ptsd Quick(Ish) Success! - 90%

[Smirak]

Backstory:

AD Army/AD National Guard 1993-2004, deployments to Somalia (93-94) and Iraq (03-04).

Air National Guard 2005-2012, activated statewide for Enduring Freedom

Was a civilian contractor in Iraq 2011 and 2012. Was "forced out" of the military with about 18 hrs of service. I say forced out because while I was a contractor, the air guard couldn't keep me on the rolls anymore. I fought with myself telling myself that I'd get back in and get to 20...then, around the first weekend of Jan 2015, on a WWP ski trip in NY state, I met a fellow veteran that told me to just "give that up" look into filing disability.

I'm serviced by the White River Junction, VT VA Hospital. I filed a claim for the following on 1/13/2015:

1) L shoulder

2) R shoulder

3) Sleep Apnea

4) PTSD

5) sinus condition

6) L ankle

7) R ankle

8) asthma (increase from 0% SC)

9) sleep disturbances

10) tinnitus

11) hearing loss

Without anything from the 1/13/2015 until the second week of May. Second week of May, my C&P appts were scheduled for 6/3/2015. Had my appts. On the 5th, status changed to pending decision. On the 11th, status changed to decision letter sent. Logged into ebenefits and I'm at 90% combined SC.

I'm on vacation, so I haven't see the actual letter. Also, ebenefits from my iPhone displays incorrectly. I didn't bring my laptop with me. I was at Disney this week, and when I logged into ebenefits and saw 90% combined SC disability, I was shocked. (70% PTSD, 10% asthma, 10% tinnitus, 20% R shoulder, 20% L shoulder).

However, a couple questions now:

1) it would not let me update my dependents prior to having a SC disability, so my payment is indicated to be at the "single rate". Trying to get that updated. Will they pay back pay back to 1/13/2015 for dependents as well?

2) I still can't find any doctors notes on myhealthevet from my C&P appts. Am I just looking in the wrong area? Using the my blue button feature?

3) I know many have said they receive their back pay prior to their award letter, but I haven't seen anything yet...I'm flying home today, so I'm not sure if I have an award letter in the mailbox or not. How soon does it take to get back pay?

Thanks,

Kevin

[Berta]

They should backpay for the dependents too.

Often they put the retro into the checking account before the award letter comes.

You did very well.

I assume you are still employed but if not, the award should mention TDIU.(paid at the 100% rate)

[Smirak]

Berta,

Yes, I am still employed with a good job and no desire to try and get the PTSD increased. The MH that did my C&P said he was so surprised at my level of functionality, considering the severity of my symptoms.

[DejDan]

Smirack,

Just to give you a snap shot of mine. My claim closed on 9 June 2015. I received my back pay on 12 June 2015. I updated my dependents on ebenefits and called the 1800# to alert them. At which time they said that they have a backlog and it won't be processed immediately but they will give you retro from the date the claim was filed. FYI....I 'm not receiving retirement pay so I guess my retro didn't have to go through a DFAS Audit which some say can take a few weeks. Hope this helps

[Smirak]

Edit...double post

Edited June 15, 2015 by Smirak

[zeelarry]

Smirak,

As to your C&P exams. I assume that you went into the VA Health Records, with using the BLUEBUTTON from eBenefits. I had two C&Ps this past year, and both are still in my VA Health records [i do not use the VA for any medical visits - use a private doctor]. However, three other C&Ps from a few years ago are no longer showing up. I have recently read about many vets are complaining about their C&Ps just disappearing. So, if you're trying to get copies of your C&Ps, you'll have to request them using the 'FREEDOM OF INFORMATION' application.