I understand the time element so,
after 130 days I called the regional VA Office to find out where is my claim is concerning the procedures that the VA uses.

I have a REP. he is with VVA, he is out of town.
until next week.

No one seems to be able to give an answer to this imposed question.

So since I cannot get a hold of him I will post my question here ,and hopefully get an answer that makes sense.

I was told my claim is @ the Authorization area, (DESK) or whatever this means, I asked an Eligibility Rep., and they said it was finished and I would be getting a letter in two weeks.

So what does this actually mean, approved? denied? more information? appeal? or anything else?

Hey folks, this is an excellent topic to start our open discussion for general questions!

SEMPER FI

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DaveBarker,

Actually the only two ways to find out if it is approved, or denied, is to have your VVA rep check, or wait upon the letter. The access is limited at this point. I assume you called 1-800 827 1000 and was told the letter is forthcoming.
Even if your Congressional Representative inquired it would take about two weeks.

GOTCHA YA DAVE, WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED!


SEMPER FI

Ok, I know that my PTSD claim was approved 70% &30% for 100% service connected. I have received a form letter telling me that it is being reviewed and sitting on a person's desk to be signed since Feb. 14,2005. My question is how long does this process take! I realize that I am not the only person that is waiting! Is the wait longer because of the back pay money, we are talking Dec.19,2001 when I filed and I kept my claim alive!

quote:

Originally posted by SallyArmyMedic:
Ok, I know that my PTSD claim was approved 70% &30% for 100% service connected. I have received a form letter telling me that it is being reviewed and sitting on a person's desk to be signed since Feb. 14,2005. My question is how long does this process take! I realize that I am not the only person that is waiting! Is the wait longer because of the back pay money, we are talking Dec.19,2001 when I filed and I kept my claim alive!

Sally:
It normally takes 15 days from the date of the letter if your claim was approved. If your claim is PTSD and you are rated 100%, there is the possiblity the file is being reviewed for competency isses, as managing money, right to own a firearm, etctera.

Ok Thanks for the reason for the VA double checking everything. I guess all I can do is wait some more, right? How long can the process take?! Like when should I get concerned that it got lost again!?

Sally sez

quote:

Like when should I get concerned that it got lost again!?

Sally if you have not contacted your VSO, do so today. Your VSO can obtain exact information for you. If you do not have a VSO, thirty days from the date of the VA letter call your Congressional Representative.

I will be out of the office all of next week and the following week. I am in training next week and will be before the BVA the following week. Please hold all e-mails until 5/3/05 when I return to the VAMC in Chillicothe.
I have upgraded articles on my website. Here is a link: http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html
Dave

sew
Posted Sun 19 June 2005 22:15
I need help! When I was stationed at Ft. Lewis we went to Yakima for a month long desert training. During my training I had to start the generator and threw my back out so bad I had to go to the field meds. You guessed it-they lost the paperwork. I have been trying for almost 5 yrs to get the VA to agree with me regarding my back injury. Now my VFW rep told me to post a notice to see if anyone remimbers me. My name at that time was Francis Mallory and I need someone to remimber me and write something for the record. Help.
Posts: 2 | Registered: Sun 19 June 2005

Previous Topic | Next Topic

sew:
I moved your inquiry/post/question to Open Discussion avoid future problems with to many threads on this topic. I ask you to read the rules which we clearly posted at the top of this discussion board.
Your VFW representative gave you good advice. You should inquire through Buddy Search on Military.com and go to Army Discussions as well.
Dave Barker
Moderator

WheelMech
" inappropriate remarks deleted."

Posted Tue 09 November 2004 11:25
Has anyone had or know how to go about being rated for DJD(osteoarthritis)?
I had back surgery while on active duty and currenly receive SRD of 20% for that. A couple of years ago I found out I also have Osteoarthritis in my back. The VA doc that found the arthirits was joking about me being in good shape for 65 years old. At that time I was 45. It's only getting worse and is now in my hips/pelvis/knees.
They prescribe meds but that isn't where my concern is.
Posts: 586 | Registered: Mon 19 July 2004

DaveBarker
Health And Fitness Forums Moderator

Posted Wed 10 November 2004 00:28
...veterans service officer. We are trained to handle the VA claims. Contact your veterans organizations for assistance.
Posts: 2990 | Registered: Tue 12 November 2002

Cider33Alpha
Experienced Member
Posted Thu 11 November 2004 12:53
My father also received part of his disability due to DJD - after 30 years of falling out of perfectly good airplanes, among other fun things he did during the course of his military career.

