ptsd Need Help In Raising My Percentage Of Disability

[WildBill McC]

I have been rated 60% percent for many years, I served from 1978to 1989 in US Navy. I have 6 herniated discs in my spine three in neck C-2 C-3 and C-5 and three in lover spine L_4, L5 and S-1 from a fall aboard ship. I suffer also from PTSD and Sleep Apenea. I think it is time I was increased to at least 80%, with the amount of arthritis I have and pain getting up and down. How do I get an increase for this, since all my records are on file, medically and Mentally?

I also go to the Veterans Hospital in West Haven for all benefits. Who would I contact to up my rating for when I was given the 60%, I did not have the PTSD or Sleep Apenea in my records?

My e-mail is b_mccurrach@comcast.net, any advice or help would be appreciated!

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit

[carlie]

I have been rated 60% percent for many years, I served from 1978to 1989 in US Navy. I have 6 herniated discs in my spine three in neck C-2 C-3 and C-5 and three in lover spine L_4, L5 and S-1 from a fall aboard ship. I suffer also from PTSD and Sleep Apenea. I think it is time I was increased to at least 80%, with the amount of arthritis I have and pain getting up and down. How do I get an increase for this, since all my records are on file, medically and Mentally?

I also go to the Veterans Hospital in West Haven for all benefits. Who would I contact to up my rating for when I was given the 60%, I did not have the PTSD or Sleep Apenea in my records?

My e-mail is b_mccurrach@comcast.net, any advice or help would be appreciated!

Welcome

You can request an increase at your VARO on a form 21-526b

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526b-ARE.pdf

OR on VONAPP

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/about_vonapp.asp

We don't coach on what to do.

Your medical evidence will need to support a higher evaluation.

Other's will chime in.

[meghp0405]

If you can obtain all the medical documentation to support your claim, you should submit a VA FM 21-526ez, do not submit a VA FM 21-526b (sorry Carlie). The 526ez is a fully developed claim. Again, you need all the medical documentation from the date of your last evaluation. Request a re-evaluation for your disabilities. The history, severity of your disabilities will dictate your percentage.

I would also suggest that if you complete this form, make a copy and send it to the VARO in your state. Please stay away from submitting a claim on line at VONAPP (sorry again Carlie). I've seen too many veterans that submitted claims on that site only to be told that the VA has no record of it being submitted.

Find a veteran service officer to assist you. They can normally be found at the VA hospital in your state. Again, if you use a VSO, obtain a copy of all medical records since your last evaluation and take them with you.

[carlie]

If you can obtain all the medical documentation to support your claim, you should submit a VA FM 21-526ez, do not submit a VA FM 21-526b (sorry Carlie). The 526ez is a fully developed claim. Again, you need all the medical documentation from the date of your last evaluation. Request a re-evaluation for your disabilities. The history, severity of your disabilities will dictate your percentage.

I would also suggest that if you complete this form, make a copy and send it to the VARO in your state. Please stay away from submitting a claim on line at VONAPP (sorry again Carlie). I've seen too many veterans that submitted claims on that site only to be told that the VA has no record of it being submitted.

Find a veteran service officer to assist you. They can normally be found at the VA hospital in your state. Again, if you use a VSO, obtain a copy of all medical records since your last evaluation and take them with you.

meg,

Sometimes there are different opinions - I sure don't mind that.

Perhaps some links to your suggested path would also help the OP.

After all it is up to each individual to thoroughly check out everything

before they do anything.

Either form is appropriate and FDC's really have little history, so far.

I hope this is the right one - I know it's been updated at least once.

21-526EZ

http://www.attiglawfirm.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf

[Notorious Kelly]

Thank you for your service, Bill, and good luck!

[broncovet]

There are 3 roads to a disability increase:

1. Apply for "new" conditions, some/all of which could be secondary to an original service connection. This can result in an overall combined rating increase.

2. Apply for an increase to existing conditions, as already mentioned.

3. Apply for Individual Unemployablity (TDIU) if one or more of your SC conditions renders you unable to maintain substantial gainfull employment.

As Meg succintly pointed out, it may well expedite your claim if you file a FDC.

I have no idea which, if any, of these 3 apply to you.