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Dro Informal

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saints13

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saints13 Collaborator

saints13

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I'm requesting an informal DRO hearing on increase of knees and earlier effective date for tinnitus and unemploability, I kept the NOD generalized as possible.

Do I have to submit my new evidence along with it or can I kept it in my back pocket for ammunition during the hearing?

I have a detailed doctors letters, ILP counselors statement, etc along with CUE disputing everything they denied. As usual the denial letter is 11 pages long with generalized reasoning for denial. All stating not in my service record but never cited any of the evidence I provided.

All my information to dispute them came from this wonderful site with regulations, etc

Thank you for all your time, help and support.

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rootbeer22 Experienced

rootbeer22

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saints13

Sorry to hear about your troubles....maybe getting in front of a couple of "Human Beings" will actually help with your claim? Most of the claims folks that I have spoken to are nice and seem to care? That said, I think it's just easier to deny someone when they don't have to look them in the face to issue a denial or don't support a favorable action? A DRO meeting may not be a guarantee of success but 53% of the VA are other Vets and maybe that will amke a differnce for you and yours....when they see you "face to face"? I'll do my best to pray for your situation....and a better outocme in the future...

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Navy04 Grand Master

Navy04

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I wish you this route to work better. I had 2 ACL, MCL and Meniscus surgeries on R Knee and awaiting Surgery now for L Knee and R Shoulder. I was granted SSDI for PTSD, and severe bone and muscle issues, yet I only get 10% for R Knee, so what does that tell you, well just depends on what Shitty Rater we get in the Ole VA Lottery!!!

100% PTSD

100% Back

60% Bladder Issues

50% Migraines 
30% Crohn's Disease

30% R Shoulder

20% Radiculopathy, Left lower    10% Radiculopathy, Right lower 
10% L Knee  10% R Knee Surgery 2005&2007
10% Asthma
10% Tinnitus
10% Damage of Cranial Nerve II

10% Scars

SMC S

SMC K

OEF/OIF VET     100% VA P&T, Post 911 Caregiver, SSDI

 

 

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saints13 Collaborator

saints13

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You should have gotten 10% for instability since you had surgery for ACL/MCL and Meniscus. Then another 10% for Painful ROM which is 19% rounded up to 20. Once other knee is done then it should be the same as the right knee with a bilateral factor which should be 40% total for both knees.

You are correct about the examiners though. If they mention Slight anywhere in your c&p exam, that is what you get which equals 10%. if anything is mentioned slight in VA records or just reoccurring you get 10%. Even if your SMR's state moderate or severe instability.

My SMR's have moderate-severe all over my records but VA examiner stated slight so that's what I got, slight = 10%

I got the luck of the draw from the VA lottery especially after 8 surgeries (4 on each knee)

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