Explain VA Disability to me like I'm 5.

[Lawman]

Add to that neck pain and visual acuity loss from hours of NVG time......

So there is the part that’s supposed to have a curve to it…



And there is the part that isn’t…



Really looking forward to some VA doc that graduated 274 out of 275 in med school tell me none of this is service connected.


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[brabus]

My neck looks likes an S (from the back/front view, not side) and I’m missing two disks…probably will get 10%, thanks benevolent government.

[HeloDude]

1 minute ago, Lawman said:

Really looking forward to some VA doc that graduated 274 out of 275 in med school tell me none of this is service connected.

If you’re submitting a BDD claim, a VA doc will not be doing the assessment (ie C&P exam) nor will a VA doc determine your rating once all the claims/documentation is submitted.  Not 100% sure about submitting a fully developed claim (if not using the BDD process), but I think it’s similar in that a VA doc will not be examining you/reviewing your claim.  For a C&P exam, they contract that out, and usually it’s not even a doctor giving the exam, as it can be a PA, a NP, etc.

[Lawman]

If you’re submitting a BDD claim, a VA doc will not be doing the assessment (ie C&P exam) nor will a VA doc determine your rating once all the claims/documentation is submitted.  Not 100% sure about submitting a fully developed claim (if not using the BDD process), but I think it’s similar in that a VA doc will not be examining you/reviewing your claim.  For a C&P exam, they contract that out, and usually it’s not even a doctor giving the exam, as it can be a PA, a NP, etc.

Luckily I’ve still got a few more years to build the ammunition of documents.

When I crossed the 15 year mark I started stalking up paperwork. Next year when we get back I’m due a series of MRIs.

Sad thing is there have been such an over abundance of weak dicks lately that the benefit of the doubt seems to have shifted for some of our most recent retirees. That assumption that as aviators we went out of our way to not report has been turned into a careful game of start your paper trail far enough out it doesn’t look like fraud. We’ve got guys with 4-5 deployments and 20+ years fighting to get above 50% when they can’t play in the yard with their kids because of recurring back/knee/shoulder/neck issues. Somehow “you made me fly 2000 hours with goggles on my head wearing body armor that is front heavy” couldn’t be linked to any of that.


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[Sua Sponte]

2 hours ago, HeloDude said:

If you’re submitting a BDD claim, a VA doc will not be doing the assessment (ie C&P exam) nor will a VA doc determine your rating once all the claims/documentation is submitted.  Not 100% sure about submitting a fully developed claim (if not using the BDD process), but I think it’s similar in that a VA doc will not be examining you/reviewing your claim.  For a C&P exam, they contract that out, and usually it’s not even a doctor giving the exam, as it can be a PA, a NP, etc.

Raters for the VA aren’t medical providers. My friend is one and he’s an ANG -135 pilot.

[Polar Bear]

There is a lawyer in Texas that will get you a 100% VA rating guaranteed. I’m not saying that is the best route but know if 2 Army buds who thought their percentage should be higher and called him. Under $5k for his service and worth it. 

[Lawman]

There is a lawyer in Texas that will get you a 100% VA rating guaranteed. I’m not saying that is the best route but know if 2 Army buds who thought their percentage should be higher and called him. Under $5k for his service and worth it. 

Considering 100% turns off property tax in Texas, that’s a steal.


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[nsplayr]

1 hour ago, Polar Bear said:

There is a lawyer in Texas that will get you a 100% VA rating guaranteed.

I’m gonna go out on a limb again and say this is not right. There is absolutely no way anyone should “guarantee” getting every client to 100% VA disability - it is not the case that every veteran has conditions that warrant that rating.

I’m all for claiming what you have and getting paid every dollar you deserve, hell, go ahead and hire professionals to help you out even. But don’t commit fraud and don’t give money to people who are promising things that amount to fraud.

[HeloDude]

The left promises free money to just about everyone, so why not get in on the action?  And yes, that’s sarcasm, but hopefully it kind of shows the hypocrisy of the issue, on both sides.

[Polar Bear]

On 3/31/2024 at 1:46 PM, nsplayr said:

I’m gonna go out on a limb again and say this is not right. There is absolutely no way anyone should “guarantee” getting every client to 100% VA disability - it is not the case that every veteran has conditions that warrant that rating.

I’m all for claiming what you have and getting paid every dollar you deserve, hell, go ahead and hire professionals to help you out even. But don’t commit fraud and don’t give money to people who are promising things that amount to fraud.

