Jump to content

Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts 
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules 

Top 10 VA Disability Claims Articles

  • tbirds-va-claims-struggle (1).png

  • 01-2024-stay-online-donate-banner.png

     

  • 0

0% for CFS

Rate this question

Lavish

Asked by Lavish,

 Share

Question

Lavish Contributor

Lavish

Posted
Posted

From e-benefits and speaking with an American Legion rep, it looks like the VBA has rated me 0% SC for CFS effective 2015.  I thought the ratings for CFS had to be 10, 20, 40, 60, or 100.  As of 2015, I am rated 50% for MDD w/ anxiety, and 40% for Fibro.   As of 2020, I am 100% for MDD w/ anxiety.   They are trying to screw me out of back pay and SMC.   

I did a C&P exam in August for CFS and Gulf War Illness.  I was hoping they would rate me for all of the many other issues that I have since the examiner did DBQs on them, but definitely the headaches, which I was denied for back in May.

I have so many issues that have been documented by the VA.  How can they rate me at 0% for CFS and nothing for GWI?   I know they are trying to lump the fatigue in with the Fibro and MDD, but there are a WHOLE lot of other issues related to CFS that isn't included in the MDD and Fibro award.  I didn't think I would need to file a supplemental again for the headaches and other issues, since the examiner did DQBs for 20 different things - I "thought" VA would list them as secondary to the CFS or something, but I guess that was wishful thinking. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Answers 13
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters For This Question

Popular Days

Top Posters For This Question

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Lavish
Lavish

You mean Fibromyalgia, not Fibrosis, right?

13 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

  • 0
El Train Rising Star

El Train

Posted
Posted

I think the 0% is a mistake, but you are rated for it.  I got 0% presumptive for IBS which I think is a mistake, but I'm rated for it.  You can contest it if you want, but it may not go your way.  I got denied for CFS due to being rated for PTSD/MDD (100%) and Fibro at 40% causing the CFS symptoms.  I had a diagnosis and a solid IME from an MD that put me in the 60% range.  They took the VA's NP opinion over My MD who's credenza is two pages long.  A small victory for the VA.  Small since it doesn't matter for me.  I have 100% P&T with smc-s.  

I have heard of only one person who got rated for PTSD, Fibro, & CFS.  My guess, he got away with it by a raters mistake since it is so rare.  Just sayin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Lavish Contributor

Lavish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 hours ago, El Train said:

I think the 0% is a mistake, but you are rated for it.  I got 0% presumptive for IBS which I think is a mistake, but I'm rated for it.  

The difference is, from what I understand, is that IBS can be rated at 0%, but CFS starts at 10%.   Maybe they meant to put in 100%...I doubt it.   I should be rated at least 40% though -easily.  

The claim isn't showing closed out yet, so maybe they are going to rate some of the other systems separately.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
El Train Rising Star

El Train

Posted
Posted
17 hours ago, Lavish said:

The difference is, from what I understand, is that IBS can be rated at 0%, but CFS starts at 10%.   Maybe they meant to put in 100%...I doubt it.   I should be rated at least 40% though -easily.  

The claim isn't showing closed out yet, so maybe they are going to rate some of the other systems separately.

No, all GWI presumptive should be at least 10% disabling to get it.  My decision letter actually states 'direct service', which it really isn't.  I had no complaints or treatment in service to make it direct service.  Maybe this is why I got the 0%.  However, ebennies states 'Gulf war presumptive'.  Ebennies is not always accurate however.  Maybe I'll re-read the decision letter out of curiosity.

I can tell you this, my symptoms are at the very least 10%.  I'm on constant medications for it and have developed diverticulitis because of it.  Contesting it does me no good.  I'm maxed out and I am rated for it even at 0%.  This means I can use the FMP (foreign medical program) when I spend large amounts of time out of country and get reimbursed for any treatments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
Lavish Contributor

Lavish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, El Train said:

No, all GWI presumptive should be at least 10% disabling to get it.  My decision letter actually states 'direct service', which it really isn't.  I had no complaints or treatment in service to make it direct service.  Maybe this is why I got the 0%.  However, ebennies states 'Gulf war presumptive'.  Ebennies is not always accurate however.  Maybe I'll re-read the decision letter out of curiosity.

I can tell you this, my symptoms are at the very least 10%.  I'm on constant medications for it and have developed diverticulitis because of it.  Contesting it does me no good.  I'm maxed out and I am rated for it even at 0%.  This means I can use the FMP (foreign medical program) when I spend large amounts of time out of country and get reimbursed for any treatments.

Wow, I didn't realize a 100% vet could get reimbursed for any treatment out of the county!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
El Train Rising Star

El Train

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, Lavish said:

Wow, I didn't realize a 100% vet could get reimbursed for any treatment out of the county!

