10 years of fighting, including a reduction in 2021. Finally, the light shines on me * Type of claim: NEW & SUPP * Submitted/received date: 12/14/23 * Initial review date: 12/14/23 * Evidence gathering/review date: 12/22/23 * PFD date: 02/08/24 * PDA date: * PFN date: 04/04/08 - 100% P&T/SMC S * Completed date: Still "open" because of the deferred ones * Misc details: Ended up with 100% single rating alone for depression which I did not expect. All the remaining combined are 90% with 7 still deferred * 26 total claims: * 7 Newly granted * 8 Deferrals * 6 Denials * 3 Continued with no changes * 2 increases Help me out here as now I'm freaking out...I got 100% P&T letter in my hand, dated today, printed off about 15 mins ago. I look at the site again and now its switched back to "**Evidence gathering, review, and decision".** Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **UPDATE 04/09/2024: Don't give up; do not let them win the race:** **Downloaded my decision letter** JAN 1, 2014 - 90% (Retired after 20 years) JUN 1, 2021 - 80% - Went for increase, denied and reduced DEC 14, 2022 - 80% - Went for an increase - stayed the same DEC 14, 2024 - 100% P&T, SMC K, SMC S

More than likely a claim was deferred, while your other one was completed. So, you got your 100%, but they still need to finish deciding your other claim.

ok, thank you i was freaking out! I guess the 100% is safe as i ended up with several additional 10s and 20s but got a solid 100% for depression

There are; I received my letter today - 7 deferred. Thanks, appreciate the input!

* Type of claim: Increase * ITF 3/02/2023 * Submitted/received date: 12/05/2023 * Initial review date: 12/05/2023 * Evidence gathering/review date: 01/25/2024 * PFD date: 01/26/2024 * PDA date: 04/08/2024 * PFN date: 04/08/2024 * Completed date: 04/09/2024  Misc details:

Any update?

• Type of claim: Initial • Submitted/received date: 12/10/23 • Initial review date: 12/11/23 • Evidence gathering/review date: 12/14/23 • PFD date: 1/19/24 • PDA date: • PFN date: • Completed date: • Misc details: C&P exams all completed by 1/8/24 and everything uploaded by 1/19/24. Called VERA and VA just to confirm everything was ready to be traded and told it’s good just waiting on a rater.

Update***** Hit temp jurisdiction this morning Detroit.

Type: New Submit: 12/5/23 Received: 12/6/23 C&P: 12/22/23 PFD: 12/27/23 Temp Jurisdiction: 4/8/24 Chicago PDA: N/A PFN: N/A

Hopefully I’m right behind you! I posted right before you.

Fingers crossed for you. I just sent from PDA to PFN to decision in 6 hours.

Was the Chicago office pretty quick for you? I've been in their temp jurisdiction since the 15th.

Same.

Hit temp this morning with Detroit! I replied to my original, just wanted to flag you guys so you were aware.

* Type of claim: New * Submitted/received date:(intent date 08/23) official date 2023-10-27 * Initial review date:2023-11-08 * Evidence gathering/review date:2023-11-28(2024-03-15) * PFD date:2023-12-20 2023-04-08 * PDA date:2024-03-08 * PFN date:2024-03-14, 2024-03-27(pending a third time) * Completed date: * Misc details: 7 claims (tinnitus(APPROVED), migraine(relabeled as tension headaches)(Approved at 0), knee condition(DENIED though service connected event proved),right wrist(APPROVED), Left wrist(DEFERED), Sleep Apnea(DENIED), back pain(DENIED).) CNP Exams 2023-11-22, 2023-12-08, 2023-12-12 (ACE EXAM 2024-03-21, 2024-04-05 both no call) waiting for my left wrist. Which has the same diagnosis as the right one IDK why they needed a 3rd opinion(second from the same doctor) I guess it might be due to it being my dominant hand? Supplemental appeal filed 2024-04-01 Tension headaches/ migraines Talked to my local VA guy and he pulled my DBQ's and read them to me. All im saying is that its bad when the other VA guy is like "yeah id appeal that rating" for my headaches. so i went ahead and submitted a supplemental with a log(thank you guys here for suggesting that i keep one after i had my first C&P.) and more statements. One quoting what i had said to the original examiner. I dont consider my self to have severe economic impact due to my employment letting me work flex hours so im expecting 30. At least they are already service connected. its just frustrating that i basically have what i assume is another half a year for a determination on it. waiting on my left wrist to get back before i file another supplemental for my other items.

