What was your experience in filing for service connected disability?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:32:02 -0400

Sometimes the VA creates "EZ" forms that are not very easy. What was your experience in obtaining, organizing, filling out, and submitting the necessary documentation to the VA for benefits?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:34 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:34:15 -0400

Very very slow!!!

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 18 at 2015 1:33 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:33:30 -0400

I filed while still in the military, by going through the medboard process. My suggestion would be to contact your local vet center for help, or you can contact a vfw as they have a ton of resources. If you are still enlisted contact the PEBLO office or visit the WTU and speak with a case worker over there. They are great. Let me know how everything works out.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made May 18 at 2015 1:37 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:37:39 -0400

The VA representative in my county assisted with all the paperwork, she asked me the pertinent questions and filled out the forms and sent them to the central hub for processing. Once my physical was done, it was a matter of "hurry up and wait"...it took about a year for the VA to notify me of their findings. I wasn't too impatient considering it had already been three years since I retired and got around to doing my claim.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 18 at 2015 1:41 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:41:39 -0400

The forms themselves aren't bad. The people aren't bad. The "system" however...

Imagine taking a red hot spoon and driving it through the back of one of your eyes.

The major issue is one of "Documentation."

1) If it isn't documented in your medical record it doesn't count.
2) If it is documented in your medical record, but it is't legible, it doesn't count.
3) Assume "they" are not going to bother reading your medical record.
4) If "they" deny you outright, that counts as "processed," and is a better metric, than pending. That forces you to appeal.
5) If you wait to long to appeal (as you are screaming at the screen), you have to come up with new evidence which they haven't seen.

Get a VSO involved early. Which you shouldn't need, but you absolutely do need, because without one you are just screwed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2015 1:44 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:44:36 -0400

Are you in or out of the military?

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 18 at 2015 1:49 PM

CPT Bob Moore — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:49:55 -0400

I have been through the process twice. I filed once in 1998 after leaving active duty and once last year when I finally decided my career in the military was over.

In 1998, it was a horrible process. It took years, they denied all 4 conditions even though I had medical records from my time in service, then reopened one without an appeal and eventually granted it. The entire process was on paper and communication was lacking at best.

In 2014, I filed again for conditions that came about because of my continued service. (overseas and in the states during additional periods of active duty) I can't say I did much differently, but the process was much better. I filed initially with paper, but was able to track everything online. In March of this year, I added several additional issues online (after being seen by the VA for those conditions for a year). In the end, it took just over a year for them to give me a decision on most of the issues. I still have one pending but that is the most complicated of all of the issues. While they didn't service connect everything, I think the decision is fair. They service connected almost everything that was either a presumptive condition or that I had records for. They even service connected one of the issues they denied in 1998. They only thing that they did not service connect was hearing issues, but I have already qualified for hearing aids from the VA, so that isn't much of an issue for me. It would have been service connected at 0% if they had service connected it.

In all, the VA is getting better, but you have to do your part up front for things to go as smoothly as possible. I had a diagnosis of my presumptive conditions from my family doctor and had him fill out the DBQ for that condition. Everything else, I provided as many of my military records as possible.

This is the best advice I can give: Get as much information as possible and provide it to the VA when you file your claim. If you can do a fully developed claim, file that way. There is info on the VA website about what that is and what the standards are.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 18 at 2015 2:02 PM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:02:29 -0400

Make a copy of your medical records, keep them on hand. Start the process while you are still in the service its easyer that way. For the love of god don't leave anything out, if it hurts just a little you let them know and don't be happy when you get a C&P. Other than that it's easy. Scouts Out

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made May 18 at 2015 2:02 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:02:56 -0400

I went for about 18 months without an income waiting for my claim to process

Response by LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) made May 18 at 2015 2:06 PM

LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:06:22 -0400

The form was easy because I had assistance from the VFW. There are several agencies like the American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS who will assist with filling out the VA claims and submit it for you. What I found to be rather difficult was the contractor who was working the appointments for the VA. They didn't call me to set up appointments like the VA said they would. They resisted changes to the appointments when I called them to reschedule. They weren't particularly interested in my input for scheduling the appointments.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:10:53 -0400

Filling out isn't the hard part. It's knowing what to put on the forms.

Here are my tips for everyone: Use medical terms used in your records. Don't just send in your medical records- that's asking them to take your folder- that is already a needle in a haystack- and find your supporting ailments to your claim that can also be a needle in haystack. Never really a good option. What I suggest to all my friends I help with their claims is. We go through every page of their medical records. Say you want to claim 4 things (I'm picking pretty common ones): back pain, tinnitus, chronic headaches, and PTSD. Get a coordinating highlighters and sticky tabs for everything you want to claim. And with a fine tooth comb, go through your records and everywhere it mentions anything to do with these mark them. For PTSD get character statements if you have major behavior changes from before event to after. It Can be family, friend, coworkers... They just have to know you well and put into words how much you changed (beware: this sucks and hurts to read). If you are married or have kids, send in all dependency forms and docs at the same time. Both went through at the same time, so I didn't have to wait another year for that to go through.