As the years went on, his spine got worse and worse, he required a spinal fusion, etc. Finally, he returned to the VA for a re-evaluation, and indeed was able to get his disability percentage increased.

It was rather a long process, and he had to produce much medical documentation to back up his claims of deteriorating condition, but he felt it was worth it.

Good luck. Dave Barker is a good guide ...
Posts: 4795 | Registered: Sat 04 August 2001

BigRobT
"I am the Sword of Light against the Darkness"

Posted Wed 12 January 2005 19:24
Wheel Mech, I have a disability compensation for my knees, too. I also have degenerative disk disease as well as arthritis in my spine. Due to an auto accident, I had to see a specialist. He stated that I should be able to receive service connection for that because a lot of it is related to lifting heavy objects. I am working on getting his diagnosis and submitting it for review. The VSO for your county or through one of the vet's organizations will be able to help you out.
Posts: 3331 | Registered: Fri 25 June 2004

5431349
Basic Training
Posted Wed 12 January 2005 03:27
After Desert Storm (1991)our Military decided to downsize with base closures. Members between certain years served were offered a Voluntary Separation? With two choices of Incentive Bonus Programs to choose from, VSI/SSB. These Incentive Bonuses were offered with the members accepting signing off the rest of their contracts plus other requirements. Now these Incentive Bonuses offered in appreciation for our (Honorable Time Served). So then why after receiving approval for V.A. Disability Compensation would they garnish my V.A. Comp payments for next four and a half years, and the run a round since (1993). I am still trying to get a reasonable explanation why with them being two totally different situations. I feel my honorable time served was being punished for injuring myself following the criteria set by military protocol. This situation will affect numerous Vets for several years to come. They tell me it falls under "Concurrent Pay". I feel it rather falls under ( Breech of Contract and/or Fraud). It seems that Desert Storm Vets have been lost and written off like our contracts were. Feel free to reply!Thanks for the reply Mr.Dave Barker
Posts: 1 | Registered: Wed 12 January 2005

DaveBarker
Health And Fitness Forums Moderator

Posted Wed 12 January 2005 05:42
After Desert Storm in 1992 the Military did base closures. Many personnel were offered a Voluntary Separation, with two choices of Incentive Bonus Programs to choose from, VSI/SSB. The Incentive Bonuses were indeed offered with ending contracts and other hidden requirements.
Due to regulations passed by Congress and signed by the President there is an offset of V.A. Disability Compensation and any retirement earned from your active duty and/or reserve time.
This situation only falls under "Concurrent Receipt" if you served 20 or more years. I also feel it falls under Breech of Contract and/or Fraud, as do you! Desert Storm Vets were indeed written off, just as was your contract.
You need to review my book Persian Gulf War on my website:http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html

I sense the Commission is looking deeply at those kinds of claims. 100% PTSD alone will get a look see I am sure, and PTSD TDIU will also. But there are a lot of other veterans with IU with combinations of service connected disabilities (including myself, I have 9 service connected issues) ranging from wounds, diabetes, hearing loss, to PTSD, to Agent Orange issues that I feel will not be a target of review. I sense the Commission is looking deeply at those kinds of claims. 100% PTSD alone will get a look see I am sure, and PTSD TDIU will also. But there are a lot of other veterans with IU with combinations of service connected disabilities (including myself, I have 9 service connected issues) ranging from wounds, diabetes, hearing loss, to PTSD, to Agent Orange issues that I feel will not be a target of review at those kinds of claims. 100% PTSD alone will get a look see I am sure, and PTSD TDIU will also. But there are a lot of other veterans with IU with combinations of service connected disabilities (including myself, I have 9 service connected issues) ranging from wounds, diabetes, hearing loss, to PTSD, to Agent Orange issues that I feel will not be a target of review.

