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100% Rating - How I Did It!

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ping jockey

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Greetings:

I am grateful that one afternoon a few years ago, I Googled "I've had it with the VA". That simple "search" born out of utter frustration led me to "Hadit". And there it all started!

As of two weeks ago, I'm rated 100% (long overdue). And, I am still NOT done with the VA.

For those looking to do there own research I offer this process:

  1. Obtain your Military Service and Medical Records by mailing (certified, return receipt requested) an SF-180, found here: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html
  2. Obtain your full VA treatment records from the "release of information" window at the center you receive treatment at.
  3. Review the CD-rom (PDF file) for all CHRONIC medical conditions, treatments, and diagnosis - chronocity is critical!
  4. Identify the incident, event, or situation in service that "caused" this condition. If it's in your active duty medical records that's extremely valuable. If it manifest after service you'll need to find a way to "connect" it to service - the "nexus".
  5. Next search USC 38 part 4 for your CHRONIC DIAGNOSIS, found here: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=38:1.0.1.1.5#_top
  6. Match up the conditions and rating percetnage to the CHRONIC diagosis in your medical records.
  7. Review the DBQ the C&P examiner "must" use to rate your current condition, found here: http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_ListByDBQFormName.asp
  8. Search for VA court cases on your condition(s) to understand how the VA Regional Offices is likey to "rule and rate" on your claim. HINT, the cases tell you what evidence actually supports a claim.
  9. For example, here's a search for Sleep Apnea secondary to chronic Sinuitis: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sleep+apnea+secondary+to+chronic+sinusitis
  10. Look for evidence in these cases that would support your claim, and THEN match and find your evidence - NEVER, EVER lie!
  11. Gather all your evidence, write up a Statement in Support of Claim, found here: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#newwindow=1&q=va+"Statement+in+Support+of+Claim" and mail it certified return receipt requested.
  12. NUMBER every single page, make copies, and wait.
  13. Make someone sign for your mailed packaged - VA has NEVER lost my packages!
  14. Before you go to a C&P review your evidence and especially the questions the Dr. is going to ask from the DBQ. I usually hand write a list of the 6-7 items that supports my claim. I make sure the examiner see this. I'm so done with the VA, I walked into to my last C&P with my 4" binder and the Dr. undersood I knew what is going on. A C&P exam is a LEGAL MEEETING, not medical treatment.

I submitted my last three claims in July and they were fully decided correctly in six months. Help the VA help YOU!

And, most importantly, never, never, never, ever give up. Be relentless!

Most grateful,

PJ :smile:

I got a request to see how I wrote Claims, so here they are:

  1. Hearing loss, Peripheral Vestibular Discorder, and Tinnunitis.
  2. Digestive disorder.
  3. Skin disorder.
  4. VA's 2015 Decision on these three Claims.

1 -STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - PG-1- redacted.pdf

2 -STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - PG-2 - redacted.pdf

3 - STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS FOLLOWED BY TINNITUS - PG-3 - redacted.pdf

4 - DBQ WITH TINNITUS - HEARING LOSS & PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - AMENDMENTS_Redacted.pdf

5 - C&P EXAMINER'S DBQ FOR EAR CONDITIONS.pdf

6 - STMT SUPPORT CLAIM - RHIODS 2014 - redacted.pdf

7 - DBQ FOR RHOIDS - FOR C&P.pdf

8 - STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 1-2.pdf

9 -STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 3.pdf

10 -STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 4.pdf

2015 DX REDACTED FOR HADIT_Redacted.pdf

Edited by Tbird
Corrected Statement in Support of Claim link.
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  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder

Great write up and congratulations on your win.

One thing to add is only send the VA documentation specific to claimed conditions. There is no reason to send them all your documentation. Keep it lean and to the point.

"If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."
- From Murphy's Laws of Combat

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information.

 

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