hypertension No Help From Vfw

[Hambone11B]

First off I want to say again that this site is a goldmine of information and I have told just about everyone I was in service with about it. In recent months I have come to realize that the best way to go about a claim is to educate yourself on your disabilities and be your own champion and this site is the best place for that. Anyhow...

After going thru 3 different people in the course of 18 months at the VFW (all of which proved to be wrong in one way or another) I am asking how I can find out info on my own claim thru the VA. Th first guy just submitted my claims and when half came back denied he said" Well, we tried." He was fired a few months later. The next guy told me I only had 60 days to file an NOD and had it not been for you guys letting me know that was completely false I would've missed out on a considerable amount of backpay after he just opened new claims on the things I was denied. Now the new VFW rep I have is never available and is now gone for the week. A month ago I was told to look for my TDIU appt and haven't heard anything since and I haven't been able to ask anyone at the VFW because my rep was busy all last week and now is gone all this week. Is there a number I could call or is there a site I can email? I've tried emailing thru the VA website but it comes back as a CGI Error and doesnt go through.

Another question is that I recently recieved a letter from the SSA saying my original claim for SSD was denied, is there any recommendations as to who to contact to aid in the appeal process? I've looked online at a few places to go through but not sure what I should be looking for or if theres any I'm not aware of that help veterans.

Another question I have is after all the nonsense I've gone thru with the VFW, should I be looking for a new VSO or is it more that I've just been unlucky with my branch so far and the same could happen at any of the other VSO's?

Any info regarding any of these issues will be greatly appreciated and I'd like to thank you for reading this and replying if you have anything to add

My SC disabilities are as follows:

PTSD

Sleep Apnea

Degenerative Disc Disease

Cervical Strain (neck)

Left Shoulder Strain

Hypertension

Tinnitus

Edited May 19, 2011 by Hambone11B

[john999]

Ham

Get a lawyer for the SSDI. You might even consider hiring a lawyer for the VA. You can do it now once you get a decision and file a NOD.

[fanaticbooks]

Hambone1,

Welcome to hadit.

I don't know if it will help, but you might look at my website. It is free and has stuff on the VA claim as well as SSD.

There might be something in it that can aid you.

I wish you well in your journey. Thank you for your service.

fanaticbooks

[carlie]

Ham,

Regarding SSD - I opened the claim on my own.

Had my 1st and only denial

I'm in Florida and contracted with Ward, White and Associates for my SSD Appeal.

An in-person hearing was scheduled, my law firm represented me and I did not need to attend the hearing.

SSD was granted as Fully Favorable by the ALJ two weeks after my hearing was held.

What are each of your following disability's rated at separately ?

My SC disabilities are as follows:

TBI

PTSD

Sleep Apnea

Degenerative Disc Disease

Cervical Strain (neck)

Left Shoulder Strain

Hypertension

Tinnitus

[Hambone11B]

to Carlie TBI: denied, pending DRO (I wasn't told to submit statements in support of claim the first go round and due to the circumstances of when and where I was injured there was no record of it so even though I had record of treatments it was denied)

PTSD : 30% (this is also pending a DRO request for an increase as they did not have my mental health files at the time they came to their original decision and based the rating of 30% on the fact that my records have a CIB( which by the way automatically grants 30% if you didn't know))

Sleep Apnea: 50%

Back, neck, shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus all rated at 10%

GERD service connected at 0%

to Fanaticbooks: Thank you for you reply. Where can I find a link to your site?

Sounds like I need to find a lawyer in the Milwaukee area, anyone that happens to read this have any suggestions? I've contacted Binder and Binder but after talking to some kid in a warehouse on the phone I have decided not to go thru them lol.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Hambone11B

[fanaticbooks]

I have a link to my site in my signature at the bottom, but here it is to make it easier for you...

http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/

I wish you well.

fanaticbooks

[carlie]

to Carlie TBI: denied, pending DRO (I wasn't told to submit statements in support of claim the first go round and due to the circumstances of when and where I was injured there was no record of it so even though I had record of treatments it was denied)

PTSD : 30% (this is also pending a DRO request for an increase as they did not have my mental health files at the time they came to their original decision and based the rating of 30% on the fact that my records have a CIB( which by the way automatically grants 30% if you didn't know))

Sleep Apnea: 50%

Back, neck, shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus all rated at 10%

GERD service connected at 0%

I also am currently getting treatment for seizures which apparently could be linked to the TBI that they denied me or due to asbestos exposure (which I also put in a claim for chronic cough due to asbestos exposure which was denied because they was no grounds for it, and I did not appeal because I only filed the claim to get it on my record that I was exposed in service)

Ham,

OK - so since ou are not SC'd for TBI then there is no way to get an increase for that.

I would try to get a higher percentage for your GERD.

I do not recall ever seeing a reg or anything that grants an automatic 30 % for PTSD

due to the vet having been awarded a CIB.

Do you have a link or reference to that ?

When were you discharged, how long have you been having seizures, and has a neurologist

made any connection to active duty for seizures.

Seizures can certainly be SC'd secondary to TBI, (I am SC'd for 8910/8911) but you would first need

to get the TBI SC'd.

What did SSA state to support their denial for your SSD ?