Today I got a package from the VA Appeals Management Center reguarding my disability claim. Basically it is a request for more information to determine SC. This is in the form of letting them know every doctor and hospital I have gotten treatment for these issues since I left the Navy 39 years ago.
Background:
The remaining issues for my claim consist of the following items.
Left knee disability
Right knee disability
COPD
IBS
CAD
Sjogren's syndrome
PTSD
Hypertension
The knee problems I have I have linked to the Sjogrens as I was treated in the Navy for the same knee pain I have as one of the symptoms for this is joint pain.
The IBS, CAD. & Hypertention I have linked to my PTSD. This is that the trouble I have dealling with stress due to the PTSD makes these other issues worse.
The COPD is due to breathing of asbestos, acid fumes, and smoking which was promoted when I was in the Navy. I did not smoke before enlisting.
In the remand back to the VA by the VLJ specified that the VA was to schedule C&P exams for each of these issues and also told the VA they are to get the records from when I was given SSDI back in 1989.
In theis letter they stated that SSA for the records from when I got SSDI and that this would take several months.
But here is the first rub. In the remand order the judge ordered that the C&P exams where to happen only after they had received both the SSA records and the information from me. Yet today I was notified that three C&P exams are scheduled between Dec. 1 and Jan 8. So they are not following the Judges orders.
Secondly the last page of the letter I got today is a VCAA Notice response that I am given only two choices to select.
1) I have enclosed all the remaining information or evidence that will support my claim, or I have no further information or evidence to give the VA to support my claim. Please decide my claim as soon as possible.
2) I will send more information or evidence to the VA to support my claim. VA will wait the full 30 days from the date of this letter sent with this notice before deciding my claim.
It seems like either choice is cutting my own throat for a favorable decision in my case especially since they said earlier in the letter that they won't get my SSA records for several months.
So should I contect my DAV rep about them not waiting until reciept of my SSA records before scheduling the C&P exams?
Should I go out to a Civilian doctor to get referals to other doctors to maybe support my claims?
Background:
The remaining issues for my claim consist of the following items.
Left knee disability
Right knee disability
COPD
IBS
CAD
Sjogren's syndrome
PTSD
Hypertension
The knee problems I have I have linked to the Sjogrens as I was treated in the Navy for the same knee pain I have as one of the symptoms for this is joint pain.
The IBS, CAD. & Hypertention I have linked to my PTSD. This is that the trouble I have dealling with stress due to the PTSD makes these other issues worse.
The COPD is due to breathing of asbestos, acid fumes, and smoking which was promoted when I was in the Navy. I did not smoke before enlisting.
In the remand back to the VA by the VLJ specified that the VA was to schedule C&P exams for each of these issues and also told the VA they are to get the records from when I was given SSDI back in 1989.
In theis letter they stated that SSA for the records from when I got SSDI and that this would take several months.
But here is the first rub. In the remand order the judge ordered that the C&P exams where to happen only after they had received both the SSA records and the information from me. Yet today I was notified that three C&P exams are scheduled between Dec. 1 and Jan 8. So they are not following the Judges orders.
Secondly the last page of the letter I got today is a VCAA Notice response that I am given only two choices to select.
1) I have enclosed all the remaining information or evidence that will support my claim, or I have no further information or evidence to give the VA to support my claim. Please decide my claim as soon as possible.
2) I will send more information or evidence to the VA to support my claim. VA will wait the full 30 days from the date of this letter sent with this notice before deciding my claim.
It seems like either choice is cutting my own throat for a favorable decision in my case especially since they said earlier in the letter that they won't get my SSA records for several months.
So should I contect my DAV rep about them not waiting until reciept of my SSA records before scheduling the C&P exams?
Should I go out to a Civilian doctor to get referals to other doctors to maybe support my claims?
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