Finally Won...NOW WHAT?

[Ztmiller8]

Finally heard back that I received my 100% Overall rating and a 100% PTSD rating Following my long appeal process!

My question is this, given the fact that my appeal was on the advanced docket and is an “Expedited” appeal, what happens now and how long(ish) is the process from here on out with retro and so forth? I’ve read a million things but nothing with an expedited appeal status.

Anyone deal with this situation before? My jump is from 50 to 100 over the course of 2 years if that helps some. I only am asking because as happy as I am, I would be much happier to pay some of these bills off!

[Tbird]

@Ztmiller8 Congratulations.

 

[shrekthetank1]

we need to know which part of the appeal process?  DRO?  HLR?  BVA?  The first two would be much faster of an implementation.  The BVA took 7 months to apply my grant and I had to fight them to get that done early.  So it really depends.

 

[Ztmiller8]

8 minutes ago, shrekthetank1 said:

we need to know which part of the appeal process?  DRO?  HLR?  BVA?  The first two would be much faster of an implementation.  The BVA took 7 months to apply my grant and I had to fight them to get that done early.  So it really depends.

 

Mine is with the BVA.

[shrekthetank1]

First is it a straight grant? or is there a remand?

ok so here is my advice.  and you can take it for what it is worth.  I would wait for the letter to come in and give a it a two or three weeks and see if it was implemented.  I am hoping this just works out for you as this makes life easy.  This could happen if it is a straight grant with no remand.

Now if there is a remand and a grant (I learned this is the hard way) you need to start shaking the tree.  After 6 months I started to look and say hey why is this not done and then i finally started calling everyone.  Congressman-whitehouse hotline-peggy-VSO.  I would call them once a week.  The congressman is the one which finally panned out for me as they got on someone's ass as within a week of them contacting me it was implemented.  

You can do it anyway you want too, but for me this worked.

[broncovet]

Congratulations!   

After you get the letter from the board, you will (eventually) get an "implementation" letter from the VARO.  

I have seen that take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months, with an "average" of about 3 months.  

Here is what you should be doing in the interim:

1.  Check out your "state" benefits, you may get a reduced or eliminated property taxes, for example, with 100 percent p and t. 

2.  Get your free 10,000 VA life insurance policy, if you havent gotten that already.  This is no cost.  Even tho its no cost to you, my policy is worth around 5000 cash if I cashed it in today.  (I got mine in 2007). 

3.  If you were charged "copays" at your VAMC, those should be refunded to you.  Take a copy of your rating letter to your VAMC "means" department.  

4.  Consider your "other" VA benefits, such as DEA ch. 35 benefits for your dependents. 

5.  Your wife should get free champva, its great health insurance. 

6. Some states have free hunting licenses/fishing license for disabled Vets.   

[Ztmiller8]

13 minutes ago, shrekthetank1 said:

First is it a straight grant? or is there a remand?

ok so here is my advice.  and you can take it for what it is worth.  I would wait for the letter to come in and give a it a two or three weeks and see if it was implemented.  I am hoping this just works out for you as this makes life easy.  This could happen if it is a straight grant with no remand.

Now if there is a remand and a grant (I learned this is the hard way) you need to start shaking the tree.  After 6 months I started to look and say hey why is this not done and then i finally started calling everyone.  Congressman-whitehouse hotline-peggy-VSO.  I would call them once a week.  The congressman is the one which finally panned out for me as they got on someone's ass as within a week of them contacting me it was implemented.  

You can do it anyway you want too, but for me this worked.

This was just an initial Grant, no remand, but okay, I’ll definitely use some of this, thank you!

[Ztmiller8]

8 minutes ago, broncovet said:

Congratulations!   

After you get the letter from the board, you will (eventually) get an "implementation" letter from the VARO.  

I have seen that take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months, with an "average" of about 3 months.  

Here is what you should be doing in the interim:

1.  Check out your "state" benefits, you may get a reduced or eliminated property taxes, for example, with 100 percent p and t. 

2.  Get your free 10,000 VA life insurance policy, if you havent gotten that already.  This is no cost.  Even tho its no cost to you, my policy is worth around 5000 cash if I cashed it in today.  (I got mine in 2007). 

3.  If you were charged "copays" at your VAMC, those should be refunded to you.  Take a copy of your rating letter to your VAMC "means" department.  

4.  Consider your "other" VA benefits, such as DEA ch. 35 benefits for your dependents. 

5.  Your wife should get free champva, its great health insurance. 

6. Some states have free hunting licenses/fishing license for disabled Vets.   

Great, thank you for all this, huge help!!

[broncovet]

Oh, and yes.  If you have been helped by hadit, remember to donate when you get your retro and "give back".  I have.  

[Ztmiller8]

17 hours ago, shrekthetank1 said:

we need to know which part of the appeal process?  DRO?  HLR?  BVA?  The first two would be much faster of an implementation.  The BVA took 7 months to apply my grant and I had to fight them to get that done early.  So it really depends.

 

So I just checked on Va.gov site today and I had a new alert or update, it said “Your comp and pen claim” And then it said lawyer fee something something, I’m assuming them just paying my lawyer. Either way, does this give you a better idea of movement or timing???

[shrekthetank1]

1 hour ago, Ztmiller8 said:

So I just checked on Va.gov site today and I had a new alert or update, it said “Your comp and pen claim” And then it said lawyer fee something something, I’m assuming them just paying my lawyer. Either way, does this give you a better idea of movement or timing???

