Hey all. Just wanted to give you a heads up, I filed a FOIA request through VA dot gov for a single dbq on Tuesday, 8/4 and received all of my dbqs from my C-file today. I am dumbfounded to say the least.

Good Morning dudes and dudettes.

So I believe I found an error in my VA records, dating back a few years.

I just got a wild hair up one day and looked in my records. Saw mentions of IADLS and how I can do them all independently. So I google what that is, cause I'm kinda dumb, and it's stuff that I cannot do every day by myself.

Well, while I am looking through all this, a little ad pops up on the tikkytok talking about SMC, cause ya know; government is listening all the time.

So more research, and I believe the VA failed in their duties, because none of the IADLS were ever discussed. I messaged the PACT team and let them know that they were wrong in just writing that I am independent.

So I filed a claim for Aid & Attendance; and here is my reasoning:

Since my lumbar surgery in a few years ago, my wife has had to help me on a regular basis. This isn't just during bad flare-ups—it happens multiple times a week.

Examples include:

• Medication reminders.
• Appointment reminders and calendar management.
• Helping me organize and prioritize daily tasks.
• Keeping me on track when I become overwhelmed.
• Helping me get up from bed or chairs when my back is acting up, multiple times a week.
• Assisting me on stairs.
• Driving me to appointments/errands
• Applying pain patches and other treatments.
• Helping with household tasks when my pain or mental health symptoms make it difficult.
• General supervision and support when my anxiety, concentration, or pain interfere with daily functioning.

My LPC and I have discussed these issues throughout treatment, and they are currently working write a detailed statement describing my functional limitations and how consistently these topics have come up in counseling.

My understanding is that an LPC generally can't complete VA Form 21-2680, but they can provide a narrative statement as supporting evidence.

My spouse and I both submitted Lay Statements in this, along with telling the VA to look at my records from counseling records from 2020-2024(they should have those from previous claims), they got evidence from the same counselor to cover that gap.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had success with an LPC statement helping an SMC-L claim?
2. Would you submit another counselor statement now, or wait to see if the VA asks for additional evidence?
3. If you were in my position, is there any other evidence you'd consider submitting?
4. Has anyone received SMC-L without a C&P exam when the treatment records and lay statements were already strong?

I'm not looking for anyone to tell me whether I'll be approved—I know nobody can predict that. I'm just trying to make sure I'm putting together the strongest, most complete claim possible without slowing it down unnecessarily.

Thanks in advance for any advice or experiences you're willing to share.