VA Rating appeal

[xmikex]

For my guys/gals

Has anyone ever appealed their VA rating? my rating decision just came in and think its little low. The breakdown gave me same rating for my back as my sore knees. I'm not looking to get 100% or anything like that but every little bit helps.

From reading it seems that hiring a VA lawyer seems to get the best results but the whole process can take up to a year for the appeal to be approved or denied. It also might not be worth it to hire and pay someone just to get a couple more % on my rating.

-Mike

[tigerpan]

The lawyer is expensive, but there are plenty third party companies.
The company I used before no payment upfront, they only getting pay after the new rating. And it’s one time payment.

[tnlrat37]

I was helping my father in law through the process, we got him 10% but they denied everything else. He had records but they said not-service connected. We were on an 18 month appeal process when he died, they immediately threw out the appeal even though his wife should get a portion of it went through, we’re still fighting it now a few months later.

Be prepared for a long haul they will deny you and deny you until you either give up or get some help most likely. Funny thing is when they give you ratings the numbers never add up, you can have 30% for one thing and 50% for another thing and somehow it comes out to 60%, gotta love VA math, good luck.

I have 10%, I’ve been thinking about going back for other issues but after seeing what they did with him and all the meetings and appointments and all the stuff he had to do I don’t know if it’s worth it.

[CartridgeCalls]

Get the DAV on your side. Its free help and if you are worthy you will get bumped to 100%. It does take a while to get appeals approved and waivers but you will be happy with the results and back pay once it is done.

[Milsurp1]

The DAV and VFW have representatives at the VA locations. Also watch the deadlines and set a reminder on your phone. They vary depending on which level of appeal you are at. Regional office versus Board, etc.

[3lsmc7]

One of my former co workers did the appeal himself online through the website; he just kept appealing until he got the percentage he felt was correct. Although I am sure they (VA) would have eventually say this is the bottom line.

My buddy did his claim/appeal process through the county veteran center and was able to get a re-evaluation and was able to get a higher percentage. So I guess it is really YMMV but neither one of them did not hire a lawyer.

[xmikex]

thanks for all the feedback! I am trying to avoid the whole lawyer situation and know there are certain groups out there (DAV) who help veterans with the process. Might just contact them and see what's up and maybe they can tell me whether or not I have a chance of getting a higher rating.

If anyone knows once my appeal is submitted does it stop my current rating until the case is settled?

[Milsurp1]

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/claims-...s-183033627507
CalVet seminar on claims and appeals

[SnWnMe]

DAV or VFW. They even have insiders. DAV sent me a letter saying it looks like you will be getting XX% before I received the VA letter.

[DevilDawgJJ]

In your letter, they also tell you how to appeal the decision. I followed that. Took about 1yr to get a meeting with the adjudicator in LosAngeles. I provided my evidence (on-line and in person) and was awarded my increase on the spot.

Just play the game. They want you to give up.

[Unit74]

Originally Posted by CartridgeCalls

Get the DAV on your side. Its free help and if you are worthy you will get bumped to 100%. It does take a while to get appeals approved and waivers but you will be happy with the results and back pay once it is done.

I'm a lifetime member. DAV can suck my..... I asked for help and they said, naw bruh, I have nothing to do and I'm not looking for work. I was porched by DAV. F-them. I get the mag and **** can it before Im at the end of the driveway.

[Milsurp1]

Try VFW

[Oxnard_Montalvo]

I didn't see any mention if you had contacted / been working with your county VSO [Veteran Service Office] which could be INVALUABLE to your case. In my particular case I was VERY fortunate because one of the VSO's at my local office was my former 1SG / full time NG and he already had many contacts thru the state system before he moved to the VSO. Even w/o that 'personal touch' your local VSO has contacts in the VA system that the other organizations that have been mentioned likely do not have and which could make your case proceed WAY more smoothly than you've experienced so far.

Anywho, hope this helps, Ox

[ja308]

Originally Posted by xmikex

For my guys/gals

Has anyone ever appealed their VA rating? my rating decision just came in and think its little low. The breakdown gave me same rating for my back as my sore knees. I'm not looking to get 100% or anything like that but every little bit helps.