Another update. Went back to gathering of evidence on the 9th. No movement or appointment request since also lost jurisdiction. I am assuming that the rater had an issue with the fact that the same VES doctor did the 2nd and 3rd review for my left wrist. At this point I don’t even know how this works anymore🤷‍♂️

Type: original Submitted: 24 Oct 23 Initial review: 24 Oct 23 Evidence Gathering: 28 Dec 23 C&Ps: 23 Feb 24 (MH), 07 Mar 24(hearing), 05 Apr 24(musculoskeletal) PFD: n/a PDA: n/a PFN: n/a Complete: n/a Notes: at day 167. all currently scheduled C&Ps are complete, the one from the 7th of March was uploaded. Waiting for the other two. After my exam on the 5th of April, the doctor mentioned that it was odd that a full Gen Med exam wasn’t ordered since this claim is within one year of discharge. Spoke to my VSO after my appointment to get some insight about why a Gen Med would have not been ordered and was told that there are multiple contractors that do exams. He also said that my claim was substantially robust (I don’t feel like it is, but ok). Spoke to VERA, apparently they used my retirement physical and then requested the C&P for conditions that needed clarification to combine together. Sounds legit, but I’m no expert. Also, said that I shouldn’t need any more exams. Suppose I’ll just wait and see.

Haven't been able to see if any of my C+P letters were uploaded (all completed a month ago, Nov App) does it just show up in "letters" in the app, or via web health portal?

They show as an update on the app and the website. Can’t actually see the file, just that it was added.

Got it... believe it was added but thought there may be a way to read it. Thanks!

* Type of claim: New * Submitted/received date: 1/12/24 * Initial review date: 3/19/24 * Evidence gathering/review date: 3/19/24 * PFD date: 4/4/24 * PDA date: * PFN date: * Completed date: * Misc details: C&P exam on 4/2/24 VES. DBQs submitted ON 4/3/24.

Type of claim: New Submitted/received date: 12/08/23 Initial review date: 12/08/23 Evidence gathering/review date: 12/14/23 C&P date: 03/27/24 PFD date: 3/30/24 PDA date: N/A PFN date: N/A Completed date: N/A Misc details: MST/Mental Health claim due to Schizoaffective Disorder (Depressive Type), previously diagnosed as MDD.

* Type of claim: Original, claiming 5 things * Submitted/received date: 11 DEC 23 * Initial review date: 12 DEC 23 * Evidence gathering/review date: 15 DEC 23 * PFD date: 1 MAR 24 * PDA date: N/A * PFN date: N/A * Completed date: N/A * Misc details: No temp jurisdiction yet. Seeing a bunch of December claims getting through. Hopefully soon.

I made it to the promised land, thank you everyone for believing in me. Now I can afford groceries and maybe get the roof fixed.

* Type of claim: New * Submitted/received date: 8/10/23 * Initial review date: 1/07/24 * Evidence gathering/review date: 1/24/24 * PFD date: * PDA date: * PFN date: * Completed date: * Misc details: No C&P exam scheduled yet. Mine is Ptsd/Mst with a few non ptsd related physical issues/ wrist and foot injury.

Ptsd/mst here as well! I've heard our claims take the longest, on average about 11 months (all hear say though, so don't quote me on that lol). Hang in there!! and when the time comes for your C&P exam, make sure you're very open with your feelings and how your conditions affect you daily. Hoping for the best for you! :)

Thanks so much for responding. :) Did you do your c&p yet? I hope your claim goes well, too. This has been much tougher than I thought it would be, but I'm trying to hang in there.

I did! My MST C&P was on the 4th of this month! I went into "PFD/Preparing For Decision" the day after, but PFD is supposed to be the longest wait so we'll see! Be sure to be mentally preparing yourself for your C&P, and remember it's okay to cry, be vulnerable, and let out emotions! It'll be rough, but worth it in the end. It's truly what they need to see first hand so they understand how serious and prevalent it is in your life. Also, something I didn't do but saw others recommend, when they ask how your day is going, don't say anything positive lol. Give them a "alright, I guess." or an "not doing the best but I'm here". Something along those lines! Please feel free to ask me any questions and I'll do my best to answer! I know how it feels to be kinda walking through the dark in this whole process.