The comment about being able to purchase a purple heart shows how stupid people are! You can purchase a suit, does that make you a Congressperson! Well, maybe so lets just use common sense. Pictures of medals or an individual wearing medals to my knowledge have resulted in a disability award or even a consideration. A individual has to have the military records to back up the medals. Everyone with a lick of sense knows this, so comments like this only tend to infer that hysteria is guiding the review of disability benefits by individuals with no knowledge of the military or its functioning. I bet you would make one of the generals a little mad if you asked them where they bought their stars! I am not sure why everyone is so reluctant to have claims re-reviewed. If the claim is credable, the stressors are verified, and the diagnosis correct what's the problem? It's been stated elsewhere by folks in a position to know that some pretty fanciful claims have been allowed in the past. This type of thing only causes disrespect to folks who have genuine disabing PTSD. If your claim is valid you should have no worry, if you are a con-artist scumbag you may well have a problem. If you are one of the latter I have no problem with you getting caught and living with the consequences.

Why aren't they saying something like,"Anyone who has a solid claim has nothing to worry about." It's because they are going to TRY and slice the legs off of IU, PTSD, and 100%ers who fall into theese catagories. Remember Buyer's initial comments: I cannot guarantee ANYONE that they will not be affected by our changes.This makes sense to me but when we're dealing the GOV't it's easier to SCREW the little guy. GOD Bless all Vets everywhere ; RainVet !

quote:

A individual has to have the military records to back up the medals.

You are correct RainVet. The records must be there. As a matter of fact if a person submits a photo wearing an unearned Purple Heart they are subject to criminal prosecution! I for one feel prosecution is in order!
As bad as things are now, while the House Leadership and the Administration are on the money saving binge, to cut veterans from the rolls, no claim in their cross hairs will be safe. Then we have the clowns posting stupid information making it worse.
According to the House Compensation Review Committee it is felt roughly 4% of the claims are wrongly rated. The VA is going to spend millions finding the 4% claims felt to be adjudicated in error.
Facts: The VA is in a hiring freeze, in a budget far less than needed to keep pace with the prior year, and now a new project is created which will slow down the claims process.

michael96713, moved to reduce amount of topic threads.
Basic Training
Posted Fri 11 November 2005 15:31
Can anyone tell me if the VA will have any reveiws of your case after you are granted 100% permanent and total disabled. Do I have to worry that one day they will take my payments away and how often would they re examine me? I have drawn 100 % for a year now and in the process of asking for SSD. Thank you
Posts: 3 | Registered: Fri 11 November 2005

DaveBarker
Health And Fitness Forums Moderator

Posted Sat 12 November 2005 04:48
You started a new thread which must be moved later. Please read the forum rules.
To answer your question. If a case is deemed total and permanent there will be no future review unless you amend your claim. If you do nothing you will continue to receive 100% compensaiton.
I had a client who was told by a fellow veteran at a bar, he should add a new condition to his 100% compensation benefit. The veteran was advised by me to leave it alone. The veteran on his own, wrote the VA asking for additional conditions. The VA reopened the claim and found errors and rescinded the original award. The veteran is no longer service connected.
Posts: 3872 | Registered: Tue 12 November 2002

michael96713
Basic Training
Posted Sat 12 November 2005 13:01
Thank you for your time and answer .. I am sorry about posting in the wrong section. I am new to this..
Posts: 3 | Registered: Fri 11 November 2005
michael96713

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 16, 2005



VA Prescription Co-Pays to Increase by $1

WASHINGTON – Co-payments for outpatient medicines prescribed through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities will rise by $1, according to an announcement today by VA. The $1 increase for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs will take effect on January 1, 2006, the first change in VA prescription drug co-payments in four years.

"Through sound management practices, efficient pharmacy operations and price negotiations that put veterans first, VA has been able to contain prescription drug costs,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, noting that co-payments paid by veterans will still be lower than similar expenses in the private sector.

The increase to $8 from $7 for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs is required by federal law, which bases VA's co-payments for outpatient prescriptions on increases in the Medical Consumer Price Index.

The $1 increase will not affect veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a 50 percent or greater disability. Also known as “Priority Group 1” veterans, these patients will see no change in their current prescription drug benefit, Nicholson said.

Other veterans with less pronounced service-connected ailments – those classified as Priority Groups 2 through 6 – will see their prescription drug co-pays rise by $1, but their annual out-of-pocket expenses for VA medicine will remain capped. The new cap will rise to $960 per year, up $120 from the previous level. This means veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 will pay no more than $960 annually for VA outpatient medicine.

Veterans who have no injury or illness related in any way to their prior military service – referred to as Priority Groups 7 and 8 – will also see their co-payments increase, but there is no cap on annual payments for outpatient medicine.

