Yuge! Vets- get rated for all your disabilities

[Racer88]

I'm smart enough to know that Chiefs are the "go-to" for anything and everything!

Even 30+ years out of the Navy, I STILL know to rely on a Chief for good info!

 

[NavyVette]

WOW Chat GPT knows how to explain my shop
I told it I worked as an Aviation Electronics Technician in the VAST shop and it spit this out
I served as an Aviation Electronics Technician and worked specifically in the VAST (Versatile Avionics Shop Test) Shop. This was an enclosed work area filled with electronics testing and diagnostic equipment. The shop had large ventilation and cooling systems running at all times, creating a constant, loud fan noise. Along with that, there were high-pitched tones, buzzing, and intermittent sounds from the test equipment. Ear protection was not consistently issued or worn in that environment because it was considered a workspace rather than a hazardous noise area like the flight line or hangar.

During my time in the VAST Shop, I spent long hours exposed to these persistent noises day in and day out. Over time, I began to notice a ringing sound in my ears, especially at night or in quiet settings. This sound has never gone away, and I now know it is called tinnitus. I did not have this problem before my service, and I strongly believe it is directly related to my time working around loud electronic equipment in the Navy.

 

[One Ping Only]

Michelle you are ALWAYS such a blessing, sister, ALWAYS. Thanks for posting this. I'm going to bring this to my BIL's attention who was 'medical'd-out' of the NAVY.

 

[Michele]

Michelle you are ALWAYS such a blessing, sister, ALWAYS. Thanks for posting this. I'm going to bring this to my BIL's attention who was 'medical'd-out' of the NAVY.

Med -outs. Should be at 100%. Have em watch and text claim review at the live show next Thursday to get the discount.

 

[NavyVette]

Med -outs. Should be at 100%. Have em watch and text claim review at the live show next Thursday to get the discount.

I was med-out, Navy has me at 50%, VA currently 60% with SMC-K

So, I have my Lay Letter for my first new claim in the PDF. - above you said to save and not upload now - did you mean upload after saving or wait for the next live stream?

I also created a few other lay letters or maybe nexus letters relating conditions I have to my current VA rated disabilities - all ready to spring on them

 

[Michele]

I am rated for knees and back, and they claim my hips are not related - I feel like they might be a link from back to knees

Now they are claiming I have sciatica, which I also feel may be related to my back

Yep, it’s like the song the hip bones connected to the leg bone, connected to the knee bone etc…

Sciatica secondary to your back, 10% right, 10% left. Thats extra points for bilateral. So, when you go for sciatica C&P (2nd to back) they will DBQ your back as well. So, be prepared for back evaluation get it rated higher than current rating if u can. VA primarily considers range of motion, particularly flexion and extension, of the spine.
Here’s symptoms u need to get 40%.
= We have assigned a 40 percent evaluation for your low back condition based on:
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less
Additional symptom(s) include:
Painful motion upon examination

Hip I’d say is 2nd to knee- due to gait being off caused xxxx to hip.

CFR for your issues (back, hip, legs etc..)this will help with range of motion limits to get the rating you deserve. Have Degenerative Disc Disease ?? Maybe ?

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.ecfr.gov

Key- VA doesn’t care about nor rate pain. They rate disabling affects on physical, mental and social
Remember your worst day, take notes and use them at C&P to describe how it affects your mobility and causes loss of enjoyment affecting family, friends, social ability and work.

Here’s a list of DBQ’s. Print out the ones for your C&P- use as a study guide. Aside from ROM for the back look up videos for sciatica test. They will have u lay down and do the leg raise test -study those so you can be prepared.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

benefits.va.gov

There’s plenty of secondary’s to claim with knee and back. Can keep chaining them till u get to 100%.
Good luck

 

[Michele]

WOW Chat GPT knows how to explain my shop
I told it I worked as an Aviation Electronics Technician in the VAST shop and it spit this out
I served as an Aviation Electronics Technician and worked specifically in the VAST (Versatile Avionics Shop Test) Shop. This was an enclosed work area filled with electronics testing and diagnostic equipment. The shop had large ventilation and cooling systems running at all times, creating a constant, loud fan noise. Along with that, there were high-pitched tones, buzzing, and intermittent sounds from the test equipment. Ear protection was not consistently issued or worn in that environment because it was considered a workspace rather than a hazardous noise area like the flight line or hangar.

