating especially after 5 years.

[windy city]

john999 iam not 55 years old. i was awarded 50% for ptsd in 2002 and fms 40% 2002, and then my ptsd got raised to 70% in 2005 but was awarded iu p&t with family benefits in 2004. in 2006 i was bumped 100% for ptsd with A&A. i aws diagnose with ed in 2008 but never paid attention to it and finally my mental doctor and pcp at the va said that my ed was caused by side effects from my ptsd meds. i want to apply to get it sc but i am afraid especially by reading some many stories on this web site on how the va has reduce them. my notes state that my ptsd and depression are severe and disabling.

What it means according to VBM is that if you have been totally disabled for at least five years the VA cannot reduce your rating based on a single examination. They can do anything they want but you have a good appeal is what

it really means. If you are total for five years and are over 55 it is even harder because the VA must have clear evidence you have improved. They have to examine your entire record and not just a quick snapshot by some doctor who thinks you have improved. For instance, you go to the VAMC and the doctor asks you how you feel and you say "I feel better". That is not enough to reduce your total rating especially after 5 years.

[LarryJ]

You are worrying too much.

It is unlikely that the VA would even bother to question your existing disability (they have even said that your disability is permanent and total).

File what you need to file.

[john999]

I agree with what Larry is saying. The VA will just look at the ED and decide if it is secondary to a SC condition. You get an extra 87 bucks. You might as well get every penny you can get. I don't think the VA really wants to get into reviewing every disability when a vet files for an increase. They get credit for clearing claims. They don't get credit for inventing reasons to open up a can of worms. I filed for many claims after I was TDIU back in 2001. The VA never questioned the IU claim.

[Philip Rogers]

Just file a claim, for SMC, for ED, especially if your doc says it's caused by your meds. The current rate paid is $96 monthly, plus they'll supply a few viagra, or the equivalent, monthly. I wouldn't worry about the other stuff, as you're pretty safe. jmo

pr

[john999]

Phil

You ever think about filing for housebound? It is about all we can get at this point? It might cover the cost of the meds the VA should be paying for but are too cheap to do so.