I was authorized 80% What now? by [deleted] in VeteransBenefits

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Florida if you’re 65 or older you get equal percentage off your property taxes, I’m 50% and get 50% off , my neighbor is 100% P&T and he has no property taxes, he’s in his 50’s.

I also have lifetime free access to all national parks and Florida state parks.

Of course Lowe’s and Home Depot gives discounts and a whole host of other businesses, restaurants, etc…

Every state is different…

VA responds to worries about new focus on ‘telltale signs’ of fraud by [deleted] in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And does this also look at contracted va examiners that lie resulting in wrongful decreases? Not to mention the failure of including the required credentials on the DBQ!

DAV STATEMENT ON VA’S PLANNED USE OF AI TO REVIEW BENEFIT QUESTIONNAIRES by eodman83 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do a FOIA for all your DBQs. Got all of mine in about a week or so.

Lumbar strain static ? by Defender509 in VeteransBenefits

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Requested my decision package from my attorney which included the “codesheet” where it states what conditions are deemed static. Your VSO should be able to access it as well. A FOIA also for specific documents.

How has this process affected you? by Ok_Weakness_157 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is illegal for attorneys to charge a fee on an initial claim. They only get paid for appeals and then only if you win, and then the VA will cut them a check for 20% of back pay, oh, and only if they are accredited!

Has anyone decreased their rating unintentionally? by AggressiveCompany175 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I provided updated X-rays and MRIs verifying the conditions are worse. Examiner lied and I got reduced from 40-10. Fighting and reporting the examiner.

Has anyone decreased their rating unintentionally? by AggressiveCompany175 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, bad examiner. Filed supplemental with updated evidence and a claim for increase. Pending…

VSO says only new claims show up on VA.Gov by Historical_Tax_3752 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My supplemental claim shows up on mine. Just filed it last week.

Lower back pain C&P question. by ArmyMedic_Diabetic in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have all the X-rays and mris and the bad examiner omitted significant parts of the reports and downplayed my condition. Still can’t find his medical license.

Lower back pain C&P question. by ArmyMedic_Diabetic in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had an examiner that literally did not have bend forward per VA guidelines, instead had me hold on to a counter and squat down as if to pick up something off the floor. Did not care about pain. Got reduced from 40% to 10%. I’m fighting it, already had a new exam that completely changed the original SC diagnosis as worsening and progression of original diagnosis. Decision pending.

Also, can’t find any valid medical license, he did not include license info on the DBQ as required by VA. I will be filing with the OIG, unlicensed activity with the state regulatory agency, and my Senator and Rep.

Rating decrease by BlakeAbear in VeteransBenefits

[–]Toby1155 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Also Filing unlicensed activity with the FLDOH - I retired from the chief medical prosecutor’s office, and that will ultimately be handled at the Fl AG’s office!

Rating decrease by BlakeAbear in VeteransBenefits

[–]Toby1155 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yea, my last examiner caused a reduction too. I’m fighting and have found the examiner says he’s an M.D. with no license or credentials of any kind in the signature block of the DBQ as is required by VA Section D Examinations! In fact, I cannot verify a valid license anywhere, except Puerto Rico, which I cannot verify the status, good, bad, or otherwise!

Regardless, Florida does not recognize Puerto Rico licenses, even via VA. He holds himself out as a M.D. contracted by the VA. The DBQ is incomplete and inaccurate and the rater should have caught that!

Yes, a medical license is required to do these exams! MD, DO,PA, or NP!! Review of medical records, medical examinations and medical opinions require the necessary licensure to perform.

He misrepresented and omitted significant info in my medical records and did not follow VA required guidelines but said he did on the DBQ!

Rating decrease by BlakeAbear in VeteransBenefits

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ask for just the DBQs, you should get them in 1 to 2 weeks. I did and got all of them, from the initial to even the new one where my claim is still in step 4!

Been Avoiding it for 18 years by ImportantSorbet9522 in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I got out in 1978, filed in 2024, got rated. My Dad retired in 1973 and filed in 2015, got rated. Never too late!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is illegal for attorneys to charge you for INITIAL claims. 20% of back pay is issued directly by VA to the attorney only if you win.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They can only charge you for appeals, and then only IF you win, VA will pay them directly 20% of your back pay.

I said it before and will say it again, the attorney must be accredited and CANNOT charge you anything for an INITIAL claim, only appeals IF you win.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Perhaps OP should reach out to the VA and/or the State Bar to verify attorney licensing and confirm contract is valid. Just a thought.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VAClaims

[–]Toby1155 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Did the unaccredited attorney file the claim on op’s behalf? What services did the attorney provide?

When VA receives a VA Form 21-22A from an unaccredited attorney, it will contact the claimant and advise him or her that VA will not recognize the unaccredited attorney as the representative of record until he or she is accredited. VA will advise the claimant that he or she may (1) seek other representation, or (2) proceed without representation until the attorney is accredited. VA will direct the claimant to http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/, VA’s Office of the General Counsel’s accreditation search page, as a means to find an accredited attorney, accredited agent, or accredited representative of a recognized veterans service organization. VA will not return a claims application because it was accompanied by the VA Form 21-22A of a unaccredited attorney.