That’s the issue. 

[Sua Sponte]

On 3/31/2024 at 2:46 PM, nsplayr said:

I’m gonna go out on a limb again and say this is not right. There is absolutely no way anyone should “guarantee” getting every client to 100% VA disability - it is not the case that every veteran has conditions that warrant that rating.

I’m all for claiming what you have and getting paid every dollar you deserve, hell, go ahead and hire professionals to help you out even. But don’t commit fraud and don’t give money to people who are promising things that amount to fraud.

One would still have to go through a C&P with a medical provider of the VAs and rated by the VA. No one gets a rating without VA oversight. Now if the C&P examiner pencil whips the exam or the rater doesn’t do their job, that’s on the VA. 

[uhhello]

52 minutes ago, Sua Sponte said:

One would still have to go through a C&P with a medical provider of the VAs and rated by the VA. No one gets a rating without VA oversight. Now if the C&P examiner pencil whips the exam or the rater doesn’t do their job, that’s on the VA. 

I went through a company for a couple upgrades of 0% and the company specifically mentioned do not go to the VA C&P exams, I believe it was separate.  

[Sua Sponte]

3 hours ago, uhhello said:

I went through a company for a couple upgrades of 0% and the company specifically mentioned do not go to the VA C&P exams, I believe it was separate.  

I’ve heard that before. I know a few VA raters and they told me to never skip a C&P exam. It’s a subjective system, though the raters have to weigh the evidence, when all things are equal the benefit of the doubt goes to the veteran.

[bcuziknow]

14 hours ago, uhhello said:

I went through a company for a couple upgrades of 0% and the company specifically mentioned do not go to the VA C&P exams, I believe it was separate.  

lol great way to guarantee a zero 

“In some cases, the VA doesn’t have all the evidence needed to make a rating decision, so the claim is deferred. A deferred VA claim means your claim was neither denied nor approved. Instead, it’s put on hold until you can submit sufficient evidence. 

Simply put, the VA is telling you that the information you submitted with your claim is incomplete. They’re asking for more information from you to make a rating decision.”

Additionally, there is so much misinformation, disinformation, and out and out bullshit in this thread I would hope that anyone pursuing disability claims would search elsewhere for accurate info/guidance.  

The Texas lawyer “guarantee” is a classic!

As for the OP, are you sure you’re not confusing the “combined ratings” table vs “adding up” your ratings. Pretty hard (nearly impossible) to get anywhere near an 100% rating with “ just a bunch of little aches and pains” Also, 100% rating in no way guarantee a P & T. 

ex: one “large” rating like CPAP 50% plus another TEN 10% little aches and pains would only grant you a 80% rating.

Best advice you gave was start 2 (I would argue 5) yrs out from ret/sep.

 

Edited April 2 by bcuziknow

[AirGuardianC141747]

On 3/31/2024 at 10:09 AM, brabus said:

My neck looks likes an S (from the back/front view, not side) and I’m missing two disks…probably will get 10%, thanks benevolent government.

Hopefully they find it “service connected” and you receive what you deserve - well more than 10%. Definitely go and get it checked out several times with different physicians. I have disc trauma like many in my neck due to NVGs back in the day in the AF. During early Army time my lower back got messed up and shattered bone shards between the discs were causing immense pain. Had pain killers and eventually dumbed those down thankfully. 
 

I had documentation for the above and plenty more issues. Oddly enough I received ratings for a lot of other stuff and none of the above. Uncover anything you have/all of it!!! VA Director I met working at the Pentagon when I worked in D.C. said: “Throw everything at the VA Dart Board, they determine what sticks.” Unfortunately you must dig into your records and pull anything and everything doing your homework to ensure documentation is entered into the process. Pains me that many aren’t recognized for their ailments. It also pains me that at least half didn’t delve into the process with some effort to include their documentation. Wish the system had a way forward to do it for you - but You must take care of You! Still doesn’t work out for many.

[uhhello]

On 4/1/2024 at 8:49 PM, bcuziknow said:

lol great way to guarantee a zero 

“In some cases, the VA doesn’t have all the evidence needed to make a rating decision, so the claim is deferred. A deferred VA claim means your claim was neither denied nor approved. Instead, it’s put on hold until you can submit sufficient evidence. 

Simply put, the VA is telling you that the information you submitted with your claim is incomplete. They’re asking for more information from you to make a rating decision.”

