Hey superdude it's on my signature
Seattle Regional VA Timelines:
- Thread starter SGT Nova
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I knw wat Yu mean lol
Wow! Can we trade places please?
That said, you are receiving good news after good news; good deal!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
So here I am again, bitching complaining, just miserable, I have been in the MEB/ PEB process since Nov of 2011, I began my physicals in Feb of 2012 awaited a second sugery later on the year. It is the 1st of August 2013 and I still do not have my 199 or any ratings. My PEBLO sent off my request for ratings on the 8th of Feb. So far nothing. I recieved a call in June saying they needed pictures of my scars, yes scars! Why did they not get them in 2012? So now because they needed pictures I have to wait anothe 2 months. Waiting till the 12th of August. That is when they will pick my paperwork up again and continue to take their sweet ass time to give me proposed ratings.
My dream of being out by October 2013 is out the window spoke to the DAV today and he pretty much shattered my hopes. It was a mistake by the QTC not mine so why should I suffer? Still stuck here passing on job opportunity after job opportunity.
What is the fastest any one has seen people get their 299 then orders then retire? My goal is not to go postal I have been patient but it is running on fumes. Thanks for anyone who reads this, I had to vent it just feels that no one gives a shit just how long we have our life on hold.......
My dream of being out by October 2013 is out the window spoke to the DAV today and he pretty much shattered my hopes. It was a mistake by the QTC not mine so why should I suffer? Still stuck here passing on job opportunity after job opportunity.
What is the fastest any one has seen people get their 299 then orders then retire? My goal is not to go postal I have been patient but it is running on fumes. Thanks for anyone who reads this, I had to vent it just feels that no one gives a shit just how long we have our life on hold.......
Brother, we are all in the same boat!
That said, rant and rave on; we shall listen...
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Lol I'm soooo excited!!Wow! Can we trade places please?
That said, you are receiving good news after good news; good deal!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Lol I'm soooo excited!!
Good deal! I am excited for you too!
Hopefully in time, my position in the DoVA D-RAS queue shall finally jump to the front of their disability evaluation process!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
I know how bad it sucks. Mine went up a few weeks before yours and Im still waiting too. Just be patient a little longer our time has to becoming soon. That sucks that they waited all the way until June to tell you they needed pictures but hopefully that will allow them to finish the proposed ratings soon and let you move on with life. You may still be out by October try to stay positive. Im in the same boat Im just ready to move on and am so frustrated by this whole thing. Your not alone with being stuck waiting there are a few of us that are in the same boat just stay strong and rant away when you need to it helps.
Thanks it is fustrating, I just sent off my first Congressional, going to do 2 more just to make sure I am heard and someone takes action.
congrats im jealous lol glad to see someone is getting good news
They emailed me my orders today and have to drive to Campbell Monday to clear finance and only have to clear them since I am AGR! Start terminal leave August 7th and ETS Oct 29 whooohooo finally done such a great feeling!
whooohooo finally done such a great feeling!
thannnx lol its been a long time coming lol your good news is coming. I thought I was never going to get away lolcongrats im jealous lol glad to see someone is getting good news
I just sent up my first congressional as well. It hit the Seattle VA on 31 July and confirmed by the Congressional aide through the Philadelphia regional office that Seattle received it. Something will have to get done if they get hit with enough Congressionals in a short span.
They emailed me my orders today and have to drive to Campbell Monday to clear finance and only have to clear them since I am AGR! Start terminal leave August 7th and ETS Oct 29
Good deal, and now start to enjoy life!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Just got a memorandum from my PEBLO officer. The memorandum is from VA.
DECISION
The proposed 20 percent evaluation of diabetes mellitus is confirmed.
RATIONAL
Evaluation of diabetes mellitus.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) propsed rating of June 13, 2013 assigned a 20 percent evaluation to the diabetes condition. It was based in part on the Narrative Summary (NARSUM) provided in connection with the pending separation and it part on VA examination.
The NARSUM had noted the service member was largely capable of performing duties, but was resticted in several ways that were incompatible with contined service. While pointing out that he was able to adjust pump to perform more strenuous tasks, the set up time was such that was too restrictive. Moreover, the need for refrigeration for insulin, eating of regularly scheduled meals, ready access to treatment facilities and other things that would not be possible if in an austere enviroment made the decision to medically separate the service member the proper option.
