Your Claim Is Currently Being Forwarded To Va Central Office In Order To Make A Determination On Iu Based On Extra Schedular

[Limekiln Vet]

As the topic title suggests, that is the latest status of my claim. I applied in Dec. 2008 for various claims, was denied for all except 0% for a skin condition and I appealed the most important one, that of Ankylosing Spondylitis which they said was not service connected. It goes back to my service from 1977 to 1985, and was quite difficult to make the nexus.

Around December of 2012 I won the appeal, and was awarded 30% for AS. And the skin condition claim was remanded back by VBA. Then in April 2013 I was awarded various percentages for the skin conditions, 50%, 10%, 10% and 2 at 0%.

So I was then 70% combined. I then opened a new claim for IU, I have been unemployed since 2002 due to the AS. I was approved SSDI specifically for the AS, and also have a small amount each month from a LTD claim, all going back to 2002.

My thought was that now I was 70% combined, with at least one at 40%, barely squeaking into what I considered to be eligible. Around 8 months into the latest claim (February 2014), I was notified of this current status since AS being the cause of my unemployment was not the 40% rating, only 30%. I considered this rather postive, but now my research here and other places indicates to me that approval of such claims are almost non-existent, i.e. IU via extra schedular.

I had what appeared to be a very positive C&P exam in December 2013, and the VA has absolutely everything they need, such as all the Social Security information, and LTD records, and I receive ongoing treatment for AS up to and including just having started Humira. And I also had open heart surgery at the VA hospital in October 2013, which probably has nothing to do with this claim, just mentioning it.

So what does anyone think? Am I right in concluding this is a nearly impossible claim to win? It has been about 6 weeks since it was forwarded, does anyone have a sense of how long that step might take? And finally, if approved what should the retro date be? I think there is a case to suggest it should go back to December 2008, since until the appeal was settled I was unable to make the IU claim. Thanks anyone!

[Berta]

I dont quite understand the skin rating.....they do have to include scar ratings in many cases.....

I moved this up to our Claims Research forum here:



for more comments and suggestions.

[Limekiln Vet]

But they never mentioned the scars until the appeal. The examiner finally said they were too numerous to count.

I wanted to add that the reply I received from the VA inquiry system that became the title of this topic was sent to me by a "VSC Manager, TLN." That seemed unusual compared to the usual responses I get.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Limekiln Vet

[Limekiln Vet]

I used to look forward to weekends, until I got involved with the VA, now I hate them as I know nothing can progress on my claim until the following Monday.

[Limekiln Vet]

Finally got a decision, and got the 100%, but not for TDIU, they bumped up my 30% rating for AS to 100% permanent and total, also with SMC. It appears that having my Senator contact the VA got them moving. It moved from gathering information to complete in 2 days with a retro check.

[Navy04]

Congrats and God Bless Bud, you deserve it bud.

[Berta]

You did very well.! The P & T status gives CHAPTER 35 DEA and CHAMPVA to your dependents.

Great News!

CHAMPVA is a great benefit. I got my annual new CHAMPVA benefit book today in the mail.

My most costly medical expense was a co pay for my shingles shot.I paid 59 bucks and CHAMPVA paid 180.00.

Shingle shots are expensive but worth it if you ever had chicken pox.

The shots do not prevent shingles but make it a less miserable ecxperience once you get the shot.

A former Marine 92 years old, at my church, had the shot but got shingles anyhow but didn't have many problems with that until the shingles went away.