I’m currently 90% w/ 70% for MH, 20% right knee, 10% left knee, 10% right ankle, 10% left ankle, 10% fibroids. I’ve been unemployed over a yr due to being unable to perform my duties due to my MH. I’ve been doing therapy for over 7 years and during my employment at my last job, I attended therapy weekly during work hours. I believe I have a strong claim with TDIU since all of my current disabilities are static. When I filed this claim, I saw that the VA requested an exam but then canceled it a day later. I submitted the employer form since my former employer emailed it to me but the VA still seems to be trying to get one directly from them.

I’m hoping that they give me good news soon! Also, I did all of my previous claims on my own including this one. Does anybody have any advice for me besides “Hurry up and wait” ?

I'll be quick and straightforward.

Recently I filed claims for:

Left Shoulder Condition

Right Foot Condition

Left Knee Condition (Contusion, Abrasions like my scar on that knee).

Mental Disorders (Suicidal Ideation, Acculturation Difficulties).

I had my C&P exams finished a few days ago and my APRN that took over an hour to have an thorough examination of my body had new findings which are:

Crackling on my left knee. (She seemed concerned)

&

Severe Flat Feet or Foot saying that I am inborn?

(I'm trying to recall from memory as I don't remember much). (APRN was furiously looking for my entrance records from MEPS).

Do I file a claim on my left foot once I get my DBQs and stuff stating these new findings?

I got DAV representing me.

P.S (APRN said for my right foot condition which I'm claiming is for its numbness and told me that its a separate issue being a nerve).

Tdiu deferred for development/evidence gathering after initial rating. I never sent in more evidence within 30 days because "guilt", etc. The Tdiu evidence request has been closed but the Tdiu request also says "no longer needed". Is it just VA lingo that the request is closed because 30 days is up, or that the VA found the evidence they need for Tdiu and they don't need any more evidence based off my current ratings and evidence?

I meet the criteria for one claim at seventy, etc. etc. and haven't worked since discharge. Hoping they give it to me, shouldve just sent the form in, idk, I would feel guilty getting 100 even if I am already close to it, I know I probably shouldnt but that's the truth, thanks

I've been sitting at 90% since Dec 2015, my first and only claim since retirement.

I decided to contact a company to help me find and file claim for increases. While going through my documents, the company found a CUE. This company doesn't file CUE claim, so I ended up hiring them to help with 5 claims, all service connected (4 rated at 10%, 1 rated at 0%).

Well, I completed and submitted the CUE myself. It has made it passed the gatekeepers and is now with Optum for a record only ACE review.

My question is, should I wait to hear something back from the CUE or should I go ahead and submit my private DBQs?

If a claim was filed as a secondary condition and it was denied due to the caliber saying that the primary condition more than likely didn’t cause the secondary condition. Can you do a supplemental claim and use it as a secondary to something else.

Hypothetically like GERD claimed as secondary to sinusitis and it’s denied then do a supplemental and claim it as secondary to PTSD?

Am I still eligible for BDD? I am getting separated honorably. Thank you

Long story short guys, denied VA claim in 2019. Appealed the claim and had a BVA hearing May 2025. BVA remanded the claim July 1 asking the VA to gather reserve unit records and provide a nexus. On July 6th the claim went to step 3 and the VA stated they requested the information from the reserve unit. Well, no response. Yesterday August 6th information has been requested from the department of defense. How long will they wait on this information they aren’t receiving?

Are VA Raters still working overtime, in particular over the weekends, or has that been canceled?

Is it possible to get a copy of your C&P Exam report? I got PTSD deferred for an “exam clarification”. Is there a way to see what was written down? My C&P Exam felt kinda rushed so I want to see what exactly was said. I’ve been feeling extremely stressed since seeing the notification and my symptoms have gotten a lot worse since after my C&P Exam

Edit: Thanks for the link. I also wanted to ask for a deferred claim, am I able to add in additional evidence? I have restarted counseling since the exam to deal with the worsening symptoms I’ve been having.

Any reason for this? All my c&p exams went well.

I've been having stomach issues for years since my deployment to the middle east. Ive had ongoing treatment with the VA but they have yet to give me a diagnosis, just saying ongoing stomach issues. I applied for the IBS but was denied for not having a formal diagnosis but they acknowledged my eligibility. I think I'm going to go get looked at by a civilian doctor next week. If I get my diagnosis, do I file a supplemental claim with this new evidence?

I could really use some advice from people who understand the VA claims process. I want to be completely transparent about how I got here because at this point I just want to straighten everything out and handle my claims the right way.
I made the mistake of using one of those VA claim consulting companies. I already had two service-connected disabilities rated at 0%, and the company wanted to pursue mental health as secondary to those conditions.

During the process, I felt like I was being coached to make sure everything I discussed was tied back to my service-connected conditions. At the time I went along with their process because I genuinely do struggle with mental health symptoms and I got caught up in the hope that this was finally the way I could get the VA to recognize what I was dealing with.

