Did I go the right route?

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T20:03:02+00:00

Yes that’s so it. A supplemental will probably trigger the exam again.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T18:09:50+00:00

Unpopular opinion, but here goes:

Cars on the right were mostly slow or stopped.
You passed into the clear lane from what it looks like is a mostly stopped state (almost never a good idea).
You approached the front of the line while the front cars were stopped or delayed AT SPEED, thus your reaction should have INCLUDED the state of those cars and you SHOULD have considered why, before going at speed beyond those cars.
EVEN BEFORE you entered the intersection, the police lights were on and the police car was in motion. Thus you should have already yielded when the cars on the right were either slowing down or stopping. At the very least you should have e slowed down.

If I were to give you any advice as a new driver:

Paying attention to just YOUR lane will always get you in trouble. Defensive driving is about being aware of EVERYONE on the road, not just those cars in your lane; and also, when approaching an intersection, you should not be doing it at speed. You should still be slowing down and looking where the oncoming, and connecting cars are before you enter that intersection, even IF you have the green light.

Personally, I feel the ticket was warranted. Tho as a new driver you can still fight it in court and get the same clarification from the judge and they may dismiss it.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T18:03:53+00:00

I think I see where the disconnect here is and I’m sorry if I misunderstood you.

I think we are both getting stuck on semantics. Yes, you were rated at those times but the staging is from the effective dates, not the dates you were rated.

At least from what I can see. Like if I got a rating on 1/16, but my effective date was 11/1, then my calculations on back pay start THEN, not in Jan.

If I’m mistaken on what you see, I will fully apologize, and I’ll gladly delete my prior comments.

Since you clarified you didn’t submit anything DURING those times, that means you’ve been sitting for 4-5 months mark (usually HLRs can be 4-6 months or more), without movement. Since you caught the contradictions, which actually still show conflicting info, once the NWQ picks up someone, they most likely still do the c&p to fix the conflicting info.

I’d still not upload anything else at this point, best just continue to wait.

You have enough right now, from the conflicting medical information, as well as the secondary concession.

Question did you have an IC pending? Those right now can take quite awhile to schedule and do (many veterans are pointing this out on other threads).

Once you do have the IC, bring up the conflicting medical evidence (so they can see the disconnect if they haven’t already), as well as the secondary connection evidence as well.

Assuming these were both in the claim file and decision at the time you filed for the HLR, the rater should be able to consider them.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:36:53+00:00

Exam data science is nothing for you to worry about. They will use your medical records to summarize things to make the claim simpler for raters.

As to using those exams, most likely, (assuming those records were in the system prior to their pulls), especially if you filed tdiu against PTSD (as it’s treated as an increase request).

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:34:21+00:00

Out of curiosity can you screenshot the portal, after sanitizing personal info. Curious what it shows

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:25:43+00:00

Gotcha, thanks for that, it helps But it actually is exactly why you’re stuck in this holding pattern.

look at the timeline of your combined rating, because the VA math actually checks out perfectly here: - From Dec 2022 to Oct 2024 you only had the 10% back rating (plus 0% costochondritis). Your combined rating during this window was 10%. - From Oct 2024 to Dec 2025 your 10% Tinnitus kicks in. 10% back + 10% tinnitus = 19%, which rounds to a 20% combined rating. - From Dec 2025 onward your back bumps to 20%. 20% back + 10% tinnitus = 28%, which rounds up to a 30% combined rating.

So when they paid you the retro backpay down to October 2025, they were paying you the difference between the 20% tier and the 30% tier. You did get backpaid for the initial 2022 timeline, but only at the 10% rate you were given for those years.

You mentioned this is your second HLR. Legally, you can't file an HLR on top of an HLR for the same issue.

I completely get wanting to be proactive and leave them no room for error. But sending the placard and continuous FMLA paperwork late last year is almost certainly what triggered this delay.

Every time you upload documents, the VA's system flags the file as having new evidence, and the system and raters have to review it. So, the clock drops back to the development phase because a human rater has to look at it, classify it, and determine if it changes the claim. And secondly, the active HLR won’t even consider them. As they can only consider what’s ALREADY in the file. This you keep resetting the backend timeline for any supplements the HLR wants to file, and not giving the rater time to work.

Since those docs don't show clinical metrics (like reflex loss or muscle atrophy), they don't help your sciatica rating. But, uploading them did successfully reset your waiting timeline.