From reading it seems that hiring a VA lawyer seems to get the best results but the whole process can take up to a year for the appeal to be approved or denied. It also might not be worth it to hire and pay someone just to get a couple more % on my rating.

-Mike

Look into Point man ministries. Their rep helped my buddy and lots of others.

[xmikex]

Still waiting on my letter but was able to get my rating and some documentation. Idk if I am expecting too much but my main issues is chronic back pain with documented disc herniation and sciatic nerve issues. They awarded me 10% which seems pretty low for documented and confirmed (MRI) disc issues.

I'm not trying to make out with a bunch of money and I know guys/gals definitely have it worse than I do.

[CartridgeCalls]

Originally Posted by Unit74

I'm a lifetime member. DAV can suck my..... I asked for help and they said, naw bruh, I have nothing to do and I'm not looking for work. I was porched by DAV. F-them. I get the mag and **** can it before Im at the end of the driveway.

I have had nothing but a good experience with the DAV. But it has also been years since I have used them.

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by tnlrat37

I was helping my father in law through the process, we got him 10% but they denied everything else. He had records but they said not-service connected. We were on an 18 month appeal process when he died, they immediately threw out the appeal even though his wife should get a portion of it went through, we’re still fighting it now a few months later.

Be prepared for a long haul they will deny you and deny you until you either give up or get some help most likely. Funny thing is when they give you ratings the numbers never add up, you can have 30% for one thing and 50% for another thing and somehow it comes out to 60%, gotta love VA math, good luck.

I have 10%, I’ve been thinking about going back for other issues but after seeing what they did with him and all the meetings and appointments and all the stuff he had to do I don’t know if it’s worth it.

There is nothing with they math, they created a rating system to limited your total out rating.

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by xmikex

Still waiting on my letter but was able to get my rating and some documentation. Idk if I am expecting too much but my main issues is chronic back pain with documented disc herniation and sciatic nerve issues. They awarded me 10% which seems pretty low for documented and confirmed (MRI) disc issues.

I'm not trying to make out with a bunch of money and I know guys/gals definitely have it worse than I do.

as long as service connect you back pain is covered. The magic rating is 30% that when VA cover most your health care.
Tinnitus is automatic 10%.

[xmikex]

Originally Posted by tigerpan

as long as service connect you back pain is covered. The magic rating is 30% that when VA cover most your health care.
Tinnitus is automatic 10%.

30% total or for back? I was rated higher then that already but seems like they left off some stuff from my claim, unless they roll things into one body part. From what I was told Tinnitus isn't covered anymore since everyone was claiming it and the army issued you ear pro which is on the soldier to protect themselves. So I have been told...

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by xmikex

30% total or for back? I was rated higher then that already but seems like they left off some stuff from my claim, unless they roll things into one body part. From what I was told Tinnitus isn't covered anymore since everyone was claiming it and the army issued you ear pro which is on the soldier to protect themselves. So I have been told...

30% total rating you will cover most health care by VA.
However, even you back rate 30%. You will not get it base on VA rating system. Sometime you only need extra % to going next tier.
https://lowincomerelief.com/va-combined-ratings-table/

Normally claims will be denies if there is not new information provided. If they missing some rating, you have better chance.
I guess for Tinnitus you have to service between “3m earplug lawsuit”. Since those earplugs will not work

[xmikex]

Originally Posted by tigerpan

30% total rating you will cover most health care by VA.
However, even you back rate 30%. You will not get it base on VA rating system. Sometime you only need extra % to going next tier.
https://lowincomerelief.com/va-combined-ratings-table/

Normally claims will be denies if there is not new information provided. If they missing some rating, you have better chance.
I guess for Tinnitus you have to service between “3m earplug lawsuit”. Since those earplugs will not work

Got ya, thank!