Not all prescription drugs will be subject to the $1 increase. Outpatient medications not subject to co-payments include:

· Medication for treatment of a service-connected disability;

· Medication for a veteran who has a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more;

· Medication for a veteran disabled by 50 percent or more for unemployability;

· Medication for a veteran whose annual income does not exceed the amount of VA pensions;

· Medications for health problems that may be linked to Agent Orange for Vietnam veterans, to radiation exposure, to undiagnosed illnesses of Persian War veterans, or for new veterans within two years of discharge after serving in a combat theater.

HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSESED WITH PTSD AN STILL WAING FOR A REPLY ON RATING; QUESTION IS: IN DIAGNOSES IS WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING MEAN
AXIS1: 309.8 POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER,DELAYED ONSET
AXIS2: 799.9 DEFERRED
AXIS3: HISTORY OF HEAD INJURY AND FACIAL CONTUSIONS
AXIS4: THIN SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
AXIS5: GAF:52
COULD ANYONE TELL ME HOW THIS AFFECTS ME IN BENEFITS;AGAIN STILL WATING ON THE VA. LAST TIME CHECKED MY CASE WAS ON A "DESK" WAITING FOR DECISION.

quote:

Originally posted by dprince1:
HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSESED WITH PTSD AN STILL WAING FOR A REPLY ON RATING; QUESTION IS: IN DIAGNOSES IS WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING MEAN
AXIS1: 309.8 POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER,DELAYED ONSET
AXIS2: 799.9 DEFERRED
AXIS3: HISTORY OF HEAD INJURY AND FACIAL CONTUSIONS
AXIS4: THIN SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
AXIS5: GAF:52
COULD ANYONE TELL ME HOW THIS AFFECTS ME IN BENEFITS;AGAIN STILL WATING ON THE VA. LAST TIME CHECKED MY CASE WAS ON A "DESK" WAITING FOR DECISION.

Your claim as everyone else's is on a desk waiting, because the VA does not have enough budget money to maintain the same services, as last year which were les than the years before.

AXIS 1: 309.8 POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER,DELAYED ONSET means you have been diagnosed with PTSD.
AXIS 2: 799.9 DEFERRED means your other issues will be developed further before a final decision.
AXIS 3: HISTORY OF HEAD INJURY AND FACIAL CONTUSIONS is the history of your medical and mental health conditions.
AXIS4 : THIN SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM means you are basically on your own.
AXIS 5: GAF:52 you function above the critical problem line of 50.

Moved by Moderator:

celect
I was on active duty for training from Nov 2005 until Feb 2006, I got sick at training went to sick call and was treated for sore thraot and fever. I returned from training still feeling sick. I went to personal doctor and was told I contracted COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS while in southwest united states. Do I have a claim?
Posts: 5 | Registered: Sun 17 July 2005

celect:
I will answer your question, but first ask you: did you read the rules on the main menu? We are over loading the space alotted to us.
If the condition leaves residuals, they may be service connected. According to scientific study the condition usually resolves with no effects.
You need three critera to be service connected:
1. a condition that disables you
2. the condition was incurred or aggravated by active duty
3. a nexus of link of the current disability to that of which you were treated for on active duty.
Since your specifice condition coccidioidomycosis or Valley Fever usually resolves with minimal treatment it is doubtful; but always possible.
The technical name for Valley Fever is Coccidioidomycosis, or "Cocci" for short. It is caused by Coddidioides immitis, a fungus somewhat like yeast or mildew which lives in the soil. The tiny seeds, or spores, become wind-borne and are inhaled into the lungs, where the infection starts. Valley Fever is not contagious from person to person. It appears that after one exposure, the body develops immunity.
Valley Fever is a sickness of degree. About 60 percent of the people who breathe the spores do not get sick at all. For some, it may feel like a cold or flu. For those sick enough to go to the doctor, it can be serious, with pneumonia-like symtoms, requiring medication and bed rest.
Of all the people infected with Valley Fever, one or more out of 200 will develop the disseminated form, which is devastating, and can be fatal. These are the cases in which the disease spreads beyond the lungs through the bloodstream - typically to the skin, bones, and the membranes surrounding the brain, causing meningitis.
So it depends upon degree and if you acquired the condition WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY it may be service connected.

I have been told by the Flight Surgeon that I am going to be MEB. I cannot get an answer out of him as to wether they can do this before my civilian doc's totally release me. I have had two fusions in my spine. Any help would be appreciated as he the flight surgeon is not being very helpful.