TBI Disability awarded; new claim for back issues?

hate to be the devils advocate but it can bounce back and forth between the "notification" and " evidence gathering, review, and decision". Hopefully that's not the case but it is not unheard of.

 

VA Benefit Information Summary of benefit information
You have one or more service-connected disabilities: Yes
Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 70%
Your current monthly award amount is: $1403.71
The effective date of the last change to your current award was: April 01, 2019
You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities:
No

You were right; found it in letter generator.

 

Congrats!

 

Thank you!

Now I'm trying to figure out how everything was broken down in ebenefits.

 

Disregard, found it!

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) 70% Service Connected
PTSD - Combat

03/27/2019
headaches 0% Service Connected 03/27/2019
tinnitus 10% Service Connected 03/27/2019
hearing loss, bilateral Not Service Connected

Seems I received 0 for 2 items, but 70 for 1 other; must be the whole 1 claim at a higher percentage vs 2 claims at a lower percentage.

I'm relieved with the outcome, thanks to everyone for providing their input and putting up with my b/s.

 

Write or wrong, they seem to almost always combine TBI and PTSD, or at least severely down rate one. Also hearing loss is hard to get too. Overall it looks like a decent outcome. Especially considering the break in service vs filing.

Congrats OP!!

 

If you have 1 migraine a month (pretty common scenario), you’d get 30% (and max of 50% but rarely awarded). I’d look into filing for an increase for that if you fit that requirement. Everything else looks good.

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/centralnervoussystem.html#headaches

 

Thanks brother!

Yeah, aside from my own dad getting hearing loss (an M1 tank fired while he was next to it) I don't know of anyone getting hearing loss covered.

 

I don't think I want to mess with anything for awhile; 5 years?

I get headaches but not migraines often. Haven't had one in over a month or so...

 

You should definitely leave the ratings you’re happy with alone for 5 years. I just thought, at 0%, they can’t reduce it at all. But solid plan to lay low, if you don’t open it up, they shouldn’t either.

 

This^

With migraines, key emphasis is debilitating. Anyone that is actually an adult will still work and suck it up. VA thinks there is no way you could if it’s “debilitating.” To me that meant I worked with the lights off and told my ops to keep it down and leave me alone.

 

That's part of what kept me from even applying for my benefits; my dad was in the army for 24 years so all my life/childhood it was "tough it up, suck it up"

I don't remember even crying as a kid at any point.

Anyway, I'm glad the back and forth is all over.

 

Agreed. That’s always the worst thing with a claim, the not knowing for months on end.

 

Another update; I attempted to enroll into VA healthcare even though I disqualified the first time due to my income.

I haven't logged on at all until yesterday only to see I was enrolled as Group 1.

What other things should I look at that I'm missing out on?

I'm already aware of the tax relief/home buying/etc.

Just want to know what else I haven't looked at.

 

Parks pass.


Reduced realtor fees;
https://www.homesforheroes.com/

You can also go to local hospitals using the Care in the Community.

https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/index.asp


Just a couple small things off the top of my head.

 

Forgot to mention that; since I backpack, camp, and hike regularly, I was happy to see that California issues a lifetime Veteran pass with the following;

CA ID/DL
Proof of residency, 3 months worth
DD214/Summary of benefits letter (50% or higher)

Those items plus a form that you download, fill out, and sign

Items must be mailed or handed to the main office in person in Sacramento

I printed everything out today while at work only to leave it on my desk

As for the Access Pass (for National parks), I already have it. Lady was nice enough to give me one when we struck up a conversation about having been in the military. She asked if I had my military ID, which I did (expired) and she gave it to me based on my word. This was some years back.

 

MT parks are covered under our registration.

Next time you buy a house, seriously look into that home for hero’s. We saved a ton on realtor fees. It applies to Military and first responders.

 

If you live over 40 miles from a VA Medical center you qualify for the VA Veterans Choice program . This allows the Veteran to use civilian Doctors for healthcare

 

86.5 miles away from the main VA Palo Alto Hospital.

Although there is a 'new' one that they opened up a few years ago (Major General Gourley VA- DoD Outpatient Clinic) but it didn't appear when I enrolled online for VA healthcare.

How do I ensure I can see a civilian doctor?

 

The VA will automatically provide you a civilian doctor if you can't be seen by VA Doctor over 3 months . With your near 100 mile commute you definitely qualify for Veterans choice . I would contact a VSO ( Veterans service officer) or the eligibility dept at your closest VA Med center for more info