Has anyone been re-evalutated?

01yellercobra

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If so how long did you wait to go back? I got out a few years ago and I debate on going back and getting re-evaluated, but I'm worried with my luck they would lower my rating.
 

KingBlack

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careful. if you do it you better be 100% sure that your condition is WORSE. As in having a letter with a doctor's opinion for evidence sure.
 

1 Alibi 2

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Have been re-evaluated numerous times, always use the VA's own test results as a basis for increased rating(s). Never resulted in a lower rating. A condition rarely improves unless some corrective action, ( operation, treatment, etc. ) happens. Most issues get worse just by aging. You have nothing to loose,......good luck.
 

CobraBob

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Since my last evaluation was more than I expected (30% disability) since I got denied 35 years earlier, I don't want to risk a doctor finding lesser disability now and affect by current rating. The doctor the VA assigned to evaluate me about 10 years ago listened to my case intently, took a lot of notes on my behalf, and did a very good examination of my hand (severed tendons from an injury aboard an aircraft carrier in 1968).
 

01yellercobra

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careful. if you do it you better be 100% sure that your condition is WORSE. As in having a letter with a doctor's opinion for evidence sure.

I'd definitely have all my ducks in a row first. I asked about it at one of my visits and my doctor just shrugged his shoulders really. I guess he didn't deal with the evaluation part. Turns out he retired a few months after my first visit anyway.

Have been re-evaluated numerous times, always use the VA's own test results as a basis for increased rating(s). Never resulted in a lower rating. A condition rarely improves unless some corrective action, ( operation, treatment, etc. ) happens. Most issues get worse just by aging. You have nothing to loose,......good luck.

I have issues listed in my file. I'm just not getting anything for most of them. I can say I haven't gotten any better. I still have the injuries that act up, but I don't usually go into the doctor for them.

Since my last evaluation was more than I expected (30% disability) since I got denied 35 years earlier, I don't want to risk a doctor finding lesser disability now and affect by current rating. The doctor the VA assigned to evaluate me about 10 years ago listened to my case intently, took a lot of notes on my behalf, and did a very good examination of my hand (severed tendons from an injury aboard an aircraft carrier in 1968).

I'm at 30% now and have been told by multiple people I should be more. But on the flip side, I don't want to be one of those greedy people that some how get 100% with nothing wrong. It didn't happen on the Connie did it?
 

CobraBob

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I keep a log listing pain occurrences with my hand. That was recommended by the VA doctor assigned to my case. I am thankful for the 30% but wish I had gotten it when I first applied 35 years ago. That's a lot of money I missed out on since a claim isn't retroactive. I'm concerned if I try to get more that I'll be downgraded. I'm happy at 30%.
 

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I don't want to sound jaded, but as far as I'm concerned, the Dr.'s that conduct the compensation exams, are only there to deny your claim.
It took the VA almost 10 years to agree that:
1. I had a back injury.
2. It was service connected.....( again, using the VA's records & Dr.'s )
And, after many tests @ the VA, blames several other issues I have on that back injury.
To be fair, @ the VA hospital in East Orange, N.J., I think things are improving.
As far as I'm concerned, you have nothing to loose..
 

Stanger00

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I meant to post on this earlier with my own anecdotal story for my re-evaluation for my disability from the VA. I have a permanent disability and a non-permanent disability rating.

When I get in a computer I write it out. But the TL:DR is I missed 4 Dr appointments for re-evaluations and my payments stopped. I called to ask what happened and I panicked. Went to AMVETs and they wrote a reconsideration letter and within 2 weeks I had 2 new Dr appointments and about 3 months after that my permanent rating stayed the same my non-permanent went up 10% and I was back paid for those 4 months.

This year I added my son who was born in March in July and they back paid me as well. I added my wife also but they didn't back pay me for the 2 years I didn't have her on my dependent list.

I feared changing anything also but it worked out.

Good luck buddy


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svtfocus2cobra

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Im considering being re-evaluated. Im at 30% for a kneck injury, tinnitus, and my right knee. I had appealed for my lower back problems but they declined saying non-service related as expected.

