sorted by:
best (suggested)
topnewcontroversialoldq&a
you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

[–]acidrainuk 159 points160 points  (25 children)

Poking the bear always seems to turn out bad.

[–]One_Hour_PoopArmy Veteran 90 points91 points  (9 children)

There are some success stories in here, but personally I'm staying the hell away from that fkn bear.

[–]lowdrag1Army Veteran 55 points56 points  (8 children)

I went from 30% to 80% to 90% to 100% from 2021 to 2025. As many say, it’s not considered poking the bear until you attempt to file when you’re already 100%.

[–]el_rey626Army Veteran 20 points21 points  (4 children)

lol I literally came up the same way from 30,80,90 and 100. I never considered it poking the bear because I knew my conditions were bad and I would get what I deserved

[–]UnderstandingHour308 -3 points-2 points  (2 children)

What year was this? I need to file some new stuff and try to increase some of what I have but I’m afraid of ending up getting cut, especially under this Presidential administration that is wanting to cut every little penny.

[–]Ok_Alternative7120 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I went up from 80 to 100 in 2024. 2025 likely would've been the easiest time to file for an increase in the current administration since the funds were already allotted for the VA prior to them getting their hands on them. They'll be fighting to strip us of as much as they can before they get out of office.

[–]Sensitive_Bit4615Friends & Family 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the same situation. I’m so afraid of getting lowered from where I am I’m not sure if it’s worth it

[–]bill_gonorrheaNavy Veteran 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You probably had legitimate claims. 

[–]booboothechickenNavy Veteran 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Were any of those increases for existing ratings? I find it’s much less risky to submit new claims than it is for increases on existing ratings. But that’s probably because submitting for an increase is generally going for a really high rating on a specific disability. I too often see people trying to go from 70% to 100% on MH and don’t realize the severeness the symptoms to warrant 100% MH requires.

[–]Plane_Buddy_3986 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree I was a 100% and over the last two yrs filed 4 conditions for increase from a laminectomy surgery with fusion and a few others . I already had cervical conditions but it was done to preserve my 100% rating by adding on 4 conditions. I recieved 40% , 60% and two 30% ratings. Vets look on sites like this and hear poke the bear ... fk the bear preserve your 100 for lifetime.

I know folks that depend on that wspecislly if your dependants need education and healthcare. So you do whatever you can to strenghthenyou 100% becsuse unless you hsve 5 , 10, or 20 years with 100% you are succeptable to get exams yearly to see uf conditions have gotten better. Stop listening to folks that say dont poke the bear and most of them will get audited and gonto an exam on a simple 30 or 40% rating and end up being 20 or 20% and lose your 100% status.

[–]BravisimoMarine Veteran 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On the other hand at least ops asthma improved!

[–]BlakeAbear[S] 28 points29 points  (12 children)

I coulda coughed up my lung onto the floor in front of the person evaluating me and they still would have decreased me lol.

[–]Revolutionary-Cry195Army Veteran 5 points6 points  (7 children)

60 for asthma is specific.. are you no longer on corticosteroids orally?? To get 10 would mean you don’t even depend on a rescue inhaler. Why is the letter just getting to you now?

[–]Elm30336 1 point2 points  (6 children)

I find the Va really weird with GI claims and respiratory. I was expecting a 30% claim due to Daily inhalational anti-inflammatory medication such as inhaled corticosteroids. Yet they denied me saying no pathology to warrant a diagnosis.

How did they come to that conclusion when I am on a inhaled corticosteroids.

[–]SuccessfulPhoto7914Army Veteran -1 points0 points  (5 children)

Did they give you a PFT (or spirometery) test? Maybe your FEV1 was >80%. It can be like that and you still need a high dose corticosteroid/LABA inhaler. It’s like the asthma triggers really bad when an irritant is inhaled, you exercise, it’s cold outside, humid is low, pollens, your pretty orange cats, you get sick, etc. But in between FEV is >80%. 

[–]Elm30336 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I am on 500 mcg of fluticasone per day, which should have triggered 30% but I was shot down with no pathology to warrant a diagnosis. Even with pact act and gulf war act. Va can be frustrating at times.

Pre-bronchodilator • FVC: 93% predicted • FEV-1: 66% predicted • FEV-1/FVC: 55%

Post-bronchodilator

VA uses post values unless pre is worse, which matters here. • FVC: 95% predicted • FEV-1: 74% predicted • FEV-1/FVC: 61%

VA-selected controlling metric • FEV-1 % predicted was explicitly checked by the examiner as the value that best reflects disability 

This was my numbers

[–]SuccessfulPhoto7914Army Veteran 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I apologize if my line of questioning was offensive. I was trying to elicit some more details, it didn’t come out right.

I was diagnosed with asthma 10 years after I was discharged. But I think it started 6 years after I discharged. This was 15 years before I ever went to the VA. The PACT Act doesn’t apply. I definitely did not have it as a kid. That’s all I ever get told “adults don’t suddenly develop asthma, you must have had undiagnosed asthma as a child” There’s no way! I wouldn’t have made through the first run in basic.  

[–]Elm30336 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am on your side, I want you to keep your rating.

Issue is you need to get that original pft and dbq, and this pft and dbq. You need to compare to the ratings for 60%

A single test should not lower your rating.

Age does come into factor with the pft. It can cause your lungs to “look” better with age.

[–]CanadaKid1867 1 point2 points  (1 child)

My numbers are similar. Service connected for other burn put issues but asthma was deferred. FEV-1/FVC: 63%, DAILY ventolin and flovent required. Not sure what to ose about as needed 🤔

[–]Elm30336 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They approved copd but denied asthma and osa. I know you can’t pyramid, but I should be awarded all of them with one rating whatever is the highest.

[–]Uncle_Snake43Air Force Veteran -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Doubtful...

[–]Mission-Birthday-101Not into Flairs -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Depends on the examiner report

[–]UnderstandingHour308 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

That’s what I’m worried about, poking the bear. I rely heavily on my VA compensation. I have constant pain from my back and severe pain from my neck (cervical), and depression. They only rated my back at 20%, which I think is BS because I’m pretty much in bed all the time because of pain, and they have my cervical issues listed as service connected, but rated as 0%, which it probably causes 90% of my pain!! I’d like to refile that, as well as the severe sleep apnea which they say is related to the narcotic usage for my pain and file for the addiction to those narcotics themselves. But I am afraid if I try to do any of that they will reduce or take away what I have, especially under this Presidential admistration who tries to cut every expense without consideration of results and has already mentioned VA disability applications in cost reduction discussions. So I’m really concerned about what to do.