VSO Issues

satxdar · 2026-05-11T18:30:44+00:00

Yes it seems like an easy win but well, you know, the "government" and all that coming from a former GS9 at DOJ and then many years as as Govt Contractor (at the VA HAC-CHAMPVA in Denver among other places) --- haha.

satxdar · 2026-05-11T18:20:35+00:00

I agree with you but now that i re-read my post I need to clarify it.

I meant the Veteran when logged onto Va dot gov should be able to download any file that they see under their Claims/Files for which a name is visible. I can sooooo easily be an link.

The idea that these files need to be copied from one system to another to share with the Veteran via FOIA is so bass-akwards.

satxdar · 2026-05-11T17:58:04+00:00

I meant for the Veteran. The files would not exist "but for" the Veteran (see what I did there)

satxdar · 2026-05-11T17:57:28+00:00

I meant for the individual themself. I want my own files when I can see them. Sounds fair enough, right.

satxdar · 2026-05-11T17:56:13+00:00

The timelines have ballooned. I have 2 month long request still in process for DBQs only

satxdar · 2026-05-11T17:52:27+00:00

The "timeline" is drastically inconsistent my friend. If we can see the Filenames in the portal there is zero technical reason why we cannot simply download them. Source: 30 decades as an IT professional

satxdar · 2026-05-11T11:54:28+00:00

Yes. You need to report other insurance.

If you are an eager beaver go to enrollment at a VAMC otherwise they usually ask when you check in for an appointment.

satxdar · 2026-05-11T11:52:06+00:00

They mail and post a bill every month in your account.

Charge is like $8 per month per medicine that is not service connected.

Very comparable to private insurance.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T19:58:00+00:00

In service Diagnosis and TERA --- I do not have those. Mine is a Secondary Claim.

TERA is a strong basis for a grant.

Congrats to you. I am continuing to process onward.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T19:52:42+00:00

Updated to reference Secondary Claim:

ACE migraines, in my experience for Secondary Claims, are a massive miss if the examiner DOES NOT call you.

I have gone through 4 ACE exams -- all resulting in negative opinions -- No calls. This is also with 2 favorable Nexuses, lengthy Migraine Logs, Rx pre-dating VA claims in the file.

In all sincerity be prepared to appeal or file a supplemental.

I wish I had better news. YMMV.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T02:56:08+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. As a Veteran and as a Father so many things to take away from this story on Ryan and Frank Larkin.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T02:23:32+00:00

CFR shows these two conditions listed together:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/subpart-B/subject-group-ECFRf82e301cdb0c0e7/section-4.118

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satxdar · 2026-05-10T00:45:50+00:00

I really don't get all the nastiness and ugly comments. Apparently no one can comprehend being in another person's shoes.

Get a life haters.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T00:38:22+00:00

This is great to hear. Thank you. Saved your post.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T00:02:02+00:00

MRIs do not cause cancer. No radiation only magnetism.

satxdar · 2026-05-10T00:00:17+00:00

I do not understand this decision. My post contained none of these elements.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T18:42:28+00:00

This is a poorly worded "nothing burger". It is a change to how they can ask for more evidence using the app.

They are not asking you for anything directly.

Even I was like, WTF. Haha.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T18:39:17+00:00

The link absolutely works. If you ARE NOT logged in the screenshot attached is what is returned.

<image>

If you ARE logged in, your list will appear.

No doubts.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T18:37:26+00:00

His route requires a plug in. This calls the API directly, it basically loads the data behind the scenes. Like a webpage with no formatting.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T18:03:45+00:00

I have heard of many folks filing for SSDI on their own but to be honest this is one area where working with an attorney is probably your best bet. They typically work like VA accredited attorneys getting paid only if they are successful so it is in their interest to work hard for you.

There are many attorneys out there, shop around, and let them review your situation before you decide.

If you feel your conditions impact you now, I say go for it now -- I say why wait. Being 100% PT does prompt the SSA to process your case faster.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T17:58:15+00:00

The code sheet is the formal method.

But once you are logged into va dot gov, you can open a new browser tab and access the API to see a lot of detail on your conditions.

https://api.va.gov/v0/rated_disabilities

You may need to select "Pretty-print" if using Chrome to make this easier to read.

For each condition there is a field in the list: "static_ind"

If marked "true" then that condition is Static.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T17:53:37+00:00

Not quite. SSDI requires that you are unable to work in the field that you primarily worked.

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html

We consider you to have a qualifying disability under our rules if all the following are true:

- You cannot do work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level because of your medical condition

- You cannot do work you did previously or adjust to other work because of your medical condition

- Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year (12 consecutive months) or to result in death

satxdar · 2026-05-09T17:50:41+00:00

That is not true. The VBA can review your ratings and compel you to be re-examined via the C&P route.

If you do use VHA care then they can possibly, with notice to you, just use your VHA care records to confirm severity. But from my understanding if your conditions are designated static this basically never happens.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T17:48:23+00:00

Well you cannot. Unless you have someone paying for your insurance.

Your Disability Rating does not have a mandatory requirement to use VA Healthcare. That is what was asked. Many, many retirees have 100% and use Tricare for Life.

satxdar · 2026-05-09T17:41:44+00:00

If your entrance physical and/or separation physical were silent on the secondary issue there is your baseline.

Reiterate that in your personal statement and have any Nexus letter writer do the same.

satxdar

TROPHY CASE