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UPDATE: just wanna complain for a moment....
callktulu
Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
UPDATE: So, I finally have a date set for my video conference with the VA (it's in a month). Any advice for handling the video appeal process?
===========================================
So yeah, I'm gonna whine and vent a little.....
Many many years ago when I left the Air Force, I was granted 10% disability from the VA for my neck. Several years later, it felt like it was getting worse, so I went to my doctor, gathered medical evidence, and then presented it to the VA in an attempt to receive a rating of higher than 10% (I actually think it skips ahead to 30%, not just to 20% - but that's irrelevant).
So, the VA sends me to their doctor for an exam, and my claim for increase is denied because I didn't meet the range of motion (lack thereof) requirements. But hold on!! The VA doctor didn't do any range of motion tests on me, so I appeal their decision based on that info. They send me to another VA doctor, who does the right testing this time. As a result, they grant my request for an increased percentage.
All is good, right?
No.
The VA only provided the payment (percentage) increase back to when I saw their doctor the second time (when I appealed). I disagree with this, and so does my representatives at the DAV. As it's always been, the VA is supposed to grant your disability back to the date you claim the condition occurred.
It may seem like splitting hairs, but as long as the VA takes, look at it this way:
*2002 - granted initial benefit of 10%
*2009 - condition worsened, sent in request for % increase
*2010 - claim denied; appeal made
*2011 - finally sent to see another doctor
*2012 - appeal granted to 2011 date, NOT 2009 (when condition worsened); I then appeal the appeal date
*...wait 3 years...*
*2015 - Finally get an answer back from the VA, which is that I can request a video telecon appeal, which won't happen until at least mid-2016....
I can't believe it takes this long to get 2 years' of back-pay from the VA. But then I remember, it's the GOVERNMENT.
At least I have the DAV on my side and we both know I'm right. But damn, it takes SO long!!
===========================================
So yeah, I'm gonna whine and vent a little.....
Many many years ago when I left the Air Force, I was granted 10% disability from the VA for my neck. Several years later, it felt like it was getting worse, so I went to my doctor, gathered medical evidence, and then presented it to the VA in an attempt to receive a rating of higher than 10% (I actually think it skips ahead to 30%, not just to 20% - but that's irrelevant).
So, the VA sends me to their doctor for an exam, and my claim for increase is denied because I didn't meet the range of motion (lack thereof) requirements. But hold on!! The VA doctor didn't do any range of motion tests on me, so I appeal their decision based on that info. They send me to another VA doctor, who does the right testing this time. As a result, they grant my request for an increased percentage.
All is good, right?
No.
The VA only provided the payment (percentage) increase back to when I saw their doctor the second time (when I appealed). I disagree with this, and so does my representatives at the DAV. As it's always been, the VA is supposed to grant your disability back to the date you claim the condition occurred.
It may seem like splitting hairs, but as long as the VA takes, look at it this way:
*2002 - granted initial benefit of 10%
*2009 - condition worsened, sent in request for % increase
*2010 - claim denied; appeal made
*2011 - finally sent to see another doctor
*2012 - appeal granted to 2011 date, NOT 2009 (when condition worsened); I then appeal the appeal date
*...wait 3 years...*
*2015 - Finally get an answer back from the VA, which is that I can request a video telecon appeal, which won't happen until at least mid-2016....
I can't believe it takes this long to get 2 years' of back-pay from the VA. But then I remember, it's the GOVERNMENT.
At least I have the DAV on my side and we both know I'm right. But damn, it takes SO long!!
Comments
Call one of your state's Senators.
Which one? Initial claim was in GA, appeal was is Indiana, and now I live in Iowa...
Iowa's. That's now your state.
Joni Ernst FTMFW!!!
My best and closest friend was a US Navy Corpsman in Vietnam. He was there, not me, we worked together sometime later. Many years and many medical troubles after his two tours, the VA decided he'd been injured by Agent Orange. He was stunned to hear they were granting him a further disability atop his Purple Hearts but back some years as well. I do not know how many years, he told me but I cannot recall. It was a big fat check though.
There is NOTHING that grabs a bureaucrat's attention faster and deeper than a call that starts with "This is Senator X's office on behalf of one of his constituents..."
Believe me, you will see instant attention paid to your claim.
I was rushed before. Allow me to elaborate.
There is NOTHING that grabs a bureaucrat's attention faster and deeper than a call that starts with "This is Senator X's office on behalf of one of his constituents..."
Believe me, you will see instant attention paid to your claim.