The VA examination had noted that the condidiotn had been in existence for about 3 years. During this time there had no hospitalizations or emergency care requirements for either hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). Treatment monitoring visits were less often than once a month.
Request for reconsideration contended that an evaluation of 40 percent should have been proposed. It was contended that all requirements for that level were met such as restricted diet, use of insulin and restriction of activities. A number of records were submitted in support of the claims.
Both physical profile of June 14, 2013 and memorandum from "MY DOCTOR" confirm an number of restrictions currently in place. These include no assignments that would place the service member more than 30 minutes from a treatment facility, access to regularly scheduled meals, frequent monitoring of blood sugars and the like. It was indicated that the service member should not be operating heavy machinery, trucks, aircraft or working at heights.
The first two requirements mentioned, restricted diet and insulin use, do not individually or in combination provide a basis for increased evalution. The 20 percent evalution criteria also requires both elements, albeit allowing for anti-hyerglycemic medications as a substitute for insulin. The critical elements is regulation of activities.
The meaning of "regulation of activities" as it applies to evaluation diabetes under 38 CFR 4.119 diagnostic code 7913 is shown in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities as avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities due to difficulty controlling blood sugar levels when such activities are undertaken.
In that setting, the precautions of the profiles are less with stenuous activities than with the inherent dangers associated with certain activities should there be a hyper or hypoglycemic episode unexpectedly while they are being undertaken. The activities themselves are not necessarily strenuous but the dangers of a runaway machine or airplane could prove catastrophic.
The record does not shown any recent episodes requiring hospital care. Moreover, it appears to be conceded both in the NARSUM and even the reconsideration request that activities such as playing sports or riding a bike are still possible but require adjustment of the insulin pump to accommodate. This reminds us that there are examples of professional athletes, even including basketball players and baseball pitchers who have competed using careful monitoring and adjustment of insulin.
The 20 percent proposed evaluation for diabetes mellitus is confirmed.......
DECISION
The proposed 20 percent evaluation of diabetes mellitus is confirmed.
RATIONAL
Evaluation of diabetes mellitus.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) propsed rating of June 13, 2013 assigned a 20 percent evaluation to the diabetes condition. It was based in part on the Narrative Summary (NARSUM) provided in connection with the pending separation and it part on VA examination.
The NARSUM had noted the service member was largely capable of performing duties, but was resticted in several ways that were incompatible with contined service. While pointing out that he was able to adjust pump to perform more strenuous tasks, the set up time was such that was too restrictive. Moreover, the need for refrigeration for insulin, eating of regularly scheduled meals, ready access to treatment facilities and other things that would not be possible if in an austere enviroment made the decision to medically separate the service member the proper option.
The VA examination had noted that the condidiotn had been in existence for about 3 years. During this time there had no hospitalizations or emergency care requirements for either hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). Treatment monitoring visits were less often than once a month.
Request for reconsideration contended that an evaluation of 40 percent should have been proposed. It was contended that all requirements for that level were met such as restricted diet, use of insulin and restriction of activities. A number of records were submitted in support of the claims.
Both physical profile of June 14, 2013 and memorandum from "MY DOCTOR" confirm an number of restrictions currently in place. These include no assignments that would place the service member more than 30 minutes from a treatment facility, access to regularly scheduled meals, frequent monitoring of blood sugars and the like. It was indicated that the service member should not be operating heavy machinery, trucks, aircraft or working at heights.
The first two requirements mentioned, restricted diet and insulin use, do not individually or in combination provide a basis for increased evalution. The 20 percent evalution criteria also requires both elements, albeit allowing for anti-hyerglycemic medications as a substitute for insulin. The critical elements is regulation of activities.
The meaning of "regulation of activities" as it applies to evaluation diabetes under 38 CFR 4.119 diagnostic code 7913 is shown in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities as avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities due to difficulty controlling blood sugar levels when such activities are undertaken.
