tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post7203019855525223541..comments2023-10-25T07:15:01.969-04:00Comments on Help For Veterans: VA Disability Ratings Taking Too LongSteve Dadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828407506505524043noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-55987214083910042862018-08-29T17:07:03.607-04:002018-08-29T17:07:03.607-04:00Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your b...Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading your blog posts very much. I am looking for new posts to get more precious info. Big thanks for the useful info. <a href="https://best-movers.com/best-long-distance-movers-in-atlanta-ga" rel="nofollow">Long Distance Movers Atlanta</a><br />Crystal Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06719672190743344930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-52568604745584700172018-04-05T17:14:51.989-04:002018-04-05T17:14:51.989-04:00Someone is listening to you. If you want to know R...Someone is listening to you. If you want to know REAL pain and PTSD and TBI youtube 225lb One Arm Curl, then calculate with both arms that is: 450lbs with the hate for VA naturally works better than roids also have super human speed 14mph while weighing 240lbs 4:16 mile fastest person alive brokest person alive as soon as I get my hand crushing hands around their throats while hiding somewhere in a bush to get them or else they NEED TO PAY UP!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-76070263116873662312013-08-16T03:03:54.443-04:002013-08-16T03:03:54.443-04:00Not sure why I don't see my post here from ear...Not sure why I don't see my post here from earlier today but it's gone. Doesn't make any sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-40642007525395838822013-08-15T20:44:34.219-04:002013-08-15T20:44:34.219-04:00So I know that everyone is in a different region b...So I know that everyone is in a different region but I have been following my claim very closely and I also filed to have an advocate from the regional office. That has helped some because they are able to tell me more about where my claim is more so than the VA 1-800 number. Everyone is frustrated on here and I am too. I know my claim hasn't been in as long as most of everyone else on here and that has to do with mine being a claim for increase I would imagine. Right now my claim has been in since November of 2012. It's in the rating phase but my call today to the VA got me some more information than even the regional office could give me. It's just waiting for signatures. I'm on more meds than I'd like to take. All but one is for pain and honestly it sucks.<br /><br />Anyways, I would rather work than just sit at home. It's depressing and unmotivating. My message is to be proactive on your claim. Get an advocate that is located in your regional office. Call once a week. It does get results.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-79197755515545982292013-01-07T20:11:41.744-05:002013-01-07T20:11:41.744-05:00To all you Vietnam vets, because of the way you we...To all you Vietnam vets, because of the way you were innoculated in basic with the air gun, and the lack of knowledge at that time of how Hep-C was transfered plus all evac hospitals by blood contact, many of you may have Hep-C and not even know it. In a 1999 reseach, 20,000 random Vietnam vets were tested for Hep-C, the results were that over 66% were positive for the Hep-C and they had no symptoms or any idea the might have Hep--- but your liver is being destroyed (and alcohol consumption does not help) so if you have not been tested for Hep-C (another present from our government) please do so ASAP. Just another medical issue to clam....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-48721879437799184172012-10-18T10:51:42.293-04:002012-10-18T10:51:42.293-04:00I filed my claim for an increase to my already ser...I filed my claim for an increase to my already service connected disability and added a claim for PTSD (MST) in October 2011. I shattered by T-12 in the military in 1991, which has caused a lot of other back issues. All my medical issues are well documented, right there in black and white. I still haven't received anything. It just hit the "Review of Evidence" stage in August. I am very frustrated with the process. It has been 17 months now. I don't call the 800 number because they just tell you exactly what the E-Benefits website tells you. My VA rep just tells me to keep being patient and that there is a huge backlog. It is very frustrating especially if I end up having to file an Appeal which will take another 2-4 years. Its just horrible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-48907834492324924672012-10-04T12:41:29.619-04:002012-10-04T12:41:29.619-04:00This reads like a bad country song. I am over 1100...This reads like a bad country song. I am over 1100 days for TDIU. Lost my home. Almost lost my dogs. It was SSDI that saved my dogs from having to go bye bye.