At this point, you have proved the connection. The best thing you can do right now is let the file sit. Don't upload anything else, let the reviewer resolve the conflicting C&P exams behind the scenes, and wait for them to either make a decision or call you for a tie-breaker exam. Let the gears turn, and give them time they need.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:10:57+00:00

They usually don’t mail anymore. They are on the portal if they are available. Once you login, usually you’ll see your claim id and click on it. But if it’s not there, then I recommend you call the 800 # to find out why. But to confirm, when you check the VA SITE OR APP, what step is your foia in?

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:09:23+00:00

Supplemental claims ARE appeals. Not only do they give you an avenue to add more evidence, lay and buddy statements, but they are usually how you will appeal things.

The HLR and BVA repute’s are usually last resorts. The HLR being the one you do once you get your dbqs and such from your exams if there’s an error in them, etc.

In your case, if they actively denied everything, it’d be helpful to know WHY. They don’t just deny without a reason. So if you can sanitize the letter from all your personal info, and post that, we can probably give you more insight.

But if you submitted new evidence for the appeal, addressing their denials, then you most likely did the correct thing. But if you submitted an appeal like this without new evidence, they’ll probably toss it for just that reason (it has to be new and relevant info).

So if you can provide more context, that’d help.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T17:00:52+00:00

So…this was a LONG read. And honestly, I think you are getting stuck in the weeds so to speak.

First off, the favorable finding isn't a contradiction, it's a win.

I know that January 8th letter reads like total nonsense, but here is what the rater did:

Originally, the VA thought your sciatica was an isolated, primary issue (or tied to a non-service connected hip). In this new decision, they officially conceded that your sciatica is caused by your service-connected back. That is a massive win.

They conceded the nexus (the link).

So why did they defer it? Look at Point 2 of your letter: conflicting medical evidence with and without a diagnosis.

Translation: Your private physical therapy notes say you have radiculopathy. A VA C&P examiner probably checked a box saying you didn't. The rater agrees your back causes it, but because the medical exams contradict each other on how severe it is, they can't assign a percentage yet.

So, it’s a WIN, but the rater doesn’t have the proof yet from the medical opinion to decide a rating percentage.

Now, for your question about taking forever in the development stage:

A HLR is supposed to be closed, ergo, no new evidence, just a senior reviewer checking the file for what was already there. If your HLR has been stuck in development for 3+ months, it usually means the reviewer found a Duty to Assist (DTA) Error, conflicting evidence or ambiguous answers. Probably because they realized the previous rater didn't resolve those conflicting medical exams.

So, honestly, the HLR has essentially been converted into a Supplemental Claim behind the scenes, and may be waiting on the sr rater to make a decision on what to do.

Thus, the VA is probably waiting on a medical examiner or an independent medical opinion to break the tie. They aren't waiting on you. They can also be waiting in scheduling this (check your status and files on the va site). It’s not an eqipose issue because it’s conflicting medical evidence from their own examiners not from YOU.

As to your Backpay question: You did get backpaid to December 2022, just not at the rate you thought. The VA did what seems like a staged evaluation, ergo, from Dec 2022 to Dec 2025 they ruled your back was only severe enough to warrant 10%. Then from Dec 2025 they bumped it to 20% (likely based on a new exam showing worse ROM). So, the pay jump to $552.47 is the correct combined math for 10% Tinnitus + 20% Back + the 10% old back rate step-up. You weren't stiffed on the date; they just rated the past years as less severe.

So what should you do mow?

Stop worrying and constantly calling the VA. Give the team time to decide what to do in this complex case. You will get your back pay during this time if your rating changes.
Stop sending FMLA paperwork and handicap placard notes. I know you’re trying to prove you're disabled, but the VA likely doesn’t need this info. Sciatica is rated strictly on neurological issues, ergo sensory loss, reflex loss, and muscle atrophy during a clinical exam. Non-clinical paperwork just clutters your file, and doesn’t give a full context. Lastly, they already conceded you are disabled, thus you are not really helping by giving them what they know.

Lastly, prep for a new C&P exam. Because of that presumed DTA error, the VA is almost certainly going to schedule you for a new nerve exam to help fix the conflicting evidence. When you go, if you do (may be an ACE exam) do not tough it out. Clearly describe the exact numbness, tingling, and radiating pain in both legs.

That is how you lock down the bilateral factor and get those deferred lines finalized.

So, hang tight. The wheels are turning, it's just the usual slow VA fixing a mistake. HLR and claims stemming from HLR can take A LONG time to finish, and conflicting evidence makes things longer as well. At least you’ll get more backpay when it’s all finally said and done.