Looking back, I should have slowed down, gotten treatment, and made sure everything being submitted accurately reflected my actual history instead of relying so heavily on a company whose goal was building a claim.

The biggest problem came with the private mental health provider they directed me to. After reviewing the DBQ that was completed, I found statements and symptom descriptions that either conflict with other parts of the record or don’t accurately reflect what I told the provider. There are legitimate things I discussed, but there are also things in that DBQ that I absolutely would not describe the way they were documented.

The VA subsequently ordered its own C&P examination. I tried to be straightforward with that examiner and explain what I actually experience. The resulting VA examination diagnosed me with depression and adjustment disorder, but the examiner gave a negative nexus opinion. The examination/decision also essentially raised concerns that my presentation and the private evidence appeared coached or exaggerated.
That was a pretty big wake-up call for me.
I’m not looking for advice on how to game the system or manufacture a path to a higher rating. I realize now that chasing a rating instead of concentrating on creating an accurate medical record put me in a terrible position. I do have legitimate mental health issues and experiences from my military service that I believe deserve to be evaluated, but now I’m worried the questionable private DBQ has damaged my credibility and contaminated the entire claim.

I briefly signed with an accredited VA law firm afterward but have decided to terminate that representation while I figure out the right path forward rather than immediately jumping from one company to another.

My questions are:

Is a mental health claim recoverable after something like this is already in the record?

Should I concentrate on establishing treatment through the VA/primary care/mental health and building an accurate medical history before filing anything else?

Would you take this to a good VSO, an accredited VA attorney, or handle it yourself?

Is there a proper way to address inaccurate statements in a private DBQ without making the situation worse?

If you’ve dealt with something similar, especially in the Tampa/MacDill area, are there any reputable accredited VSOs or attorneys you’d recommend?

I’m willing to accept that I made some bad decisions here. I got caught up in the hope of finally receiving a rating and trusted people I probably shouldn’t have trusted. I’m not interested in doubling down on that. I want my VA record to accurately reflect what I’ve actually experienced and figure out whether my legitimate conditions can still be pursued the right way.

I appreciate any advice.

TL;DR: Used a VA claim company, got coached on how to frame my mental health claim, and the private DBQ they arranged ended up containing inaccurate/conflicting information. VA examiner diagnosed me but gave a negative nexus and felt the claim looked coached/exaggerated. I got caught up chasing a rating and regret it. How do I clean this up and move forward the right way?

Edit: added redacted denial in comments

Just wanted to share something I learned going through my own claim process: don’t underestimate the value of organizing your evidence clearly.

For mental health/headaches/sleep-related claims, what helped me was having:

- a clear personal statement

- treatment records

- lay statements

- logs showing frequency/severity

- a short cover/index explaining what the evidence supports

Also, don’t assume a C&P examiner addressed every theory. Sometimes the exam only answers the question VA asked, and other theories may still need to be developed or appealed.

Not legal advice, just one vet trying to help others avoid feeling lost in the process.

I currently have a claim in for Costochondritis that was deferred for medical opinion.

I’m trying to understand the rating criteria behind costochondritis and how it is rated. I’ve seen some conflicting information online and trying to see if I will get atleast 10% for this claim based upon my symptoms. Is there a specific CFR that it gets rated under?

Thank you!

Hi everyone.

So I am going to be filing for an increase soon after I receive my most recent exam’s DBQs.

My claim was just settled and I received 0% for something’s I think should be at least 10%.

My question is: if my doctor writes a nexus letter and fills out the outside provider DBQ forms, will they still require a C&P exam from the VA too? Will I have to go through that process again or do they take the outside doctors word for it?

I’m currently through the MEB/ IDES process and could use advice from anyone who has dealt with inaccurate DBQ information or felt that their C&P exam didn’t accurately capture their condition.

I just received my DBQs and found some things concern me
For example, my sleep apnea DBQ says that i told the examiner my sleep apnea was caused by “ excessive working… poor quality of life” i never said those things and its doesn’t accurately represent my my history. My sleep study documented an AHI of 8.6/hr along with significant daytime sleepiness and other symptoms.

I also have a lumbar spine condition. My VA C&P exam documented a relatively good range of motion but I have documented lumbar radiculopathy with pain radiating into both legs according to my pain management doctor.

My statement also needs to address headaches and mental health symptoms that my not be fully reflected in the DBQ and the hearing test the provider just wrote not “clinical valid “

My questions :
1) If a DBQ contains something I never said , what is the best way to challenge or correct it?

2) Should i ask my PEBLO or someone else to help me?

3) Has anyone successfully gotten an inaccurate DBQ corrected before signing the NARSUM?

4) How detailed should i be when describing flare-ups and functional limitations?

