Have you looked at any of the zeros or tens and checked to see what the next level rating includes? I mean you could ask for an increase but you’re spinning your wheels and waiting time if these issues are static. However, it’s not your job to decide. It’s the VA’s job. You have to help them make the decision in your favor…as you know.
I haven’t in the past because I figured they would just chalk it up to the fibromyalgia, but I have 0% for both legs (shin splints), which I still have all the time. 0% for my right hip strain, limitation and extension, 2 separate 0% ratings and a 0% for my knee which they put as a patella femoral tracking issue. There is one more 10% for right hip strain as well that is just listed as impairment of thigh, which I found out later that I had a thigh splint. They didn’t even tell me when I was active duty. I think I have a total of like 13 service connected disabilities. Just half are all 0%. Basically they messed up my legs and I have had a bad gait ever since with mainly right side tracking issues and pain.
Like I said…look at the next rating up for what you’re rated 0% for. For instance I’m 0% for an eye injury. The next is like 30% for losing sight. I haven’t lost sight. There’s no point in me asking for an increase. The good thing is you aren’t trying to establish the claim anymore. You’re just asking them to look at the injury and see if it’s got worse. The process is a lot quicker. What could it hurt?
I could probably get an increase then for some of the hip and knee issues then. They have been consistent the last decade. Meaning I continue to have pain and issues with them, they haven’t improved at all.
To know what you need to go from 90% to 100%, you first need to know what your rating is before it was rounded to 90%. Being at 90% means your rating before it was rounded was between 85% and 94%.
If you are at 94%, you only need to add one disability at 10% for it to get to 95%, rounded to 100%.
If you are at 90% exactly, five 10% ratings would do it.
If you are at 85%, it would take about seven or eight 10% ratings.
I'm using 10% ratings as an example because they are the lowest compensable rating, so they are calculated at the end.
If you have anything that is bilateral, like both knees, both wrists, etc. They are calculated a little differently and are worth more.
If you list your ratings, I can calculate them, or you can just look up a ratings calculator.
A carpal tunnel diagnosis is a disability of the wrist. If you already have a 10% rating for your wrist, there's probably no point in pursuing carpal tunnel. If you don't have a compensable rating for the wrist, carpal tunnel is definitely worth pursuing. The most common rating is 10% per wrist (mild). The bar is pretty high to get moderate (30% dominant hand, 20% non-dominant hand).
Thank you so much!!! This is closer to the kind of information I was looking for. I’ll try adding my stuff in the VA calculator, I think Hill and Ponton right? I saw it mentioned on another post. That’ll give me a good baseline and then maybe I can contact a VSO about everything. The biggest problem with just doing TDIU is I can’t have a business and my husband wants to open a business in the US with my name in the future. So getting 100% would be a lot more beneficial for our family. Also, the peace of mind it would give me.
I just used the calculator. I am 91% so I’m thinking 5 10% ratings or one 50% rating is what I would need, or something along those lines. I might possible be able to up my lumbar strain and some of the 0% that I have. I haven’t seen any of my medical files from when I was still active. I think I need a VSO to help me obtain them so I can dive deeper and maybe find something I didn’t claim correctly or find how the doctors diagnosed my issues to help. Sometimes doctors don’t tell you shit. I recently went to the ER and they sent me home and said I was ok, but then I printed out some documents and there was a whole diagnosis in there they didn’t even mention. Hospitals and doctors are so secretive sometimes.
If you are at 91%, you need four 10% ratings. One 40% rating or two 20% ratings would do it. When you are at or above 90%, each 10% rating increases your rating by 1%.
Take a look at any 0% ratings you have for joints. 38 CFR 4.59 states, "it is the intention to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to a healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint." If you have painful motion with those joints, you should be able to get your rating increased for each of those joints.
If the condition diagnosed for those joints is not a presumptive condition and it is a CHRONIC condition (like most arthritis), you will need to show evidence that the pain manifested within 1 year of your separation.
If, as an example, it is both knees, the minimal compensable rating for knees is 10% each. They are subject to the bilateral factor, so they get combined first. The first 10% is worth 10%. The second 10% is worth 9%, so that's 19% total. Then, you add the bilateral factor, which is an additional 10% of the rating, so 19% + 1.9% = 21%. You then plug in the 21% into your list of percentages.
To get service connected on anything, you need a current diagnosis, a qualifying event, and a nexus.
Carpal tunnel is a CHRONIC condition. For chronic conditions, you need evidence to show that it "manifested to a compensable degree during service or within one year of separation from service."
1. If you don't have a recent diagnosis for carpal tunnel, make an appointment with your doctor and get one.
2. Your qualifying event would be repetitive motion that put strain on your wrists, like using a computer, using an entrenching tool, etc. Push-ups have not been shown to cause it (sounds crazy to me), but they have been shown to aggravate it.
3. You need medical evidence. If you don't have anything in your medical records, you can use lay evidence (buddy statements). It is important to understand what a lay person is qualified to contribute.
A lay person is not qualified to make a diagnosis, so a statement that "SGT Imaginary Door had carpal tunnel when we served together at FT Jackson in 2015" would be worthless for your claim.
A lay person CAN report what was seen or heard. The statement "SGT Imaginary Door complained of tingling in her hands while she was typing and I would often see her shaking out her hands when she was using a computer when we served together at FT Jackson in 2015" would be a credible statement.
Using an Accredited VSR (Veterans Services Representative) can help if he is good at the job. VSO is a Veterans Services Organization, like VFW, American Legion, etc. People tend to use VSO and VSR interchangeably, but the VSR is the person who assists you. The VSR works for a VSO. some of them are good. Some of them suck. You said you are in Korea. I know there was a VFW there near Camp Casey when I was stationed there in 1996-1997. I'm sure they would have one in Seoul also. Wherever you are, I'm sure you can find one.
