Filing Claim for an Old AF-related Injury - Any Advice?

[Bailey Guns]

I injured myself in 92 during monthly ANG training. Went to the clinic on base and got checked out...still have a copy of the original medical paperwork. The injury has progressively worsened over the years to the point it makes it hard to function normally during the day now. I've seen a VA advisor or adovocate...whatever they're called, and we filed an intent to file a claim. He asked me for an "LoD". I had no idea what that was but apparently it's a "Line of Duty" report. I don't have that, wasn't given that, never told prior to this that I needed that. All I have is the original paperwork from the original trip to the clinic.

So, he tells me I need a diagnosis so this can be related to the original injury. I've started with my family practice doctor who ordered an MRI. MRI shows results of old injury. Have an appt with a specialist mid-Nov.

Any advice from you guys that may have been thru this before? Am I going about this the right way?

[fly boy]

in Cheyenne, the VA has on-site reps for VFW, DAV, AL, etc

I walked into the VFW and told them my story, and asked for help. I signed a power of attorney for them for medical stuff, and they filed all necessary paperwork and such. Now all my previous medical such is linked from military to VA and I can been seen for issues relating to those problems. Later in life if I want to claim disability, I can. The VFW reps are AMAZING! and helped with so much, I was blown away. Made it a very easy - Keep in mind they still can only work as fast as VA speed.

Hope that helps.

[BushMasterBoy]

Should be in the unit records. Looks like this. Short of this, affidavits from others that served with you. You can file a claim and include your entire personnel file. You need a National Service Officer to represent you. DAV ,VFW, etc.

http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd0261.pdf

[Bailey Guns]

The service rep has me represented by the VFW. I never saw, nor completed, any report like that. I was just told to go to the clinic where I was given a basic exam...the "take two aspirin and call me in the morning" type thing. That's it. I guess that's why I'm going thru all the exams and such now...to try to prove the injury was related to that incident.

[Scanker19]

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/index.html

I’ve found this website to be a reasonable resource. I’ve been writing down all my symptoms just Incase I forget something later that could be important.

[Great-Kazoo]

While it's .mil related they can deny you based on no treatments since (25 years) separation AND tell you arthritis is the cause of said ongoing issues. Depends who you get for a rep and doctors that will review your claim. Based on the bad press the VA has been getting, they might rubber stamp your claim to the approved bin.

[BushMasterBoy]

Just don't give up pursuing the claim. Veterans Benefits is covered by US Code Title 38. I studied the law and won. In your case it might take a few years to adjudicate. Disability claims are based on the preponderance of the evidence. A denial can be appealed to the Court of Veterans Appeals.

www.va.gov

[Bailey Guns]

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/index.html

I’ve found this website to be a reasonable resource. I’ve been writing down all my symptoms just Incase I forget something later that could be important.

Wow...there's a lot of information on that site. Thanks.

Thanks for the other info, too. I'll keep after it...pretty much just starting the process now. We'll see.

[earplug]

Try and find a person in your old unit who witnessed the injury. That will help your claim. Have them write a statement etc.

[CS1983]

Check out the reddit subforum for Veterans (https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/). You'll need to post some info for folks to help navigate.

I've seen some great info on there.

I posted a question there once which was a bit convoluted and the info I got from posters lined up with the answer I finally got from the VA.

ETA: get ready for a potential ride. This poor chap took 5 years to get his claim approved:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/co...ecision_today/