<br />I was told several months ago that I was in the decision phase but the VA still hasn't sent me any letters yet. I am lucky that I eventually met someone who gave me a plave to live and put me under their medical insurance who really cared about me. Otherwise, that old saying about being a homeless bum would have rang true. <br />Can't work at all due to back injury being so severe and going down my leg all the time. <br />One one hand, I am fortunate that after all these years, my claim was decided. I really am.<br />Lord knows that I would like to buy my new family some better food and maybe a lawnmower.<br />My dogs deserve some bones too. They held on for years eating generic kibbles and bits.<br />I would trade this back pain and nerve damage anyday to be able to work. I would rather work but I am forced to live this way due to crippling pain.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-27435929666214430222012-09-11T23:09:01.641-04:002012-09-11T23:09:01.641-04:00I have 5 years and waiting. i am in the rating st...I have 5 years and waiting. i am in the rating stage. Dows any one know how long the rating stage is? And whats the rating for malignant cancerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-52067597174538390182012-09-10T02:53:29.093-04:002012-09-10T02:53:29.093-04:00I got out of the army in october 2008, I entered m...I got out of the army in october 2008, I entered my VA claim the following February 2009 for PTSD from my 2 tours, with supporting documents and as well as my torn rotator cup and traumatic brain injury claim. Being that I often tend to forget things that are not routine, I did not call or check up on the claim until my father, also a DV had asked me one night while we were bbqing. This is 2010, when I called and got transferred numerous times to different extensions I finally got told that they were waiting for supporting documents from my medical records. I often get flustered and upset with things of this nature, especially when I can not get a straight answer so I let the claim take its course. 2011 came, finally went to some appts, physical, again, psych, again and much like the army it seemed I hurried up to just wait. Here we are in 2012, I finally got a call last month saying how they had approved me 80% and were back paying me all the way to 2009 when I had intially submitted my claim. <br /><br />I'm still in a bit of disbelief and it has been 3 weeks, but I have not recieved anything in the mail or any other phone calls. When I check on my status it just shows its in the rating stage, so my guess is they have yet to update the status on their website. Anyhow I just wanted to know if this has happened to any one else on here. Also once u get your call explaining the compensation and rating, how long till I get the paperwork? I asked on the phone, but got a roundabout answer and I do not hear too well as it is and didn't have my wife around as my extra set of ear. I'm just anxious and don't want to feel as if I am getting the run around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-17342413296421847612012-07-30T20:01:40.180-04:002012-07-30T20:01:40.180-04:00I retired in 11/2010. I did the bdd paperwork. I r...I retired in 11/2010. I did the bdd paperwork. I received my orignal va disability 4 mos later out of Salt Lake. They missed ptsd, so i filed in 11/2011. Claim was closed 1/15/2011. Received notice they are still working on it. Do not trust the ebenefits website for up to date reporting. I feel my paperwork in under the pile, somewhere. Good luck on your claim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-70911989817425997182012-07-27T20:23:53.661-04:002012-07-27T20:23:53.661-04:00Minimum 2 year waitMinimum 2 year waitAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-21876524944134895322012-07-25T18:00:07.234-04:002012-07-25T18:00:07.234-04:00The BDD program isn't all it's cracked up ...The BDD program isn't all it's cracked up to be. I filed before I left active duty as well. That was last Oct. It's been almost 10 months. So I wouldn't put too much stock in these "newer programs". Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-46805606307086553342012-07-19T20:52:57.549-04:002012-07-19T20:52:57.549-04:00I submitted a claim in August 2010 for Bi-lateral ...I submitted a claim in August 2010 for Bi-lateral hearing loss and tinnitus and the claim just came out of the gathering evidence phase for the second time in July 2012.I have read that the VA had significantly increased its workforce by 70%, well what the hell are these people doing, playing video games, emailing friends, and cruising social media sites. I have been waiting coming up on 24 months for a simple claim that would not have taken any normal functioning operation in the Marine Corp more than 2 maybe three months to get the issue resolved. How many people working on comp. cases for the VA are veterans is one really big question I would like to find out. I am willing to bet it is a very low percentage, because you would not treat your fellow service member in such a manner. I just sold every tool I have for my trade, which I can no longer do, and every personal item I could sell that wasn't bolted down. Been out of work for 2 years and going to school trying to learn another skill