During my time in the VAST Shop, I spent long hours exposed to these persistent noises day in and day out. Over time, I began to notice a ringing sound in my ears, especially at night or in quiet settings. This sound has never gone away, and I now know it is called tinnitus. I did not have this problem before my service, and I strongly believe it is directly related to my time working around loud electronic equipment in the Navy.

Did you use gpt chat or the AI tool I linked ? The one I linked writes awesome VA letter. I used it for mental health statement OMG, type 3 words and it about writes a paragraph. Put in some specific info. Dates approximate will do. For some reason VA like onset date when u noticed it staring. Have AI write how it negatively affects your life

 

[Michele]

I was med-out, Navy has me at 50%, VA currently 60% with SMC-K

So, I have my Lay Letter for my first new claim in the PDF. - above you said to save and not upload now - did you mean upload after saving or wait for the next live stream?

I also created a few other lay letters or maybe nexus letters relating conditions I have to my current VA rated disabilities - all ready to spring on them

Go to Va.gov. Submit your intent to file don’t wait another day. Start your back pay clock now.

Write up your lay statements, get buddy statements, collect any other evidence medical outside the VA, etc… save them to your PC. Do not submit or upload any of this onto VA.gov. Next Thursday connect with VetComm during their live. A claims specialist will communicate with you and help you with everything from there. You & VetComm team will work together on everything you wish to claim, you will send them the evidence and statements u saved, together you will submit your claim(s), statements etc…to VA & get you what you deserve.

You can also do all of this online at VA.gov by yourself. There’s a link that lets you fill out all the forms along with your claim and send directly to raters. However, you get no copy of any of your docs. I don’t recommend do it yourself claims unless your versed what the VA needs to rate you.

 

[Michele]

LOL! Is it that obvious??

Duh ! Yep obviously very disabled. Had you stayed in you’d be commanding your own carrier by now making big money crushing it with a bunch of scrabbled eggs on your cover.

 

[Racer88]

Duh ! Yep obviously very disabled. Had you stayed in you’d be commanding your own carrier by now making big money crushing it with a bunch of scrabbled eggs on your cover.

If I had stayed in longer, I might have been court-martialed for insubordination!

 

[NavyVette]

Did you use gpt chat or the AI tool I linked ? The one I linked writes awesome VA letter. I used it for mental health statement OMG, type 3 words and it about writes a paragraph. Put in some specific info. Dates approximate will do. For some reason VA like onset date when u noticed it staring. Have AI write how it negatively affects your life

Chat GPT because I totally didn't see yours. Trying again

 

[Michele]

Ok- for anyone that missed VA letter writing AI app. This will help you put together an awesome personal statement or buddy letter for your claim. After the letter is generated can scroll up and modify, add, remove information then regenerate.

Streamlit

combined-personal-buddy-generator-v1.replit.app

 

[Racer88]

Funny.... I've got my consultation call in 20 minutes... and this just appeared on my timeline on X:

 

[Michele]

Funny.... I've got my consultation call in 20 minutes... and this just appeared on my timeline on X:

View attachment 31463

Good luck with getting rated- u are at 0? They can definitely deliver for you.

 

[Racer88]

Had my consultation! And I was able to get the $200 coupon code that you normally get on the Thursday night webinar just by asking. Very cool. Instead of a flat rate of $1200, it comes to $1000.

So, basically this is a coaching / consulting service that walks you through the VA disability benefit application process. Sure, you can do it all alone with no help. But, they have a 98.7% success rate. If you are turned down, it's "money back guarantee!" So, you really have nothing to lose.

With my tinnitus and hearing loss, they tell me I could get $400 / month! For life! Shit, that's not nothin'. And one way to look at it (as my wife said) is that it's a "tax refund." You're getting some of your taxes paid... back.

It's funny... If I had not been on a USS Independence Facebook group, I would not have known about the congressional act that added Persian Gulf (Desert Shield / Desert Storm) vets to the list as eligible for VA Health benefits. Prior to that, I was NOT eligible. I applied and got in.

And now this. Again... ALWAYS listen to your Chief! Even if you're an officer. ESPECIALLY if you're an officer! Ha! So thanks to @Michele for lighting the fire here.

