hypertension My Bdd Journey

[Joe30045]

My intent on posting this is to provide my experience as I go through this process. I will attempt to post updates and if something I have done helps even one other vet, then it will have been worthwhile. Sorry for the length. Thanks for your service to all of those that have gone before, those currently serving, and those that will serve in the future, for no greater love....

Joe

My status is currently on active duty in transition with a retirement date of 1 February 2013. I filed a Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim on 14 August 2012 or 171 days prior to my retirement. My eBenefits status changed on 12 September 2012 and the followng is what was posted as my status:

Details of Your Claim

Claim Received: 02/01/2013

Claim Type: Compensation

Estimated Claim Completion Date: 10/03/2013 to 02/08/2014

Contentions:

sleep apnea with CPAP (sleep study of record) (New), hypertension (New), GERD (New), fractured

right wrist (New), coronary artery disease (surgery X 1) (New), basal cell carcinoma (New), kidney stones (New),

osteosarcoma (New), squamous cell carcinoma (New), right elbow condition (New), right shoulder condition (New),

right knee condition (New), left knee condition (New), hearing loss (combat) (New), migraines (New), insomnia (New),

bilateral tinnitus (New), testicular cancer (New), lower back condition and thoracic spine condition (New), sinusitis

(New), lung condition (New), head trauma (memory loss, concussion with loss of consciousness, combat) (New)

Change of Status: We determined that your claim required additional review. If any additional information is needed,a letter will be sent requesting that information.

Next Steps:We will review all available evidence and make a decision on your claim upon receipt of all requested information as outlined in the headings, "What Do We Still Need from You?" and "What Have We Done?".

Several factors will determine the duration of the "Development" phase, including:

type of claim filed

number of disabilities you claim

complexity of your disability(ies), and

availability of evidence needed to decide your claim.

Additional Details

Your Designated Power of Attorney

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

Regional Office of Jurisdiction:

Winston-Salem

Send Documentation To

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office

Regional Office

Federal Building

251 North Main Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27155

What Do We Still Need From Others?

This is a list of all items that have been requested from 3rd parties.

Items From Date Requested Due Date ", Follow-Up Dates

FB QTC 09/12/2012 11/11/2012

What Have We Received?

This is a list of all items that have been received from either the Veteran or a 3rd party. Please be advised that it may

take up to 21 days to receive, process, and annotate in our system any information that you mail to one of our

Regional Offices. Don't see an item listed? Check our "Unsolicited Items" page to see if it was received by VA.

Compensation & Pension Claim Details - eBenefits

Items Date Requested Date Received

VA form 21-526c Pre-Discharge

Compensation Claim 08/14/2012

VA form 21-22 Appointment of

Veterans Service Organization as 08/14/2012

Claimant's Representative - DAV

Memo from Transition Service

Officer with attacked documentation 08/14/2012

for claim

Signed VCAA notification 08/14/2012

Copy of service treatment records 08/14/2012

VA form 21-4138 Statement in

Support of Claim with list of claimed 08/14/2012

condition

VA form 21-674 Request for

Approval of School Attendance (3) 08/14/2012

VA form 21-686c Declaration of

Status of Dependents 08/14/2012

Social Security cards (8) 08/14/2012

Marriage certificate 08/14/2012

Birth certificates (6) 08/14/2012

Divorce Decrees (2) 08/14/2012

[Joe30045]

Filed BDD Claim: 14 August 2012
C&P Exams: 4 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 17 October 2012
FIled additional contention via DBQ: 24 January 2013
Retired/Claim Received: 1 February 2013
Under Review: 2 February 2013
Preparation for Decision: 8 May 2013
Pending Decision Approval: 17 May 2013
Estimated Claim Completion Date: 19 June 2013 to 20 August 2013

[meghp0405]

I hope that your estimated time works out for you, but don't get to upset if it's not completed by that time.

I haven't seen a BDD claim adjudicated and veteran notified within a years time in about 3 years.

[john999]

Joe

If you are getting enough in your pension to pay your bills just relax. The VA takes their time. Do you get unemployment insurance, or are you going to really retire. I see you have plenty of disabilites. How old may I ask? Your body and brain have been through a lot. The Army gets their pound of flesh if you serve 2 years or 20 years. If you start to feel depressed or anxious don't hesitate to make an appointment with VA shrink. With those TBI's, injuries, illness and possible PTSD I can see the transition from army to civilian life to cause a few temper flares. Stay in touch. You don't need a reason to post. Let us know how it is going. I got out of the army in 1971. No exit physical, no records except for DD214. I just walked away into no man's land for a few years.

John

[Joe30045]

Meghp0405, I completely understand the fluid nature of the claims estimation process and it won't bother me in the least if it takes longer. I know there are lots of folks out there who are much worse off than I and have been waiting way longer than they should have.

john999, Between my retirement, the contract I am on right now, and my wife being an RN, we are doing fine. As far as age, I am speeding toward 44 with 25 of those having been high mileage Army years. I haven't really noticed any issues transitioning, I don't miss the circus, but I do miss the clowns.

Thank you both for your service and your encouraging words.

[Joe30045]

Filed BDD Claim: 14 August 2012
C&P Exams: 4 October 2012, 5 October 2012, 17 October 2012
Filed additional contention via DBQ: 24 January 2013
Retired/Claim Received: 1 February 2013
Under Review: 2 February 2013
Preparation for Decision: 8 May 2013
Pending Decision Approval: 17 May 2013

Preparation For Notification: 20 May 2013
Estimated Claim Completion Date: 18 June 2013 to 19 August 2013

[j92mike]

Thats great news after all this time. Keep an eye out on your Documents on ebenefits you might see your rating before your envelope arrives