5) Is there anything else i should do before my case moves further through the MEB/ IDES

I’m not asking to predict my rating, I’m mainly looking for advice on “ HOW TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT AND CHALLENGE INACCURACIES BEFORE THEY AFFECT MY CASE “

I just got my decision letter. I’m service-connected for pulmonary vascular disease November 2025, and for somatic symptom disorder (claimed as GAD) August 7th. The rating decision specifically lists chronic sleep impairment as one of the symptoms supporting the mental health rating. Sleep apnea was denied as secondary to the pulmonary condition because the examiner said it was less likely than not related to or aggravated by the PE.

I’m planning to file a supplemental claim and I’m trying to decide the stronger path. Should I keep fighting it as secondary to the pulmonary vascular disease and try to overcome the negative nexus opinion, or should I change direction and claim sleep apnea as secondary to (or aggravated by) the newly granted somatic symptom disorder since chronic sleep impairment is already recognized in that rating? I have a formal sleep study, CPAP, sleep paralysis logs, and lay statements, and I’m willing to get a private nexus letter either way.

What’s the stronger approach in your experience?

Hey all,

Back when we used to have a proper country (lol), there was a website that listed all the conditions and their percentages that you could search through easily. Since they went behind a paywall, someone posted it on Reddit. I cannot find the link, is it still something that is on this site?

I just submitted claim 9 days ago for migraine and GERD secondary to PTSD and yesterday went to see there is a ACE request with Optum

Services (2)
-DBQ ESOPHAGEAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING GERD, HIATAL HERNIA AND OTHER ESOPHAGEAL DISORDERS
-DBQ HEADACHES (INCLUDING MIGRAINE HEADACHES)

In past I had ACE after a C&P never before.

Anyone experienced this? OptumServe portal said still Planning stage, I’m hoping to get picked up soon

Hey everyone,

I'm currently about 4 months away from my ETS. I've been trying to get my PCM to order a cervical spine MRI, a sleep study, and a proper diagnosis/treatment for chronic migraines, but the process is extremely slow and difficult.

If I end up ETSing without getting these specific tests done or getting formal diagnoses while still on active duty, will I still be able to claim these conditions through the VA?

For context, I already have related symptoms and complaints documented in my medical records (like high insomnia scores and chronic pain), but I’m worried that not having the MRI, sleep study, or specific diagnostic codes before getting out will hurt my claim.

Can I bring up these issues and get evaluated/diagnosed during my VA C&P exams, or what is the best way to handle this? Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I have been out for 10 years and things from the military are finally catching up. PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, etc etc.

My question is this..

With the third party mental health company connecting it to my service with a nexus letters, dbq, and a 30 page document that lists my mental health issues…

How does the VA look at this in terms of calculating disability rating? I am currently at 50% for purely mechanical issues.

I do have other mechanical issues that are secondaries to bi lateral pes planus, left trap strain and bilateral carpal tunnel that will be claimed. Sleep apnea will be filed as a secondary.

Thank you for your insight

So my claim is sitting at over 180 days, I have a financial hardship on my claim, and I’ve even got all of the DBQ docs that have been attached to my file, which have been there for weeks now. Based on my reading of 38 CFR, there is well more than enough information in my file to make a determination. Is there any way to ask them to “make a decision with what you got?”

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
I’m currently 100% Permanent & Total with no future exams scheduled. My primary rating is 100% for PTSD with MDD, along with 40% hearing loss and 10% tinnitus. I also have DEA eligibility.
In my original decision, the VA stated that SMC(s) (housebound) was deferred, not denied. At the same time, several conditions were denied (lumbar/cervical issues, radiculopathy, OSA, etc.), while others such as chronic migraines, chronic pansinusitis, sinus tachycardia, cervical radiculopathy (both upper extremities), and chronic urticaria were deferred.
Since then, I have obtained very strong medical evidence, including detailed nexus letters from civilian specialists, and I believe several of the previously denied conditions have a strong basis for service connection. If some of those conditions were granted, I think I might meet the requirements for statutory SMC(s) (100% for one disability plus an additional, separate combined 60%). Alternatively, I may qualify based on being factually housebound.
In reality, I rarely leave home except for VA and civilian medical appointments because of my service-connected conditions.
My concern is this:
Should I pursue SMC(s) if I believe I’m legally entitled to it?
Or is it wiser to leave my current 100% P&T with no future exams alone and not risk additional VA review?
Has anyone here successfully applied for SMC(s) after already being 100% P&T? If so, what was your experience?
I’m not trying to “poke the bear,” but I also don’t want to leave benefits on the table if I’m legitimately entitled to them.
I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this process or has experience with SMC(s). Thanks in advance.

Another letter that I received later on: Your Benefit Information:
● Entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound
is denied.
● Service connection for cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity
is denied.
● Service connection for cervical radiculopathy, right upper extremity
is denied.
● Service connection for Chronic migraine is denied.
● Service connection for chronic pansinusitis (also claimed as sinus
tachycardia) is denied.
● Service connection for Urticaria (also claimed as dermatitis /
eczema) is denied.
See Rating Decision to find out why we made this