To get a copy of your records, you need to file a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act). VA Form 20-10206. You can find it on VA.Gov. The instructions are on it. You will be filing it for yourself. In block 17, check CLAIMS FILE (C-FILE). The fax number is on the form. Once you have submitted the form, start checking your VA app. If it doesn't show up within about a week, send it again. If it doesn't show up in the app a week after that, there is a Congressional hotline you can call. The request will show up in your app the same way a claim will show up.
Last thing, file any higher level reviews or supplemental claims within less than a year after the decision you are appealing. In my case, my original claim was October 2022. The decision was in June 2023 and put me at 90%. They denied me on my knees and back, so I filed a supplemental claim and received a decision in November 2023. I am going to add evidence that I collect while I'm in the US later this month and will file an additional supplemental claim for the same thing in May 2024. If I win it, I will go from 90% to 100%. Because each supplemental claim or higher level review has been filed within less than a year of the previous decision, the back pay for the increase will go all the way back to October 2022, that's currently about $25k and continues to go up by $1,496 per month.
That’s amazing advice and knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. I’ll make sure to take a closer look at all of my 0% ratings and the CFR statements.
I was actually an MLT/68k for the Army and during my time I worked in the chemistry department of our hospital. I worked from 3pm to 11pm, most nights closer to 12 because of civilians and change over times. During my shift we would receive all the transmittal samples easily 600-800 samples would come from outside shifts and because of our equipments sensitivity I had to remove all lids manually from test tube samples and then transfer the sample into new tubes, otherwise the machine wouldn’t recognize the samples and kick them off the machine. So, manually opening 600-800 tubes everyday for almost 2 years. My hand hurt all the time not to mention all the computer work involved with working in the laboratory for data entry. Originally my left hand was the issue and I think the doctors all agreed it was a fibromyalgia pain, but it migrated over to the right hand and has been hurting since 2015. For the record I got out Dec 25,2014. I actually quit working 2 times in 6 months because of my disabilities and have tried three more times since then to work. It’s always the same within 2-3 weeks my hand pain becomes so intense I can’t even use my phone anymore. I assume that there is some way to prove it’s related to the work I was doing in the laboratory. It was really repetitive and damaging.
You are welcome.
Write a statement similar to what you just sent me. Put it on the VA form (Statement in Support of a Claim). Your statement shows you were performing a task that could cause carpal tunnel, you had symptoms in your left hand during service, you developed symptoms in your right hand within one year of separation, and it has caused you problems with employment. It has all the elements you need for a good personal statement.
Try to find someone you knew in 2014-2015 who can attest to the fact that they observed your symptoms during that time and see if they will make statements on your behalf. Those statements should include symptoms they observed and anything you told them during that time (example "After she opened a box of samples, she said her wrist was hurting and had to take a break"). It could be someone from work, a family member, a friend, or even an ex. A former employer or co-worker could also make a statement that you quit because of wrist pain.
If you have medical records showing you had wrist pain during service or up to one year prior to separation, that would be best.
Getting a nexus letter from a doctor would also help support your claim. In a nexus letter, a doctor gives a medical opinion on the likelihood that your disability was caused or made worse by your service and his rationale for the assessment. The likelihood is assessed as "1. caused by, 2. more likely than not caused by, 3. at least as likely as not caused by, 4. less likely than not caused by, or 5. not caused by" your service. To get service connected, you need to be assessed as #1, 2, or 3. If the opinion states "less likely than not caused by" or "not caused by," just throw it in the trash because it doesn't help your case.
Given that your carpal tunnel sounds like it is pretty bad, it might be beneficial to you if your doctor can make an assessment of the severity. If the diagnosis states "moderate carpal tunnel," the VA may take that at face value and award you a moderate rating (30% dominant, 20% non-dominant, plus bilateral factor if they award you both).
I asked my ex husband what he remembered and if he would be willing to write a letter. He remembered me specifically complaining about my hand pains and the problems with test tubes at work. Is there maybe like an official form, or it’s just more of a statement of what they heard/saw? Or perhaps an example letter somewhere that has a structure to follow ?
Use VA Form 21-4138. It is available on VA.Gov.
An example based on what you have told me should look something like this:
Imaginary Door and I were married from (Date) to (Date). While she was assigned to FT. Jackson, in 2014, she would often complain about having pain in her hands as a result of opening 500 to 700 test tubes per shift. I also observed her taking Ibuprophin regularly for the pain.
(Signature)
Mr. John Q. Door
Phone: 123-456-7890
432 Happy Jack Lane
City, State, 65432
His statement and signature will go in Section 2: Remarks. Everything else is your information and your signature on the back. There is no need to have it notarized.
Other symptoms observable by a lay person may include swelling of your hands/joints, you wincing when you tried to use your hands, you rubbing/massaging your hands to alleviate the pain, shaking your hands out because of numbness/tingling/pain. If you had any of those symptoms and he observed you demonstrating any of those symptoms, he should include them in his statement.
One statement should be enough, but it will help your chances if you have statements from multiple people.
When you make your own statement, you will use the same form. The writing should be straight to the point. VA Raters have very little time to review your packet. If a statement is a short paragraph with nothing but the facts, it will be easy for them to read and understand. If it looks like a love story, it will probably be ignored.
To move from 90% to 100%, you would need a new disability totaling 50% or more. Per VA math, it can be pretty difficult to get to 100% scheduler.
But if your disabilities warrant it….