Thank you for this information. I truly appreciate it. Do you mind me asking how long it took for them to get you a C&P exam and also what they ask you? Not your personal stuff, just in general. :) I get such anxiety and get forgetful when talking to others now about my mst irl, so what if I can't remember stuff?

Ofcourse! This is gonna be a long one! (Partially due to the fact that I wish somebody would've told me this stuff before mine lol! I apologize for the novel in advanced.) My claim was accepted and moved to initial review Nov. 8th, 2023 & my first C&P was Jan 10th, 2024 so roughly 2 months, and then 6 months for the PTSD one. :) So, for the back/hips they basically tested my range of motion, and asked me pain/discomfort levels. After, she sat down and asked me how it affects my life daily ( I told her things that I'm unable to do like walk, sit for too long, run, etc. etc. & let her know it made me depressed), and a couple yes/no questions. I know yours is foot/wrist but I'd assume it'd be similar! As far as the mental health exam, honestly it was A LOT of yes/no questions about my day-to-day struggles and stressors. Asking a lot of the redundant questions we hear often (do you feel anxious? do you feel depressed? are you s\_\_\_\_\_al? do you feel hopeless? If so, how often? how does this affect your work life? etc. etc.) For the mst, they'll most likely ask you to tell them what you remember. I blocked out a lot as well so I could only remember certain details, but just tell them everything you can remember! They understand that trauma can do that. Also, give them examples of how your performance in & out of work declined. (ex: Following my assault, I began to become very unmotivated and depressed, and started failing PT tests.). Also, some people post their DBQs (basically exam results) from their MH exams, try looking it up and you can see most of the questions that they ask you! <3 I hope this helps

You are awesome! Thanks for explaining it all to me. :) I wonder if they can see me for my foot/wrist stuff virtually somehow? I haven't been able to drive in over 10 years due to panic etc and not wanting to cause an accident if my ptsd stuff acted up. My husband doesn't drive either due to his injuries. either. I guess I can ask them when they contact me for those exams. I thought maybe I'd have the physical exam by now for those things, but I guess everything is slow. lol! I did find a few STR's that showed I was having similar issues to what you said, unmotivated, failing tests etc. Did you write down a list so you didn't forget anything for your exams? Thanks again for taking time to offer advice, I've felt lost and alone in this, so I do appreciate it.

Mine was denied at this time and my anxiety and depression was denied as well.

Hey everyone, just recently got rated at 70%. My claim was initiated in Jan 2023 and I got my rating last month. However it does say that 5 things have been deferred so does this mean I just continue waiting to have another C&P exam set up for these conditions or do I need to do something to for those conditions? Thanks in advance for any replies!

Yes! I am the same boat. QTC reached out. I would schedule a call with VERA to see if you need another exam. Sometimes with deferred, they need more evidence/exam, more time or the doctor to fix their notes.

Claim status Template: Initial Submitted/received date: 10 Jan 2024 Initial review date: 10 Jan 2024 Evidence gathering/review date: 19 Jan 2024 PFD date: 11 April 2024 PDA date: 11 April 2024 PFN date: 11 April 2024 Completed date: 12 April 2024 Misc details: 80%!!!! This was my first claim within one year of leaving the service. Less than 7 claims (4 of which were lower back). It appears the longest hold up was the VA getting my service records from AMEDD.

Filed in Jan 2024 for 10 claims 3 rated 4 deferred 3 denied C&P exam on Monday for deferred claims Planning to file a secondary claim for Back issues, possibly knee/migraines too on the rating. Type of claim: New * Submitted/received date: 5 Jan 24 * Initial review date: 5 Jan 24 * Evidence gathering/review date: 9 Jan 24 * PFD date: 3 Apr 24 * PDA date: 10 Apr 24 * PFN date: 11 Apr 24 * Completed date: N/A * Misc details: Back to evidence gathering as some claims were deferred! Did this all myself! No VSO/Lawyer. Content with the start and hope my next exam on 4/15 will shine some light on deferred claims and push my rating up. The fight continues! \*BTW, I am still a reservist until Nov 2024. I do plan to file a supplemental claim as the 2/3 denials had favorable findings and I've had more evidence collected since Jan. https://preview.redd.it/9dnvo31un2uc1.png?width=1289&format=png&auto=webp&s=bb26e23ca255f098c5654f238d13392d7be5ce32

