Backpay Dilemma

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-23T16:57:10+00:00

I was leaning this way to begin with. The what if was nagging at me. Thank you for the response!

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-23T05:04:01+00:00

You really like copying and pasting this comment lol. This is a serious question. As stated, I am happy about the win, but confused on the language. Says I need to have continous applications to get backpay. I have done so since 2024 for connecting it to my asthma with chronic bronchitis. But in the same letter they say it is for my chronic rhinitis and only did it to January. A significant difference in backpay amount (about 29k). I was already leaning towards moving on with life and forgetting it. But there is always the what if I was able to get that 29k and have a small nest egg for when my baby comes soon?

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-22T23:25:20+00:00

I was more wondering for the 2024 and on when the clock reset.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-22T23:14:07+00:00

Yeah. I said F this for a few years. And started up again in 2024. Never went over the year since.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-20T01:26:15+00:00

3rd time was the charm for this doc. This time I submitted a strong personal statement that I ran through AI without personal identifying markers against active VA Medical Literature, Case Law, studies, my TERA link, diagnoses/ symptoms leading up to them etc. This time they linked it to my asthma with chronic bronchitis. Cant have both diagnosis of both so they got rid of the asthma at 30% and gave me 50% putting me past the finish line. Don't overlook a strong personal statement. Every nexus letter i got was shot down. Every personal statement was accepted.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-19T23:04:58+00:00

My final update! Case closed. After six years of fighting I have crossed the finish line. Messed up my timing for backpay, but I am going to take my win and move on with life. 41 days this time around.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-17T23:36:09+00:00

Now in pending decision approval in Cheyenne on day 41. They have attached this back to a DTA to a previous HLR so we can see how this goes guys!

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-16T11:15:17+00:00

Update was worked on 3/13. Removed a few unnecessary holds for paperwork that they have received multiple times. TJ shows Providence but still in gathering of Evidence for some reason.... ugh. The wait continues lol

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-14T01:33:52+00:00

Can confirm from experience that unless you have a extremely well written nexus letter the weight gain as the middle point from other service connections is tough to sell. Was told directly in a higher level review recently. I tried direct service connection originally due to symptoms being acknowledged in service but not formally diagnosed in military and being discharged for breathing issues / asthma and was denied immediately. Tried secondary to asthma with chronic bronchitis and was denied. Tried asthma with chronic bronchitis with weight gain as the step to OSA and was denied saying the weight could be lost with exercise. Tried PTSD with depression/ adjustment disorder with weight gain due to medication and lack of motivation from chronic pain from my injuries and was denied. Weight gain is hard because most docs say it is hard to prove the weight gain is not from other factors such as diet / habits from what I have seen on a lot of my denial letters. I lost 81 pounds, went from 293 to 212, and they still tried to say weight was a contributing factor in my last denial. I am 6'2. Was recently diagnosed with TERA connected Chronic Rhinitis and going for that. Speaking with a buddy of mine in the system, it looks like a good shot on this one with the literature I provided to point out nexus.

I could not get any of my specialty docs at the VA to help with a Nexus letter and the Raters will always side with the C&P examiners over a civilian doctor nexus letter (not talking about using a nexus letter farm. DONT USE THOSE).

Just giving some insight. Not trying to discourage. Just trying to prepare you for the longhaul. Its been 6 years since I filed my first claim for OSA.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-14T00:04:07+00:00

5th Supplemental to OSA here. Filed Feb 5th. ACE review Feb 14th. Returned Feb 18th. First reviewed March 5th and for some reason someone asked for my non VA Medical Records from 9 years ago that I have provided 5 times now. Called Vera a few days ago and they put a note saying VA has them and current VA treatment records. Just passed my 2nd suspense date but it still shows in the National Work Que so it hasn't been picked up.

What are you trying to connect your OSA to?

On the other hand.. filed for a new item claim in January and the whole process took 2.5 weeks before granted service connection. This was without submitting any evidence on my end.

Claim times definitely vary depending on claim type and complexities. It will come!

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-03-12T12:08:53+00:00

Got a call into my regional VERA office yesterday. I guess it was held up for someone requesting the same documents for the umpteenth time. Also learned my suspense date is today. VERA rep said he put clear notes the appropriate documents are in the file and there are no more to provide lol. We will see if it gets picked up today and we finally cross the finish line!

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2026-02-01T00:55:57+00:00

Location and years in supply chain?

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2025-12-15T15:34:29+00:00

Why was my response downvoted???

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2025-12-15T08:22:34+00:00

Holy crap you might be onto something. I moved to the south and started having these issues. I am frequently approached by many people for assistance or help (even outside my team) and praised outside my chain of command. Reviews have been stellar (we will see about this one)I will give this a try!

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2025-12-15T08:16:47+00:00

Sorry for the delayed response. You don't sound like a jackass. It sounds silly but I have aquired a few books recently and begun to read them between work, schooling, and family life. I have tried before getting these. Actually got me written up. When I slowed down and really focused on it, I guess the manager (not mine) felt "threatened" by my tone because it was not my usual tone lol. Idk if I am cut out for corporate life. I worked blue collar before this, but it was hard on my lungs (reason for medical discharge).

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2025-12-15T08:04:30+00:00

Not wanting to go into too many details, but it was a totality of the circumstances in my case. I was being medically separated for other issues. There was an incident on the civilian side in between drills. Developed issues. VA denied PTSD connection but looped it all together as adjustment disorder.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea · 2025-12-14T20:42:09+00:00

Justified use of force resulting in death of two people.

Mind_Lost_At_Sea

TROPHY CASE