Well as of lately I have had really bad sciatica stemming from my lower back and what feels like spiralling into both legs. It's pretty much unbearable when it flares up, and my lower back honestly hurts more than anything else. My kneck injury is pretty bad too. Also, I have been getting increased ringing in my ears to where it is curtting out some of my actual hearing. I get weird pressure changes in my right ear and the weirdest is when Im trying to sleep. I will sometimes get random noises in my ears like static or white noise followed by a sound of an abrupt record scratch, and on some occasions I have even heard explosions. They wake me up but they usually dont bother me that bad. I just think it is really weird that it's happening and to me feels like something tied to the tinnitus.

If I am already being compensated for my tinnitus and kneck, does anyone think it is worth being re-evaluated for those things again if they have gotten worse? Is that something I probably just need doctors letters for?
 

raustin0017

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In the process right now. I contacted a VA Claims lawyer who is a former Marine. I provided him a copy of the VA disabilities in my record. We did a telephone interview. He is pulling my med records and going to review and see if there is anything missing on the current list. He is going to set up the Dr. appointments, and file the claim. If there is zero gain in my benefits...he gets zero payment. If there is an increase he gets $3,000. If it is bumped up to 100% he gets $5,000. Payments are settled with any backpay and future payments. No out of pocked expense. Giving it a shot. Here is his web page.

http://www.heroesservingheroes.com/

Good luck my Brothers!
 

01yellercobra

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In the process right now. I contacted a VA Claims lawyer who is a former Marine. I provided him a copy of the VA disabilities in my record. We did a telephone interview. He is pulling my med records and going to review and see if there is anything missing on the current list. He is going to set up the Dr. appointments, and file the claim. If there is zero gain in my benefits...he gets zero payment. If there is an increase he gets $3,000. If it is bumped up to 100% he gets $5,000. Payments are settled with any backpay and future payments. No out of pocked expense. Giving it a shot. Here is his web page.

http://www.heroesservingheroes.com/

Good luck my Brothers!

I'm actually doing that right now. I submitted my papers a couple weeks ago and should be hearing from the doctor the end of this week or the beginning of next. Just looking at my paperwork they said I should be around 60%.
 

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To answer the OP's question, yes.
Long story short, my appeal went to DC for the 2nd time, BOVA requested several items be reviewed because of " old " data.
A 10 May 2017 review overturned / discredited a comp. exam from 3 March 2009.
As my claim is back to Nov. 2008, this resulted in a sizable deposit in my bank account for back compensation.
As I said in post # 7,.................you have nothing to loose !!
 

01yellercobra

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I just got my notice for my increase. I'm now at 80%. So it was definitely worth it for me.
 

ZYBORG

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Whether your condition has gotten worse or not, you will be rolling the dice. Could land in your favor and then again, could go against.
I’d say odds are 65/35 in your favor.

It will all depend on the doctor doing the exam and the rating official making the decision after the “facts” and data are layer out.

Believe me when I tell you that the great majority of the doctors do NOT give 2 flying ****s about you or your claim. They are just there collecting revenue.

Good luck, it’s like Vegas, you gonna need it!
 

01yellercobra

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I just got my notice for my increase. I'm now at 80%. So it was definitely worth it for me.


Whether your condition has gotten worse or not, you will be rolling the dice. Could land in your favor and then again, could go against.
I’d say odds are 65/35 in your favor.

It will all depend on the doctor doing the exam and the rating official making the decision after the “facts” and data are layer out.

Believe me when I tell you that the great majority of the doctors do NOT give 2 flying ****s about you or your claim. They are just there collecting revenue.

Good luck, it’s like Vegas, you gonna need it!

In my case it worked out.
 

mysticsvt

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I'm lucky to have what I have. They denied my ringing of the ear though and said my job didn't create that. Uhm...waterblasters, sandblasters, power tools, Small Arms Instructor and Crew Serve Weapons Instructor....yeah ok.

Absolutely do everything in your power to get what you deserve. Very few people serve. It just seems like a lot because we surround ourselves with each other's glorious presence. :)
 

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