How do I change my VA disability rating?

2014-03-31T22:02:12-04:00

<div>The VA has me on 10% disability for a brain tumor that my position in the military caused and it cost me my job. The brain tumor is non-operable, located under both lobes, and almost touching the brainstem on the innermost part of my head, it causes seizures, and the medicine they put me on makes me hyper-aggressive and I suffer from a combination of both long term and short term memory loss. The tumor was cause by prolonged exposure to nuclear radiation. I had a seizure on the job and I was given a medical retirement with disability pay. 2 years later I got orders for a medical reevaluation, I proved that the tumor had stopped growing and with the medicine the seizures had stopped. They determined that I was too big of a risk to keep and gave me an honorable discharge, a one time severance pay, and a VA disability rating of 10%. I have requested a reevaluation and they sent a letter back approving only 10%. Should I be getting more and what is reasonable to ask?<br></div>

Response by SGT Stacy Grudzinski made Jan 17 at 2014 7:47 PM

2014-01-17T19:47:58-05:00

If you are near an Army post, contact IDES Soldiers Counsel. Many times, they are willing to help(even if you are out).

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 31 at 2014 11:16 PM

2014-03-31T23:16:58-04:00

I would suggest contacting your local VFW, American Legion, DAV and just about any veteran organization you can find, they are your best advocates to help with an appeal. Even though you sent a letter, have you filed an official appeal, that is where you need to start and provide any and every type of medical documentation you can find or get.

Good luck.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Apr 1 at 2014 11:08 PM

2014-04-01T23:08:14-04:00

Hey cuz! This is Karen. Something does not sound right here with just 10%. Without knowing what you have already attempted as far as getting it raised, first, make sure you get ahold of all of your medical records from your active duty time and from your civilian providers. I know of plenty of veterans who have a MUCH higher percentage for MUCH LESS problems. Do you belong to any service organizations like DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc? I am a lifetime member of the DAV, and I think you need to take the case to them and have them help you file a new claim and sponsor it through the system. You can use my name as a reference. I don't know if that carries any weight, but it's worth a mention to the service rep. Go to your Veterans Service Center in town and see the advisor  who will be assigned to you. They will ask you at one point if you have a service organization in mind to sponsor your claim- tell them the DAV. YOu may actually want to join them anyway so you have that connection. I will see if I can find the info for who you need to see first. My phone number is [login to see] , so give me a call if you need to. I need your home email so I can send you information as I get it.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Apr 1 at 2014 11:09 PM

2014-04-01T23:09:52-04:00

http://veterans.ocgov.com

This is the link to the Orange County Vet Service Center

Orange County, California - Veterans Service Office

Making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work, and play, today and for generations to come, by providing outstanding, cost-effective regional public services.

Response by LTC David B. made Apr 14 at 2014 10:55 PM

2014-04-14T22:55:03-04:00

Lawyer time! There are several who specialize with us military types....

Response by PO3 Mark Lyman made Apr 16 at 2014 12:21 AM

2014-04-16T00:21:22-04:00

you should have 100% disability I would fight that it is 100% military related......

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 1:33 AM

2014-04-16T01:33:54-04:00

Get in touch with your local Disabled Veterans Association (DAV) and keep fighting the VA wants you to give up....good luck

Response by SFC Ray Shulmire made Apr 16 at 2014 10:52 AM

2014-04-16T10:52:15-04:00

If all the information that you have is true. that 10% rating was given to you by the Medical Board at the base that you were discharged from. You need to contact the VA Service officer, IE American Legion, or DAV, VFW as your service officer. They will help your fill out all of the VA forms. One thing that you should be aware of is the fact the 10% severance pay you may have to pay back. Make sure that you get or have all copies of all of your medical records and submit the records to the VA.

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made May 20 at 2014 12:29 PM

2014-05-20T12:29:18-04:00

Seek the help of a qualified service officer who is good with the code of federal registries or CFR which is Va"s bible to handling this type of stuff. The American legion and Veterans of foreign wars and some state veterans affairs officers can assist you. Also make copies of all your paperwork and keep them in a fire proof safe. Best of luck with VA.

