Is anybody else going through a VA disability reduction?

SGT Ryan Johnson — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:59:42 -0400

VA is trying to reduce my disability rating for my severe anxiety even though I am still suffering from it, I can't believe I have to fight for my claim all over again. Anyone else experiencing this?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2018 4:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:04:20 -0400

Not yet, this is the first I’ve heard of any attempt to reduce a p&t claim.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 6 at 2018 4:07 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:07:21 -0400

I hope not. Seriously though - Are you working? Is it a good paying job? Are you still getting treatment for the injury and have you attended all the referrals they sent you to OR did you get lazy and stop going (thus refusing the course of treatment?)

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 6 at 2018 4:08 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:08:46 -0400

http://www.vetsdvocates.org

Aside from vet groups or law school vet law clinics these guys at NOVA are the best honest pay the retainer try for one who’s a vet themselves we lucked out but they’re all good let them take their contingency money and just do exactly as they say, trust me ok?

www.vetsdvocates.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 6 at 2018 4:08 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:08:48 -0400

www.vetsdvocates.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 6 at 2018 4:09 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:09:25 -0400

Trust me I assure you well worth it promise....

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 6 at 2018 4:29 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:29:11 -0400

There are many conditions associated with VA compensation that are projected to improve over time. It is your responsibility to continue to see your physician and participate in whatever programs, medication, therapy etc. that supports good health. If you have continued with your requirements it should be an easy process. If you have not, it can be a challenge to prove you still suffer the illness at the rate you had in the past. No rating is untouchable save those listed as permanent and or 100 percent Disabled. I work with Veterans from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and they are often recalled to validate their claims. Thank you for your service.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jun 6 at 2018 7:59 PM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 19:59:26 -0400

SGT Ryan Johnson those comments I voted up (there were too many to read them all) are telling you exactly the scoop with VA service connection disability. I worked as a volunteer for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as a Service Officer.

Response by CPT Earl George made Jun 6 at 2018 8:12 PM

CPT Earl George — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:12:36 -0400

If the rule is still the same, your disability becomes permanent after 20 years if it hasn't changed and then your disability can not go down. Until then, you need to stay on top of things as the VA will always try and say you are improving.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 4:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 04:11:19 -0400

I recently filed for an increase, adding secondary conditions to my list. This initiated a review of the primary conditions as well. This meant that the percentage for my primary conditions could have changed either way, or been dropped all together, but after appointments with their assigned Doctors, were rated to be the same. The secondary conditions were combined into one as they were related, and added 70% to my list which was 50% previously, to give me a total of 90%, all of which is now listed as Permanent.

As long as you get your records forwarded, and you are successful in making your case with the review Doctor(s), you should have no problems.

Best of luck to you. And thank you for your service.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Jun 7 at 2018 12:36 PM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 12:36:35 -0400

About 3 years after retirement, I was told that I had to see another doctor about my disability. I was worried that they would find some reason to lower my rating. I went to the appointment, discussed the issues, and waited until the VA sent the new rating. Luckily, it didn't go down. Then, about 2 years ago, I received a letter and my rating went up. Just hang in there. Good luck.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 7 at 2018 12:40 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 12:40:34 -0400

Go to DAV or another competent VSO in your area and have them intervene on your behalf. Make sure you have lots of treatment records to support your position. If you've been seeing a private provider (rather than VA or military) get copies of all your records. If you have had to go to an emergency room because of a panic attack or related issues, get records from that hospital.

The only way to fight this is with paper.

I'm sorry you're going through this. With your anxiety problems, this cannot be easy.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Nov 20 at 2018 11:00 AM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 11:00:38 -0500

a HORRIFING DISRESPECT OF THE BELEIVED SYSTEM.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Mar 11 at 2019 5:09 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 17:09:25 -0400

This is horrible.

Response by CPT Earl George made Sep 29 at 2019 8:07 AM

CPT Earl George — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 08:07:58 -0400

If the rules have not changed, if you rating stays the same for 20 years, then the VA can't lower it, only raise it.Until such time ,they can make you see them as often as they see fit. Thank you for your service.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Nov 13 at 2020 7:36 AM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 07:36:15 -0500

That is unexceptable.

Response by SgtMaj Robert Burke made Nov 14 at 2020 10:11 AM

SgtMaj Robert Burke — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 10:11:29 -0500

Just now going through a situation. Had 90% blockage in RCA and had a Stent put in. Now my rating is being cut from 60 to 30% . Docs say I'm better due to Stent. I get it helps but at 71 I don't think my heart is better now than it was 10/12 years ago. Hey, not sure you can fight city hall!!

Response by Cpl Robert Russell Payne made Jan 6 at 2021 12:14 PM

Cpl Robert Russell Payne — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 12:14:40 -0500

I haven't heard of this happening to anyone that I know. I have been at my current rating for over 5 years and I see my doctors (most are telephone appts) at least once every three months. Are you seeing your Doctor on a regular basis. The reason that I am asking is because I have been told that I had to actively participate in my treatment and regularly make myself available.