My Father needs some information

[Mumford]

My father is a retired Navy veteran and he recently tried to get his disability bumped up from 10% because he is pretty much broken all over. He hurt his back while he was active and they gave him 10% (this was 25 years ago) and now his legs are pretty messed up, he has a bad limp and his legs get poor circulation. He has trouble walking. After he applied to get his rating up they only gave him 45% but he needs more. What can he do? Is there a better process? I have heard there are va lawyers that can help. He says he needs at least 50% I personally think he needs 100%. Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

[ShrekTheTank]

Hi,  So some if the issues with this that he probably did not apply for everything he should have.  I would ask it to talk about anything which happened to him while he was in service.  What did he go to sick call for?  Knee/shoulder pain?  twisted ankle?  Training exercise injury?  If you have his medical records then you can get them uploaded and or look through them to see.  

I would say get these and get them in ASAP as the longer you wait the less backpay there is.

As for the appeal, always keep it going until it is at the level you think it should be at.  Do not let the time laps as this will hurt his chances for getting it higher and back dating it.

Next there are secondary conditions to the issues he currently has.  I have two of these linked and rated now.  

You should work on all of the issues at once and let the VA sort out where they should be.  

Make a list of all of his conditions.  

Then submit anything service related or related to a service condition.  

[broncovet]

Welcome to hadit. 

Something is wrong here.  You posted:

Quote

After he applied to get his rating up they only gave him 45% but he needs more.

VA ratings are "in increments" of 10 percent, (10%, 20%, 50%, 100 percent etc) so this makes little sense.  Most likely, you will need to appeal the decision beginning with filing a NOD, probably best is to go direct to BVA (board of Veterans appeals).  

You need to check his records, and the decision.  Is there important evidence that is "not stated" in the evidence section of the decision? 

We can help more with more details.  A great place to start is to post the decision (redact name) and we can help word the NOD for you.  

Edited March 19, 2021 by broncovet

[pacmanx1]

49 minutes ago, Mumford said:

My father is a retired Navy veteran and he recently tried to get his disability bumped up from 10% because he is pretty much broken all over. He hurt his back while he was active and they gave him 10% (this was 25 years ago) and now his legs are pretty messed up, he has a bad limp and his legs get poor circulation. He has trouble walking. After he applied to get his rating up they only gave him 45% but he needs more. What can he do? Is there a better process? I have heard there are va lawyers that can help. He says he needs at least 50% I personally think he needs 100%. Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

If your father is computer literate, you should pass on this web site and have him post any questions he may have. There is something off with your post. It is not that I do not believe your post but there is something off. I agree with SHREK, there is more he can do but is he willing to file more claims. VA compensation is for the veteran and maybe he doesn't want you to know what he is getting.  I am trying to say this in a nice way but if your father needs help then by all means ask all the questions you would like but it is really up to him.

[Mumford]

He is not very forthcoming with information so I'm just working with the bits and pieces he has mentioned here and there. I'm sorry if it's not correct or is just partial information. He is old school, he doesn't like to talk about his issues. The info that I have is that he set up an appt with the va to be evaluated last year. He did the evaluation and they gave him 45%. I thought it seemed a little off as well because I myself have gone through the process (granted I was active when I did). I told him he needs to go back and press the issue.

I agree with you that it is ultimately up to him but he has a lot of issues and he recently was diagnosed with Parkinson so he has his good Days and his bad days. Sometimes he is eager to move forward and other days he just seems to lose the will to do anything. It's not because he is lazy, Parkinson takes a toll. I am just trying to aid the process to make it easier on him. 

I appreciate all the help.

[Fat]

My two turn.

If possible find a local VSO to help with further claims.

Next, if any of the service connected issues have worsened, have a doctor document the residuals/deterioration of the condition.

Include tests and notes from doctor about how they came to their conclusion. A DBQ will help with this.

File a supplemental claim with the new information of the issue worsening.

Wait at least 125 days, but it could be shorter.

Do all the leg work and make sure the VA understands the condition(s) and how they have worsened to a debilitating manor.

The tests and exam notes from the doctor will be key.

[broncovet]

Does he have a place where he keeps the records, including VA decisions?  

You cant help people unless they are willing to be helped.  Not everyone is.

Is he mentally sound?  

They are right, he may be willing to talk to a VSO, while not necessarily family. In that case, hook him up with a VSO. 

A lawyer may be better, but not knowing "where he is at", I cant say for sure if a lawyer will help or not. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by broncovet