Need some help with VA math

[ShrekTheTank]

Just got off the phone with the VFW rep at the regional office and said my Dercums is now at 60% but said I am not at 100% I have done 3 calculators now and I don't understand

tension headaches	30%	Service Connected		12/10/2018
irritable bowel syndrome (to include claimed fecal incontinence, bowel condition, gastrointestinal problems, chronic hypertrophic gastritis)	30%	Service Connected		03/06/2015
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multiple scars that are tender or unstable such as status post inguinal hernia scars; disfigurement from lipomatosis dolorosa; and upper extremity lipoma scars (previously 7805)	30%	Service Connected		12/02/2013
left chest lateral posttraumatic 8th rib, episodic intercostal myalgia (claimed as left rib pain)	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	12/02/2013
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (to include claimed cold sweats)	30%	Service Connected	PTSD - Combat	02/12/2014
tinnitus	10%	Service Connected		02/12/2014
left knee strain (previously rated as left knee retropatellar pain syndrome)	10%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	12/02/2013
Dercum disease (lipomatosis dolorosa)	10%	Service Connected		12/04/2014
status post right inguinal hernia repair (claimed as pain and numbness, status post right inguinal hernia repair)	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
hypertension	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
scars, status post lipoma excision, left arm	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
scars, status post lipoma excisions, right arm	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
left knee retropatellar pain syndrome	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	06/01/2010
scar with minimal hypoesthesia, status post right inguinal hernia repair	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
left chest lateral posttraumatic 8th rib, episodic intercostal myalgia (claimed as left rib pain)	0%	Service Connected	Predischarge Exam	10/02/2004
fibromyalgia	40%	Service Connected		01/05/2016

[GeekySquid]

2 hours ago, shrekthetank1 said:

and said to look at my PTSD and left ankle.  So I think

if they plan on decreasing your rating they best have sent you a letter and a C&P specifically for each attempt to decrease.

They have to have at least a years documentation of significant improvement to decrease any rating, but PTSD in particular. it just doesn't get better on it's own. It doesn't matter if you are P&T or not, they have to have tons of documentation to reduce. They also have to give you ample warning and 60 days (i think it is 60) to respond.

[GeekySquid]

2 minutes ago, shrekthetank1 said:

The issue is they already had it listed

it doesn't matter in this context it is normal. When your rating value (%) change the effective date is of the new rating. you still hold the effective date of the previous rating...in your case 10% BACK TO 2014

[ShrekTheTank]

I think you are right, but I may have hurt myself by going to the Vet Center as they are not licensed doctors.   I am very interested to see what this letter says.  I did find out it is from the Phoenix VA.  

[GeekySquid]

1 minute ago, shrekthetank1 said:

I think you are right, but I may have hurt myself by going to the Vet Center as they are not licensed doctors.  

do you mean you were in a vet-guided support group there? if so there is no medical record linking back to the VA. simply attending a support group is not evidence of anything other than your presence there.

 

[ShrekTheTank]

2 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:

it doesn't matter in this context it is normal. When your rating value (%) change the effective date is of the new rating. you still hold the effective date of the previous rating...in your case 10% BACK TO 2014

That would be for a new claim?  This is an appeal from 2014.  They coded it incorrectly and never gave me the proper rating back then.  

[ShrekTheTank]

My doctor referred me there as it fit better with my time schedule.  They do have records and everything, I just understand now they carry less weight.