Additionally, there is so much misinformation, disinformation, and out and out bullshit in this thread I would hope that anyone pursuing disability claims would search elsewhere for accurate info/guidance.  

The Texas lawyer “guarantee” is a classic!

As for the OP, are you sure you’re not confusing the “combined ratings” table vs “adding up” your ratings. Pretty hard (nearly impossible) to get anywhere near an 100% rating with “ just a bunch of little aches and pains” Also, 100% rating in no way guarantee a P & T. 

ex: one “large” rating like CPAP 50% plus another TEN 10% little aches and pains would only grant you a 80% rating.

Best advice you gave was start 2 (I would argue 5) yrs out from ret/sep.

 

Well, worked for me so mileage may vary

[ClearedHot]

Funny story time...

As I was getting close to retirement I was going through the evaluation process for a couple of claims.  Even though I live 25 minutes from a large VA hospital with all kinds of specialists, the VA in their infinite wisdom decided to send me three hours away to Biloxi to a contracted ENT doctor. 

I was having some serious back issues which required injections under partial sedation and wouldn't you know the C&P exam was scheduled the same day as my back procedure.  Knowing you never want to skip a C&P exam I came up with a plan to do both.

The day arrived and luckily my back procedure was first thing in the morning...my wife took me to the hospital, they got me all doped up then crammed a few needles and meds into my discs and spine.  My wife was flying to DC that afternoon to help her parents and was going to cancel but when my two best friends heard Biloxi and they volunteered to "help" by taking me to the  exam...in reality they had a plan to turn it into a gambling trip. 

One of them has a large SUV so they put a bunch of pillows and blankets in the back, tossed me in and took of for Biloxi.  I woke up a few hours later still out of it and asked how much longer.?..they were slow to reply..."we are not sure, we think we have the wrong address!"  I slowly sat up expecting to see a medical center and instead I was shocked to see we were driving through an industrial complex.  They was a towing company, a welding shop, a junkyard...all metal buildings.  We arrive at the address and it was a metal building with a dirt parking lot. 

The Dr's name was on the door so I went inside and checked in.  They took my name and told me to have a seat.  I was still VERY groggy and when I looked around the waiting room it didn't make sense...right above me was Tweety Bird and Sylvester!!!!  I actually thought I was seeing things from the anesthesia.  I pulled out my phone and took the attached pictures to prove I wasn't crazy.  The waiting room furniture was best described as medieval with swords everywhere.  My buddies were waiting outside in the ruck so I texted them these pictures as proof, half expecting a trap door to open and drop me into a dungeon. 

Eventually they called my name and I go back to the exam room which was even more weird.  The walls were completely covered in movie posters and there was a top shelf with all kinds of collectable toys...see video!  A short time later the Dr comes in and starts asking questions.  I had already done an audiology exam with a different provider and he was going through the results...finally he asks me "when you shoot your gun are you right or left handed?"  I was kind of taken aback so he said "you know, your rifle you carry in the service."  I replied - "Dr I am not an infantryman, I am a pilot."  He seemed confused then he said...."well what kind of airplane?"  I replied "AC-130 Gunships"...he looked at me for a second then he said "well what side of the airplane are the guns on?"  I replied the "left"...he looked at the paperwork and said...."well, that makes sense...exam complete."

He then spent the next 20 minutes telling me how he used to work in the VA hospital but was fired for speaking up...her game me a rundown of his manifesto, which he later emailed to me and send me on my way with validated hearing loss in my left ear and Tinnitus. 

My buddies laughed all the way to the casino, then they dumped a bunch of booze on top of my anesthesia and we played craps and blackjack half the night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Prosuper]

I retired in 03 with 20%, more or less the VA telling me to go away. Then I retired to a rural county in Colorado and discovered an VSO whose goal was to get every Vet in the county a disabled vet license plate and concurrent pay. I'm up to 50% with back pay. Too bad I didn't find a guy like this in Oklahoma.

[uhhello]

17 minutes ago, ClearedHot said:

Funny story time...

As I was getting close to retirement I was going through the evaluation process for a couple of claims.  Even though I live 25 minutes from a large VA hospital with all kinds of specialists, the VA in their infinite wisdom decided to send me three hours away to Biloxi to a contracted ENT doctor. 

I was having some serious back issues which required injections under partial sedation and wouldn't you know the C&P exam was scheduled the same day as my back procedure.  Knowing you never want to skip a C&P exam I came up with a plan to do both.

