VA Disability claims

[BoJackUSMC]

How long does it take for VA to send you a copy of your medical record? My claim representative from Veteran Service Office needs my medical record so they can help me file my claim.
I hope it does not that long time because all this copay from therapy (I have been going to therapy for my knees, neck, shoulder, feet, and lower back) is adding up real fast.

[Funtimes]

How long does it take for VA to send you a copy of your medical record? My claim representative from Veteran Service Office needs my medical record so they can help me file my claim.
I hope it does not that long time because all this copay from therapy (I have been going to therapy for my knees, neck, shoulder, feet, and lower back) is adding up real fast.

I think there are emergency forms available. You can also bring your DD214 to the VA and you get treatment for up to five years...

My VA didn't charge me for anything except for medical.

I'm currently being treated for a lot of stuff that isn't in my VA records.

[PRODRIVE]

i'm going to VA comp exam next week, any pointers?

[BoJackUSMC]

My 5 years ended last year so va is making me pay $50 copay per visit.

[Funtimes]

i'm going to VA comp exam next week, any pointers?

Research your potential problems... don't overdue yourself. Like, I was told after the fact that I should stopped moving when I had pain. But, instead, I kept going as far as I could go even through the pain. Don't be a tough guy like that it doesn't do you any good.

[ARKLITE881South]

Ive been refiling for my hearing loss since 2005. And im about to redo it again. I also just realized they never addressed my sleeping disorder when they addressed my ptsd so I have to refile for that

I have quite a lot of hearing loss, i was a gunner on an 81 mortar. Then i caught malaria. Didn't have time to see a doc, on the hearing, to much incoming/outgoing. The malaria, spent 30 days in the hospital. Neither showed up on my medical records. And i know i didn't dream these things up.

[BoJackUSMC]

I have quite a lot of hearing loss, i was a gunner on an 81 mortar. Then i caught malaria. Didn't have time to see a doc, on the hearing, to much incoming/outgoing. The malaria, spent 30 days in the hospital. Neither showed up on my medical records. And i know i didn't dream these things up.

Malaria might be hard to claim because they are going to ask you how is malaria effecting your life right now. I am going through this process right now and everything is about "how and why those injuries making your life difficult?"

Good luck

[ParkwayDrive]

Hey guys long time lurker here. I filed before I got out of the Army and just recently got approved for 30%, 20 for TBI and 10 for tinnitus. They also awarded me 0% for several claims and a couple were deemed not service related. I thought that was it, until someone told me I could (and should) appeal everything. Two of the things I was awarded 0 for were lacerations requiring stitches that happened in Afghanistan. They were half combat related. I say half because they were not caused by enemy fire, but did happen under contact (separate incident from TBI). A scar on my leg is several inches long and another on my chin is about an inch long. I was very surprised these were not approved.

From what I gathered from my packet, the initial appeal step is to simply send in a letter. I've heard conflicting reports to make a vague appeal and others stating to go into detail. From guys who have been down this road before, what would you recommend I do? I know it'll take some time, but I just want to do it the most efficient and best way possible, especially since I have to deal with our great state's system.

I understand this is my first post and asking for help so I appreciate any who offer it. Thanks in advance.

[hitman13]

Pkwydr:

I recommend you see a local VSO at the VFW or DAV or the likes. Have them do your appeal / reconsideration / NOD / whatever they call it. These dude are too notch and their services are generally free.

[chris_m90731]

Literally took me 3 years. Documentation via your service AND your visits to the VA Hospital is soooo essential. Totally agree about appeals.

Also -- I had my Congressman do an official inquiry re: my claim. Few people said it would simply mix up my claim…but strangely, my decision came down one month later.

It was such a frustrating disheartening venture…and I'm an Iraq Vet -- we're supposed to have priority. I can only imagine the hell Vietnam Vets endured. God bless 'em.

[BoJackUSMC]

Literally took me 3 years. Documentation via your service AND your visits to the VA Hospital is soooo essential. Totally agree about appeals.

Also -- I had my Congressman do an official inquiry

Maybe I should write letter to my congressman since he is very pro military veteran.

[ParkwayDrive]

Pkwydr:

I recommend you see a local VSO at the VFW or DAV or the likes. Have them do your appeal / reconsideration / NOD / whatever they call it. These dude are too notch and their services are generally free.

Damn ok. Was hoping it'd be simple but I guess I shouldn't have expected less lol. I looked up the number I'm going to call tomorrow and see them soon.



On a similar note, I got a letter stating my disability checks could not be sent because of an invalid address (even though I had already received some). I went on eBenefits and it's correct but obviously not for them. I searched for VA address change but everything pointed back to eBenefits. Anyone have a number I can call?

[BoJackUSMC]

Stop by your local Veteran Service Office and they should direct you to the right place. They usually have all the answers you need and it's free.

[ParkwayDrive]

Stop by your local Veteran Service Office and they should direct you to the right place. They usually have all the answers you need and it's free.

Thanks Jack. I have an appointment next week with my local VSO to do my appeal. I was very surprised when he said the appeal could take 3-4 years. He did say they could approve claims right away if there was clear evidence they made a mistake.

I received 24 stitches to my shin and chin in Afghanistan and have pretty gnarly scars from them and I thought those would get approved above anything else as there was crystal clear evidence of the event and records from the hospital but they were both awarded 0%. I have a feeling they will get approved right off the bat but the others will require I head down the appeal road.

[laabstract]

Damn ok. Was hoping it'd be simple but I guess I shouldn't have expected less lol. I looked up the number I'm going to call tomorrow and see them soon.



On a similar note, I got a letter stating my disability checks could not be sent because of an invalid address (even though I had already received some). I went on eBenefits and it's correct but obviously not for them. I searched for VA address change but everything pointed back to eBenefits. Anyone have a number I can call?

I would give them a call and explain the situation, alot of times I have gotten great help from the phone workers.