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Chdamn

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Welcome to the VA help section. This section is in the open so open forum rules apply (no cursing, no nudity etc).

We have a wealth of information in @Spartan01 who has volunteered to run this section. He will be posting content and answering questions.
 
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Hello and welcome.
I am a disabled veteran, who has been fighting the quagmire (Giggity!) that is the VA for nearly 2 decades.
I also work for the VA... hey, if you can’t eat em, join em right?
I have made it my life’s mission to help other veterans navigate the VA and get the fair, and honest rating they deserve.

I ask one thing, and one thing only,
from anyone I assist:
Pay It Forward!
Help some other veteran down the line.

That’s it.
Please feel free to DM me


Disclaimer:
This thread is for information purposes only.

Any information gained here in no way represents legal, or medical advice, and is in no way a substitute for consulting a lawyer, doctor, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

Any advice or information presented is strictly the opinion or knowledge of the person speaking or writing it, and does not necessarily represent the opinions or beliefs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other governmental agency or entity.

Additionally any and all conversations had with individuals regarding VA claims and issues are held in strict confidence.
 
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The anthrax vaccine will probably take as long to see VA recognition as agent orange.

I know a few guys that had really bad reactions to it and a few others who have had serious issues over the years they think because of it. But then again their issues could be related to something else they were exposed to in the sandbox.
 
I'll definitley be picking some brains here pretty soon. Currently undergoing an MEB and find out Tuesday if I'll be found fit for duty. I've got a bad feeling I will be fount not. When it's time to walk away it's time to walk away I guess. Just not ready to hang up the uniform yet, even though it only comes on 1 weekend a month now.
 
I'll definitley be picking some brains here pretty soon. Currently undergoing an MEB and find out Tuesday if I'll be found fit for duty. I've got a bad feeling I will be fount not. When it's time to walk away it's time to walk away I guess. Just not ready to hang up the uniform yet, even though it only comes on 1 weekend a month now.


Pebforum.com
 
I'll definitley be picking some brains here pretty soon. Currently undergoing an MEB and find out Tuesday if I'll be found fit for duty. I've got a bad feeling I will be fount not. When it's time to walk away it's time to walk away I guess. Just not ready to hang up the uniform yet, even though it only comes on 1 weekend a month now.

If the result of the MEB is a medical discharge file with the VA immediately upon discharge. You will normally received a medical severance from the military. Once you file with the VA you have to wait until whatever your monthly payment is pays that back before you receive monthly check but it doesn’t start until you file.

I waited 15 years to file and then had to wait another 5 to get a monthly check. If I’d filed as soon as I got out I’d have just waited the 5 years.

Also, the IRS will try to tax the medical discharge award. Make sure you file your taxes with an accountant that following year and they will get all of that money back.
 
If the result of the MEB is a medical discharge file with the VA immediately upon discharge. You will normally received a medical severance from the military. Once you file with the VA you have to wait until whatever your monthly payment is pays that back before you receive monthly check but it doesn’t start until you file.

I waited 15 years to file and then had to wait another 5 to get a monthly check. If I’d filed as soon as I got out I’d have just waited the 5 years.

Also, the IRS will try to tax the medical discharge award. Make sure you file your taxes with an accountant that following year and they will get all of that money back.

The two processes are one now (IDES), and you may receive your disability a month or two after discharge (i did).

Also, if your condition originated in a combat location, make sure thats documented as any severance pay becomes tax free and VA is not allowed to recoup it.
 
Pebforum.com

Discovered that site about a month ago. Still haven't signed up and started posting yet. Not trying to pose a bunch of hypothetical situations. But there is a ton of info there that I'm still going through.

I have however gathered, chronologically organized and consolidated ALL of my medical docs from both Mil and Civ covering my period of service. Got 3 sets of hard copies, 1 for me and 2 sets to have on hand to give to whoever will be requesting them. Also have it all scanned and on a thumb drive.

If the result on Tuesday is not fit for duty then I plan on filing with the VA by that Friday at the latest.
 
