My husband is retired from the coast guard and on disability, due to service related condition. We have tried to appeal with the VA but they keep turning us down for the last 4 years. his disability has increased so it seems his percentage should also change. anyone have any ideas??
2007-06-09 09:40:29 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
already tried to talk with a lawyer, per the bar association in the greater tampa bay area there are no lawyers who pratice concerning the VA.
2007-06-09 09:45:56 · update #1
I've seen it in some other replies and I've seen a lot of other agencies and/or groups mentioned, but the best way is still to go to your local DAV office. They are there to be advocates for veterans, they do NOT work for the Dept. of Vet. Affairs, and they often know the "ins and outs" of the system better than you could possibly hope to.
Also, scour the VA.gov website for the ratings requirements for your husband's disability. I found mine in a PDF on their site and took that with me to the CMP examination (the barely-5-minute "medical" exam where they look at you and pretty much determine whether or not you should get a higher rating or not) and showed the "doctor" (I think my was a P.A. actually) the VA's guidelines for my condition and how the lower rating I was on didn't fit with their own guidelines - they raised it a mere 10%.
That was two years ago, and since it's now looking like my condition is going to be keeping me from driving and/or working permanently I am getting ready to go back to the V.A. again and try to do this fight all over.
Be persistent, be consistent, be prepared, and above all be patient. The V.A. is just like any other government agency, "Hurry up and wait." is the rule-of-thumb for working with it. Best of luck to you!
The two Source sites (one is just the VA main site) have the info you'll need. The second one has a bunch of Word-formatted .doc files (OpenOffice is a free office suite that can read those if you need a word formatted .doc reader) that have the various medical conditions the VA gives disability compensation for - and the requirements for what rating should be given based on the severity of any given condition. Take a look in there (they're kind of hard to get the hang of as far as what is where, but once you get their method down it's not hard to follow - look at the "alphabetical list" first and find the conditions "ID number" it'll help you find the write-up in the later doc's when you're scanning them). Read that requirements section and have that knowledge firmly in your arsenal when you go back to the VA or when you go to the DAV.
2007-06-12 02:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing to do is look up an American Legion post in your area or a DAV or AMVET, or VFW. They all should have service officers. If they do not they can tell you how to contact their state service officers. You will need things that show the service connected disability has gotten worse. It will take time but keep after it.
2007-06-09 15:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by aldistrict7colorado 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can file the claim, it will be determined by what evidence you provide to show that the condition became exasperated by/ during your time in the military. and your claim will be for that portion. There also is a zero percent category, like that flat footed pain. so yes you would probably be able to go to VA and get free shoe inserts to help with it. as for the panic attacks are they any worse today then then: Prove it. if treated exactly the same way as when you came in probably get you nothing more then ensuring you willn't get a job needing a security clearance.
2016-04-01 12:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your only avenue is to secure a new medical appointment at a VA hospital. I went through a local Veterans Representative and got my appointment through them. Shortly, a letter arrived stating when my medical appointment was scheduled. A month later I took my documentation to the VA hospital in Shreveport and was re-examined. They decided to increase my disability by ten percent.
2007-06-09 09:53:59 · answer #4 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His "primary care VA physician" (usually at the VA Clinic he goes to) has to review his disability, starting with med exams. It could take awhile (my husband's took about 3 years)but the VA is the only one who can increase his disability %
2007-06-09 09:50:24 · answer #5 · answered by Tweet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to your local VA regional office and fill out the forms to have his percentage upped. Its not difficult. They will have him go through another rating to see if he qualifies for more money and to have his claim upped.
2007-06-09 11:14:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get in touch with an AMVETS (American Veterans) officer. They deal with the VA, SSI, SSDI, the government, etc. on behalf of veterans.
2007-06-09 10:21:00 · answer #7 · answered by DCFN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a veteran service organization(American Legion, VFW, DAV,MOPH,AMVETS), to request a C/P examination for your husband, that is the first step to getting it increased.
2007-06-09 10:52:40 · answer #8 · answered by gamerunner2001 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
contact your local DAV office they can act as his claim advocate and will get things done. I am currently appealing my rating also. I was NEVER told about the DAV, but since they are my advocate things are getting done fast!
2007-06-09 10:48:37 · answer #9 · answered by trailerparkbobpart2 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You worry about four years, I have been working on mine for 14.
2007-06-09 13:40:15 · answer #10 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