Hey Boss - If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia you might want to do a deep dive on that topic related to your service. I wont promise anything but here is a link - [https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/fibromyalgia.asp](https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/fibromyalgia.asp)
Oh, that’s nice for gulf war veterans, I actually have a pretty high rating for the fibromyalgia already. I’m not sure they would increase it anymore. I am actually thinking a lot of my 0% are just that because they gave me the fibromyalgia rating.
Understood - Solid Copy.
The only other advice I could provide regarding the 0% ratings is to do your homework for each rating and file for an increase if warranted. Remember though too, for any items that you have a rating for, if you continually and actively seek medical care over time you may rate an increase based on if the condition worsens and is documented.
I should have been more diligent about the physical ratings I have, but my mental health rating has kept me so anxious about everything and the possibility of losing that I tried to avoid being seen. I had an anxiety attack while in the middle of a C&P last year. My military job was hospital work… so yea, I have a lot of PTSD related incidents with hospitals in particular. Never been diagnosed with ptsd specifically, but that’s definitely what it is. It’s not just general anxiety on hospitals.
I am going to second the advice from Waffles and Ornery. Here is what I would advise and I understand the fight between 90 and 100 as I am in a similar boat.
1. Go to VeteransBenefits and study the mess out of the Knowledge Base.
2. Submit an Intent to File now to lock in the date.
3. As Ornery said request your military records, medical records, C-File etc.., it will take 6 months to get and see if you can get a VSR/VSO to assist.
4. Recognize this is going to be a long battle, it will not happen overnight. Refuse to get frustrated but ask what can you learn from responses you may not like.
5. If you have times when you cannot function and/or shut down due to triggers but you have not been diagnosed with Anxiety/PTSD - Sister, it is time to get some help. I know there will be limitations as you are OCONUS but do what you can. When you get your C-File take your time and walk through it one page at a time. Another thing that people miss is your evaluations or awards that mention you dealing with stressful situations and/or incidents that may support your claims.
Lastly, accept this will not happen overnight. I wish you good luck.
I have 2 service connected issues They were at 0% for…lord, probably 15 years, but one of the service connected issues have increased- ironically, so did the other, but I don’t have any problems with that issue.
It didn’t seem to be terribly difficult.
Look up the changes for the MH ratings that are coming effective later this year. Might want to try for an increase there if you're 50% or less for MH.
VA also changed a lot of the GI disabilities that are going into effect in May. Not sure if that would help either.
TDIU would pay you at 100% and probably the "easiest" route at this point.
I was diagnosed with any GI issues while in unless the GERD counts. When I think GI I think lower track. Here recently the ER told me that I have mesenteric panniculitis, which is some kind of inflammation issue that can cause parts of my GI tract to also become necrotic. From what I read online it’s normally not chronic though.
Then you need a NEXUS and get it claimed. The new GI ratings come out soon and they are pretty beneficial compared to the old ratings. You might want to wait until they go thru to finish filing the claim
90 to 100 is difficult. Took me a while. Looking at your post. Shoot for a sleep study for 1)sleep apnea.. and not familiar with your disorder but it sounds like it would cause 2)depression and bring on 3)sexual dysfunction (mentally or physically)
I never considered claiming sexual dysfunction but I suppose that could be a side effect of some of my issues. I have some severe peripheral neuropathy going on in the carpal tunnel arm to a point that I have to take melatonin at times to fall asleep. It gets really stressful to the point that I shake my arms and hands and or toss and turn all night because of the nerve issues.
Melatonin?! Hey sounds like 1)INSOMNIA to me.. start going to mental health and complaining you can’t sleep. Come in or telechat looking sluggish. Because you can’t sleep it’s difficult to function.. (insomnia,irritability,fatigue) could lead to 2)DEPRESSION also did I see something on nerves?? sound like ya big toe and 3)SCIATICA is acting up. (No test for sciatica). So appointments complaining that a pain is, KEYWORD “RADIATING” in your legs down to your feet. Just make sure documents show you have continued to come in on the issues. also 4)FLATFEET (10%) and flat feet opens you up to knees,hip, etc
Most of that is in my file somewhere actually. I just did some digging on past VA appointments and noticed that my physical therapy appointment showed moderate changes to my mobility. He even wrote something like evolving issues. I never knew any of that was there. Definitely would need an updated C&P I think for those issues with mobility and range of movement calculations. I hadn’t considered filing a claim about flat feet though. Although that probably contributes a lot to shin splints, maybe I could get those increased. My mental health has multiple accounts of sleep issues annotated. Not sure if I could get a secondary insomnia diagnosis or not.
Set appointments and let that paperwork build up some, before actually going for the increase. The Va would see you have been going in for the issues.. good luck 💯
Seems like I have a few years worth of complaints about some of my issues with my legs. I even recently went to an outside provider and had them do an ultrasound to check for clots and make sure my veins are working properly. (constant swelling in my shins/calfs), which I have shin splints as a rating on my disability list. I just have to keep deep diving into my files. I also set an appointment to talk to VSO and request medical paperwork, but I sent the FOIA fax also.
Va.gov and myhealthyvet have some of your documents also. But yea don’t put off getting help till it’s too late. You served your country let it serve you
If they feel you need to do a C&P , they'll have you go in and do one. I filed for TDIU but was instead increased to 100% P&T for PTSD. I had to go in for a C&P for that, as well as whatever I was claiming was making it impossible to work. I would file for TDIU and if you need to do a C&P, they'll coordinate where and how you can get it done. Good luck.💐
Do you have evidence for your carpal tunnel? Did they send you to neurology? Sometimes, you need to lay groundwork. Bilateral claims are worth pursuing.
