New To Site... Not To The Va... But Getting Discouraged

[VetRob1997]

Hey all... I was in the Army from 96-97 (little over 1 yr and 5 months)... I shattered my knee during an FTX in Guatemala, where I tore my patella tendon from my tibia and the tibia shattered in 3 places about 1/4'' from my kneecap, ruptured my plantaris muscle, and small fracture in my ankle as well as a slight tear of my achilles (all in right leg). I had surgery on the knee and plantaris muscle, where they put in a grafting using a "new" technique (I was told I was the 2nd one done in a military hospital) to restructure the tibia. After 2 months of therapy (still in military) I tried doing PT whereas I could no longer run at full speed, thus my inability to "pass" my PT (of course situps and push ups never a problem)... During my medical hold evaluation I was told I could Chapter 2 Med Discharge, but it would take months and I would have to stay in the MEdical hold barracks at Ft Stewart, OR I could take a Chapter 13 - unsatisfactory performance due to medical condition and discharge immediately (days to weeks)... now being 19 at the time and not knowing better, I opted out so I could rehab more with a civilian doctor. I didn't receive ANYTHING from the VA for 3 months upon discharge because I had no idea of the avenues to take or who to talk to. FINALLY got in to see a VA worker. My first P&T went by and they evaluated me and gave me SC 0%... ?????? WTH? LOL... they basically told me I was still able to walk so no %, but it WAS SC... over the years, my knee started deteriorating and buckling and constant arthritis to it. The ankle was getting worse, and because the injury was causing a poor gait, my lower back was getting messed up. In 2009, AFTER 4 years of appeals, I was awarded 40% for 3 problems, ankle, knee and back. NOW, (in 2012 when I re-applied a claim) I am literally using a cane 24-7, cant bend over, knee in a brace, ankle/knee swells daily 4x +, pain is 10+ daily, back is continually in knots, and due to the injury and inability to do ANYTHING, I have been diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression secondary to a SC medical condition. My question is this... My claim has been in VA since 12/12 and it JUST now went to "Preparations fr Decision - Rating Phase"... what am I looking at, as NOW i'm wondering if I should contact an attorney.... any ideas??? questions to help me...??? Does it look promising being this is the 6th time I have appealed or re-claimed for an injury I had no control over... and my lifestyle is now shot, losing my family (wife of 12 years) because I can't offer any support in any manner... I cant even play soccer with my young daughter... THIS IS KILLING ME!!!

[VetRob1997]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? WOW!!! I got an increase of 10% to bring my total added up comp of 4 SC disabilities to 50%... I don't know for what yet, just that is what the ebenefits shows... well this morning I wake up to $269 deposited into my account for retro, as it adds up to what I WAS paid to what I AM paid?? BUT I FILED IN DEC 2012... shouldn't it be more than one month retro???

I am so over this program!! Bunch of ninkumpoops who have NO CLUE! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... and they wonder why vets go postal!?!?!?!

[VetRob1997]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? WOW!!! I got an increase of 10% to bring my total added up comp of 4 SC disabilities to 50%... I don't know for what yet, just that is what the ebenefits shows... well this morning I wake up to $269 deposited into my account for retro, as it adds up to what I WAS paid to what I AM paid?? BUT I FILED IN DEC 2012... shouldn't it be more than one month retro???

I am so over this program!! Bunch of ninkumpoops who have NO CLUE! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... and they wonder why vets go postal!?!?!?!

[john999]

Appeal!

[x020574]

You will get the letter very soon, try not to be discourage... I know it is hard. Most of us have been there ( I know saying that doesn't make you feel any better, but we feel your pain and fustration).

When you get your package, scan the portion of the Reason for Decision part, a text doc would be preferred so that you can cut and paste results to this forum. Exclude any personal information (names, SSN, etc). There are some very knowledgable members here that may see something you have not picked up on.

Sorry this is happenng to you, sounds like you certainly deserve more! Just keep fighting and don't give up, You have paid dearly to your country, and we thank you for service, you have earned every bit of the benefits you are entitled to.

[carlie]

VetRob,

Your two threads showing matching topics

have been merged into one.

[VetRob1997]

WTH?!?!?!?!? Ok... I got a DAV letter today... Now remember... I claimed for increase 13 Dec 2012... this is what they said (I was originally at 40%)

1) Service connection for radiculopathy, left lower is GRANTED with an evaluation of 10% effective 10 Oct 2013
2) Service connection for radiculopathy, right lower is GRANTED with an evaluation of 10% effective 10 Oct 2013
3) Evaluation of lumbosacrial strain, which is currently 10% disabling, is INCREASED to 20% effective 13 Dec 2012
4) Evaluation of right ankle fracture (previously right ankle sprain(also claimed as right achilles tear)) which is currently 20% disabling, is DECREASED to 10% effective 10 Oct 2013
5) Evaluation of posterior cortex fracture, right knee (also claimed as right lower leg condition and formerly under diagnostic code 5262) which is currently 10% disabling, is CONTINUED
6) Service connection for depressive disorder not otherwise specified (claimed as depression/anxiety secondary to right knee and ankle) is DENIED

NOW....

FIRST OFF... How are these effective (except #3) on 10 Oct 2013, when I filed back on 13 Dec 2012??
SECONDLY... I WAS at 40%... now they state I'm at 50%, but after looking above, adding and subtracting the percentages, I should be at 60% (70 if they hadn't decreased #4), which...
THIRDLY... how do you decrease a percentage of an injury... IT HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER... IT'S GOTTEN WORSE!!!!
FINALLY... looking at the above, and knowing I received a $269 retro already, is there more retro to be sent??

ARE MONKEYS AND GIRAFFES DOING OUR PAPERWORK IN TAMPA?!?!??