Here is how its broken down right now. I have a bulging disc which is from an AB jump. It has caused bad mobility and pain. It has also caused sciatic nerve pain which radiates down my left leg. I cant carry anything heavy or hold anything that heavy for an extended amount of time without feeling like my spine is getting compressed. This also gives me issues with sleeping since I cant sleep in one position for too long before I have to wake up and rotate my sleeping position to stop by back from hurting. I cant workout like I use to or want to. I have to squat very low weight and forget about deadlifting any heavy weight. If I do anything that requires a lot of hinging the next couple days to week my back is sore and killing me. Its also frustrating because I have a 18 month old baby and I cant hold her for to long before my lower back starts killing me.

I was given 10% "spondylosis to include disc herniation and schmorl’s nodes" just for my back. To me it just seems like all that pain alone and issues would net a higher rating.

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by xmikex

Got ya, thank!

Here is how its broken down right now. I have a bulging disc which is from an AB jump. It has caused bad mobility and pain. It has also caused sciatic nerve pain which radiates down my left leg. I cant carry anything heavy or hold anything that heavy for an extended amount of time without feeling like my spine is getting compressed. This also gives me issues with sleeping since I cant sleep in one position for too long before I have to wake up and rotate my sleeping position to stop by back from hurting. I cant workout like I use to or want to. I have to squat very low weight and forget about deadlifting any heavy weight. If I do anything that requires a lot of hinging the next couple days to week my back is sore and killing me. Its also frustrating because I have a 18 month old baby and I cant hold her for to long before my lower back starts killing me.

I was given 10% "spondylosis to include disc herniation and schmorl’s nodes" just for my back. To me it just seems like all that pain alone and issues would net a higher rating.

My old roommates have a accident during the training and broken or shift his spine disk. After years med board he only got 30 or 40% total rating.
And I have 3 degenerative disc and only getting 20% for it. And I have about 1 year medical record for physical therapy, MRI etc.
the best solution for you is find a third party company redo your paper work. And there is not cost upfront, they will charger your once you got increase rating.

[green grunt]

Originally Posted by CartridgeCalls

Get the DAV on your side. Its free help and if you are worthy you will get bumped to 100%. It does take a while to get appeals approved and waivers but you will be happy with the results and back pay once it is done.

THIS !

[Zamble]

I recently received 10% for my tinnitus. I filed for my back in 2014. They denied it. Saying there was no record of injury during my time in service. I had hurt it twice and went to the medics and get “prescribed” the usual, Motrin. I have had issues with numerous back related issues since I left the Army.
I recently went to the VSO in Post Falls, ID. I am in the process of appealing that decision. We just submitted a request for my medical record. And now I am going to see a orthopedic specialist, I was told I need to to say there is a 50% or greater likely hood my current ailments were caused by my job (armor crewman). The VSO said the ortho needs to write a strong Nexus letter. Told me to write a good outline of a day in the life of a tanker.
We have no resources up here other than the VSO or so the American Legion says.

[Supersapper]

Originally Posted by Zamble

I recently received 10% for my tinnitus. I filed for my back in 2014. They denied it. Saying there was no record of injury during my time in service. I had hurt it twice and went to the medics and get “prescribed” the usual, Motrin. I have had issues with numerous back related issues since I left the Army.
I recently went to the VSO in Post Falls, ID. I am in the process of appealing that decision. We just submitted a request for my medical record. And now I am going to see a orthopedic specialist, I was told I need to to say there is a 50% or greater likely hood my current ailments were caused by my job (armor crewman). The VSO said the ortho needs to write a strong Nexus letter. Told me to write a good outline of a day in the life of a tanker.
We have no resources up here other than the VSO or so the American Legion says.

This is actually correct. I just got out of my first appointment with DAV yesterday and they told me all the same. I have upper back/neck issues that were there, plus knees owing to an impact while on trainingm tinnitus, etc. One thing to note:

They're going to say you need a history of care for that injury. I'm not sure about that, as some injuries do not appear until later, so just because it was mentioned some years ago, does not mean that it doesn't (or won't) appear later. So don't just buy that line without checking into it.

[middleofnowhere]

Originally Posted by DevilDawgJJ

…They want you to give up.

True statement ^^^