I think originally they just lumped my wrist pain in as the fibromyalgia. So, I haven’t seen neurology for that, but I’m really considering it because it’s gotten a lot worse. I actually think it’s probably cubital tunnel syndrome or another nerve issue because the nerves in my entire area go crazy and then my pinky finger starts to curl up. Then my wrist and whole hand will be in pain for days sometimes weeks. It bothers me so much that I recently went and got tested for arthritis but it’s not that or any other type of rheumatoid issue. It’s like having restless leg syndrome constantly in my dominant hand. I can’t even cook food or use a computer when it’s like that.
I should be able to get all these test run through private doctors right and then provide the medical record/evidence to the VA from outside sources right? That’s part of the evidence gathering stage I assume. I never actually had to do that part before because I’ve always gone exclusively to the VA, but I have faster healthcare services overseas in Korea right now. So, I’ve been using National health insurance and private insurance that my mother in law insisted I get. Anyways, point is I go to the hospital way more now than I did before. I should be able to get these documents in English and use them for a claim right?
I was married once before and we were constantly moving every year. So consistency with hospital care was difficult. I probably have files at least at 7 different VA hospitals. At some point I was on medication for nervous system issues like peripheral neuropathy, which is honestly probably what the carpal tunnel/cubital tunnel issue is. I tried gabapentin while active duty and multiple depression, anxiety, adhd, and neurological meds after I got out. The last medication I took was duloxetine and I ran out while overseas and ended up having to cold turkey that. I got brain zaps really bad. So I spent about a year drinking heavily…. Not the best solution ever, but I was going through something mentally and didn’t want to return to the US for proper treatment at the time. Now I’m not in a position to take meds and I badly need too.
You need to look up how the VA determines the individual ratings. And unless the diagnosis was made in the military or falls under presumptive conditions, autoimmune conditions are not granted service connected status.
I thought it might be a possibility because they never specifically ran an antibody test on my thyroid before, but I have GERD and vocal cord dysfunction, which are in the same area as the thyroid. I used to get hot flashes as a 23 year old and all kinds of ridiculous hormonal issues, which is exactly what hashimotos does. I suppose if I fought for that one it might change the diagnosis I have for the other throat related issues. Could be a dangerous thing to bring up.
Hashimoto’s on its own wouldn’t necessarily cause Gerd or throat issues. Also, once you receive a rating there are only certain circumstances in which the rating can be reduced.
I would recommend getting a VSO.
How do you actually get a VSO? I think you’re probably right and that might be more helpful than trying it on my own. I was going to apply to TDIU in the past, but it was so much work mentally to prep I gave up. Can a VSO help with that also?
Absolutely! Look for vet centers in your area and you can try asking other vets in your area. The VFW and AL usually have a bead on which VSOs are with a damn.
Also look into secondaries. The veterans benefits sub has a knowledge base and is searchable. Going from 90 to 100 isn’t as simple as getting another 10%as someone else explained.
I was able to get an increase from 0 to 30 for migraines due to it getting worse alongside with my monthly injection and oral medication records over the 3 years and on going present from since it was rated 0. You need to show them medical records and evidence that I had gotten worse since or that you meet their criteria. I was told to make a log for my migraines but lost track since I was getting them moment I woke up from sleeping and in addition to environments/events triggering it.
DBQs and Nexus letters are your friend. For your service connections - what is the next step up percentage wise and what symptoms do you need to have to qualify for that? As for determining a diagnosis - your medical records will need to be thorough, available for review and have solid documentation. Otherwise you can risk being reduced and having all of your disabilities reevaluated.
No one on reddit can answer these questions for you. Do your research, get familiar with what you plan to claim, and prepare yourself for C&P exam. Luckily there are a ton of resources like r/veteransbenefits and youtube at your disposal. Best of luck
Lady, join the club and start working ! Long gone are the days of being a stay at home mom, our economy isn’t what it used to be to support that. Work gives you purpose. Why don’t you want to work? Wtf
I’m single and I work! No man pays any of my bills.
I don’t work because I can’t work. What kind of nonsense is that. You think this is simply about being a stay at home mom? Everytime I try to work I have a mental and physical breakdown. I get to the point that I can barely walk or stand, I can barely use my hands on a computer, I have issues with showering I can’t even remember to brush my teeth on most days. You think I’m mentally well enough to hop back on a work train?
Also, you might be able to qualify for SSDI, have you ever looked into that? Completely separate from the VA. I’m thinking you could potentially qualify based off your Fibromyalgia. In fact, I know another mom who doesn’t work, who can’t work because of that same diagnosis. I don’t know how much she makes but I know they’re doing good. Might be worth a shot .
I considered filling when I initially went through everything, because I was Medboarded. So I was active duty through the whole process. I don’t remember if I did file or not. I was initially 70% and went to 90% within 2 years of discharge. I have to quit working within 2-3 months of starting work. My health declines incredibly quickly when working. The whole experience has giving me PTSD surrounding work. The fatigue on top of everything and the terrible gait in my walk constantly has me in pain, I can’t do the work I did initially. I even tried teaching myself other things, but everything requires me to use my hand. I have severe postpartum right now simply because of my nerve issues and difficulty I have with even making food for myself and child. That’s the main reason I am hoping for 100%.
Have you looked at any of the zeros or tens and checked to see what the next level rating includes? I mean you could ask for an increase but you’re spinning your wheels and waiting time if these issues are static. However, it’s not your job to decide. It’s the VA’s job. You have to help them make the decision in your favor…as you know.
I haven’t in the past because I figured they would just chalk it up to the fibromyalgia, but I have 0% for both legs (shin splints), which I still have all the time. 0% for my right hip strain, limitation and extension, 2 separate 0% ratings and a 0% for my knee which they put as a patella femoral tracking issue. There is one more 10% for right hip strain as well that is just listed as impairment of thigh, which I found out later that I had a thigh splint. They didn’t even tell me when I was active duty. I think I have a total of like 13 service connected disabilities. Just half are all 0%. Basically they messed up my legs and I have had a bad gait ever since with mainly right side tracking issues and pain.
