Hey, ivy, I work for the VA, although nowhere around all the sc determinations you're battling with. I know it's a nightmare, though.
I second Lel's advice on, let's see, his 4th post.
(Sorry, had to tease.) Get with one of the VSO's (Veterans Service Organizations), and they should be able to help you navigate through the red tape. We have a VSO rep at the outpatient clinic where I hold down a chair, and she is paid by and reports to the VSO's (Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, and so forth.) So she has access to the VA records and computers, but she's not imprisoned by all the different VA departments and the cubicle mentality. She helps veterans navigate through all this stuff.
Even though your DH's problems stem from an organic disease rather than from injury, there are Traumatic Brain Injury programs at many VA facilities now, and he might wind up under their umbrella. This is one of the new groups that is supposed to have some priorities in getting things done and fast tracks in cutting through red tape. Good luck!
(But oh, yes, I agree, compared to the VA, FICO is child's play.
)
I second Lel's advice on, let's see, his 4th post.
(Sorry, had to tease.) Get with one of the VSO's (Veterans Service Organizations), and they should be able to help you navigate through the red tape. We have a VSO rep at the outpatient clinic where I hold down a chair, and she is paid by and reports to the VSO's (Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, and so forth.) So she has access to the VA records and computers, but she's not imprisoned by all the different VA departments and the cubicle mentality. She helps veterans navigate through all this stuff.Even though your DH's problems stem from an organic disease rather than from injury, there are Traumatic Brain Injury programs at many VA facilities now, and he might wind up under their umbrella. This is one of the new groups that is supposed to have some priorities in getting things done and fast tracks in cutting through red tape. Good luck!
(But oh, yes, I agree, compared to the VA, FICO is child's play.
)
@Anonymous wrote:
He served in GTMO in support of OIF and just got back in Sep 07 from Iraq for OEF. "Expedited" and "VA" are kind of oxymorons, aren't they?
His actual retirement date is five months away right now, so we'll hopefully have it all submitted by next month and then just wait on the DD214 to complete it all. blegh. The only thing that won't be included is a "hard landing" helo crash in N Iraq.. that's because the two others he was on the flight with are now dead, so they can't give supporting statementsWe're looking at a healthy sum, which I'm grateful for, esp if he has a hard time finding work at first because of left-over tumor issues.
Oh, and he will NOT be working fed after retirement! nooo waay... probably as a gov contractor, simply because there's less math involved! LOL
If he sustained any injury related to the helicopter crash, and was treated at a field hospital that maintained medical records, then he should submit a claim. His service medical records would (should) be included in his C-file, which would serve as supporting evidence for his claim. Worst case scenario is that the claim will be denied, but if there are residuals as a consequence of the crash then it might get him another 10-20%. Who knows.
Because of his unfortunate situation, he will get SC for his brain tumor, and it should be a comparatively high rating. Remember, however, that there are any number of "residuals" of the brain tumor that you can claim that may get a separate rating. For example, if he has weakness on one side of his body, difficulty with speech, or memory problems, then these could all be claimed separately. Again, the worst case scenario is that these will all be lumped together into a single rating, but it doesn't hurt to try.