at the bachelors degree level while getting in deep with student loans so I can survive. I just find it very hard to do carpentry work(25 years) after rotator cuff surgery and at the same time developing what I finally found out was rheumatoid arthritis. Mean while I have another comp case I would like to start but I am afraid to because it may cause the first one back to the beginning also. This whole VA operation is a joke, like a slap across the face, for all of us veterans who are patiently waiting, and slowly losing everything we own. I remember thinking my savings account would get me through a couple of hard years, and I could not make it last 3/4 of what I thought it would. I was making 8 dollars an hour in 1978 and before 2008 I was doing pretty good at $20/hr plus full benefits, now I can not get disability because i am too young (49) and can do sedentary work! For what, $7.50/hr, you can't be serious, 34 years later and I have to go back to less than I was making as a kid in 1978, WTF. All I want is help to get my degree to become a useful member of society and not a welfare leech, which is one of the reasons this country is in the state it is in. I am having all sorts of medical issues, and can not help but wonder if the reason is because of all of the trichloroethylene and other numerous chemicals contaminating our potable water, and the 6x20x8 dip tank full of trichloroethylene exposed to the open air in our shop at Camp Lejeune in the early eighties, which by the way the VA is not taking comp. cases related to this particular issue anyway. Last statement: doesn't VA mean veterans administration, there to help veterans with their social, health, and economic problems? If so why do they act more like their own separate entity/political party and treat veterans like a dog turd they just realized is on the bottom of their shoe. WE AS VETERANS AND AMERICAN CITIZENS PAY THEIR WAGES AND VERY GENEROUS BENEFITS PACKAGE. WHY WON'T SOMEONE LISTEN TO US????Swampernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-76859194082309416742012-07-09T12:58:47.516-04:002012-07-09T12:58:47.516-04:00I certainly feel for everyone on this blog. I file...I certainly feel for everyone on this blog. I filed the BDD thing as well, with the BS promise from the VA rep during acap of 30-60 days. Never took that seriously anyway. Did my C&P's in December and January. Sitting in the gathering evidence still. Ebenefits says that they are waiting on exams and teh rep on teh phone said the same thing. When I called QTC (the folks who did the C&P) I was told they loaded the exams to the website on the 28th of January and all teh VA had to do was hit a simple button to add to the file. My ebenefits shows an estimated completion date of 17 November to 3 March 2013........really specific. And that date is on its second move to the right. <br /><br />I have pretty much resigned myself to a year and a half wait on my initial claim and a probably significant time to wait for the appeal I am certain will happen. <br /><br />Fortunately, I have a little bit for my retirement and a fairly decent job right now, although standing too long is a killer. But I will survive. <br /><br />I also have friends that are raters at the VA and are veterans. It isnt the folks initially doing the paperwork on your ratings, they are generally veterans. It is the pencil pushing, never serving GS-11's and 13's that are screwing you. My friends tell me they submit claims to these folks with everything they need and they let them set on the desk. Then they return them for BS additional information, etc. They try to disapprove what they can and force the rater to spend significant time proving the obvious in the files. <br /><br />We want to fix the system, make prior military service mandatory for all VA leadership. These leaders now dont have any skin in the game. They tend to be there for a paycheck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-53318879408899273532012-07-07T11:31:36.902-04:002012-07-07T11:31:36.902-04:00I To have a problem with the winston salem VA, Whi...I To have a problem with the winston salem VA, While in the Navy I was in a military car accident and my left arm was broken, plus serve back pain..Went to a Naval Hospital for treatement, they put a cast on my arm, put me in traction for my back..I had three months left of active duty after serving nealy four years. When they removed the cast I had limit range with my arm. Could only raise it half way. No therapy noting, this was in 1963, my back was still hurting."Without knowing the doctor of record sign me out fit for duty.I was release 20 days past my enlistment..I file a claim after going to the VA for 25yrs for compensation, Come to find out there are no records of my broken arm, went for a C&P exam and the doctor told me since its not on you records there is nothing he can do..The doctor was 85yrs old part timer and only did this twice a week..He could not even find any VA record I had in Florida..The poor man seem to have his own problems..I am now in the waiting for a decision stage..Wrote my congressmand, plus the govonors office, and no help..All