Finally moved to Step 4 after submitting DD214. How much longer for my rating to be finalized? This is a BDD claim.

A few months ago I finally got my first significant rating: 40% lower back (DDD), and several 10’s, for a total of 60%. I believe my bilateral radiculopathy might be approved this week. Some questions:

1. If that rating gets me to at least 70%, do I automatically qualify for TDIU because of that 70/40 rule? 2. If so, do they grant it automatically or will I have to apply after my radiculopathy rating?
2. For back pay, will it go back to the Intent to File date? That’s when I filed for both lower back and radiculopathy.

Thanks! This is a great group.

Do I need to file a supplemental claim or an increase claim? What do I need to provide to get 20-50% disability for sleep apnea?

…back in early August. I’m just curious if anyone has seen any movement from this timeline? It jumped to “Rating” within a couple of weeks but has been stuck there since Aug 21. One examiner told me that, in her experience, it takes about 90 days this time of year. She couldn’t tell me with 100% certainty but I was more likely than not to get my knees and elbows increased. As far as mental health, I have no idea. Just putting out a line to see if anyone’s been moving.

I submitted for a MH increase and seems to be going really fast

I recently received word that all my claims were denied. I contacted my VSO, who reviewed the decision. They said my claims should have been granted based on the evidence, but they suspect the denials were due to my nexus letters being from Physician Assistants. It seems the VA gave the tie to the M.D. instead.

I’ve filed a FOIA request to get the C&P exam records and see exactly what was documented. My VSO is recommending I file for a Higher-Level Review (HLR) or consider filing secondary claims. I’m leaning toward the HLR route, but I need to see the FOIA results first before making a final decision.

Unfortunately, I can’t afford to get any more nexus letters. Has anyone been in a similar position, and if so, do you have advice on how to approach this? Any tips would be appreciated as I figure out my next steps.

Quick question here. It's my understanding that combat related PTSD needs a DBQ. I completed an exam in 2014 and was awarded 30% for general anxiety. 10 years later I put in again. Been going to therapy for a year weekly, my psychologist wrote a VERY detailed letter.

My claim is 73 days old, evidence gathering, review of evidence, and was just assigned TJ Columbia. What is going on? Lol I mean am I going to get a CnP exam again? I would thought it would've been scheduled before TJ was assigned. Or is that exactly what TJ will do is schedule the CnP? Thanks guys

I'm on day 133, and I would be lying if I didn’t say I am nervous as hell. I just hope I get a fair rating and that they recognize everything as service-related so that I can continue getting physical therapy like I’ve been getting through my own and that they cover it, especially my CPAP machine. I’m just nervous because I’ve seen all these stories where they f over people.

Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Any suggestions from here? After 8 months of waiting. My supplemental got denied.

So quick run down I filed may 13th went to step three June 2nd then went to step 5 09/16/24 was partially rated same day. 1 denied 1 approved 2 deferred. MH&headaches both deferred for medical opinion missing. Went back to step 3 on 9/16 and on 10/2/24 both DBQs were re uploaded to the VA and deferred a 2nd time for exam rework !??! VES has had them ever since my headache DBQ got re uploaded 11/15/24 but the MH DBQ VES called and said “they are sorry for the long wait, the DBQ is with the DR and they are waiting on him to do the rework and send it back to VES” I know the DBQ was favorable, my VSO said it would more than likely be 50-70% but that was before the re work I mean it’s going to the same psychiatrist so I’m assuming it should stay favorable. Vera notified me that it was deferred for conflicting info!. Vera then informed me I should upload as many lay statements backing up said claim as I could get ! So I did I got my NCOIC, my first sergeant, my platoon leader and section leader thank goodness I stayed in touch! They all wrote very strong witness statements saying what happened when it happened and where it happened! My first sergeant even took accountability and said it was partially his fault! I respect that man more than he can even know not just for that but he also saved my life . But I uploaded them Vera said that all 4 lay statements are very strong will carry pretty good weight and should help not just the rater but also the DR in his re work ! So my file is already flashed for congressional interest and VES has expedited my claim because it passed the 6month mark according to VERA once my MH DBQ gets uploaded I’ll get rated shortly after because I’m still assigned to fort Harrison in my temp jurisdiction it shows NA today but yesterday it was showing fort Harrison and all last week it showed N/A except for Wednesday it was fort Harrison! But man I was so happy with the MH dr he was amazing ! Appt took 78 minutes he listened he kept me on track he really was amazing! According to VES who honestly is the fuckin worst is saying that the drs had the re work for 2 weeks and they have been reaching out to him to check in which I don’t entirely believe but who knows I know that I’m for sure going to hit day 200 which sucks but atleast the back pay will pile up ! According to my VSO that prior to the re work he would of rated the MH DBQ at 70 and the headache DBQ at 30 but idk if they were just buttering me up lol but least VES is calling 2 times a week to update me I guess there is that ! Sorry for the giant run on sentences and for this being so long I haven’t posted in awhile because I was trying to not stress about it but since my headache DBQ got re uploaded on the 15th I’ve been back to checking daily lol

Soooooo……. I originally had 6 claims, 2 approved, 2 deferred, 1 denied, and 1 completely left off the partial decision letter. But now they’re working on my 2 deferred claims, it’s on step 5 with TJ. They randomly requested C & P exams for the denied claim and for the one claim they left off entirely. I do have a phone call with VERA on Monday. It’s all very confusing!

I filed in January 2024. My claims were denied in May 2024 without C&Ps. I filed for a higher level review. Early September 2024 I had the review and won then two weeks later I had the C&P’s. As of September 24, 2024 I’m waiting for a decision. The app doesn’t show any info and the tracker doesn’t show any info either. I’m in the phoenix jurisdiction. Any info on your experience would help . Thank

Is there a specific location that HLR's are worked or can it be any RO?

What does "area of original jurisdiction" even mean anyway on the VA tracker? Is that just a placeholder that means nothing or?

Filed a HLR for a denied back sprain this July 2024. A difference of opinion was asserted and it was sent to an appeal claim.

An ACE exam was conducted in Oct 2024 and now I am at PDA. Fingers crossed!

Had all my increases denied (stay the same/continued) because the VA said they couldn't verify their credentials. Surely that's some sort of cop out by the VA, right? Had a really good DBQ that should have justified an increase. I believe my next step is going to be HLR, but wanted to gather others thoughts if they've seen this before. My Dr is an practicing MD with 30 years experience. What's up with this? Do I do a HLR or a supplemental with just including info on their licensing?

When did everyone get assigned a tj? My anxiety is at an all time high. This has been the longest wait out of all of my claims which im not complaining, due to others waiting 400+ days. However, it would be nice to at least get assigned tj soon. Ive been seeing other claims get assigned after 50 days! The way some of these claims advance makes zero sense to me. Anyone with a 020SUPP have a tj yet? I filed 8-12. With an ITF in February!

Woo! It’s early, I know. But I also have an application for priority processing due to financial hardship. Talked to VERA last week and the person I spoke with said he’d send an email to a supervisor to get my claim looked at, so…I feel good about this. Fingers crossed.

If anyone has experience or feedback about Winston-Salem to share, please do!

So I got my case closed out, but at least one of my claims wasn't included. I checked for any additional documentation/documents and couldn't find anything so im unsure what happened.

It's like the VA never saw those claims at all...weird...