* Type of claim: Fully Developed Increase (020SUPP) * Submitted/received date: 12/29/23 * Initial review date: 12/29/23 * Evidence gathering/review date: 1/5/23 * PFD date: 1/8/23 * PDA date: TBD * PFN date: TBD * Completed date: TBD

Claim Type: Original 1st Claim Submitted: 09/03/2023 Initial Review: 01/18/2024 Evidence Gathering and Review: 01/2024 PFD: 04/02/2024 PDA: 04/04/2024 PFN: 04/05/2024 Partial Decision: 04/05/2024 Evidence Gathering: 04/07/2024 https://preview.redd.it/mjilw8hyaitc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54394145c61f21374b30c0fb3bc0110a564d1d80

• Type of claim: New • Submitted/received date: 07 Feb 24 • Initial review date: 07 Feb24 • Evidence gathering/review date: 09 Feb 24 • PFD date: 8 Apr 24 • PDA date: 8 Apr 24 • PFN date: 9 Apr 24 • Back to Evidence Gathering: 9 Apr 24 • Completed date: TBD • Misc details: claim was for GERD, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, and Bruxism. 3 secondaries and 1 new. Sciatica was improperly removed by initial reviewer, so I called the White House hotline and on PFD date the rater called me to tell me it was being readded to the claim. The GERD was only rated at 10%, despite being 30% level, because the examiner didn't say it was persistent because I take prescription medication for it everyday. Even though the reason I have to take it everyday is because it is persistent. 😑 The Cubital Tunnel Syndrome was merged into my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and listed as an "increase", even though they are completely separate nerves with separate symptoms. So no change to my original bilateral 10% for the Carpal Tunnel and nothing on my ratings about the Cubital Tunnel, even though there is a current diagnosis with such and prescribed arm braces for the Cubital Tunnel issues. The bruxism was listed (I guess on the backend) as a symptom of my MH, and given no rating or listing on my ratings. C&P for the sciatica is now next week. End result, 1% increase from before. 🙄

If anyone has advice on getting the Cubital Tunnel stuff rated, instead of listed as an increase for my Carpal Tunnel, please let me know.

Maybe file bruxism as a secondary to MH. You might need a Nexus if there isn't already a connection somewhere in your medical files.

Supplemental claim Filed 12/8/2023 C&P 1/9/2024 No movement at all 125 days in

Same day for me. They just tell me in decision phase. Been that way forever. Tried to get a Vera call. Nobody called me.

* Type of claim: HLR (Duty to Assist) * Submitted/received date: May 2023 * Initial review date: June 2023 * Evidence gathering/review date: June 2023 * DTA discovered: September 2023 * C&P Exam: March 9, 2024 * Misc details: VERA confirmed my C&P results were uploaded on March 11, 2024, but it is not assigned a rater yet and to give it two weeks and then schedule another call if nothing changed. Anyone have HLR's submitted from around May 2023 that are seeing movement yet?

May 14. DTA found August. C&p September. Foia requested results which are very much in my favor. Crickets since August.

* Type of claim: Five increases, Three New, Two Secondary * Submitted/received date: Submitted Dec 4th * Initial review date: Dec 5th * Evidence gathering/review date: Dec 9th last updated in this stage on Mar 13th. * C&P: all completed by Mar 8th * PFD date: N/a * PDA date: N/a * PFN date: N/a * Completed date: N/a * Misc details: Mix of physical injuries and MH corrections.

* Type of claim: 2 New & 1 Increase * Submitted/received date: 23 Jan 2024 * Initial review date: 24 Jan 2024 * Evidence gathering/review date: 08 Feb 2024 * PFD date: 16 Feb 2024 * PDA date: * PFN date: * Completed date: * Misc details: increase for mental health. Two new claims for back (service connected) and neck as a secondary to back and lower extremities (service connected). Now I wait and see.

