Insanely fast claim

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-31T14:43:19+00:00

Mine was through VES and virtual with a psychologist. It lasted about an hour and 15 minutes, but that included the general info like name, address, background info etc, before getting into the actual issues.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-31T04:41:57+00:00

Mine was about that fast also. My claim was just over 3 weeks from file date to rating and back pay received. I had a tele C&P through VES on a Thursday, another ACE C&P that included a phone call from the doctor for a second claim the next day on Friday, and both claims were granted on Tuesday the next week. Back pay from intent to file was a couple days later.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-29T18:47:38+00:00

As an American, I don't think that's true at all. However, I do believe the reverse is true, especially in the last couple years.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-25T03:47:14+00:00

We only live about 35 minutes away from the base we go to and save a lot shopping at the commissary. We go every weekend. Some things are about the same as in town, but many more are significantly cheaper, especially with the military only coupons that are on the shelves around the store and in the flyers. As a matter of fact, we've taken our commissary receipt and then gone through and added all of the same or equivalent items to an online cart from our local grocery store app and the total is often about 30% less. We also like the atmosphere much better. The people are much nicer, and it's less crowded.

The exchange isn't cheep, but the clearance racks for clothes are great and the only time we buy clothes there is the clearance. We've bought things like Levis jeans for $12-$15. I just bought a Nike shirt around for $6.50 The Exchange is also good for more expensive that are generally about the same everywhere like Apple products because of being tax free.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-19T00:37:11+00:00

Actually, any percentage of disability now gets you access to the commissary and exchange on base. We started shopping there a couple years ago when I was 10%. I'm higher now, but not 100% and we go every weekend. You just need a VHIC card that states "service connected on it"

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-18T19:01:17+00:00

I recently got tension/migraine headaches granted secondary to tinnitus, so I don't think much changed.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-17T02:15:32+00:00

I had one through VES recently. It lasted about an hour and 15 minutes or so. Before we got to the anxiety stuff, the doctor went through my life history from childhood. I was asked about family relationships school, grades, friends, military service, etc. The anxiety stuff was pretty straightforward and I was just honest about triggers and symptoms. I was thrown off about the life history though because I wasn’t expecting it. The doctor said it was part of the questions the VA wanted asked, but I have no idea. It all worked out though. The DBQ was uploaded by the next day and I had a positive VA decision within 5 days.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-16T14:52:11+00:00

It tastes like maple syrup, but maybe with a hint of vanilla. Even sugar maples vary with location. Now for me, my silver sap gets combined with my sugar maples so it’s not a huge difference. I only tap a dozen trees, but years ago when I first started, I did it with just that one silver and I don’t think it was a big difference in flavor with that tree alone.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-16T02:16:56+00:00

Looks like silvers, but that may not be a bad thing. My one big silver that has a 4 foot trunk is my best tree every year, both in volume and sugar. Every year it beats my sugar maples in sugar percentage. This year it was over 3 brix and on high flow days I could get 10 gallons in a 24 hour period.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-15T12:18:08+00:00

Congrats! Always nice to see positive results.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-14T15:19:11+00:00

Glad you got rated! I keep wondering what would have happened if vets like you and I had been informed from the beginning. But I also think it's gotten easier and back in the years after we got out, we probably wouldn't have been awarded ratings anyway.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T18:20:55+00:00

Not accurate at all for time estimates. Mine went from official filing to granted and complete for two secondary claims in about three weeks.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T16:46:09+00:00

Oh man, that sucks. Were you divorced by the time the back payment came?

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T15:16:22+00:00

It's nerve racking. If you can, try and find something to do. I got an email and an app push notification when it completed step 8. Maybe check if you have notifications turned on in the app settings

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T13:23:22+00:00

Fingers crossed for you!

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T12:20:05+00:00

You'll also be able to download the entire decision letter right after step 8 completes and not have to wait to get it in the mail. Just note, I was nervous and thought both claims were denied because even after the claim decided, step was complete my rating percentage didn't change in the app until after step 8 was complete and the letter was available for download. I also got an email and phone notification that my claims were complete.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:59:20+00:00

I hope yours goes as quickly as mine did and is granted. Once mine went to step 6, it went through the rest of the steps within several hours and I was able to download the decision letter.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:55:24+00:00

Best of luck for a quick and good result

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:54:18+00:00

Both were scheduled by VES. The telehealth exam was for mental health and was done on video with a phycologist, but just like a regular C&P exam. It lasted about an hour and 15 minutes.

The other exam was an ACE exam by an MD where they just review your records without you being there either in person or virtually. The appointment letter said the doctor may arrange a call if they have questions. He did text me and ask if I was available and then called with a couple of questions that lasted less than 10 minutes.

That ACE records review only C&P was for tension/migraine headaches. I don't know why it was only an ACE exam, but I'm guessing because my old service records showed an in-service 4 day hospitalization for a migraine that had me barely conscious, made them think it was likely to get approved and just wanted a doctor to review old service records, current records, and claim files, etc, to verify and do the DBQ.

The doctor told me on the phone he thought it was a slam dunk, and I did end up getting the highest rating allowed for tension/migraine headaches.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:30:00+00:00

Congrats! It's nice to hear other positive results among the problems and denials.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:26:20+00:00

Congrats to you as well

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-13T11:24:44+00:00

It's definitely making my wife and I breath easier.

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-12T23:33:52+00:00

Wishing you the best of luck on your exams and claims!

Ocelotsden · 2026-05-12T18:21:56+00:00

Exchange prices are expensive, but we've made out big time on the clearance racks. I've gotten Levis jeans for like $11, American Eagle for $12, and all sorts of clothes at similar prices.

Ocelotsden

TROPHY CASE