It is Amazing when you take this avenue, one it is GOOD for the Senator, votes, they get to feel better for exercising some of their "Power" and possible interaction with other Senators for future Bills to be proposed on this and other issues.
Believe it a Letter, or Phone Call, and now E-mails really do help. Most every time I do get at least a return communication, an answer to my inquiry.
Seriously though, my friend has 10 or 20% (I don't remember what it is, but he gets about $100+ a month) disability through the Army.......because he screwed up his knee.........PLAYING SOFTBALL AT THE UNIT PICNIC!
He just laughs, and cashes the check!
Merc
quote:Originally posted by Irish 8802
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
In March of 2014 I applied for disability for tinnitus.
Then in March of this year I applied for hearing loss.
I was sent to a civilian audiologist on June 17.
On July 10 I was rated at 60% disability and got a check for $5,000. for back to March 2014 for tinnitus at 10% and 50% for hearing loss from March of this year.
I will get a check every month for $1158.
I am absolutely shocked it happened at all much less the time the VA approved everything.
I did everything through this web site.
http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
Out processing in'95, I was asked if I
would like to file for 0% disability.
They told me it would be better to have
the paperwork already done for later on.
Seemed like the norm at the time.I didn't
and still don't.
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
Lots and lots of paper cuts from deskwork.
Nah! Who am I kidding?! I was an officer, I had lowly enlisted pukes do my paperwork.
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
Lots and lots of paper cuts from deskwork.
Nah! Who am I kidding?! I was an officer, I had lowly enlisted pukes do my paperwork.
That's why the backlog is so long.
So at least they'll have the right location, but I still haven't gotten a date for my hearing. It's been years and years and years....
quote:Originally posted by Irish 8802
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
Posted - 07/18/2015 : 10:27:52 AM
Lots and lots of paper cuts from deskwork.
Nah! Who am I kidding?! I was an officer, I had lowly enlisted pukes do my paperwork.
quote:Originally posted by callktulu
quote:Originally posted by Irish 8802
What could have possibly happened in the USAF to require a disability?? Did the parasol in your drink scratch your eye? Geeze!!
Posted - 07/18/2015 : 10:28:06 AM
Lots and lots of paper cuts from deskwork.
Nah! Who am I kidding?! I was an officer, I had lowly enlisted pukes do my paperwork.
Is it too late to call those "lowly enlisted pukes" to help you with your computer skills?
[:D]
What a Mess ! and Good Luck & stick with it ......
A buddy of mine started out @ 10-20% & it took almost 10 YES 10 years to get to 100% , only good thing : they had to pay him 'backpay' !
Thanks !!!
I Grew Old Too Fast (And Smart Too damn Slow !!!) !!!
Delay, Deny, Wait 'til they die.
Is it too late to call those "lowly enlisted pukes" to help you with your computer skills?
[:D]
HA! It's never too late to screw up posting on an internet board![:p]
Congratulations! You have now found the policy of the VA-
Delay, Deny, Wait 'til they die.
Well, hopefully not, I'm only 44...
Close to half of veterans are now filing for disability benefits.
That's why the backlog is so long.
That's what happens after 16 years of war.
Oh, and BTW, there are some of us in the Air Force who did fairly dangerous things.
So it's been years and you still haven't called your Senator? The VA isn't the only procrastinator.
Actually, I did, and they wrote a letter to the VA asking them to politely get off their *. The VA wrote back and told my Senator to take a short hike off a long cliff. [B)]
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
Close to half of veterans are now filing for disability benefits.
That's why the backlog is so long.
That's what happens after 16 years of war.
The vast majority of veterans haven't seen any combat at all, so spare me the "war" argument, bat.
quote:Originally posted by Navybat
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
Close to half of veterans are now filing for disability benefits.
That's why the backlog is so long.
That's what happens after 16 years of war.
The vast majority of veterans haven't seen any combat at all, so spare me the "war" argument, bat.
But "seeing combat" has nothing to do with earning benefits.
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
quote:Originally posted by Navybat
quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
Close to half of veterans are now filing for disability benefits.
That's why the backlog is so long.
That's what happens after 16 years of war.
The vast majority of veterans haven't seen any combat at all, so spare me the "war" argument, bat.
But "seeing combat" has nothing to do with earning benefits.
Indeed, it doesn't
Looks like you been complaining for years! Don
[:0]
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by dcon12
Looks like you been complaining for years! Don
[:0]
Indeed, and I have no plans to stop.
Maybe if you wait long enough they can give you an incision like this one, add in titanium rods where they removed the posterior part of your spine and fuse it all together.
Holy carp! That looks awful and painful, I'm so sorry!![V][xx(][:(]