I have multiple disabilities and more appear as I go to the VA or get worse. How can I claim then or how can the VA bump my %?

LCpl Ismael Ruiz Rodriguez — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:52:50 -0400

Response by PFC Brian Hoyt made May 12 at 2019 6:03 PM

PFC Brian Hoyt — Sun, 12 May 2019 18:03:56 -0400

File a claim to be re-examined because your disability is getting worse. I did that and had to get a lot of tests at VA Hospital, but eventually got it raised from 60% to 100%. With a big fat retroactive check based on the % difference. This process will take sometime but hang in there. Good luck.

Response by SP5 George Trudeau made May 13 at 2019 4:22 AM

SP5 George Trudeau — Mon, 13 May 2019 04:22:20 -0400

Get yourself a National Service rep. from DAV or American Legion, they will look at your case and give you help at no charge.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made May 13 at 2019 9:59 AM

SGT Robert Wager — Mon, 13 May 2019 09:59:36 -0400

The disability process is frustrating but pretty cut and dry. First and foremost you must establish a connection between your service and your disability. This is referred to a “nexus”. This is commonly established in your medical records from your service.

Filing a claim is as easy as logging on to the VA website and filling out the claim form. This can be accomplished online and you do not need to mail anything. You can also file for an increase as well

This will trigger a Compensation and Pension exam. Either a contact doctor or a VA doctor will evaluate your claimed disability and submit his findings to your Regional VA office and that office will assign a percentage or deny your claim.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 12:03 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 12:03:38 -0400

File a claim for C&P physical and go from there. [login to see] .

Response by Sgt Robert Case made May 14 at 2019 8:04 PM

Sgt Robert Case — Tue, 14 May 2019 20:04:33 -0400

All good answers. You can also file an informal reopened claim for a new condition or for an increase in a presently adjudicated service connected condition in writing (make a cc) and mailing to your VA Regional Office (VA.GOV for address). I would highly recommend, if you have the time, to contact your favorite local VSO (Veteran Service Organization) like DAV, VFW, PVA, WWP, etc ( you can use this link to find ones already approved by VA https://www.va.gov/vso/ ) and let them help you decide exactly what you want to do and then they will guide you each step along the way if you want them to. For free. You do not have to join them (but they will give you the chance) or pay them any money. If you want them to represent you with VA (Highly recommended as the bigger ones maintain office at VA so in many cases, they have the unique ability to walk right up to the people working on your claim (which you can not do) and talk to them. You are required to sign a limited power of attorney which VA requires, but it is only good for VA claims and appeals.
You can talk to VA at [login to see] , but that sometimes is problematic, time consuming and frustrating. You must never take NO for an answer over the phone. The only way you know if you are eligible for any particular VA benefit is by filling out an application and getting a formal answer. It is a process. Also remember, the law (Title 38 and 38 CFR's) requires you to formally apply for each and every VA benefit you are interested. If you have not applied, you for sure will not get it.
That's another reason I like VSO's. Most big ones are very well trained in this process and many understand it better than some VA employees. I have used DAV as a life member, because they are everywhere and have a very good network of services that works for me. But VFW, American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and many others are good to. Also, with a VSO, you have someone who will speak plainly to you. Not in VA speak (although they know how to speak it).
The VA is not your enemy. They derive no benefit by denying you anything. But they have a complex administrative system the are required to go through to make any decisions, one way or the other. Nothing in their laws or regulations says "Do what is right for the veteran." When I hired on with the VA in 86, I thought "Oh goodie! Now I really help these veterans!" What I found was a legally defined process that says who gets what and under what conditions. If what you want is not allowed under the law, you will never get it. The VA is filled with a vast majority of very caring employees, many of whom are disabled vets. But it's a big place and some employees are not as good as others. Start a VA folder. Write notes about who and when you interact with at VA and chuck them in it. Never take any disrespect. Always ask to speak to a supervisor if you don't think you are getting a proper answer. Speak nicely. They will throw you out and bar you from entry if you act out on them.
Also remember that VA Health Care and VA Benefits are two separate worlds within VA. One doesn't always know what the other is doing and you can't assume they do.
VA Benefits will write you extremely confusing letters. This is another good reason to have a VSO. If you have a VSO representing you, they will be sent a copy of every letter VA Benefits sends you. In many cases, the VSO will call you to discuss what the letter says. VA Benefits will not call you (about your letter), but you can also call them and they can read their letter with you in their computer system. Good luck and thanks so much for your service!

vso

Response by PO1 Jesse Andrews made May 15 at 2019 9:35 PM

PO1 Jesse Andrews — Wed, 15 May 2019 21:35:16 -0400

It is all about paperwork and proof. Get everything documented and if possible a nexus letter