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I need some advice from some of you guys...
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Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
...who've been through the process of getting your disability upgraded. I submitted a request for an upgrade after going through the Persian Gulf Registry in 1996. The VA ended up losing my paperwork and my medical records after I filed for an upgrade. I got my congressman involved but all activity on the claim stopped in 1998. I am now trying to push to have my claim found and reactivated, retroactively to the date I initially filed it. I've been told by other vets that I should not file a new claim under any circumstances b/c this will void out my initial claim and they will not have to back pay me. The local VA rep is trying to get me to initiate a new claim, b/c this is the easiest way for them to locate my paperwork...he even went so far as to tell me that he was not going to help me if I did not take his advice and this particular course of action. What do you guys think I should do? If any of you would be willing to talk to me on the phone, please email me your phone number and a good time to call you...along with your time zone (if I don't already know it). Thanks![:)]
Comments
Unfortunatly unless you or whoever helped with your previous claim saved copies of the paperwork that you submitted you may have to just start a new claim.
I allways save copies of every little item that I submit to the VA for any reason. They have lost stuff on me many times and atleast with a copy with notes stateing dates that they were submitted you have something to go by.
Also if that other claim was denied you only have so long to post the appeal to keep the original date. So if that was the case you again are stuck with submitting a new claim.
I learned a long time ago that if you leave a door open for the VA to screw you they will in a flat second!
It took me about 10 years to get my 100%. I was originally started at 10% and had to keep putting back it for reevaluation untill I finally got my 100% total and permanent. Now the fighting with them is over and they cannot take what I have from me.
I really sounds like you need to start with the office that helped you in 1996 and hope they still have a folder on you.
If you want shoot me your number and a good time to call and I'll give you a ring.
I would like to offer some help for my military brothers here if I may. My wife is a Veterans Service Officer for Vietnam Veterans of America. She can work with Veterans of any era. She is also very good at what she does. she does not get any monies from any of the vets that she helps, so it won't cost anything to try and get the help or answers you need. I don't know if we can post her email in here or not. So if anyone would like to get in contact with her, let me know and I will tell you how to contact her.[8D]
You can feel more than free to post her email if you like...it's entirely up to you. I just signed power of attorney over to the Idaho State Rep, so I need to see where he can get me but I will certainly contact you if I cannot get anywhere. Thank you for your generous offer.
I would like to offer some help for my military brothers here if I may. My wife is a Veterans Service Officer for Vietnam Veterans of America. She can work with Veterans of any era. She is also very good at what she does. she does not get any monies from any of the vets that she helps, so it won't cost anything to try and get the help or answers you need. I don't know if we can post her email in here or not. So if anyone would like to get in contact with her, let me know and I will tell you how to contact her.[8D]
Do you think she can locate medical records that are supposedly lost and claims that have disappeared? All of my Persian Gulf Registry records (almost 2 years worth) have disappeared and my request for an upgrade in disability (11 years ago) was conveniently lost at the same time...
I am also very interested in speeking to your wife, it seemes that there is nobody that has the time to care in my area. I recently went in for a reevaluation of my claim as my leg issues have caused me to blow out my back and my right wrist. The doctor never looked at me and they took me from being 40% to being 0% service connected. You can have her e-mail me directly at:
CFMMotorsports3@aol.com
Thank you so much for the offer, there are several of us that can really use the help.
Bryant S. Campbell
AKA: MK 19
If anyone would like to email my wife about Veterans/VA issues use the following email:
[url][/url]shineshine63@hotmail.com
Lisa Armstrong VSO, VVA
It might take her a little while to get back to you, due to the holidays now and she is only 1 of 2 in the state and stays overwhelmed. But she will take the time to talk with do and do whatever she can to help. However, because of the guidelines she must go by, you, the veteran must initiate 1st contact. sorry, but that's the rules, not her's, but whoever wrote them.
She has won claims for quite a few vet's without ever even meeting them. so she can do them through the mail, email, phone. but just be ready to be patient, we all know how slow the VA does anything. And be nice, that is my rule. She can chose if she wants to pursue a claim or not. She will not turn one down unless the person acts like a jerk with her. she will bend over backwards to help a Veteran. Just be honest, kind, and treat her the way you want to be treated.
Thank You