General Question About Appeal Procedure From Europe

[Adkins]

Hi everyone. I was recently working on my appeal with the VFW but we didn't even get a NOD submitted before I decided to discontinue their services. I am now trying to decide if I should try appealing on my own or look a VSO. The main reason I am not just going it alone is because I live in Germany and the VA Regional office that looked at my claim is in Pennsylvania. If I do pursue this on my own will I have to fly to PA for any kind of hearings, or are there ways to get around this? Thanks for your help!

[carlie]

Welcome.

Others will most likely chime in.

[halos2]

Can't say about overseas, however a relative vet of mine lived in Tx for a while and had treatment (outpatient) there...Then moved to Wi, and was notified he had a C&P in Tx only 3 days before exam...he had to fly there for the C&P, and the Dr was in court, so the clinic scrambled to fit the vet in the next day...

He had to pay round trip for his flight, hotel, rental car, and fees and he was out over $2600. With them never paying his regular $12.00 he would have gotten had he still lived in Tx travel fee. He is still waiting for them to follow up on this appeal/C&P session too.

They say to never miss a C&P exam, and he is maxed on 2 credit cards to make sure he got there. As far as in another country, are you able to receive treatment at any Veteran facilities? What about your medications? Did you miss the year deadline to file your appeal? If you are receiving medical care where you are located, see if there is a VSO in that region who could help you. Do you keep in touch with the VA hosp/clinic in Pa?

The cost of flying back for any exams would be too costly and I am now sure how many conditions/disabilities the VA would schedule exams for also.

[Adkins]

For the original claim I had to get examined by a VA certified Psychologist and that was in Frankfurt (Germany). The VA has said that they have certified professionals for all medical examinations. I was more wondering if I would have to go the the PA office to talk to a VA member directly or not. As for VA hospital/clinic, I have never been to one. All the medical care that I receive is through the local medical system. Honestly, the only reason that I am appealing is because they only used the opinion of their professional, who spoke with me for about 2 hours, and never contacted my Psycho therapist, Psychiatrist, regular doctor, or anyone else who is familiar with my history or my treatment so far. I would like to submit the opinions of those doctors as well. In the decision that they sent they listed what qualifies someone for 50% rating and I have all of those symptoms without a question.

I know that since I don't use VA facilities for medical treatment, my rating may seem a bit pointless, but it is something that will help me get the disability rating that I need in the German system to help me out with some insurance issues that I have and will have later as well.

Also worth mentioning is that I have until November to submit my NOD, but I really have no idea what I am doing so I am really just trying to gather info to see if I am going to go it alone or get a VSO to help out.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Adkins