Ya, check it out.  Even a 0% is a service connected disability that can be covered.  I don't even think you need to be 100% to qualify.

https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 0
pwrslm Mentor

pwrslm

Posted
Posted

I think that CFS can be rated under fibrosis, or it may be considered pyramiding. Chronic fatigue is a symptom of fibrosis from what I understand. I would read the decision letter and see if this is what they explain. Zero % would be a correct rating to prevent pyramiding, that is what they did with me 2 times now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to question listing


  • Tell a friend

    Love HadIt.com’s VA Disability Community Vets helping Vets since 1997? Tell a friend!

  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      Lebro
      Lebro earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      stuart55
      stuart55 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      stuart55
      stuart55 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
      Lebro
      Lebro earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      Sparklinger
      Sparklinger earned a badge
      First Post

  • Our picks

    • Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection

      Caluza Triangle defines what is necessary for service connection

      Tbird posted a record in VA Claims and Benefits Information,

      Caluza Triangle – Caluza vs Brown defined what is necessary for service connection. See COVA– CALUZA V. BROWN–TOTAL RECALL

      This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:

      Current Diagnosis.   (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)

      In-Service Event or Aggravation.
      Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”
      • 0 replies
      Tbird

      Picked By

      Tbird,

    • Post in ICD Codes and SCT CODES?WHAT THEY MEAN?

      Timothy cawthorn posted an answer to a question,

      Do the sct codes help or hurt my disability rating 
      yellowrose

      Picked By

      yellowrose,

    • Post in Chevron Deference overruled by Supreme Court

      broncovet posted a post in a topic,

      VA has gotten away with (mis) interpreting their  ambigious, , vague regulations, then enforcing them willy nilly never in Veterans favor.  

      They justify all this to congress by calling themselves a "pro claimant Veteran friendly organization" who grants the benefit of the doubt to Veterans.  

      This is not true, 

      Proof:  

          About 80-90 percent of Veterans are initially denied by VA, pushing us into a massive backlog of appeals, or worse, sending impoverished Veterans "to the homeless streets" because  when they cant work, they can not keep their home.  I was one of those Veterans who they denied for a bogus reason:  "Its been too long since military service".  This is bogus because its not one of the criteria for service connection, but simply made up by VA.  And, I was a homeless Vet, albeit a short time,  mostly due to the kindness of strangers and friends. 

          Hadit would not be necessary if, indeed, VA gave Veterans the benefit of the doubt, and processed our claims efficiently and paid us promptly.  The VA is broken. 

          A huge percentage (nearly 100 percent) of Veterans who do get 100 percent, do so only after lengthy appeals.  I have answered questions for thousands of Veterans, and can only name ONE person who got their benefits correct on the first Regional Office decision.  All of the rest of us pretty much had lengthy frustrating appeals, mostly having to appeal multiple multiple times like I did. 

          I wish I know how VA gets away with lying to congress about how "VA is a claimant friendly system, where the Veteran is given the benefit of the doubt".   Then how come so many Veterans are homeless, and how come 22 Veterans take their life each day?  Va likes to blame the Veterans, not their system.   
      Lemuel

      Picked By

      Lemuel,

    • Post in Re-embursement for non VA Medical care.

      broncovet posted an answer to a question,

      Welcome to hadit!  

          There are certain rules about community care reimbursement, and I have no idea if you met them or not.  Try reading this:

      https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-emergency-care-at-non-va-facilities/

         However, (and I have no idea of knowing whether or not you would likely succeed) Im unsure of why you seem to be so adamant against getting an increase in disability compensation.  

         When I buy stuff, say at Kroger, or pay bills, I have never had anyone say, "Wait!  Is this money from disability compensation, or did you earn it working at a regular job?"  Not once.  Thus, if you did get an increase, likely you would have no trouble paying this with the increase compensation.  

          However, there are many false rumors out there that suggest if you apply for an increase, the VA will reduce your benefits instead.  

      That rumor is false but I do hear people tell Veterans that a lot.  There are strict rules VA has to reduce you and, NOT ONE of those rules have anything to do with applying for an increase.  

      Yes, the VA can reduce your benefits, but generally only when your condition has "actually improved" under ordinary conditions of life.  

          Unless you contacted the VA within 72 hours of your medical treatment, you may not be eligible for reimbursement, or at least that is how I read the link, I posted above. Here are SOME of the rules the VA must comply with in order to reduce your compensation benefits:

      https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.344

       
      Lemuel

      Picked By

      Lemuel,

    • Post in What is the DIC timeline?

      broncovet posted an answer to a question,

      Good question.   

          Maybe I can clear it up.  

          The spouse is eligible for DIC if you die of a SC condition OR any condition if you are P and T for 10 years or more.  (my paraphrase).  

      More here:

      Source:

      https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/

      NOTE:   TO PROVE CAUSE OF DEATH WILL LIKELY REQUIRE AN AUTOPSY.  This means if you die of a SC condtion, your spouse would need to do an autopsy to prove cause of death to be from a SC condtiond.    If you were P and T for 10 full years, then the cause of death may not matter so much. 
      Lemuel

      Picked By

      Lemuel,
    View All
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use

  I accept