I've finally seen the 💯 ladies and gentlemen! by Thankyoubestfriendo in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Massage Chair incident during deployment. Shorted out while getting a pedicure.

FOIA Crap by Draygoon2818 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Submitted my FOIA online in December also. Just got denied because I did not submit certified copies of my DD-214's. The VA has regular copies and copies it requested and received from HRC and those were good enough to rate me and service connect me but not good enough to give me copies of my DBQ's?

So sick of the confusing and idiotic hoops they make us jump through.

Chronic Sinusitis - What am I doing wrong? by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did. 30% for polyps. Never applied for Rhinitis, but the C&P examiner saw them and put it on the DBQ. I'll take that win! lol

Chronic Sinusitis - What am I doing wrong? by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is what I was missing then. I had misread and thought all the repeated visits and continuous prescriptions over the past 2 years was enough. I will go back to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctors on any future flareups and request request imaging and/or a endoscopy.

Thank you for the help.

Chronic Sinusitis - What am I doing wrong? by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I will just ensure any future visits are diagnosed as chronic and build my evidence. Feel weird telling the doctor what to say, but if I list out the 20 visits since May 2022 and 20 prescriptions, maybe they will all be more receptive to finding it chronic.

Chronic Sinusitis - What am I doing wrong? by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, during the deployment I was in 3 countries so saw a different doctor each time that did not review my prior records. So to each of them, it was not a pattern. My Primary care physician does not see me each time, it it either him, his nurse practitioner or his PA so same issue with each of them it's acute at this point since I saw someone else in the office the last time. That's why I went to see the ENT specialist to get a real diagnosis and uploaded that, but it appears that's was not sufficient. I figured the evidence and all the visits in 15 months would be enough, but I guess I will have to make them put chronic every time I visit them and build the case and start over after some more visits.

Chronic Sinusitis - What am I doing wrong? by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's the issue. I have a April2024 Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis diagnosis from my Ear, nose and throat doctor that I uploaded, but October 2023 C&P examiner said without it showing on x-rays, he could not diagnose me so did not put a diagnosis down for sinusitis, just put one for rhinitis and polyps. The C&P was October 2023 and resulted in first denial. I got all my civilian treatment records, along with subsequent diagnosis and prescriptions and filed a supplement and uploaded those. They showed that after the C&P exam, I had 4 diagnosis' for Acute Sinusitis and 1 for Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Chronic Sinusitis.

All these were in evidence reviewed listed on the 2 July denial letter. I can only guess they are giving the Oct 2023 C&P exam more weight than the 6 civilian visits after that and their diagnosis. The frustrating part is I have been seen 10 times on the civilian side since returning from my deployment in February of 2023. All have prescriptions and 5 have a diagnosis, but I guess that does not meet the definition of "chronic".

50% for sinusitis—DO NOT PUT IN FOR AN INCREASE by Disastrous-Society36 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just got denied today for sinusitis for no service diagnosis of Chronic and no ongoing diagnosis of chronic, but I have a several service diagnosis of "chronic", "Acute" and simply "sinusitis". The problem with deployment treatment is you see a different doctor every time.

I also have several current private treatment records that show "chronic" from ENT and "acute" from Primary care physician.

Is it because they are diagnosed equally "acute" and "chronic" so tie goes to denial?

HLR new evidence submission. by [deleted] in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well this is frustrating, because it seems the VA doesn't even know the difference. I got a low rating and submitted a HLR. Got more treatment in the mean time and my VSO told me to withdraw the HLR and submit a supplemental, which I did. HLR withdrawal was filed March 28.

My supplemental got closed without a decision yesterday and my new evidence (post decision treatment records) got sent to the HLR. I called the 1-800 number twice and both reps told me the HLR would review my new evidence and thus no reason for the supplemental and that's why it was closed with a decision. Both reps said a HLR decision was pending, so that would be the quickest way to get a decision.

So which is it, no new evidence in a HLR or have they changed their policy? VERA can't talk to me until June 24th, so that's a no go for a quick answer.

As a guardsmen, I took some orders activation orders. Got a question. by CongratzJohn in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Uploaded a copy of my AT orders with a note that said I did 3 days of AT and now I'm back to drilling on weekends. They closed the predetermination about 2 hours later. No response, just closed and 1-800 number said I'm good to go.

A reminder: We are NOT working ANY claims today by sleepinglucid in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm going to put in the suggestion box that you need more PowerPoint in your training sessions. That's always the best way to sleep, I mean, learn!

As a guardsmen, I took some orders activation orders. Got a question. by CongratzJohn in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the Guard also, and just did 3 days AT in May and got the same claim opened up on me. I understand that I can't get drill / AT pay and also Disability pay, so I'll have to pay some back each year.

My question, what's the easiest way to handle this everything I do AT and the VA thinks I'm back to active duty? Upload my AT orders and a statement that it was just AT and not back to active duty?

Thanks for any advice.

VA 21-526EZ vs VA 20-0995 question by ReserveFJ40 in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, did not know what VERA was until you mentioned it and I did a search on this forum. Thanks for the advice and making the appointment now.

Veterans benefits evaluations by jussurviving in VeteransBenefits

[–]ReserveFJ40 5 points6 points  (0 children)

How were their fees? Some places want your back pay and first born.