When I consider the value of my VA health benefits in terms of what an equivalent medical insurance policy premium would be... I think I'm being CONSERVATIVE with at least $1000 / month. An equivalent medical policy would EASILY cost that much. Now add this potential $400 / month TAX FREE monthly payment, and I'm at nearly $17,000 per year in value JUST because I was active on social media.

The $400 / month isn't going to change my life. But it will buy a lot of ammo... or a vacation... or meals. And the $1000 invested in VetComm's service will pay off in less than three months of benefits.

But for some veterans, this COULD be life-changing. And the benefit payment can be a lot more than $400, depending on your condition / situation.

The process can take 4 - 6 months, they say. BUT, the clock starts when you first file. So, if approved, you get back pay to that point.

Thanks again, @Michele!

 

[Racer88]

I just "stickied" this thread to the top of this forum section.

This really is a BIG deal that I suspect most veterans are unaware of.

When I applied for my VA Health benefits, I'm pretty sure they asked me if I was disabled in any way. And of course, I said NO. So, I was rated at 0% disabled. I don't think of myself as disabled... though some close to me may disagree!

Furthermore, I believe most vets may have unknown disabilities, or simply may have pride preventing them from such consideration out of deference to those who are "truly disabled" with serious and significant service-related injuries.

I think it's important to understand that applying for this EARNED benefit is NOT infringing or diminishing those with significant or serious disabling injuries or conditions. You're not taking anything from them. You paid for this in at least two ways... First, you SERVED. Secondly, you paid taxes. Think of this as a partial refund. A small or token compensation for your service and sacrifice.

Did I get that right, Chief @Michele?

 

[Michele]

@Racer88 look at the pdf file I attached above. There is examples of personal statement and buddy letter to submit with your claim. Have your wife and kid(s) vouch for your disability. Use the VA letter writing tool I linked to help put the letters together.

Note: You may have other disabling issues connected to your tinnitus- headaches, vertigo, high blood pressure, sleep issues are common conditions secondary, once rated.

This video states change to tinnitus is happening in April- that’s been moved to August. Change dates maybe pushed out again. The change has been in the works for some time now.
Here’s a pretty good vid. I like this guy cuz he tells you exactly what the VA needs to see in your claim to get rated.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mpEgzYZB3ow

 

[Racer88]

My pre-claim appointment is a month from now, May 27th.

Note: You may have other disabling issues connected to your tinnitus- headaches, vertigo, high blood pressure, sleep issues are common conditions secondary, once rated.

BP is borderline. Sleep?!?? I haven't slept well.... for a very long time. Average probably 5 hours / night. No headaches or vertigo. Though I do get "ocular migraines" occasionally.

 

[Michele]

When I applied for my VA Health benefits, I'm pretty sure they asked me if I was disabled in any way. And of course, I said NO. So, I was rated at 0% disabled. I don't think of myself as disabled... though some close to me may disagree!

Very common for vets to deny health conditions. Most avoid medical and “suck it up” during active duty. It’s taught ingrained; servicemen to continue on no matter what- get the job done. Peer pressure as well, no one wants to be labeled as sick bay commando or not carrying your load.
No surprise when asked if there’s a problem the answer is nope , I’m good.

Furthermore, I believe most vets may have unknown disabilities, or simply may have pride preventing them from such consideration out of deference to those who are "truly disabled" with serious and significant service-related injuries.

Correct. Little known information- The money is already allocated for each vet. Thats right $3,831.30 single and $4,044.91 married is already there waiting for the veteran to claim it. Everyone has the same opportunity to apply.
Claiming your disability no matter how minor you believe; does not take away from any other vet.

I think it's important to understand that applying for this EARNED benefit is NOT infringing or diminishing those with significant or serious disabling injuries or conditions. You're not taking anything from them. You paid for this in at least two ways... First, you SERVED. Secondly, you paid taxes. Think of this as a partial refund. A small or token compensation for your service and sacrifice.

Did I get that right, Chief @Michele?

You sure did. It’s never too late and they can ask for an increase or secondary conditions as you get older.

 

[Michele]

My pre-claim appointment is a month from now, May 27th.



BP is borderline. Sleep?!?? I haven't slept well.... for a very long time. Average probably 5 hours / night. No headaches or vertigo. Though I do get "ocular migraines" occasionally.

Great ! Let us know how it goes. Go to medical, complain about these issues. Get them documented and diagnosed. If using civilian Dr. get digital or copy for your records. Need to provide to VA as evidence.