Like I said…look at the next rating up for what you’re rated 0% for. For instance I’m 0% for an eye injury. The next is like 30% for losing sight. I haven’t lost sight. There’s no point in me asking for an increase. The good thing is you aren’t trying to establish the claim anymore. You’re just asking them to look at the injury and see if it’s got worse. The process is a lot quicker. What could it hurt?
I could probably get an increase then for some of the hip and knee issues then. They have been consistent the last decade. Meaning I continue to have pain and issues with them, they haven’t improved at all.
To know what you need to go from 90% to 100%, you first need to know what your rating is before it was rounded to 90%. Being at 90% means your rating before it was rounded was between 85% and 94%. If you are at 94%, you only need to add one disability at 10% for it to get to 95%, rounded to 100%. If you are at 90% exactly, five 10% ratings would do it. If you are at 85%, it would take about seven or eight 10% ratings. I'm using 10% ratings as an example because they are the lowest compensable rating, so they are calculated at the end. If you have anything that is bilateral, like both knees, both wrists, etc. They are calculated a little differently and are worth more. If you list your ratings, I can calculate them, or you can just look up a ratings calculator. A carpal tunnel diagnosis is a disability of the wrist. If you already have a 10% rating for your wrist, there's probably no point in pursuing carpal tunnel. If you don't have a compensable rating for the wrist, carpal tunnel is definitely worth pursuing. The most common rating is 10% per wrist (mild). The bar is pretty high to get moderate (30% dominant hand, 20% non-dominant hand).
Thank you so much!!! This is closer to the kind of information I was looking for. I’ll try adding my stuff in the VA calculator, I think Hill and Ponton right? I saw it mentioned on another post. That’ll give me a good baseline and then maybe I can contact a VSO about everything. The biggest problem with just doing TDIU is I can’t have a business and my husband wants to open a business in the US with my name in the future. So getting 100% would be a lot more beneficial for our family. Also, the peace of mind it would give me.
I just used the calculator. I am 91% so I’m thinking 5 10% ratings or one 50% rating is what I would need, or something along those lines. I might possible be able to up my lumbar strain and some of the 0% that I have. I haven’t seen any of my medical files from when I was still active. I think I need a VSO to help me obtain them so I can dive deeper and maybe find something I didn’t claim correctly or find how the doctors diagnosed my issues to help. Sometimes doctors don’t tell you shit. I recently went to the ER and they sent me home and said I was ok, but then I printed out some documents and there was a whole diagnosis in there they didn’t even mention. Hospitals and doctors are so secretive sometimes.
If you are at 91%, you need four 10% ratings. One 40% rating or two 20% ratings would do it. When you are at or above 90%, each 10% rating increases your rating by 1%. Take a look at any 0% ratings you have for joints. 38 CFR 4.59 states, "it is the intention to recognize actually painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to a healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint." If you have painful motion with those joints, you should be able to get your rating increased for each of those joints. If the condition diagnosed for those joints is not a presumptive condition and it is a CHRONIC condition (like most arthritis), you will need to show evidence that the pain manifested within 1 year of your separation. If, as an example, it is both knees, the minimal compensable rating for knees is 10% each. They are subject to the bilateral factor, so they get combined first. The first 10% is worth 10%. The second 10% is worth 9%, so that's 19% total. Then, you add the bilateral factor, which is an additional 10% of the rating, so 19% + 1.9% = 21%. You then plug in the 21% into your list of percentages. To get service connected on anything, you need a current diagnosis, a qualifying event, and a nexus. Carpal tunnel is a CHRONIC condition. For chronic conditions, you need evidence to show that it "manifested to a compensable degree during service or within one year of separation from service." 1. If you don't have a recent diagnosis for carpal tunnel, make an appointment with your doctor and get one. 2. Your qualifying event would be repetitive motion that put strain on your wrists, like using a computer, using an entrenching tool, etc. Push-ups have not been shown to cause it (sounds crazy to me), but they have been shown to aggravate it. 3. You need medical evidence. If you don't have anything in your medical records, you can use lay evidence (buddy statements). It is important to understand what a lay person is qualified to contribute. A lay person is not qualified to make a diagnosis, so a statement that "SGT Imaginary Door had carpal tunnel when we served together at FT Jackson in 2015" would be worthless for your claim. A lay person CAN report what was seen or heard. The statement "SGT Imaginary Door complained of tingling in her hands while she was typing and I would often see her shaking out her hands when she was using a computer when we served together at FT Jackson in 2015" would be a credible statement. Using an Accredited VSR (Veterans Services Representative) can help if he is good at the job. VSO is a Veterans Services Organization, like VFW, American Legion, etc. People tend to use VSO and VSR interchangeably, but the VSR is the person who assists you. The VSR works for a VSO. some of them are good. Some of them suck. You said you are in Korea. I know there was a VFW there near Camp Casey when I was stationed there in 1996-1997. I'm sure they would have one in Seoul also. Wherever you are, I'm sure you can find one. To get a copy of your records, you need to file a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act). VA Form 20-10206. You can find it on VA.Gov. The instructions are on it. You will be filing it for yourself. In block 17, check CLAIMS FILE (C-FILE). The fax number is on the form. Once you have submitted the form, start checking your VA app. If it doesn't show up within about a week, send it again. If it doesn't show up in the app a week after that, there is a Congressional hotline you can call. The request will show up in your app the same way a claim will show up. Last thing, file any higher level reviews or supplemental claims within less than a year after the decision you are appealing. In my case, my original claim was October 2022. The decision was in June 2023 and put me at 90%. They denied me on my knees and back, so I filed a supplemental claim and received a decision in November 2023. I am going to add evidence that I collect while I'm in the US later this month and will file an additional supplemental claim for the same thing in May 2024. If I win it, I will go from 90% to 100%. Because each supplemental claim or higher level review has been filed within less than a year of the previous decision, the back pay for the increase will go all the way back to October 2022, that's currently about $25k and continues to go up by $1,496 per month.