Response by PO3 Mike Binning made May 21 at 2014 12:25 PM

2014-05-21T12:25:57-04:00

Contact your local CVSO(County Veterans' Service Officer) for help also. They can be a great help and resource for you.

Response by A1C Aaron Johnson made Jun 22 at 2014 3:45 AM

2014-06-22T03:45:07-04:00

I fought it. Took me about 2 years but now I am 70%. Great thing too. Came from 10 to 70. Just keep calling and asking questions

Response by SSgt Dock Mitchell made Jul 16 at 2014 11:16 AM

2014-07-16T11:16:40-04:00

You should definitely join DAV (Department of American Veterans). It is a group of Veterans that comprise of many different backgrounds and they will provide you with Legal assistance and fight for your rights. They will even go to Washington if required to do so to meet with the VA Medical Board to ensure that YOU get what you deserve. Its a minimal cost to you but the benefits of having someone that knows the system to help you and stand with you out weighs anything.

IMHO your medical condition is much greater than the 10% you have been awarded.

Response by SPC Dennis Mullins made Jul 23 at 2014 8:46 AM

2014-07-23T08:46:09-04:00

See your DAV officer and have him to direct you on this! 10 % is not in order should be more if it effects your day to day life!

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 3 at 2014 7:25 PM

2014-08-03T19:25:39-04:00

Appeal. The VA does not want to pay you for a catastrophic injury. Get some advocates to help you out like the DAV. I am a part-life member of the DAV with a 100% rating, which I got the first time. Go to the appointments they send you and keep all of your paperwork. Keep appealing until they give you what you deserve.

Response by SFC(P) Tobias M. made Jan 15 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-01-15T13:57:58-05:00

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member can you point this young man in the right direction?

SrA Adrian Yruretagoyena I went through the DAV and said I did not agree with my 10% rating. They fought for me and it was later raised. It will take some time so start now. George works for the VFW and may be able to help with this as well.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Mar 9 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-03-09T22:04:44-04:00

May I suggest you read some of the information on VAWatchdog.org. Jim Stricklen has great information and insight into all aspects of the VA benefit processes.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 9 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-03-09T22:21:13-04:00

You best option, if you rating decision is completed, and you are not pleased... Is to contact a VSO (Veterans Service Officer) who can advise on your best options. They are located in various places, VFW, American Legion, DAV, but I think the best ones are the ones employed by the state veterans affairs departments. They understand the process, and VA, and give you best advice and assistance. Here, in Missouri, they do the paperwork on your behalf. You can Google VSO in your area, and you can see who is in your vicinity.

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Mar 9 at 2015 10:22 PM

2015-03-09T22:22:10-04:00

I lived this story as a soldier and advocate. The processes change in the post events and past 3 years. You need to rally efforts to convey injustice and button yp for the fight. Of course, the VA is not the starting point.

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Mar 9 at 2015 10:31 PM

2015-03-09T22:31:44-04:00

100 percent Permanent and Total is the best incentive. On the other hand, you are now responsible for Health outcomes which were manageable with early measures and current practices. The failures are real similar to your daily circumstances. You may need a lawyer for boards instead of the VSO (DAV, etc).

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Mar 9 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-03-09T23:03:48-04:00

Cobtact AFW2 [login to see] .mil

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2020 11:09 PM

2020-05-18T23:09:28-04:00

The issue is you can not prove without a reasonable doubt that the tumor is service related.

Response by SFC Tracy Donahoo made Dec 11 at 2021 8:14 PM

2021-12-11T20:14:52-05:00

I have no connection with this organization but I have studied their material which helped me go from 20% to 70% and still more to go.

They have an abundance of free blogs and videos that tell you everything you need to know to file a good claim if your condition warrants it.

First thing to do is submit your “intent to file” form asap. That preserves your effective date if you get an upgrade rating. A VSO can help but you can easily do this yourself on the VA website.

https://vaclaimsinsider.com/

VA Claim Experts

VA Claims Insider is an education-based Coaching / Consulting company for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits