Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules
- 0
-
Tell a friend
-
Recent Achievements
-
Our picks
-
VA Disability Claims: 5 Game-Changing Precedential Decisions You Need to Know
Tbird posted a record in VA Claims and Benefits Information,
These decisions have made a big impact on how VA disability claims are handled, giving veterans more chances to get benefits and clearing up important issues.
Service Connection
Frost v. Shulkin (2017)
This case established that for secondary service connection claims, the primary service-connected disability does not need to be service-connected or diagnosed at the time the secondary condition is incurred 1. This allows veterans to potentially receive secondary service connection for conditions that developed before their primary condition was officially service-connected.
Saunders v. Wilkie (2018)
The Federal Circuit ruled that pain alone, without an accompanying diagnosed condition, can constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes if it results in functional impairment 1. This overturned previous precedent that required an underlying pathology for pain to be considered a disability.
Effective Dates
Martinez v. McDonough (2023)
This case dealt with the denial of an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) 2. It addressed issues around the validity of appeal withdrawals and the consideration of cognitive impairment in such decisions.
Rating Issues
Continue Reading on HadIt.com-
- 0 replies
Picked By
Tbird, -
-
Are all military medical records on file at the VA?
RichardZ posted a topic in How to's on filing a Claim,
I met with a VSO today at my VA Hospital who was very knowledgeable and very helpful. We decided I should submit a few new claims which we did. He told me that he didn't need copies of my military records that showed my sick call notations related to any of the claims. He said that the VA now has entire military medical record on file and would find the record(s) in their own file. It seemed odd to me as my service dates back to 1981 and spans 34 years through my retirement in 2015. It sure seemed to make more sense for me to give him copies of my military medical record pages that document the injuries as I'd already had them with me. He didn't want my copies. Anyone have any information on this. Much thanks in advance.-
- 4 replies
Picked By
RichardZ, -
-
Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection
Tbird posted a record in VA Claims and Benefits Information,
Caluza Triangle – Caluza vs Brown defined what is necessary for service connection. See COVA– CALUZA V. BROWN–TOTAL RECALL
This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:
Current Diagnosis. (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)
In-Service Event or Aggravation.
Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”-
- 0 replies
Picked By
Tbird, -
-
Post in ICD Codes and SCT CODES?WHAT THEY MEAN?
Timothy cawthorn posted an answer to a question,
Do the sct codes help or hurt my disability ratingPicked By
yellowrose, -
-
Post in Chevron Deference overruled by Supreme Court
broncovet posted a post in a topic,
VA has gotten away with (mis) interpreting their ambigious, , vague regulations, then enforcing them willy nilly never in Veterans favor.
They justify all this to congress by calling themselves a "pro claimant Veteran friendly organization" who grants the benefit of the doubt to Veterans.
This is not true,
Proof:
About 80-90 percent of Veterans are initially denied by VA, pushing us into a massive backlog of appeals, or worse, sending impoverished Veterans "to the homeless streets" because when they cant work, they can not keep their home. I was one of those Veterans who they denied for a bogus reason: "Its been too long since military service". This is bogus because its not one of the criteria for service connection, but simply made up by VA. And, I was a homeless Vet, albeit a short time, mostly due to the kindness of strangers and friends.
Hadit would not be necessary if, indeed, VA gave Veterans the benefit of the doubt, and processed our claims efficiently and paid us promptly. The VA is broken.
A huge percentage (nearly 100 percent) of Veterans who do get 100 percent, do so only after lengthy appeals. I have answered questions for thousands of Veterans, and can only name ONE person who got their benefits correct on the first Regional Office decision. All of the rest of us pretty much had lengthy frustrating appeals, mostly having to appeal multiple multiple times like I did.
I wish I know how VA gets away with lying to congress about how "VA is a claimant friendly system, where the Veteran is given the benefit of the doubt". Then how come so many Veterans are homeless, and how come 22 Veterans take their life each day? Va likes to blame the Veterans, not their system.Picked By
Lemuel, -
-
Question
COOL BREEZE
Sorry I have not been able to post for quite sometime.
I was injured on the job last month. At my work they had removed my HR chair and gave me a new chair. This is one of those high elevated chairs as my work station is elevated.
Once I sat in this chair, it automatically went backwards 3/4 or so(luckily didn't wind up on the ground).This happened about 4-5 times with witnesses. This new chair didn't come with a locking adjustment to keep chair in upright position such as my previous chair. That chair was a fixed back.
I had doctors orders for that type of chair. At any rate I suffered back and neck pain and went to a urgent care clinic. These or good for a cough, cold, or minor issue, not like mine.
Any how, 3 office visits and ER visit to the hospital within the last month. Oh, and no work for the last 2 weeks due to this issue.
I explained that I was in an helicopter crash in service, numerous rear end accidents with whiplash over the years, however I was in no pain previous to this incident. Thats why I was sitting in a HR approved chair to prevent this from happening.
Now I am on light duty, which means sitting at home(laying down) as my job doesn't have light duty. (no complaint there.)
They order an MRI which they paid for which shows many issues. Doctor at ER said I also have a pinched nerve(never went away)
How much or any of this issue could I send in now on a NOD claim 3 years old? Would it help?
Anyhow, I find this highly unusual. Doctor said I could go back to work with the following restrictions(laugh if you will-it is hilarious)
1. No driving to work under medication. Gee-how are going to deal with pain.
2. No prolong sitting(thats all I do)
3. No standing. Gee-I can't even walk in the door.
4. No bending, pushing, pulling)can't open my soda pop.
5. No use of either hand..
My concern was, how could I be issued a return to work form with these restrictions. (couldn't even use the toilet with these restrictions with all my restrictions.
Now I wait to see an Orthopedic specialist. Wonder what his list will be.
At least I get a 66 & 2/3% every month.
With what my MRI says, it means big, big trouble. I have DJ disease and compression, I wonder since this showed other issues, what my chances of returning back to work. With this stuff, even if the neck pain goes away temporarily, It could easily flare up again. And if it did, it would follow under -Unscheduled injuries which are injuries that are not Scheduled. For example, backs, necks, shoulders, etc. Unscheduled injuries may also be based on other considerations such as previous injuries and disabilities. A lawyer is recommended to sort these considerations out. Compensation for an Unscheduled injury is based on the effect the injury has on your ability to return to work and the wages you are able to earn compared to your average monthly wage.
And if this happened, then perhaps SS would finally approve this as you can receive both.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Top Posters For This Question
2
1
1
1
Popular Days
Nov 5
3
Nov 6
1
Nov 7
1
Top Posters For This Question
COOL BREEZE 2 posts
john999 1 post
Chuck75 1 post
Teac 1 post
Popular Days
Nov 5 2012
3 posts
Nov 6 2012
1 post
Nov 7 2012
1 post
4 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now