The day arrived and luckily my back procedure was first thing in the morning...my wife took me to the hospital, they got me all doped up then crammed a few needles and meds into my discs and spine.  My wife was flying to DC that afternoon to help her parents and was going to cancel but when my two best friends heard Biloxi and they volunteered to "help" by taking me to the  exam...in reality they had a plan to turn it into a gambling trip. 

One of them has a large SUV so they put a bunch of pillows and blankets in the back, tossed me in and took of for Biloxi.  I woke up a few hours later still out of it and asked how much longer.?..they were slow to reply..."we are not sure, we think we have the wrong address!"  I slowly sat up expecting to see a medical center and instead I was shocked to see we were driving through an industrial complex.  They was a towing company, a welding shop, a junkyard...all metal buildings.  We arrive at the address and it was a metal building with a dirt parking lot. 

The Dr's name was on the door so I went inside and checked in.  They took my name and told me to have a seat.  I was still VERY groggy and when I looked around the waiting room it didn't make sense...right above me was Tweety Bird and Sylvester!!!!  I actually thought I was seeing things from the anesthesia.  I pulled out my phone and took the attached pictures to prove I wasn't crazy.  The waiting room furniture was best described as medieval with swords everywhere.  My buddies were waiting outside in the ruck so I texted them these pictures as proof, half expecting a trap door to open and drop me into a dungeon. 

Eventually they called my name and I go back to the exam room which was even more weird.  The walls were completely covered in movie posters and there was a top shelf with all kinds of collectable toys...see video!  A short time later the Dr comes in and starts asking questions.  I had already done an audiology exam with a different provider and he was going through the results...finally he asks me "when you shoot your gun are you right or left handed?"  I was kind of taken aback so he said "you know, your rifle you carry in the service."  I replied - "Dr I am not an infantryman, I am a pilot."  He seemed confused then he said...."well what kind of airplane?"  I replied "AC-130 Gunships"...he looked at me for a second then he said "well what side of the airplane are the guns on?"  I replied the "left"...he looked at the paperwork and said...."well, that makes sense...exam complete."

He then spent the next 20 minutes telling me how he used to work in the VA hospital but was fired for speaking up...her game me a rundown of his manifesto, which he later emailed to me and send me on my way with validated hearing loss in my left ear and Tinnitus. 

My buddies laughed all the way to the casino, then they dumped a bunch of booze on top of my anesthesia and we played craps and blackjack half the night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_6631.MOV

I had a VERY similar experience with my vision appointments.  VERY shitty part of town, in a residential area, random house with basically a nicer shed where the garage used to be.  Walked inside and dude had all the latest and greatest eye gadgets.  Super nice guy who left the VA system for the same reasons as per him  

[HossHarris]

5 hours ago, Prosuper said:

I retired in 03 with 20%, more or less the VA telling me to go away. Then I retired to a rural county in Colorado and discovered an VSO whose goal was to get every Vet in the county a disabled vet license plate and concurrent pay. I'm up to 50% with back pay. Too bad I didn't find a guy like this in Oklahoma.

The local, adversarial to the feds, vso guy is worth their weight!

[AC&W]

8 hours ago, ClearedHot said:

...he gave me a rundown of his manifesto, which he later emailed to me...

Did the manifesto shed any light on the decor? Haha.

[lanoharaft]

According to what you read, you might qualify for P&T if your combined rating is over 70% with one item at 40% or more. The VA told you that since you're 100%, you should be P&T, but you're not sure that's right.

On top of that, your severe insomnia wasn't mentioned in the letter at all. It's frustrating because it's a significant issue for you, and you've had it well-documented.

If this explanation isn't clear, I found a source that might help: https://ptsdlawyers.com/appeal-a-va-decision/. It could provide more information on what steps to take next and how to handle deferred items or missing conditions in your letter.

[SurelySerious]

According to what you read, you might qualify for P&T if your combined rating is over 70% with one item at 40% or more. The VA told you that since you're 100%, you should be P&T, but you're not sure that's right.
On top of that, your severe insomnia wasn't mentioned in the letter at all. It's frustrating because it's a significant issue for you, and you've had it well-documented.
If this explanation isn't clear, I found a source that might help: https://ptsdlawyers.com/appeal-a-va-decision/. It could provide more information on what steps to take next and how to handle deferred items or missing conditions in your letter.

Pretty sure this should include an affiliation disclosure to the linked website and proof it passed an I’m not a robot test.