they said is you have to wait..My gut feeling is I will if any get zero from the VA..I should have never bothered with this BS..it only causes sleepless nights..The system sucks..I can't belive I was on complete diablity from SS for 15 yrs, and that never counted..Anyway, I am sorry about all of these sad comments..do you think if we acted the way the VA or goverment acts we would have been able to do our job in the servie..Iam giving up on writing since all I get is the same old story..Nothing..Thanks for letting me vent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-16370628864512109982012-06-29T16:16:39.365-04:002012-06-29T16:16:39.365-04:00Aaron "how the Military really is" mmm s...Aaron "how the Military really is" mmm sounds like your a know it all with an opinon based upon a small sampling form your small world...any way get some real research done on "How the Real military is" and call ne...OUTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-10935225537343808652012-06-18T07:58:49.401-04:002012-06-18T07:58:49.401-04:00REASONS FOR DECISION
Review of your VA treatment ...REASONS FOR DECISION<br /><br />Review of your VA treatment records show that you had imaging completed in January 2010, indicating a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus. You were referred for physical therapy to be followed with pain management. You were treid on mechanical traction which was unsuccessful, and were issued a TENS unit. You advised that eh TENs had given some temporary relief of pain.<br /><br />We attemped to obtain your private treatment records from Dr.XXXXXXXXX. Our July 2, 2010 letter advised you of this, but also encouraged you to obtain these records and to sent them to us. As of this date, we have not received any reconds from Dr.xxxxxxxxx Office (denote Dr. XXXXXXXXX is my primary care doctor that is a VA doctor not a private one.)<br /><br />At your recent VA examination, it was noted that you walk with a cane. The examiner commented that you were observed sitting for longer then 30 minutes with out any complaint of back pain.(denote, it was an exam what is one suppose to do at an exam, stand up all the time or lie on a bed or floor, Daa)<br /><br />ENTITLEMENT TO INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYABLILTY<br /><br />After undergoing a thorough VA examination, it was medically opined that although your service connected disabilities would have a major impact on your ability to work a physical job., they do not limit you for working a sedentary job. You are considered capable of gainful employment in a sedentary firld. Therefore entitlement to individual Unemployability is denied.<br /><br />Well I sent in a Notice of Disagreement on December 28, 2010. I recently had a video conference with a VA decision rater or so with DAV representing me with all of my facts and meds I take. I am waiting for a decision on what I had presented and there findings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-72161901841135859752012-06-08T07:26:09.563-04:002012-06-08T07:26:09.563-04:0023 Months since my claim....still awaiting. Now w...23 Months since my claim....still awaiting. Now with the new system you could more or less track where you are within the process, but its a looooonnggg road ahead!<br /><br />-Go Army!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-53224352358208391552012-06-06T23:38:59.741-04:002012-06-06T23:38:59.741-04:00Mr. Dade
I am an Active Duty service member going...Mr. Dade<br /><br />I am an Active Duty service member going thru a medical review board. I have been inn this process for about a year now. I was diagnosed wit a cartilage disorder in my hip and later came my degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine. I have been toyed by not only my drs as a "test rat" but also with the VA during this process. I submitted my paperwork last July and in sept, I had my scheduled appts with the VA examiners. In December it reached DoD and in Feb it reached the va. Everyone around me was getting their results except for me when I finally called my case worker that never kept intouch with me. Comes to find out, the VA missed 2 of my examinations. At the beginning of may I completed those examinations and on may 28th they finished my ratings. I called my VA rep and he informed me last week I would have them no later than the 16th of June. I called today and they changed it to the 28th of June. My drs no longer help me in any means with my disability unless they send me home. They all give up. I am curious if you have any thoughts as to getting my results sooner as I am having problems even staying at work behind a desk for 4 hrs.. Could you please help?