In that setting, the precautions of the profiles are less with stenuous activities than with the inherent dangers associated with certain activities should there be a hyper or hypoglycemic episode unexpectedly while they are being undertaken. The activities themselves are not necessarily strenuous but the dangers of a runaway machine or airplane could prove catastrophic.
The record does not shown any recent episodes requiring hospital care. Moreover, it appears to be conceded both in the NARSUM and even the reconsideration request that activities such as playing sports or riding a bike are still possible but require adjustment of the insulin pump to accommodate. This reminds us that there are examples of professional athletes, even including basketball players and baseball pitchers who have competed using careful monitoring and adjustment of insulin.
The 20 percent proposed evaluation for diabetes mellitus is confirmed.......
Seems the DoVA D-RAS disapproved your VARR request, so what's your next step?
Wow!
Your VARR request memo was submitted AFTER mine and your VARR request reply memo was received BEFORE mine all in less than a 1 month duration; I am still awaiting results! Therefore, it's an interesting point-of-fact indeed; in my opinion of course. Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Hey everyone! My husband is actually going through the med board process right now. I don't have his full time line in front of me but he was found unfit and paperwork was received at the VA Seattle on April 9th, 2013 (115 days today). He is only claiming 1 condition for the army so I didn't think it would be a long process at all. Ebenefits shows "Preperation for decision" and it has been the same since 5/31. His PEBLO tells him that she cannot see anything and he just has to wait, he called the 1-800 VA number today and that person said they can't see anything either. He asked what his recourse is once they have reached the 120 day mark and the person on the line told him there isn't any recourse and he just has to wait. So I'm curious who does have that info and what he can do if it exceeds the 120 day mark. We've been waiting what seems like forever (even though reading this forum it really isn't as long as most of you!). He has a job interview in Seattle on October 4th and I would love if we can be done with this and moved in time for the interview! Any advice or assistance to prevent me from going crazy would be appreciated! 
Hey everyone! My husband is actually going through the med board process right now. I don't have his full time line in front of me but he was found unfit and paperwork was received at the VA Seattle on April 9th, 2013 (115 days today). He is only claiming 1 condition for the army so I didn't think it would be a long process at all. Ebenefits shows "Preperation for decision" and it has been the same since 5/31. His PEBLO tells him that she cannot see anything and he just has to wait, he called the 1-800 VA number today and that person said they can't see anything either. He asked what his recourse is once they have reached the 120 day mark and the person on the line told him there isn't any recourse and he just has to wait. So I'm curious who does have that info and what he can do if it exceeds the 120 day mark. We've been waiting what seems like forever (even though reading this forum it really isn't as long as most of you!). He has a job interview in Seattle on October 4th and I would love if we can be done with this and moved in time for the interview! Any advice or assistance to prevent me from going crazy would be appreciated!
The only thing I would suggest right now is to get a DAV rep. They are able to view the VAs notes. As you've realized the 120 day mark doesn't really mean anything. I had actually sent an email to them a few weeks ago about a rumor I heard that they only have 6-8 months tops to send something back to the PEB. Here is the answer I received back:
Regrettably, we do not have a specific time frame on when your DES claim will be completed. We are not aware of a specific time that they are required to send the proposed rating to the PEB board.
Ive been sitting at prep for decision since April 30th and I have one unfitting for the Army and three total claims. The only advice I can give for avoiding going crazy is contact the DAV office in Seattle and get a rep they should be able to provide a little more insight. However they are not located in the same building as the raters so the only recourse they have is through email. At least that is what my rep told me the other day when I spoke to him about the email he sent on my behalf to the ratings office. He wasn't happy with the answer he got back and wished he could walk down and grab the case and ask. It may keep you from going crazy or it may make it worse. The downside to this part of the process is there seems to be no rhyme or reason to how the VA does anything. Have him talk to his CoC to see about leave around then or a 4 day pass if that would work for his interview. On the bright side his PEBLO still talks to him. I think mine has given up talking to me. If he does hit the 120 day mark the only other thing I can recommend and its not guaranted to help is to start a Congressional I wish I would have started mine 73 days ago maybe Id be free now. The DAV number is 206-341-8267. They will send him some paperwork to fill out and fax back.
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