That is good news!  Since you have a lawyer I would contact them and ask.  They can give a much closer time than I can as they would know with similar cases.  

[MikeR]

I get free license plates. LOL

[jc30655]

On 7/28/2020 at 5:19 PM, broncovet said:

Congratulations!   

After you get the letter from the board, you will (eventually) get an "implementation" letter from the VARO.  

I have seen that take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months, with an "average" of about 3 months.  

Here is what you should be doing in the interim:

1.  Check out your "state" benefits, you may get a reduced or eliminated property taxes, for example, with 100 percent p and t. 

2.  Get your free 10,000 VA life insurance policy, if you havent gotten that already.  This is no cost.  Even tho its no cost to you, my policy is worth around 5000 cash if I cashed it in today.  (I got mine in 2007). 

3.  If you were charged "copays" at your VAMC, those should be refunded to you.  Take a copy of your rating letter to your VAMC "means" department.  

4.  Consider your "other" VA benefits, such as DEA ch. 35 benefits for your dependents. 

5.  Your wife should get free champva, its great health insurance. 

6. Some states have free hunting licenses/fishing license for disabled Vets.   

You are also entitled to a MWR type brown (dependents) ID card where you can get on base, use the gym, the commissary and other services that are provided..... and your dependents also eligible.   This will come in your letter from the VA.   With that, also, you can apply for discounts online and in Lowe's Home improvement stores.  MOST Other places that offer military discounts will also accept it as proof.   There will be NO expiration on your ID.  It will be "Indefinite".   YOU will also get free 100% dental care as well.

Congrats for getting your 100%!  However, the fight is not over.  You will still have to fight the VA for the medical care that you have earned and deserve!  I have had to school my VA Primary Doctor that I do not want to go to the VA for ANYTHING.  I want to use Community Care as my standing specialist care.  It's been a bit easier since the COVID-19 thing because the VA is just about locked down.  I suggest once you have all of your letters, ID, etc. schedule a good sit down with your primary care doctor.  Take someone with you that can speak up on your behalf.   Take your time and compose a letter of what you expect going forward, such as Community Care. They may want to steer you towards seeing a "Whole Health" nurse and get you involved in Tai Chi, yoga, playing a musical instrument (because of PTSD).  Just tell them you are open to talk about it, but for right now, you want to pause, get your bills caught up, catch your breath for a few months.  Best of luck to you all.

[Lemuel]

On 7/28/2020 at 2:38 PM, Ztmiller8 said:

Finally heard back that I received my 100% Overall rating and a 100% PTSD rating Following my long appeal process!

My question is this, given the fact that my appeal was on the advanced docket and is an “Expedited” appeal, what happens now and how long(ish) is the process from here on out with retro and so forth? I’ve read a million things but nothing with an expedited appeal status.

Anyone deal with this situation before? My jump is from 50 to 100 over the course of 2 years if that helps some. I only am asking because as happy as I am, I would be much happier to pay some of these bills off!

My suggestion is that you call 800 827 1000 and insure the BVA decision under your file number is  your name.  When I received my 2017 decision and waited 6 months for payment with nothing happening.  Checked the problem and found a negative decision a month earlier with my first name but a different last name had been entered under my file number.  Took another 2 months to correct that and get my 9 years of back pay.

My April Executive Director, Compensation Services / DROC decision took from April to August because it was over $250,000.00 in back pay back 2009 to 1985.  There were a half a dozen calculations submitted before one was finally approved.  The printed back pay schedules only go back to 1994.

[Rattler]

Congratulations.

I would check the web site and see if you have the bank account on file that you want your money to go to. If you do that the money should appear there about the time you get your letter. 

[blahsaysme2u]

On 8/16/2020 at 6:31 PM, MikeR said:

I get free license plates. LOL

LUCKY!! virginia still charges you 10 bucks just to put Disabled Vet on it...really?!?!?!?! ill spend my money on CIB plates thanks

[pacmanx1]

1 hour ago, blahsaysme2u said:

LUCKY!! virginia still charges you 10 bucks just to put Disabled Vet on it...really?!?!?!?! ill spend my money on CIB plates thanks

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Plate Exempt from Registration and Special Plate Fees:

A veteran is eligible to receive one set of Disabled Veteran special plates for free if that veteran (1) has lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm, or hand; (2) is blind; or (3) is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the VA.

Edited April 28, 2021 by pacmanx1 (see edit history)

[blahsaysme2u]

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#splates/info.asp?idnm=DV2

 

still costs 10 bucks a year...only saves 28...so really saving 18 bucks

[pacmanx1]

17 minutes ago, blahsaysme2u said:

still costs 10 bucks a year...only saves 28...so really saving 18 bucks

Plate Exempt from Registration and Special Plate Fees:

A veteran is eligible to receive one set of Disabled Veteran special plates for free if that veteran (1) has lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm, or hand; (2) is blind; or (3) is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the VA. Un-remarried surviving spouses of these veterans may also receive one free set of Disabled Veteran special plates. Any personalization fees and, if applicable, emissions fees must still be paid.

A veteran is eligible to receive one set of Disabled Veteran special plates for free if that veteran is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the VA.

So if you live in the state of Virginia, you can get one set of Disabled Veteran Special Plates for free and if they tell you that you have to pay $10.00 ask to speak to a manager or supervisor. All you need is to print a VA letter showing that you are rated 100% Permanent and Total disabled.

 

Not sure if someone is telling you, you have to pay $10.00, not that, that is a lot but Free means Free, Free, Free, Free, Free ,Free. This is from the same web site we posted.