Filing for VA increase in disability benefits. Any suggestions?

Me | Today | Me

[1_Inch_Group]

Help? ;)

[1_Inch_Group]

Ok, guys.....so I've gotten to the point where I need to file for 100% disability from symptoms and diseases related to Gulf War Syndrome.

Starting off with Asthma, allergic rhinitis (which I already have a 20% rating for).

Moving on to a recently diagnosed issue....and I hesitate to name it. Not because of shame, but because of the fact I know you are all going to google it and look at pictures.

Eff it. I don't care.

Recently diagnosed.....I got lucky and met a specialist at VAMC Long Beach.

My skin problems have been diagnosed as hidradenitis suppurativa.....which leaves me with large, draining areas that are interconnected by things called sinus tracts.

It's a deficiency in my immune system that was brought on by high temperatures and constant sweating while serving in the gulf back in the day.

This condition may also cause leg swelling, and coincidentally, on my last flare up, I got a bunch of blood clots in my leg, that went to my lungs.

Been hospitalized twice for blood clots, on blood thinners for the rest of my life, and have a stint in my leg now.

I'm just starting to work with American Legion, and they are very helpful.

But your experiences and help can be so much more helpful.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is all service connected. What should I push? What should I make the people helping me do?

I can't work. I'm in constant pain all day....and I'm not about to do the "de-roofing surgery" that the specialist is suggesting.

Do NOT google that.

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

[lavaroise]

I believe you need another veteran that was with you in theater to testify and vouch for you getting affected.

A buddy of mine was napping at the library and was developing sleep apnia and some former officer hearing it told him to do so.

[minnesota_bound]

Get the same lawyer that Jesse Jackson jr has who got him $138,400 a year while in prison.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jesse-jackson-junior-federal-benefits-met-20170222-story.html

[31R1O]

If you had the condition in the military and you have it now all that is needed is a medical opinion linking the in service affliction and the current one. Have all your treatment records together when you see your service representative. Also, a full 100% rating may not be necessary if you can show that your current disability rating is preventing gainful employment. Good luck with your claim.

[CivilWarBrewing]

One or more of your conditions MUST fall under any one of these categories of the SS List of Impairments:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

Very carefully list your conditions and WHY YOU CANNOT WORK! List them how you would describe them but the medical diagnosis must fall under one or more of these categories. My advice is to BE CONSISTENT because you are in for a LOT of form filling and SS review of your medical records and your discussions with your doctor(s).

[Rannug]

I used AmVets. They were great. They got my 100% P & T for PTSD and helped me in other ways. I cannot say enough for them. Give them a call and see what you think. Good luck.

[CivilWarBrewing]

P.S. Based of what you’ve described, you sound unable to engage in any kind of work routine.

[98ZJ USMC]

A buddy of mine was napping at the library and was developing sleep apnia

A buddy of mine told me that the VA gives an instant 40% disability for Sleep Apnea. He has other issues (back, legally blind in one eye)that have him in the neighborhood of 80%.

[1_Inch_Group]

Yep, applied for skin disorder when I was discharged....but it wasn’t apparent at the time.

Skin disorders are part of Gulf War Syndrome.

This disorder has been approved for disability before, I’ve read the decisions.

I know how high this mountain is that I must climb. Just looking for help from other vets that have accomplished the unlikely.

[1_Inch_Group]

I won’t do PTSD because they’ll take my guns away.

My guns are there to protect my family if they ever need them.

[1_Inch_Group]

Yep, SSDI is another one I’m applying for now as well.

It’s a condition that applies.

Just looking for advice on how to proceed. I’ve worked since I was 14. Joined the military the day ground war started in 91. Not a slacker.

Just trying to get what I’ve earned.

[1_Inch_Group]

Ty

[Rannug]

I have never been asked about guns. There are many rumors that do not hold water.

[Lean-Right]

1_Inch_Group
First of all, thank you
for your service.
My son served three tours
in Iraq. TBI, PTSD, Shrapnel
wounds to his right foot.
(severed toes that were reattached).
His first application for disability was denied.
He neglected to attach
a copy of his DD214 to his
application.
I would suggest that you
have your DD214 updated
with all of your newly
aquired symptoms, and hire
a reputable disability
lawyer. They are paid
a percentage of your
settlement only if SSA
approves you for benefits.
Hope this helps...

[1_Inch_Group]

My service? No...it was my duty. My family has a stong history of military service....and when the time came....it wasn’t a decision to make. I was my job to do. I’m proud I did it, and I wouldn’t take a second of it back.

That’s why I’m asking here though. Because I know there are a lot of Veterans here.....and they’ll be able to best advise me, even with the help of American Legion.

Love all of you. Thank you for the replies.

[Az Joe]

I would contact local Vet groups, like AmVets, American Legion, VFW and such. I used to work for the VA for a short time and these groups did a lot of good work.

I know the fastest process is to have all your medical records and any pertinent information submitted all at once at the very beginning. That puts you on a faster track. If you have to submit stuff later it will knock you off the fast track. Again, check with the local vet groups.

[imardmd1]

Most ordinary citizens or even some separated veterans cannot begin to appreciate your gift and the price you are yet paying. But the Disabled American Veterans is almost 100 years old now, and was created by you and for you. If you are not a member, you might to think about joining. No one knows better than your National Service Officer and your local fellow DAV friends how to help.

https://www.dav.org/veterans/find-your-local-office/

Your Local DAV National Service Officer (NSO) will help you file a claim and stick with you all through the process, because no veteran should have to go at it alone. All services provided by DAV NSOs are free of charge.

Please talk with them right away, eh?

I've spent hundreds of hours in the VA Volunteer Service, and all my hours go to the DAV. Plus I've collected thousands of dollars standing at store entrances, and can say to any donor that less than five per cent of the money collected go to administrative expenses. All the rest goes directly to provide help for a disabled veteran. All DAV Officers are disabled veterans. You need to take advantage of this that I help pay for.

And may God strengthen you.

[Lean-Right]

Okay...then it’s your duty
to serve that I thank you
for....my apologies...

[Brad from Tennessee]

I would suggest joining the Disabled American Veterans. They have local case workers who will help you file or refile claims, go to hearings with you, help you contact your congressional delegation etc. They will help you with Social Security as well as VA.

When dealing with the VA or Social Security disability you are going up against a system that is designed to discourage the claimant and wear him down. A government agency can only process a given number of claims in a month, or a year, so the first response they mail to the veteran says: “F*ck You! There’s nothing wrong with you. But even if there is the government is not liable for your ailment.” This causes a good percentage of claimants to give up and it reduces the bureaucracy’s workload to a level they deem reasonable. That’s why you have to be the squeaky wheel and why it’s best to have a representative from a veterans organization helping you.

As far a firearms and PTSD are concerned the website below will show you how it’s possible to keep your weapons and still get a PTSD rating.

http://www.gunlawsbystate.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-depression-and-possessing-a-firearm-the-basics/

[Brad from Tennessee]

This is a VA disability claims blog:

http://vets.yuku.com/forums/63/VA-Disability-Claims-General#.WLKa7H-hG1v