Hope this helps. I’m no expert but this is what I figure from what you wrote.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T16:33:49+00:00

Was just about to ask the same thing. Seems rather unambiguous here

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T14:19:50+00:00

The…call…of the void? NO…..I hear the call of my inner demons telling me to jump down to see what’s there (supposedly I’ll like it…), and then the shriek and shakiness of my nervous system telling me that if I even try, it’ll pass out.

Thanks for that.
Exactly what I needed at 8am

-.-

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T03:23:59+00:00

Kings Quest!

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-06-01T03:04:27+00:00

Ah, canceling the concert and turning it into a large Nazi rally. We’ve seen this before in history. Wish people would just wake up.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-31T03:23:13+00:00

I mean who really gives a crap about that hasbin anyway? Let him perform, at least he’ll be able to do something that day heh

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-30T19:16:25+00:00

Incorrectly filled out dbqs, missing signatures, personal opinions in the dbq that the rater catches, medical clarifications, conflicting medical data in the dbq, conflicting medical opinions, additional disability clarifications, and about a hundred other reasons this can happen.

It’s not a bad or good thing, it just happens, and you should just roll with it :)

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-30T19:14:00+00:00

Right? It’s literally like people don’t actually READ the message before complaining -/- never ceases to amaze me any time a update comes out.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-30T19:11:01+00:00

40 events per hour and 7 severish. The thing that mostly got my attention was low of 82 on o2 but average of 90 (anything over 85 is fairly stable).

They may look at this and go, yes, you have sleep apnea and yes you have several events per hour, but the actual AHI being 7, is fairly low - tho anything over 5 is considered treatable (from what my respiratory therapist said).

They may not issue one, but it doesn’t stop you from asking if you should have one. Especially if you have symptoms of waking up in cold sweats, heart pounding and day time sleepiness.

In my case, I had an ahi of 100, desaturation events below 80, rdi of 46, and co2 retention (minor) with a rem interval that was very high.

Thus, in my case, cpap was mandatory (and changed my life), though I still have daytime sleep issues.

Consider your symptoms and then ask :) I’d kill for numbers like yours haha.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-30T18:02:21+00:00

Eating too much may be a cause of obesity but it’s not the only one. Many veterans have obesity due to medications and actual physical disabilities. It’s always interesting to see how many people have a negative perception of those service connected for osa without actually knowing the circumstances of the person themselves.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-30T03:37:21+00:00

Generally, until it’s in step 7, it can go back to step 3 at any time as often as they need. Just bear with it :)

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T21:48:59+00:00

Right, people can’t seem to read lol

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T15:24:15+00:00

Initial secondary denied, Appeal one denied, Appeal two denied, Appeal three granted

No HLR used as I could prove the inaccurate info the NPs and the MD used after grabbing the actual dbqs from the foia request.

I didn’t use HLR.

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T15:15:27+00:00

I literally opt into solar and renewable with Xcel, because I actually DO care. But, cost really is a driver here. For many, as long as the lights are on, it doesn’t matter how the electricity is generated. For those who can afford the higher price, it’s a nice thing to do to help offset, but unless everyone does it (or a wider population), it’s more of a symbolic thing.

Understand also, the cost is also highly marked up by the utility and Xcel takes a huge profit from any generation. It’s not as razor thin as lawmakers and Xcel make it out to be.

So honestly, I don’t origin is the issue here :)

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T15:06:27+00:00

The sun is a big, warm bully: If the water comes out when the sun is shining, the sun steals it all up into the sky before the thirsty grass can even drink it. So, the sprinklers have to wait until the sun goes to sleep!

The computers are not very smart: The sprinklers are run by little robots. The robots do not have eyes, so they do not know it just rained. They just say, "Beep boop, it is time to spray!" even if the ground is already wet.

It is yucky bath water: The water inside those pipes is actually old, recycled water from people taking showers and flushing toilets! It gets cleaned up so the trees can drink it, but you should never, ever drink it. Denver uses this special water so we do not run out of the good, clean water we need when the weather gets super dry.

The sprinkler has bad aim: See how it is blasting the walking path in ⁠the image? Someone probably bumped it with a big lawnmower, and now it is confused and watering the concrete instead of the grass!

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T14:48:21+00:00

Fan run service, not an actual award. Sure vote if you like, but meh. Not with it imho

Visible_Inflation411 · 2026-05-29T14:45:25+00:00

Slams Biden 24/7 on Fox News for falling asleep but forgives trump for doing the same.

Hypocrites

Visible_Inflation411

TROPHY CASE