AB8 Letter, need another copy.

[Steve40th]

Hey, Had a big move and my VA paperwork is lost, approval letters etc. Where can I get copies of the same letter mailed to me?

I am approaching 55 and want to see what my service connected ratings are, and if they fall into the category of , probably not going to get better, which is written on the AB8 letters.

Unless someone knows whether or not the service connected issues are not going to get better and possibly be reviewed before 55 (8 months from now), which about a month and half before my 10 year mark..

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

cervical spine spondylosis

osteoarthritis, lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease

radiculopathy right lower extremity

tinnitus

right upper extremity radiculopathy

[pacmanx1]

40 minutes ago, Steve40th said:

Hey, Had a big move and my VA paperwork is lost, approval letters etc. Where can I get copies of the same letter mailed to me?

I am approaching 55 and want to see what my service connected ratings are, and if they fall into the category of , probably not going to get better, which is written on the AB8 letters.

Unless someone knows whether or not the service connected issues are not going to get better and possibly be reviewed before 55 (8 months from now), which about a month and half before my 10 year mark..

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

cervical spine spondylosis

osteoarthritis, lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease

radiculopathy right lower extremity

tinnitus

right upper extremity radiculopathy

Don’t be fooled and or mislead, the VA can reexamine a veteran’s rating(s) at any time even beyond the age of 55. Even though it is not normal the VA has the authority to determine if your disability has improved/gotten worst or remained the same. With this said, if you are having more than two or three headaches or migraines each month, have you considered filing a claim for headaches secondary to your service connected OSA. Also, most people that suffer from chronic pain also suffer from some form of depression. You can also file a claim for depression secondary to your service-connected lumbar spine disability.

Individuals for whom reexaminations have been authorized and scheduled are required to report for such reexaminations. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section provide general guidelines for requesting reexaminations, but shall not be construed as limiting VA's authority to request reexaminations, or periods of hospital observation, at any time in order to ensure that a disability is accurately rated.

Compensation cases -

(1) Scheduling reexaminations. Assignment of a prestabilization rating requires reexamination within the second 6 months period following separation from service. Following initial Department of Veterans Affairs examination, or any scheduled future or other examination, reexamination, if in order, will be scheduled within not less than 2 years nor more than 5 years within the judgment of the rating board, unless another time period is elsewhere specified.

(2) No periodic future examinations will be requested. In service-connected cases, no periodic reexamination will be scheduled:

(i) When the disability is established as static;

(ii) When the findings and symptoms are shown by examinations scheduled in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section or other examinations and hospital reports to have persisted without material improvement for a period of 5 years or more;

(iii) Where the disability from disease is permanent in character and of such nature that there is no likelihood of improvement;

(iv) In cases of veterans over 55 years of age, except under unusual circumstances;

(v) When the rating is a prescribed scheduled minimum rating; or

(vi) Where a combined disability evaluation would not be affected if the future examination should result in reduced evaluation for one or more conditions.

eCFR :: 38 CFR 3.327 -- Reexaminations.

 

[Steve40th]

Never thought to file for depression. I dont feel depressed. I work and work to keep my mind off things and to raise my family.. I travel allot to due to my work..

My ten year point and age 55 are within a month and half, and with my ailments I have, I am just starting to worry after reading about the 5/10/20 rules etc.

The VA has seen me for knees, back, headaches, several times over the years. All my injuries connected to the service arent getting better, in my reality.. Meds for pain, Over the counter, heating pads. I just deal with it like most people do in the same position. 

Sleep apnea, if I miss a night with that machine, I feel it..

Not trying to inflate my ailments, but just starting to think about what to prepare for if here and they need to see me again.. Plenty of MRIs and such on me already. 

[pacmanx1]

1 minute ago, Steve40th said:

Never thought to file for depression. I dont feel depressed. I work and work to keep my mind off things and to raise my family.. I travel allot to due to my work..

My ten year point and age 55 are within a month and half, and with my ailments I have, I am just starting to worry after reading about the 5/10/20 rules etc.

The VA has seen me for knees, back, headaches, several times over the years. All my injuries connected to the service arent getting better, in my reality.. Meds for pain, Over the counter, heating pads. I just deal with it like most people do in the same position. 

Sleep apnea, if I miss a night with that machine, I feel it..

Not trying to inflate my ailments, but just starting to think about what to prepare for if here and they need to see me again.. Plenty of MRIs and such on me already. 

You will still need medical opinions that your service-connected disability causes your headaches and as for the depression. It simply means that you have additional stresses more than the average person. Depression does not mean you are depressed, if your service-connected spine limits your activities than that can be very frustrating and depressing. If you can't do the things that you used to be able to do than that could be depressing. Keep in mind that the older you get the worst your symptoms will get. They don't normally get better.   

[Steve40th]

I can guarantee I dont move around as well as when I was younger. 

With my granddaughter, I cant hold her very long due to back. I just deal with it..

I guess the real issue is, I am so busy, I dont have time for much when it comes to medical etc.

I will ask my VA rep for the ratings I have with codes to see what It states. 

The only thing I have dealt with at the VA lately is daughter finishing school/college and getting her off the dependent list.

[pacmanx1]

1 hour ago, Steve40th said:

Hey, Had a big move and my VA paperwork is lost, approval letters etc. Where can I get copies of the same letter mailed to me?

You should be able to go to VA.gov to find your disability generated letters. I forgot to add, they moved it from ebenefits to VA.gov but I have not been on there to play around and find it. 

[Steve40th]

Thnx, I looked at VA.gov.. They generate the short letters. 

I need the same one that was mailed to me. Its here somewhere just cant seem to find it in all these rooms and boxes.