Newbie And Lost

[TXNVYMOM]

It seems like I have such a silly questions to ask after reading everyone's post and how long it has taken some to get their ratings. But money is short and he is facing surgery hopefully in the near future, so these questions have been weighing heavily on our minds, as he's on major pain medication and surgery is looming, and it's going to be tough to find a job prior to surgery and then there's recouperating time . My son was medically discharged from the Navy for hip and back problems at the end of January 2011. He used the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) to file for his VA rating. He turned in all of his medical records (about the size of a ream of paper), his DD214, and attended all of his doctor appointments prior to leaving the Navy on terminal leave around mid December 2010. His first DOD deposit will start tomorrow and he is signed up for TRICARE, is seeing a private pain managment doctor, just had his MRI on both hips. He has had his first appointment with the doctor at the VA, who told him see you in 6 months. So here are some of my questions.

1. Best guess, how long should it take the VA to rate his conditions?

2. How are you notified of your rating.?

3. How are you paid by the VA and do you use mypay to see an upcoming deposit?

4. At what point do you decide to continue with the DOD payments or accept the VA payments?

5. Does anyone have any advice for someone at this stage of the process? Are there any pitfalls he should be looking out for??

6. Because he is seeing private doctors, should he be keeping those records and who would he turn them in to and when??

I am sure the above dates sound ridiculous, but it's taken him 3 years to get to this point, he wasn't given an opportunity to have surgery while still in the Navy. We would really appreciate opinions from those who have bravely gone before him and know how the VA system works....right now it's a pretty confusing beast.

Edited March 1, 2011 by TXNVYMOM

[Pete53]

It can take 6 months to a year. Don;t worry if he was medically retired I am sure that he will do ok.

Is your son able to work?

[broncovet]

1.While I agree on the 6 months to a year, I would add that is WITHOUT appeals, which are required in most cases. It will take MUCH longer if you are denied the first time.

2. You are notified by mail, and this is one reason it is very important to keep the VA updated as to your current address.

3. I think "mypay" is a military software system for military pay and the VA does not use that to my knowledge. Instead, you will want to set up a checking account at a bank and give the VA that information so that they may electronically deposit checks, including "retro" payments, to your account. You wont see the deposit "upcoming", but you can be 99% sure, once benefits start, that it will be deposited by the first of the month, and the previous day if the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.

4. I would wait until you get a RO decision, which will be a while.

5. Yes. Right now you need to get your ducks in a row. Make sure you have applied for all applicable conditions. It will hurt your effecitve date if you miss one or more. Second, you need to gather and review your medical records, as most claims are won or lost based on what the doc says in the records. And, right now, whenever you mail something to the VA, send it certified return receipt requested and keep a copy since they are famous for losing your records that could mean tens of thousands of dollars in retro payments.

6. Yes. He should keep copies of private physicain reports also. Get you a file cabinet if you dont have one. I recommend you scan them in, store them electronically, and then make a backup such as burning a CD/DVD of those records and keep paper copies. Those records are like Gold and many, many a Veteran has would up losing benefits because records were lost. Store them at least two places in case of flood, fire, or they are just plain lost. I store mine both electronically and in paper, and back them up with a CDrom. When I did research for my bachelors degree, I backed it up 3 times. TWO of those failed, and I would not have gotten my bachelors degree had the third backup not had my work on it. The importance of backing up your records can not be over emphasized...your doctors office could have a fire, or your doctor could quit practice or move. Dont depend on that for your financial future...VA benefits are a VERY big deal, and, for many, mean the difference between being homeless or not.

[broncovet]

IMHO the VA wants you to work on your benefits about 40 hours a week, just like a job. There is rarely a week goes by when I dont have to complete and send in some sort of document to the VA, check on benefits, work on records, more training, etc.

[jbasser]

My son was medically discharged from the Navy for hip and back problems at the end of January 2011.

I think the lead time is cut because of your sons recent duscharge. The information is reaaily available for the VA to make a decision. I expect a rather quick one. Have him get all outside records and copy them. Only send copies to the RO as evidence in support of his claim.

If he has surgury they will pay him a convalesent 100 percent until he recovers.

What percent did DOD assign him from the MEB??

J

[Berta]

You mentioned TRICARE.

" Confirm Your Eligibility

TRICARE is available to active duty service members and retirees of the seven uniformed services, their family members, survivors and others who are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Sponsors are automatically registered in DEERS. The sponsor must enroll their family members. When there is a change in information, each family member's eligibility record must be updated separately.

TRICARE is also available to members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families, and benefits will vary depending on the sponsor's military status. "

http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/NewToTricare.jsp?ref=New_To_Tricare

He might be eligible for CRDP or CRCS if he is eligible for TRICARE as Chap 61 medical, or TERA or TDRL.

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/retired-pay/comparing-crsc-crdp

Not enough info here to know.

Does he have a vet rep and has he filed formally for VA disability?

"His first DOD deposit will start tomorrow" I assume he has been rated by the military and the VA might continue the same rating and if he feels it is not high enough based on VA's Schedule of Ratings he can appeal the rate percentage.

Does he have his complete SMRs and personnel records and copies of any pertinent MED documents?

Broncovet gave great advise.

He should attain a copy of his private records too as they might be as important as any Military medical records.

[fanaticbooks]

Welcome.

You might want to look at my website. It offers some info that might help. It is a free site for offering suggestions on research, organizing and assembling a va claim.

It could give you suggestions and links to explore.

As bronco said, make copies and keep them in a very safe place.

Be sure to gather all records possible from his service. Look at the Schedule of Ratings and confirm that he is filing for everything to which he is entitled. Doing it now can save a lot of headaches in the future.

fanaticbooks

www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com