I have a bunch of questions pertaining to submission for higher ratings.
I’m 70% DoD/80% VA/70% CRSC. I was TDRL as of 2017 and PDRL as of 2019.
Question1:
If I request an increase of rating for knee (example) is it possible to get a decrease in another injury (like my PTSD)?
Why do I ask ?:I haven’t seen a medical provider in almost a year. I hated the VA and decided to go private. And since then, I’ve slowly tapered of my drugs and if I had to show my progress to the VA (if they asked) I’m afraid it would appear I’m doing better.
Question 2:
(A few of my current VA ratings)
-Hearing loss - 0% (service connected)
-Tinnitus- 10% (service connected)
-Migraines - 0% (service connected)
-Sleep apnea - 0% (service connected)
These are what I currently seek for increase. I was issued hearing aids a year before my exit of active duty AND given a CPAP by the VA (I have since started using a mouth piece instead). If I want an increase, do I need to start making medical appointments to further document my concerns or do I initially submit a request on eBenifits and go from there?
If I do decided to go ahead and just request exams for an increase, should I see a medical provider through my primary care (Tricare) first, and get a Nexus letter to link all of these conditions together, THEN request and bring the Nexus to the VA for my exam(s)? I just learned about this Nexus letter; how hard is it to get a private physician to write this up???
I have more - but these are my primary concerns. Thanks for any input/advice.
I’m 70% DoD/80% VA/70% CRSC. I was TDRL as of 2017 and PDRL as of 2019.
Question1:
If I request an increase of rating for knee (example) is it possible to get a decrease in another injury (like my PTSD)?
Why do I ask ?:I haven’t seen a medical provider in almost a year. I hated the VA and decided to go private. And since then, I’ve slowly tapered of my drugs and if I had to show my progress to the VA (if they asked) I’m afraid it would appear I’m doing better.
Question 2:
(A few of my current VA ratings)
-Hearing loss - 0% (service connected)
-Tinnitus- 10% (service connected)
-Migraines - 0% (service connected)
-Sleep apnea - 0% (service connected)
These are what I currently seek for increase. I was issued hearing aids a year before my exit of active duty AND given a CPAP by the VA (I have since started using a mouth piece instead). If I want an increase, do I need to start making medical appointments to further document my concerns or do I initially submit a request on eBenifits and go from there?
If I do decided to go ahead and just request exams for an increase, should I see a medical provider through my primary care (Tricare) first, and get a Nexus letter to link all of these conditions together, THEN request and bring the Nexus to the VA for my exam(s)? I just learned about this Nexus letter; how hard is it to get a private physician to write this up???
I have more - but these are my primary concerns. Thanks for any input/advice.