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made May 18 at 2015 2:42 PM

SSG Dave Rogers — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:42:24 -0400

When I first was going to file a friend of mine who served told me to go to the American Legion and I am glad that I did. They walked me through all the paperwork, helped me get the documents that I needed and helped with all appeals. It cost nothing and it was great to have someone that I could call and they would handle any issues for me as well as follow up with the VA.

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made May 18 at 2015 2:45 PM

SFC Douglas Duckett — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:45:25 -0400

My experience with the VA's Benefits and Pension division has been one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done in my life.

Combat
Jumping from perfectly good airplanes
Rappelling
Rock climbing
Dental work
and Marriage

Are nothing compared to the harrowing experience of working through the paperwork minefield and being snipped at by bureaucrats while negotiating the labyrinth.

If you have not tried it, enjoy.....I would rather be ambushed by the enemy.

Response by SMSgt Dan Powell made May 18 at 2015 2:52 PM

SMSgt Dan Powell — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:52:45 -0400

I retired in '88 so most of my experience with applying isn't relevant. The best advice I have seen, so far, is from CPL Hill and SPC Silva. You can't have too much back up documentation. Approach it methodically and be patient. Even today, the VA is SLOOOW.

Response by SFC Robert Wheeler made May 18 at 2015 3:21 PM

SFC Robert Wheeler — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:21:58 -0400

My experiences have been a little strange. Both VSOs I have dealt with leave a lot to be desired. The first VSO submitted the paperwork wrong. The second one isn't really great at follow-up. I am thinking of going to a law firm.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made May 18 at 2015 10:22 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Mon, 18 May 2015 22:22:46 -0400

2LT Karolina Przegienda, if you are attempting to file a claim. I would enlist the services of some of your Veteran Organizations. I used the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). I chose them because they have representatives in the Regional Offices where disability claims are processed. They also help track the progress of your claims. They can also provide invaluable advice on how to prepare your Disability Claim Package. It is a slow process, just remember that. Many examinations and evaluations before any determination is made.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 19 at 2015 12:00 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 19 May 2015 00:00:42 -0400

I had a rep prepare and submit my claim. She worked for the Riverside County Veterans Services office, was retired Navy, and her husband who was also retired Navy worked for the VA.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:31:02 -0400

If anyone has a VA Form 21-0960p-3 Oct 2012 (Review Post Tramatic Stress Disorder Disability Benefits Questionnaire) that they are willing to share with me as an example, please black out all personal information and PM to send it. Thank you for your help!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 9:36 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 09:36:29 -0400

I had a very good experience with my county cvo rep. He was awesome, explained things completely. True professional.

Response by SGT Mark Stevens made Oct 9 at 2015 12:43 AM

SGT Mark Stevens — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 00:43:26 -0400

My initial filing was easy and painless. It was having to appeal that was painful. If they would have gotten it right the first time through I wouldn't have had to wait five years for the appeal to be done. After having to get our state representative involved. It was a mess.

Response by LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) made Oct 15 at 2015 1:36 PM

LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:36:11 -0400

Filing the claim was easy, I gave my medical records to the VFW rep who prepared the paperwork. Then after he filled out all the paperwork, I had an appointment to review the form before it was submitted. Granted it was almost 11 months later that I had the appointments. The actual exams required for the disability claim was a complete pain. The contracted company put up a fight every time I needed to change an appointment. They didn't call me up to even set up the appointments, they just made them, then sent me a letter of the date and time. They were very difficult to work with.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Oct 15 at 2015 1:42 PM

PO1 Kenneth Cardwell — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:42:37 -0400

Denied denied denied denied denied, not service connected, oh Re-opened, NOD, still working on it. Feb 2011

Response by CPT Brent Ferguson made Oct 15 at 2015 7:22 PM

CPT Brent Ferguson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:22:22 -0400

My wife and I cared for our service related injuries ourselves for 20 years before applying to the VA for medical care. (Largely to placate the unaffordable care act.) Without exception the caregivers are excellent. Also without exception, the clerks and bureaucrats fail to exhibit both timeliness and competence. It took a year to get our first medical appointments, and I have waited a comparable time for surgery on a knee I blew out in air assault. Still waiting on a rating for traumatic teeth and bone loss, tmj issues as well.

In summary, while the care is good, getting to the caregivers can be quite a trial- one that appears to block veteran access to EARNED benefits on purpose.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 3:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:55:52 -0400

Why are you not being helped?

Response by SMSgt Clyde Hunter made Nov 16 at 2015 10:43 AM

SMSgt Clyde Hunter — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 10:43:27 -0500

I couldn't have done it without my local State VA Counselors assistance and advice. Sometimes it is as simply as the wording in the initial claim that determines a real and a frivolous claim.

Response by Col Kyle Taylor made Nov 28 at 2015 5:42 PM

Col Kyle Taylor — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 17:42:23 -0500

AMVETS helped me with mine and it helped quite a bit. I would recommend beginning at about the 180 day prior to separation so that you are on a different track. If you wait until after separation (or within 60 days) it will take longer. Also get a CD of all your records as your copy from the medical facility. If you take the VA poet copies, they have to scan them in anyway. Keep a copy of the CD and check it to make sure things copied correctly before you separate or retire.
Good luck!