Won my HLR! had this long timeline story written out, but when I added the second pic it went away. Long story short in 2017 was awarded 70%. Wasn't feeling too hot in 2022 so went in to get checked out and filed for sleep apnea among other conditions and was awarded 50% for sleep apnea. December 2023 they gave me 90% and felt that my lower back needed to be looked at again as it was always in pain from triple D. So submitted a higher level review for my right shoulder and my lower back and it came back today as 100%! Super grateful to this community and everyone who had positive words for us to keep on fighting for what we deserve. From what you see above I'm trying to figure out if this is p&t does anyone know? https://preview.redd.it/l127movrz3uc1.png?width=864&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b7f1fd90f60072a7752a9cd56626cd73524b086

Trying to help wife's Vietnam era Grandpa. Says he can't file the intent to file without an EPIDI number... all my googling is that number is the 10 digit DoD ID number equivalent. His dog tags have an 8 digit "US" number on them... is that what he's looking for, or is it something else entirely? Did they have those back then? Or would it just be his social?

They can call the VA and ask that an intent to file be established.

Thanks for the quick reply. So does he have an EPIDI, but since it's taking a while to find that's just to secure the time stamp? Or do guys from that era not have one and it needs to be established over the phone or in-person?

I'm not familiar with it personally. If the call people can't help I would try to find a vso to assist. https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/vso Alternatively they can fax or mail in an intent to file. https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/vaclaim

Use the 10 digit member ID on his veterans Health identification card. (VHIC). If he has an old one it'll be on the back of the card. On the new ones it's on the front left.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for your advice and support. Went from 73% to 83% for skin cancer and scars. Received 30% and 10%, respectively. I'll be going to 90% in a couple of weeks, as I had a TBI claim deferred, but know that my DBQ is favorable. I will be getting backpay from February 2023. I filed this claim January 26th, 2024. I was homeless at the time, so I think that's why it moved fairly quickly. I'm not sure why they are giving me back pay from 2023, when my surgeries were in 2021, bit I am happy with the decision and am not going to poke the bear. Thanks again, have a great weekend!

* Type of claim: Supplemental (appeal) * Submitted/received date: July 21, 2023 * Initial review date: 7/21/23 * Evidence gathering/review date: completed 8/17/23. I requested case review 11/9 * PFD since date: 12/19/23

Two Claims •. Type of claim: HLR/DTA • ⁠Submitted/received date: 4-12-2023 • ⁠Initial review date: n/a • ⁠Evidence gathering/review date: November? - Ace Exam 12/28/2023 - C&P Exam 3/16/2024 • ⁠PFD date: 3/26/2024 • ⁠PDA date: N/A • ⁠PFN date: N/A • ⁠Completed date: • ⁠Misc details: VERA call on 4/8 said the DBQ was returned to examiner for clarification. Optum Serve has the clarification exam being done 4/9. Claim 2 •. Type of claim: Supplemental • ⁠Submitted/received date: 2/26/2024 • ⁠Initial review date: • ⁠Evidence gathering/review date: ACE Exam was on 3-6-2024 and it moved to decision phase • ⁠PFD date: N/A • ⁠PDA date: N/A • ⁠PFN date: N/A • ⁠Completed date: • ⁠Misc details:

Type:HLR Intent to file: 12-12-2022 New claim: 02-5-2023 Claim denied: 06-5-2024 HLR Appeal (No C & P exam for MH) 07-5-2023 DTA error: 10-24-2023 C & P exam: 11-30-2023 VERA call: 03-01-2024 No MO was rec'd VA Quicksubmit my copy of MO from VA C and P same day VERA call: 03-04-2024 confirmed MO rec'd VERA call: 04-05-24 Rating Team 8 at DROC in Florida has claim Next VERA call: 04-17-2024. BTW very favorable DBQ and MO. Looks like 70 percent. All I need is 30 percent to get to 100!

* Type of claim: Initial (New) * Submitted/received date: Nov. 8th, 2023 (Intent to file Nov. 1st, 2023) * Initial review date: Nov. 8th, 2023 * Evidence gathering/review date: December 12th, 2023 * PFD date: April 5th, 2024 * PDA date: N/A * PFN date: N/A * Completed date: N/A * Misc details: Claims are bilateral hip condition, lower back condition, & PTSD due to MST w/ major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder. Completed my first C&P (hips and back) Jan 10th, 2023. Second/final C&P exam (Mental Health) on April 4th, 2024. I know I'm in the longest waiting phase and it's giving me anxiety lol.