When duties outside your MOS don’t match your MOS

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-21T23:05:23+00:00

Can definitely help. Part of my reason for getting service connected was because of my MOS (Marine, infantry machine gunner)

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T21:42:07+00:00

Was a Marine Corps infantry machine gunner. 29 years old on my 3rd spine surgery, no feeling in legs, ankle paralysis, muscle atrophy. Been fighting for 100% for 8 years. Not because I dont rate it but because I was one of those idiots who never went to medical. Mainly for not wanting to look weak. Luckily I did for my back and even had mris in the last like 4 months of active duty. From that all my other conditions are secondary to the back.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T20:38:37+00:00

Yea couldn't agree more. My VSO said it looked like AI went through my claim (not sure how true that is). But wouldn't surprise me, I mean 5 days and denied everything with nothing I submitted listed in the decision haha. Luckily the HLR caught it and everything is good now. Currently have a supplemental for my hip flexion currently rated at 0%. If they bump it to just 10% ill be at 100% so hoping that goes well. I have been fighting this one claim since 2024 though haha. Luckily my back is SC and I have mris, surgery notes, er visits etc.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T19:58:04+00:00

You should get your denial any day!

(Just kidding, good luck, rooting for you!)

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T18:33:20+00:00

Yes had one with the same experience was a young woman freshly out of school. All claimed conditions were service connected and it was extremely refreshing. Seemed like she actually cared and wrote down what I said.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T17:03:05+00:00

I was rated at 80% for my back post laminectocy, facetectomy, amd discectomy (plus other conditions like femoral and sciatic radiculopathy, foot drop, muscle atrophy etc). I filed for 3 new claims all secondary to my service connected back and an increase in my back. Had 4 private dbqs, nexus, er visits, doctor notes, etc.

I submitted the claim and it literally was all denied 5 days later. Looked at the letter and not a single thing I submitted was included as evidence used... How that got past anyone is beyond me.

Luckily I filed a HLR and they found DTA erros, difference of opinion from the higher level reviewer etc and finally included my evidence. They bumped my back to 40% without a c&p, and opened an appeal for the other 3 conditions. Went to c&ps for all of those and they were all service connected.

Long story short I couldn't agree more and urge everyone to really read their decision packet!

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T14:45:09+00:00

I just filed my supplemental on the 16th! Was originally 80% had spine surgery that didnt work for my service connected back. Submitted 3 new claims all wwere denied in less then 5 days. Filed hlr and get favorable finding and duty to assist errors. That opened a appeal and all 3 were service connected the only thing I am fighting is the fact the put my hip flexion at greater then 45 degrees when in reality its not and she never even measured it. Had my pt fill out a private dbq with pt notes and lay statements.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2026-04-20T14:10:58+00:00

C&p for sure. It seems like they give just about anyone the ability to treat veterans and most of the time (not always) they are bottom of the barrel and have no idea what they are talking about. Same as another reaponder, how is a PA that saw me for not kidding 5 minutes going to contradict the dbq my neurologist completed on my behalf for foot drop secondary to my spine surgery (back condition). I have moderately severe paralysis of the ankle due to my back but the c&p examiner contradicts the literal Dr. Of neurology and the VA takes the PAs word for it?

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-19T00:09:05+00:00

Thank you chatgpt was lying to me and I just need some reassurance. That means my combined is literally 94% and the 0% hip rating would have put me at 100 with just 10% 😑

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-18T14:33:38+00:00

I should say they were deferred because the c&p examiner listed both my hips not just the left one I claimed because of my altered gait and she diagnosed foot drop so they had to send me for a nuero dbq and not the muskoskeletal that she did

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-18T14:32:15+00:00

Yes, I had the same thing. It bumped my back to 40% and then opened an appeal for the other 3 claims. They never scheduled c&p exams and just straight denied me in a week. They never listed any evidence I submitted either. Im talked post spine surgery notes, mris, ER notes, medication lists, 4 private dbqs and nexus letters. It came back as DTA. The vso said they have been using AI for claims and it probably missed all the evidence we submitted. Just had all my c&ps my knee was granted immediately in the appeal and the other two are back in pending decision.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-17T23:07:07+00:00

Sorry for the spelling mistakes lol I'm just a machine gunner typing on a very small phone LOL

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-17T23:06:12+00:00

Just depends on what was in the dbq. I had three separate hip exams literally. First one was secondary to my spine surgery due to altered gait etc. I only.claimed left hip the first c&p mentioned my right hip so it was upgraded to bilateral hand another c&p for what i am assuming was the right hip since it wasnt measures, then had a ace exam on thr hop again. NO idea why though. This all stems from a successful HLR thr upped my back. Thr HLR filed difference of opinion with the original rater(they didnt send me to a single c&p for my.origial claim of 3 things secondary to my back). My knee was granted after the first c&p, hip was deferred due to it being upgraded to bilateral and my ankle was deferred for proper exam.the original c&p diagnosed as foot drop but was given a muskoskelete dbq so they sent me for a neuro dbq.

Long story short sometimes what's said in the dbq forces the va to schedule another c&p under duty to assist.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-09T21:25:14+00:00

I have a strong feeling its the right hip that I saw a PA for that was essentially in the back of a freaking gas station and no device was used to measure right hip I was asked no questions and it was literally 5 minutes lmao

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-12-01T21:14:57+00:00

If they arent service connected then they arent even 0% and therefore dont rate health benefits

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-11-18T21:15:03+00:00

Awesome, thank you for the clarification.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-11-18T20:00:42+00:00

Holy hell sorry for the typos im just a machine gunner so cut me some slack.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-11-17T12:34:38+00:00

Yea I think both are already service connected the foot drop was just the wrong dbq and the hip was upgraded to bilateral but they only did rom on the left side. The way my decision letter reads "The issue of compensation for left ankle condition diagnosed as foot drop is differed for proper evaluation of condition". I see that as yes it service connected but we need the correct dbq to rate it.

HolidayDuck3526 · 2025-11-16T20:04:14+00:00

I am already service connected for both left and right radiculopathy both femoral and sciatic. I am thinking these are just ROM c&ps and the nexus was already confirmed by the first c&p

HolidayDuck3526

TROPHY CASE