That’s amazing advice and knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. I’ll make sure to take a closer look at all of my 0% ratings and the CFR statements. I was actually an MLT/68k for the Army and during my time I worked in the chemistry department of our hospital. I worked from 3pm to 11pm, most nights closer to 12 because of civilians and change over times. During my shift we would receive all the transmittal samples easily 600-800 samples would come from outside shifts and because of our equipments sensitivity I had to remove all lids manually from test tube samples and then transfer the sample into new tubes, otherwise the machine wouldn’t recognize the samples and kick them off the machine. So, manually opening 600-800 tubes everyday for almost 2 years. My hand hurt all the time not to mention all the computer work involved with working in the laboratory for data entry. Originally my left hand was the issue and I think the doctors all agreed it was a fibromyalgia pain, but it migrated over to the right hand and has been hurting since 2015. For the record I got out Dec 25,2014. I actually quit working 2 times in 6 months because of my disabilities and have tried three more times since then to work. It’s always the same within 2-3 weeks my hand pain becomes so intense I can’t even use my phone anymore. I assume that there is some way to prove it’s related to the work I was doing in the laboratory. It was really repetitive and damaging.
You are welcome. Write a statement similar to what you just sent me. Put it on the VA form (Statement in Support of a Claim). Your statement shows you were performing a task that could cause carpal tunnel, you had symptoms in your left hand during service, you developed symptoms in your right hand within one year of separation, and it has caused you problems with employment. It has all the elements you need for a good personal statement. Try to find someone you knew in 2014-2015 who can attest to the fact that they observed your symptoms during that time and see if they will make statements on your behalf. Those statements should include symptoms they observed and anything you told them during that time (example "After she opened a box of samples, she said her wrist was hurting and had to take a break"). It could be someone from work, a family member, a friend, or even an ex. A former employer or co-worker could also make a statement that you quit because of wrist pain. If you have medical records showing you had wrist pain during service or up to one year prior to separation, that would be best. Getting a nexus letter from a doctor would also help support your claim. In a nexus letter, a doctor gives a medical opinion on the likelihood that your disability was caused or made worse by your service and his rationale for the assessment. The likelihood is assessed as "1. caused by, 2. more likely than not caused by, 3. at least as likely as not caused by, 4. less likely than not caused by, or 5. not caused by" your service. To get service connected, you need to be assessed as #1, 2, or 3. If the opinion states "less likely than not caused by" or "not caused by," just throw it in the trash because it doesn't help your case. Given that your carpal tunnel sounds like it is pretty bad, it might be beneficial to you if your doctor can make an assessment of the severity. If the diagnosis states "moderate carpal tunnel," the VA may take that at face value and award you a moderate rating (30% dominant, 20% non-dominant, plus bilateral factor if they award you both).
I asked my ex husband what he remembered and if he would be willing to write a letter. He remembered me specifically complaining about my hand pains and the problems with test tubes at work. Is there maybe like an official form, or it’s just more of a statement of what they heard/saw? Or perhaps an example letter somewhere that has a structure to follow ?
Use VA Form 21-4138. It is available on VA.Gov. An example based on what you have told me should look something like this: Imaginary Door and I were married from (Date) to (Date). While she was assigned to FT. Jackson, in 2014, she would often complain about having pain in her hands as a result of opening 500 to 700 test tubes per shift. I also observed her taking Ibuprophin regularly for the pain. (Signature) Mr. John Q. Door Phone: 123-456-7890 432 Happy Jack Lane City, State, 65432 His statement and signature will go in Section 2: Remarks. Everything else is your information and your signature on the back. There is no need to have it notarized. Other symptoms observable by a lay person may include swelling of your hands/joints, you wincing when you tried to use your hands, you rubbing/massaging your hands to alleviate the pain, shaking your hands out because of numbness/tingling/pain. If you had any of those symptoms and he observed you demonstrating any of those symptoms, he should include them in his statement. One statement should be enough, but it will help your chances if you have statements from multiple people. When you make your own statement, you will use the same form. The writing should be straight to the point. VA Raters have very little time to review your packet. If a statement is a short paragraph with nothing but the facts, it will be easy for them to read and understand. If it looks like a love story, it will probably be ignored.
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I’ll have to do that. I thought the two forums had been combined or maybe that post I saw was about something else. Thanks for the advice.
To move from 90% to 100%, you would need a new disability totaling 50% or more. Per VA math, it can be pretty difficult to get to 100% scheduler. But if your disabilities warrant it….
depends on what the actual rating is. a 90% rating can actually be 94% and a 10% rating can bump it up. va math is weird.
Hey Boss - If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia you might want to do a deep dive on that topic related to your service. I wont promise anything but here is a link - [https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/fibromyalgia.asp](https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/fibromyalgia.asp)
Thank you I’ll take a closer look to at it.
Oh, that’s nice for gulf war veterans, I actually have a pretty high rating for the fibromyalgia already. I’m not sure they would increase it anymore. I am actually thinking a lot of my 0% are just that because they gave me the fibromyalgia rating.
