What Is Really Going On With Va?

[LilRock]

I filed for compensation in 1991 for MDD (denied). I then filed again in 2002 (denied again). Both situations were attempted suicide; the first episode I was in the service. In both, diagnoses was MDD. TODAY, I found out that the letter which I thought was a denial is actually what you guys call a “boilerplate” letter. I have read that the letters that were sent out back then were not in legal form. How can you tell? In 2013, I requested my claim to be reopened (I am assuming it is because on ebenefits they have reopen on it). Right now I am in the section “Review of Evidence”…….any ideas as to whats next?

[justrluk]

More than likely, your request will go in the stack with others. I would gather evidence, get opinions from outside doctors, make copies and forward them as evidence in support of your claim.

[john999]

If you had a suicide attempt in service and the VA denied you SC for MDD in 1991 you may have a CUE. If I was you I would take all this to a VA lawyer and get him to review it. I assume that you did not appeal the 1991 denial? Did the VA list all the evidence you submitted in your denial? You may be one of the lucky ones since before 1990 the VA did not even have to list or mention the evidence they used to make a rating. I found that out the hard way. If the VA denied your MDD what did they say was wrong with you? Let me guess.......a personality disorder?

You know it could be that your 1991 claim is still open since you never got a true denial letter. Did you get an actual denial letter in 2002 , what was the reason you were denied? You should do everything our friend Justrluk says to get current SC, but I would run those old denials by a VA lawyer who knows what they are doing. Back in the day the VA did so many sleezy things it is a crime. I file for SC in 1972 and the VA took a big crap on my claim. I was too dumb to know that I should appeal. In fact I never even got the letter that said I was rated.

John

John