Concern About VA Rating Changes Between Proposal and Separation

[frank392]

Hi everyone,


I’m currently in the process of a medical separation from the Air Force and have received my proposed VA disability ratings. My MSC mentioned that the VA still has to review any medical documentation from the time of the proposed rating until my actual separation date.


Here’s my concern:


If I don’t get seen by medical again before I separate, could that hurt my final VA rating? I’m still dealing with the same issues, but I’ve been hesitant to go in unless absolutely necessary. I don’t want the VA to assume my conditions have improved just because I haven’t had follow-up visits. There will be about a 3-month gap between when I received my proposed VA ratings and my actual separation date.


Has anyone here experienced something similar? Would you recommend making at least one more appointment to document ongoing symptoms before getting out?


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice!

 

[Provis]

Hi everyone,


I’m currently in the process of a medical separation from the Air Force and have received my proposed VA disability ratings. My MSC mentioned that the VA still has to review any medical documentation from the time of the proposed rating until my actual separation date.


Here’s my concern:


If I don’t get seen by medical again before I separate, could that hurt my final VA rating? I’m still dealing with the same issues, but I’ve been hesitant to go in unless absolutely necessary. I don’t want the VA to assume my conditions have improved just because I haven’t had follow-up visits. There will be about a 3-month gap between when I received my proposed VA ratings and my actual separation date.


Has anyone here experienced something similar? Would you recommend making at least one more appointment to document ongoing symptoms before getting out?


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice!

That really shouldn't have any bearing on ratings. A 3 month gap especially while in service isn't going to move the needle much. Though I would not stop going to medical. If you have a condition that needs treatment go get it.

 

[Itsbeingrouted]

Hi everyone,


I’m currently in the process of a medical separation from the Air Force and have received my proposed VA disability ratings. My MSC mentioned that the VA still has to review any medical documentation from the time of the proposed rating until my actual separation date.


Here’s my concern:


If I don’t get seen by medical again before I separate, could that hurt my final VA rating? I’m still dealing with the same issues, but I’ve been hesitant to go in unless absolutely necessary. I don’t want the VA to assume my conditions have improved just because I haven’t had follow-up visits. There will be about a 3-month gap between when I received my proposed VA ratings and my actual separation date.


Has anyone here experienced something similar? Would you recommend making at least one more appointment to document ongoing symptoms before getting out?


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice!

@Provis I tagged you just in case you can help answer this!

I'm currently waiting for my proposed ratings and need to be seen by my PCM. Guess who has no availability for the next 10 weeks, the clinic on base! With that being said, do you or anyone else know if the nurse advice line can be used for evidence for the VA? For instance, if I am dealing with left knee pain and I can't see any in person provider, will me calling the nurse advice line to get it documented suffice? I was told the clinics kind of taper people in the MEB process off when it comes to getting seen due to the insane active duty workload.

 

[Provis]

It’s in the AFI if you’re in the airforce atleast that if they can’t see you within a month that they must give u a referral to an off base provider. Just call your referral management and tell them the clinic is unable to get u an an appointment within the next month and they should be able to help. Tip: some off base clinics also have long waits for appointments so u need to go on Humana see what clinics are in network and ask around about wait lists or how soon u can get an appointment so when u call referral management u can tell them one u found so u don’t take the chance of being waitlisted somewhere l

Good to know! In the Army at least when I served you could just go to sick call and get the condition in your medical files that way. As long as the condition affects you in some way such as hard doing some type of PT or day to day tasks.