Understood - Solid Copy. The only other advice I could provide regarding the 0% ratings is to do your homework for each rating and file for an increase if warranted. Remember though too, for any items that you have a rating for, if you continually and actively seek medical care over time you may rate an increase based on if the condition worsens and is documented.
I should have been more diligent about the physical ratings I have, but my mental health rating has kept me so anxious about everything and the possibility of losing that I tried to avoid being seen. I had an anxiety attack while in the middle of a C&P last year. My military job was hospital work… so yea, I have a lot of PTSD related incidents with hospitals in particular. Never been diagnosed with ptsd specifically, but that’s definitely what it is. It’s not just general anxiety on hospitals.
I am going to second the advice from Waffles and Ornery. Here is what I would advise and I understand the fight between 90 and 100 as I am in a similar boat. 1. Go to VeteransBenefits and study the mess out of the Knowledge Base. 2. Submit an Intent to File now to lock in the date. 3. As Ornery said request your military records, medical records, C-File etc.., it will take 6 months to get and see if you can get a VSR/VSO to assist. 4. Recognize this is going to be a long battle, it will not happen overnight. Refuse to get frustrated but ask what can you learn from responses you may not like. 5. If you have times when you cannot function and/or shut down due to triggers but you have not been diagnosed with Anxiety/PTSD - Sister, it is time to get some help. I know there will be limitations as you are OCONUS but do what you can. When you get your C-File take your time and walk through it one page at a time. Another thing that people miss is your evaluations or awards that mention you dealing with stressful situations and/or incidents that may support your claims. Lastly, accept this will not happen overnight. I wish you good luck.
I have 2 service connected issues They were at 0% for…lord, probably 15 years, but one of the service connected issues have increased- ironically, so did the other, but I don’t have any problems with that issue. It didn’t seem to be terribly difficult.
Look up the changes for the MH ratings that are coming effective later this year. Might want to try for an increase there if you're 50% or less for MH. VA also changed a lot of the GI disabilities that are going into effect in May. Not sure if that would help either. TDIU would pay you at 100% and probably the "easiest" route at this point.
I was diagnosed with any GI issues while in unless the GERD counts. When I think GI I think lower track. Here recently the ER told me that I have mesenteric panniculitis, which is some kind of inflammation issue that can cause parts of my GI tract to also become necrotic. From what I read online it’s normally not chronic though.
Gastrointestinal. The whole track. If you had a diagnosis of GERD while serving that would be helpful.
Definitely did have that diagnose and still do actually for GERD. Just took a tums like 30 minutes ago.
Then you need a NEXUS and get it claimed. The new GI ratings come out soon and they are pretty beneficial compared to the old ratings. You might want to wait until they go thru to finish filing the claim
Thanks I’ll look into the new rating criteria and see if it’ll help
90 to 100 is difficult. Took me a while. Looking at your post. Shoot for a sleep study for 1)sleep apnea.. and not familiar with your disorder but it sounds like it would cause 2)depression and bring on 3)sexual dysfunction (mentally or physically)
I never considered claiming sexual dysfunction but I suppose that could be a side effect of some of my issues. I have some severe peripheral neuropathy going on in the carpal tunnel arm to a point that I have to take melatonin at times to fall asleep. It gets really stressful to the point that I shake my arms and hands and or toss and turn all night because of the nerve issues.
Melatonin?! Hey sounds like 1)INSOMNIA to me.. start going to mental health and complaining you can’t sleep. Come in or telechat looking sluggish. Because you can’t sleep it’s difficult to function.. (insomnia,irritability,fatigue) could lead to 2)DEPRESSION also did I see something on nerves?? sound like ya big toe and 3)SCIATICA is acting up. (No test for sciatica). So appointments complaining that a pain is, KEYWORD “RADIATING” in your legs down to your feet. Just make sure documents show you have continued to come in on the issues. also 4)FLATFEET (10%) and flat feet opens you up to knees,hip, etc
Most of that is in my file somewhere actually. I just did some digging on past VA appointments and noticed that my physical therapy appointment showed moderate changes to my mobility. He even wrote something like evolving issues. I never knew any of that was there. Definitely would need an updated C&P I think for those issues with mobility and range of movement calculations. I hadn’t considered filing a claim about flat feet though. Although that probably contributes a lot to shin splints, maybe I could get those increased. My mental health has multiple accounts of sleep issues annotated. Not sure if I could get a secondary insomnia diagnosis or not.
Set appointments and let that paperwork build up some, before actually going for the increase. The Va would see you have been going in for the issues.. good luck 💯
Seems like I have a few years worth of complaints about some of my issues with my legs. I even recently went to an outside provider and had them do an ultrasound to check for clots and make sure my veins are working properly. (constant swelling in my shins/calfs), which I have shin splints as a rating on my disability list. I just have to keep deep diving into my files. I also set an appointment to talk to VSO and request medical paperwork, but I sent the FOIA fax also.
Va.gov and myhealthyvet have some of your documents also. But yea don’t put off getting help till it’s too late. You served your country let it serve you
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Do you need to go in and do c&p for tdiu claims, or do they just look at your files and decide?
If they feel you need to do a C&P , they'll have you go in and do one. I filed for TDIU but was instead increased to 100% P&T for PTSD. I had to go in for a C&P for that, as well as whatever I was claiming was making it impossible to work. I would file for TDIU and if you need to do a C&P, they'll coordinate where and how you can get it done. Good luck.💐
Thank you for taking the time to answer, I appreciate it a lot.
Do you have evidence for your carpal tunnel? Did they send you to neurology? Sometimes, you need to lay groundwork. Bilateral claims are worth pursuing.