<br /><br />Thank you<br />V/r <br />MariaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-31870015638764988302012-06-03T01:02:52.043-04:002012-06-03T01:02:52.043-04:00I filed my claim for an increase in my 10% award f...I filed my claim for an increase in my 10% award for a service connected injury (broken neck in 1969 - awarded on discharge in 1972) in February 2011. Forty years after my cervical fusion, the mobility of my neck has diminished considerably, causing much discomfort. After filing my claim, I was forced to wait one month short of year (January 2012) to finally be scheduled for a disability increase review. Four months later (April 2012), I was informed by the DAV (my authorized sponsor), not the VA... that I am to be awarded an increase in disability compensation from 10% to 60%, based on a complicated and nonsensical formula used to combine the limited movement of my neck and PTSD... 43 years later and an honorable discharge after leaving Vietnam in 1970. As of this date (June 2, 2012), my status remains in the 'Decision Preparation for Mailing' status... as it has been listed on the ebenefits web site since May 18, 2012. In short... I have been patiently waiting for the VA to react and respond to my claim (broken neck issue)for a year and four months now. And from what I can gather here... I will be lucky if my claim reaches a final decision to include an increase in my disability for at least another month or two... maybe longer! A year and half wait in total for an upgrade to a previously awarded compensation related injury(s) suffered over 43 years ago. I used to joke with other veterans that I expect to be dead before I ever realize an increased award. I'm not laughing anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-78860022503479394112012-06-01T00:00:13.375-04:002012-06-01T00:00:13.375-04:00If the service medical record has the injuries in ...If the service medical record has the injuries in it, why do C and P exams? I do not understand why the military doctor word not goood enough to make a decision.VA uses a lot of money by doing this.I need money now and these people do not care if Im homeless.They care about how long we can make them wait for my decision.They got an job Im still looking for a job since 2009.They alway say veteran will get the Jobs first in what country not this one.I feel everyone on here with dealing with this system.I went in with and great body and got with and broke down body.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-40834630743830664222012-05-31T23:44:37.245-04:002012-05-31T23:44:37.245-04:00Im with you on picking the Winston-Salem office.Th...Im with you on picking the Winston-Salem office.The Government need to get more help by hiring veterans to help push the paper work thru.BVA sucks they take their time on making decisions and have people lives in their hand waiting on 0%.I know my friend got hurt and they give him 0%.VA need help badddddd.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-58825569028911158122012-05-29T14:21:16.593-04:002012-05-29T14:21:16.593-04:00I filed my Benefits Delivery at Discharge(BDD)Clai...I filed my Benefits Delivery at Discharge(BDD)Claim in May 2011 for a few issues i.e. degenerative neuro muscular condition. PTSD, TBI, Sleep Apnea. Had the physical in September 2011. I retired in October 2011 and already had an Ebenefits account. I contacted the VA stating I needed a letter to use for disabled veteran preference for employment. Got a letter that stated 10% which isn't enough for VA preference. My claim never moved until December 2011. There it got stuck in preparation for decision phase. The only changes have been to Ebenefits web site. Like adding another block here or there. So I started calling the VA numbers and using the IRIS. I kept all the responses to include the exact same letter you recieved. All responses were the exact same. We can not tell when your claim will be processed. We are sorry for the back log and a claim takes around this mount of time but depends on what is claimed and how many issues were claimed could extend the wait. I think it is all smoke and mirrors and I think they will never pass my claim and they just wait for people to get tired of complaining. I just read yesterday the Strs and Stripes paper and it had an article about the claims. All it really says though is what we are all complaining about. I think it is time to elect some new politicians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-88214556585518622442012-05-12T18:03:11.255-04:002012-05-12T18:03:11.255-04:00My husband also contact a congressman after 18 mon...My husband also contact a congressman after 18 months in the gathering of evidence stage and a million VA appointments. Things moved much faster after the congressman's people got involved. My husband claim has been closed for about a week and so we are just waiting for the word on his rating. He quit his job yesterday because he just couldn't function in it anymore. He incurred a TBI while in Iraq (National Guard) and just couldn't concentrate and remember anything to continue to be successful at his IRS job. Hopefully, he will get the good news that he needs and can find a job that requires less concentration that won't make him anxious soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124997856700343410.post-813042021049124452012-05-11T19:44:14.887-04:002012-05-11T19:44:14.887-04:00Lets organize a day to show up at the winston-sale...Lets organize a day to show up at the winston-salem office with pick signs and protest..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com