100% P&T to "PTSD Routine Future Exam (RFE)"

Q

qaz212

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I went through the Air Force IDES and was placed on TDRL for my PTSD in late 2021, with the VA rating me at 100% P&T for several conditions including PTSD.

The Air Force TDRL office notified me recently to either go to the MTF or a civilian doctor to conduct a mental health reevaluation or submit medical docs. I opted for the civilian doctor eval and then submitted my reevaluation documentation.

Then a week later, I received an email from the VA notifying me that VES will be reaching out to me to schedule a PTSD RFE reevaluation. I reached out to the VA and they said this reeval has nothing to do with the USAF TDRL process. I informed the VA lady that I had already received my ratings from the VA and was 100% P&T. The VA lady told she wasn't sure why the reeval was taking place but said that I will need to get it done because this RFE was opened 6 months after I received my P&T ratings..

I understand the Air Force TDRL and the VA are completely separate entities and have difference processes.

Why would the VA do another eval when a member is already 100% P&T?
 
Same boat. Had my TDRL reevaluation done in Jan ‘23 then received the same notification from the VA! Also 100% P&T
 
I was kinda in the same boat as well....been 100% P&T for TBI(100%) with migraines(50%) as a secondary since 2016 along with 5 other disabilities. Been on the PDRL since 2019. Then I received a decision letter(02/2023) stating that my 50% migraines rating has been continued and that future exams has been removed. Didn't receive any notice of exam and was not contacted for exam. It was all done in the background without my knowledge or participation. I'm guessing they just went through my records and seen that I was still receiving treatment (botox every 3 months). I contacted my VSO and she said that it was a mistake and I should have never been re-evaluated. My personal guess is that it was just my TBI that was P&T and migraines weren't and since I was receiving SMC-S that they were trying to see if my migraines improved so they could take my SMC-S away. All my research told me that once you were P&T that there were no other exams scheduled unless you filed a new claim which I didn't. My commissary letter even stated this but apparently not the case. Maybe it was truly a mistake but we all know that they will try everything they can to take away your benefits that you have earned. I would love for someone who is more of an expert on here to weigh in and give both of us their opinion on why this is happening to vets that are 100% P&T... good luck to everyone
 
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In a nutshell.... "P&T" isn't truly permanent until you've had that rating for quite some time. Until the rating is truly made permanent, the VA has the option of reevaluating you.
 
I understand that but I didn't file for anything else and there was no fraud suspected. And also then what is the point of receiving commissary letter stating that no future exams scheduled? That letter was blatantly false...
 

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I hear you, man, but it seems there's really no rhyme or reason to what VA does. I've heard of people getting the exact same sort of thing as you have experienced, and I have heard of people who go on 100% and never hear from VA for years. No idea.
 
Another idea i had is that I was rated for everything for a year or so prior to getting the permanent rating and the migraine re-exam was probably already scheduled and they just forgot to cancel the examination after I received the permanent status which I could see happening as well. Not sure how it all works and after you get a permanent rating, if someone has to physically go in and cancel any re-examinations or if it's done automatically. Hopefully one of our experts on here can shed a little more light on it this to help everyone that is in the same situation out. Thanks for the replies though.
 
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My guess is you were 100% VA, but one are more of your ratings was considered a temporary rating. Being 100% scheduler does not equal P&T.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
My guess is you were 100% VA, but one are more of your ratings was considered a temporary rating. Being 100% scheduler does not equal P&T.
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I'm 100% just for TBI since 2016 and have been P&T since 2019...?
thanks for your response
 

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A reevaluation makes zero sense given you have been designated P&T.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
A reevaluation makes zero sense given you have been designated P&T.
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@chaplaincharlie is right. I would keep on it. The VA isn't supposed to schedule a new C&P exam or review you unless there is clear evidence of you getting better. The aren't supposed to check it out just for fun. I would consult a VSO and possible a VA attorney. The VA does shady stuff all the time unfortunately.
 
I called the VA. First, they said they weren't sure. Then they explained that all the disabilities are static except PTSD. This is why there is a Routine Future Exam even though the total rating is 100% P&T. I am still unsure if these guys know what's going on because the guy on the phone was uncertain.
 
qaz212 said:
I called the VA. First, they said they weren't sure. Then they explained that all the disabilities are static except PTSD. This is why there is a Routine Future Exam even though the total rating is 100% P&T. I am still unsure if these guys know what's going on because the guy on the phone was uncertain.
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Okay. Yep you can have that happen if all of your other combined disabilities are static and = 100% WITHOUT the non static PTSD. So you may need to do a new exam but it should have no affect on your final rating.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
A reevaluation makes zero sense given you have been designated P&T.
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My thoughts as well. Maybe it was truly a mistake but either way they kept my rating at 50% and designated my migraines as no further examination required so no harm no foul but I was just curious on what you guys (the experts) would have to say about it. And I'm sorry for kinda hijacking this thread but it seemed all of our situations were related. Thanks to everyone
 
Write a letter, the a majority of folks at the VA call centers are new and are learning themselves, i found writing a letter to the VA gets better results.
 
TDC said:
Same boat. Had my TDRL reevaluation done in Jan ‘23 then received the same notification from the VA! Also 100% P&T
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I am in the same boat but I did read all my VA decision findings so I understand why.
“
An examination will be scheduled to determine whether a change in evaluation is warranted
because a highly stressful event was severe enough to bring about your release from active
military service. {38 CFR §4.129}.””

This happens when you were separated due to a mental health.
If the reason for your separation from military is mental heath, you automatically get a 50% minimum rate with an RFE schedules 6 months after separation.
Read CFR 38 4.129
 
Rosine said:
I am in the same boat but I did read all my VA decision findings so I understand why.
“
An examination will be scheduled to determine whether a change in evaluation is warranted
because a highly stressful event was severe enough to bring about your release from active
military service. {38 CFR §4.129}.””

This happens when you were separated due to a mental health.
If the reason for your separation from military is mental heath, you automatically get a 50% minimum rate with an RFE schedules 6 months after separation.
Read CFR 38 4.129
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Just completed my VA "six month" RFE due to PTSD separation from AD. How did your VA and DOD RFE go?
 
I am exactly in the same boat. separated due to MDD with 50%. but condition is not static. Have an RFE this February. Yes I am 100%P&T with all conditions static except for MDD.
 
Rosine said:
I am exactly in the same boat. separated due to MDD with 50%. but condition is not static. Have an RFE this February. Yes I am 100%P&T with all conditions static except for MDD.
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Had my RFE on 18 January 2024 - still waiting on the outcome.
 
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