Also, if your condition originated in a combat location, make sure thats documented as any severance pay becomes tax free and VA is not allowed to recoup it.

The majority is from the first deployment to Iraq and have the docs. Also have an LOD from an additional injury. Registered on the burn pit registry via the VA website as well.
 
Discovered that site about a month ago. Still haven't signed up and started posting yet. Not trying to pose a bunch of hypothetical situations. But there is a ton of info there that I'm still going through.

I have however gathered, chronologically organized and consolidated ALL of my medical docs from both Mil and Civ covering my period of service. Got 3 sets of hard copies, 1 for me and 2 sets to have on hand to give to whoever will be requesting them. Also have it all scanned and on a thumb drive.

If the result on Tuesday is not fit for duty then I plan on filing with the VA by that Friday at the latest.

I cant remember at what point i sat down with the VA, but everything was done before i was out of uniform. I knew my proposed rating and everything.

If you haven't sat down and claimed all conditions yet, be prepared to give them a list of EVERYTHING you want to claim, even down to menial or embarrassing things, they can all be rated.
 
The majority is from the first deployment to Iraq and have the docs. Also have an LOD from an additional injury. Registered on the burn pit registry via the VA website as well.

The registry is a VHA function and doesn't give you any eligibility or benefits (at this point, until congress does something with it).

All your current interactions are VBA, and most benefits are administered by them (gi bill, home loan, etc).

Last bit of advice, review your DD214 before you get out. They had my years of service wrong, which could have cost me some money. For you, you want to see combat enhanced at the bottom if they give you a severance. Should still read discharged due to disability if retired, as that will allow you to be enrolled in priority group 3 for va healthcare automatically while they finalize your rating.
 
The registry is a VHA function and doesn't give you any eligibility or benefits (at this point, until congress does something with it).

All your current interactions are VBA, and most benefits are administered by them (gi bill, home loan, etc).

Last bit of advice, review your DD214 before you get out. They had my years of service wrong, which could have cost me some money. For you, you want to see combat enhanced at the bottom if they give you a severance. Should still read discharged due to disability if retired, as that will allow you to be enrolled in priority group 3 for va healthcare automatically while they finalize your rating.

+1 on review your DD214 CAREFULLY multiple times.
I stupidly did not. It's missing some items that have caused me grief.
 
Guys,

I went from 20% to 50%+ and education benefits paying for my college and certification.

I did it all online last year, i also can help if you need it.
@JBoyette,
Make sure you get on eBenefits, and add your spouse and any minor children.
At 30% or greater, you receive additional monetary benefits for a spouse, minor child, or dependent parent.
 
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Great Thread and sound advice...Thanks to all who have offered help in this regard.

Permit me to ad some advice that I wish I'd had back when it counted
1. HARD Copies are your friend!! Keep HARD copies of everything. Have a specific file cabinet set aside for discharge, and claim related paperwork.
2. NEVER surrender original copies of any document.
3. Document everything, and always get hard copies of doctors notes for each appointment. NEVER depend on gubmn't employee promises to send them them via snail.
4. DD214 and medical documentation, are your most important records. Insure that any and all injuries ( both combat and non combat related ) are recorded to prevent processing personell from claiming "prexisting conditions"
Review BOTH with the utmost scrutiny and insure that any erroneous or missing info
( regardless of how insignificant ) be annotated/ added.
Pay particular attention to awards/decorations (especially PH, CIB, Combat Action ribbon, etc.) that provide a nexus to future VA claims.
5. After Action Reports are your friend.
6. Keep address book /contact info of past commanders, and individuals in with whom you served who may be able to provide corroborating info to support future claims.
7. IN general when dealing with VA ...Remember one thing....If it can't be substantiated, and it's NOT documented it
DIDN'T happen!!!!
 
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Keep in mind, some of this proof will be accepted by VBA as proof but will NOT be accepted by VHA.

