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]

Something has changed.....since the VA was wanting the results from the Ft Bragg QTC by 11 Nov, I went to check my status on ebenefits and this is what I get: Error Code [42]: We are unable to locate your record based on the information you entered. Please try again. If this continues contact the DMDC/DEERS Support Office (DSO) at 800-538-9552 for further assistance.

Coincidence? Could be. Could be the site is down

[Joe30045]

Able to log in this morning and it looks like the only thing that has changed is the estimated completion date by about a week later (08/07/2013-12/28/2013). I fully understand that is purely a guesstimate and not to be used for anything other that grins and giggles. Still nothing from the VA Contractor, QTC, and the due date is today. Not sure how tough the VA is on their deadlines, but if I had to guess based on past performance.....don't think I will be holding my breath waiting on them.

[Capt.]

Hello Joe,

I sure want to encourage you to keep close tabs on your claims, and the appointments for C and Ps. The VA has a habit of scheduling one and then you get the notification for the next day or the day after that. And if you miss your C and P it may take a long time to get it corrected.

John999 brings up a very important topic concerning your VCAA letters. Actually if you are not receiving them , then the decisions cannot be valid from the VA. The VETERANS CLAIMS ASSISTANCE ACT is a law that "says" the VA must assist you in gathering evidence for EACH claim you have filed. I will tell you that there is much archived here concerning VCAA and you can search the site. Berta , has done much study on the VCAA and is our resident expert on the VCAA letters and their problems so you can start there. I would make sure that each claim has a VCAA letter and notify the VA thru registered mail , making them sign for it. Don't be afraid to research topics on your listed claims here at Hadit.

It is important to note that QTC Compensation and Pension Examinations Reports belong to the VA Regional Office of origin. These reports are not readily available and almost always require a FOIA to get them. I have waited one year and stil do not have a copy of the C and Ps from my exams. I would file a FOIA on each exam and start your files so you can check off each one. I want to point out that you really cannot continue any written response effectively without a copy of the C and P. from QTC. If you try the VA will say that the C and P examiner noted....blah blah blah. So you do not have a copy of the C and P and have no idea HOW to respond to the Examiners report. Now you see that we have more time developing and stalling the claim. All in favor of the VA. Yes you are suppose to be able to set up an appointment at the VARO and request to look at your Cfile and get a copy of that QTC C and P exam or others. However , there is no guarantee that the VARO will keep your file in line for a decision. Possibly more risk for stalling your claim.

I would also file for Depression and Pain. Very common with this many injuries and diseases. I would also keep close records and files as this is not going to be easy or quick. DIG IN........

Also , almost every denial from the VA medical will take an IMO to rebutt it. This is one of the Veterans best tools at winning his or hers claims. Another thing to consider that Ebenefits should NEVER considered to be accurate so don't put alot of faith in it or the answers from the 1 800 numbers as far as your claims process goes. Hopefully some others will chime in here.

Joe , I want to thank your for your service and welcome you aboard here. You cannot afford to make any mistakes just because of the timelines getting longer. Trying to shorten these claims in the process is your goal and to make sure you don't stay on the hamster wheel forever. A good attitude like you have, will keep you moving. Above all ....NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Capt.Contaminate

[Joe30045]

CC, Thanks for the advice! I will most definitely be following it.

I told y'all I wouldn't bother you unless something changed, well, here I am. Logged in to the mysterious location known as eBenefits land and what do my wonderous eyes behold? See for yourself:

Details of Your Claim

Claim Received: 02/01/2013

Claim Type: Compensation

Estimated Claim Completion Date: 11/10/2013 to 04/09/2014

Contentions: VBMS (New)

The estimated completion date has been bumped back by about three months and the status has reverted to "Claim Received". No worries on that as I know that is only a guesstimation at best. What does have me a little confuddled is the "Contentions" line. Now, my ninja like google fu tells me that VBMS means Veterans Benefits Management System, what it doesn't tell me is how the heck that is a contention? It also shows new information received, but doesn't show what that new information is. If anybody has any insight into if this is a good,bad, or other development, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Hadit.com for all of the support!

Joe

[carlie]

CC, Thanks for the advice! I will most definitely be following it.

I told y'all I wouldn't bother you unless something changed, well, here I am. Logged in to the mysterious location known as eBenefits land and what do my wonderous eyes behold? See for yourself:

Details of Your Claim

Claim Received: 02/01/2013

Claim Type: Compensation

Estimated Claim Completion Date: 11/10/2013 to 04/09/2014

Contentions: VBMS (New)

The estimated completion date has been bumped back by about three months and the status has reverted to "Claim Received". No worries on that as I know that is only a guesstimation at best. What does have me a little confuddled is the "Contentions" line. Now, my ninja like google fu tells me that VBMS means Veterans Benefits Management System, what it doesn't tell me is how the heck that is a contention? It also shows new information received, but doesn't show what that new information is. If anybody has any insight into if this is a good,bad, or other development, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Hadit.com for all of the support!

Joe

The "Claim Received: 02/01/2013" is already an error.

Oh Boy !

[Teac]

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

Hey Joe,

I lived in Hope Mills for thirteen years, before packing it up and moving back to Texas.... I retired out of Fort Bragg Civil Service 112th signal battalion in 1999.

Fort Bragg's VA office does some good things for veterans leaving service. Jerry Lowerstein, DAV is an excellent advocate for Veterans and Bob Patterson MOH winner worked out of that office until recently when he retired and moved to Florida. I worked with Jerry for some time, before he moved from the VA Hosptital to the Fort Bragg Office .....You are in real good hands.....

Edited December 21, 2012 by Teac