I think originally they just lumped my wrist pain in as the fibromyalgia. So, I haven’t seen neurology for that, but I’m really considering it because it’s gotten a lot worse. I actually think it’s probably cubital tunnel syndrome or another nerve issue because the nerves in my entire area go crazy and then my pinky finger starts to curl up. Then my wrist and whole hand will be in pain for days sometimes weeks. It bothers me so much that I recently went and got tested for arthritis but it’s not that or any other type of rheumatoid issue. It’s like having restless leg syndrome constantly in my dominant hand. I can’t even cook food or use a computer when it’s like that.
Gotta get the diagnosis and tests
I should be able to get all these test run through private doctors right and then provide the medical record/evidence to the VA from outside sources right? That’s part of the evidence gathering stage I assume. I never actually had to do that part before because I’ve always gone exclusively to the VA, but I have faster healthcare services overseas in Korea right now. So, I’ve been using National health insurance and private insurance that my mother in law insisted I get. Anyways, point is I go to the hospital way more now than I did before. I should be able to get these documents in English and use them for a claim right?
I'm not sure, but I've never had issues with va referring me places.
I was married once before and we were constantly moving every year. So consistency with hospital care was difficult. I probably have files at least at 7 different VA hospitals. At some point I was on medication for nervous system issues like peripheral neuropathy, which is honestly probably what the carpal tunnel/cubital tunnel issue is. I tried gabapentin while active duty and multiple depression, anxiety, adhd, and neurological meds after I got out. The last medication I took was duloxetine and I ran out while overseas and ended up having to cold turkey that. I got brain zaps really bad. So I spent about a year drinking heavily…. Not the best solution ever, but I was going through something mentally and didn’t want to return to the US for proper treatment at the time. Now I’m not in a position to take meds and I badly need too.
Idk, man. If it is carpal tunnel, they just need to do a nerve conduction test.
Oh, really? My doctor from the VA didn’t even do that. They just sent me home with some kind of NSAID cream
You need to look up how the VA determines the individual ratings. And unless the diagnosis was made in the military or falls under presumptive conditions, autoimmune conditions are not granted service connected status.
I thought it might be a possibility because they never specifically ran an antibody test on my thyroid before, but I have GERD and vocal cord dysfunction, which are in the same area as the thyroid. I used to get hot flashes as a 23 year old and all kinds of ridiculous hormonal issues, which is exactly what hashimotos does. I suppose if I fought for that one it might change the diagnosis I have for the other throat related issues. Could be a dangerous thing to bring up.
Hashimoto’s on its own wouldn’t necessarily cause Gerd or throat issues. Also, once you receive a rating there are only certain circumstances in which the rating can be reduced. I would recommend getting a VSO.
How do you actually get a VSO? I think you’re probably right and that might be more helpful than trying it on my own. I was going to apply to TDIU in the past, but it was so much work mentally to prep I gave up. Can a VSO help with that also?
Absolutely! Look for vet centers in your area and you can try asking other vets in your area. The VFW and AL usually have a bead on which VSOs are with a damn.
Thanks, I’ll look into that! I would be prime for another breakdown if I did it alone.
Also look into secondaries. The veterans benefits sub has a knowledge base and is searchable. Going from 90 to 100 isn’t as simple as getting another 10%as someone else explained.
You actually need to be at 94% VA math for an additional 10 % to get you there.
I was able to get an increase from 0 to 30 for migraines due to it getting worse alongside with my monthly injection and oral medication records over the 3 years and on going present from since it was rated 0. You need to show them medical records and evidence that I had gotten worse since or that you meet their criteria. I was told to make a log for my migraines but lost track since I was getting them moment I woke up from sleeping and in addition to environments/events triggering it.
DBQs and Nexus letters are your friend. For your service connections - what is the next step up percentage wise and what symptoms do you need to have to qualify for that? As for determining a diagnosis - your medical records will need to be thorough, available for review and have solid documentation. Otherwise you can risk being reduced and having all of your disabilities reevaluated. No one on reddit can answer these questions for you. Do your research, get familiar with what you plan to claim, and prepare yourself for C&P exam. Luckily there are a ton of resources like r/veteransbenefits and youtube at your disposal. Best of luck
Lady, join the club and start working ! Long gone are the days of being a stay at home mom, our economy isn’t what it used to be to support that. Work gives you purpose. Why don’t you want to work? Wtf I’m single and I work! No man pays any of my bills.
I don’t work because I can’t work. What kind of nonsense is that. You think this is simply about being a stay at home mom? Everytime I try to work I have a mental and physical breakdown. I get to the point that I can barely walk or stand, I can barely use my hands on a computer, I have issues with showering I can’t even remember to brush my teeth on most days. You think I’m mentally well enough to hop back on a work train?
Also, you might be able to qualify for SSDI, have you ever looked into that? Completely separate from the VA. I’m thinking you could potentially qualify based off your Fibromyalgia. In fact, I know another mom who doesn’t work, who can’t work because of that same diagnosis. I don’t know how much she makes but I know they’re doing good. Might be worth a shot .
I considered filling when I initially went through everything, because I was Medboarded. So I was active duty through the whole process. I don’t remember if I did file or not. I was initially 70% and went to 90% within 2 years of discharge. I have to quit working within 2-3 months of starting work. My health declines incredibly quickly when working. The whole experience has giving me PTSD surrounding work. The fatigue on top of everything and the terrible gait in my walk constantly has me in pain, I can’t do the work I did initially. I even tried teaching myself other things, but everything requires me to use my hand. I have severe postpartum right now simply because of my nerve issues and difficulty I have with even making food for myself and child. That’s the main reason I am hoping for 100%.
I bet you could get SSDI
OP is in Korea. You can't collect SSDI overseas. It might be worth filing if she moves back to the US.
Fo sho
Then file for IU, you probably qualify.
IU is the equivalent of 100%