A good example are pictures/buddy statements, VHA will not accept them as proof of service in (usually trying to prove Vietnam). DD214 (NOT a discharge certificate, member copy 4 for newer vets, with correct decorations), paid travel vouchers, documentation contained in your official military service record (a vso can help you obtain them) are some examples.
 
I'll definitley be picking some brains here pretty soon. Currently undergoing an MEB and find out Tuesday if I'll be found fit for duty. I've got a bad feeling I will be fount not. When it's time to walk away it's time to walk away I guess. Just not ready to hang up the uniform yet, even though it only comes on 1 weekend a month now.

I went through that in late 2012. I went from putting together my E7 promotion and thinking about going Officer to being on the street in like six months

I was severely depressed and had no outlook on life since basically my whole plan got destroyed

If you need to talk to someone, let me know. I have definitely been in your same shoes
 
Another thing to keep in mind for OEF/OIF veterans, enroll within 5yrs after your discharge.

During this combat window, VA allows you to enroll without worrying about your income (yes VA is means tested if you dont have a special eligibility). your combat service is a special eligibility, but its only good for 5yrs.

You may not want VA now (hear that often), but you may not be eligible for enrollment if you wait. Always good to have a fall back position.
 
Sigh...
I just received my new rating.
They did give me a small bump,
BUT, they literally ignored all the medical evidence in my file and denied my chronic pain application.

Let’s see:
1.) Military sent me to a pain specialist doctor who’s treatments were unsuccessful.
2.) Medical discharge (honorable) for being in too much pain to do my job.
3.) VA performs unsuccessful nerve block surgery to stop the pain.
4.) Multiple rounds of narcotics.
5.) Multiple rounds of infections and complications, and rounds of antibiotics.
6.) Laws change in 2018 so you can claim chronic pain.
7.) Submit new claim for chronic pain with medical evidence from 2 separate doctors.
8.) VA denies my claim...

They didn’t even bother to read my file.
 
I am 20% disabled (also retired after 20 years service) for 2 bad knees I am looking at a knee replacement on my right knee how will that impact my disability rating will it go up?
 
I am 20% disabled (also retired after 20 years service) for 2 bad knees I am looking at a knee replacement on my right knee how will that impact my disability rating will it go up?

You can get a temp rating while you're convalescing, and then they may reassess afterwords.

I'd speak with a VSO
 
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I know you cant answer this but I have to pay a 20% copay for my meds, visits, etc and my wife and I are both on SS. Just how in the hell does one get no copay service from the VA without loosing limbs, etc.
 
Medication Copays are on a tiered system, $5, 8, or 11 depending on generic or name brand medicine, for a 30 day supply.

Copays are also based on household income and if the treatment is for a service connected disability or other special treatment authority (agent orange, camp lejeune), those would be copay free.
 
Not going to go back a quote all the replies about taxes but here is an idea. How about instead of giving refunds to vets we just stop taxing them in the first place. That way they don't even have to bother with filing. Seems to me they already paid enuff.
 
finally hit the 50% mark. Waiting for them to re open my tinnitus case they closed for no reason.

Are you waiting to HEAR from them? Waiting for the phone to RING?

Lol. Sorry. Couldn’t be helped.

Just out of curiosity you say no reason. They didn’t give any reason for closing it? Lack of supporting documentation or something?
 
Are you waiting to HEAR from them? Waiting for the phone to RING?

Lol. Sorry. Couldn’t be helped.

Just out of curiosity you say no reason. They didn’t give any reason for closing it? Lack of supporting documentation or something?
I filed the claim, and 2 weeks later, it was closed, not service connected. I never got a call. When I called them about it, they said I failed to report to my appointment......

I CANT HEAR YOU WHAT APPOINTMENT
 
I was just hit up by a member that is kind of worried about a friend who is a veteran.

That is ABSOLUTELY why I started and run this thread.

Please do not feel shy, or unsure about hitting me up, here, via phone to those of you who have my number (just ask first,) or at work at the Durham Durham VA
 
When grandpa needs nursing home care is not the time to try and figure out how to enroll him for care, only to discover you have no earthly idea where his proof of service is.

Plan ahead
 
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