What's the best way to get re-evaluated for disability claim?

SSgt Paul Esquibel — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:09:44 -0500

This is for those Veterans only using VA healthcare, my best friend just separated from the Air National Guard, he did 4 combat tours as well as being in the Pentagon on 9/11. He is for the most part completely disabled with back pain and serve PTSD. He just received his disability rating at it's only at 10% but has been seeing the VA for all his medical problems to include his back, PTSD ect. I've witnessed the amount of drugs they have prescribed for him and he's not getting better. Can anyone provide sources he could use to re-file his claim and get a better assessment as his PTSD nor his other physical disabilities have been assessed properly?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 13 at 2015 11:21 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:21:29 -0500

Wait one year at least unless something serious changes SSgt Paul Esquibel.
There is a five year backlog in the adjudication process of the VA evaluation appeals.
If you have a significant change in your health for the worse it may make sense to be reevaluated.
I am rated at 80% service connected - it took a couple years for me to get into the system and get disability pay. Now I am fully cared for by the VAMC.
If his injuries are service connected I am surprised he is only rated at 10%, I recommend he talk with a VA Patient Advocate. My primary care doctor in the VA gave me the contact information for the Patient Advocate in the VAMC where I mostly treated at.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Nov 14 at 2015 1:01 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:01:55 -0500

Contact a VSO at either your national veterans organization, or your state government VA VSO. They are skilled in working the system for you.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 14 at 2015 1:23 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:23:05 -0500

Maybe you can help SSgt Paul Esquibel help his friend? I know you're pretty good with disability claims!

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Nov 14 at 2015 1:47 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:47:37 -0500

SSgt Paul Esquibel I would need a little bit more information about your friend, the dates of his determination, and what the 10% rating was for. I would be glad to help further, as I also started out at a 10% disability rating, and now am rated at 100% T&P also with PTSD and back pain).

If your friend is interested you can send me a connect request here at Rally Point, and we can exchange contact information. The process IS time consuming, so the faster that your friend gets started the better. If your friend would feel more comfortable he could also try the DAV, or another Veteran's Service Organization. I wish him all the best of luck !!

Response by SPC George Adkins made Nov 14 at 2015 5:40 AM

SPC George Adkins — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 05:40:27 -0500

I was stuck at 0% for years. On my own, I got things up to 10%. Even with the 10%, I knew that it wasn't right, I just didn't know how to handle things. A friend turned me on to someone that handled things for them. Unlike service groups, she is for profit. Her rates are reasonable, and are contingent, Being a former VA rater and an RN, she knows the exact format to put things in. My 10% is now 70%. If you'd like her information, contact me offline.

Response by PO1 Theresa Aldrich made Nov 15 at 2015 2:06 PM

PO1 Theresa Aldrich — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:06:02 -0500

I have a forum set up for questions about (NOD)'s and appeals Appealing Your Claims NOD DRO BVA USCAVC http://community.hadit.com/forum/81-appealing-your-claims-nod-dro-bva-uscavc/ You can read without registering but if you want to post you have to register but it's free.

VA Claims

Response by PO1 Theresa Aldrich made Nov 16 at 2015 5:53 AM

PO1 Theresa Aldrich — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 05:53:48 -0500

Also check out this video by Chris Attig of the Veterans Law Blog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvPUNSIx1qw

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 16 at 2015 8:13 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 08:13:31 -0500

Sometimes a disability attorney is very helpful in getting things reevaluated since the VA seems to take things more seriously.

Response by MAJ Donald Belles made Nov 16 at 2015 5:08 PM

MAJ Donald Belles — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:08:39 -0500

the VA seemingly wants to limit the amount of money it pays out for disabilities. This includes lying on evaluations and ignoring VA and military records to support the lying. they have done it with me and they "lost" my paperwork and deleted the records to show they never received it. the appeal demonstrated the where and how of the lying even though they also uncovered other life threatening conditions without ever notifying me.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 12 at 2016 8:52 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:52:31 -0500

Most of the time it's how you write up your claim. Did he get some help in doing so? He needs to get his medical records, review them, review what evidence he's submitted and what's changed since he filed. Get a VSO to help him, if he's got one, then find one who will do a good job.

Response by SFC Tracy Donahoo made Dec 11 at 2021 8:19 PM

SFC Tracy Donahoo — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 20:19:07 -0500

This organization, as well as others, has a lot of free info on their blogs and YouTube videos. I’ve used just their free stuff and upgraded my rating plus filed for ratings I didn’t realize I qualified for.

The fee services are optional and in some cases may be well worth it.

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