Proposed ratings at retirement changed when I got Final award today

SERE0002

SERE0002

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
So here is a shocker to me. My proposed ratings that I got when I went through my med board was 100%. I just got my Final decision from the VA...2.5 months after retirement and still have 100%
But.......I have a few items i got rated for that now have different percentages assigned. For example the lower back problem I was rated 50% on the proposed (also for the Air Force) and on the Final the downgraded it to 20%.......my right carpal tunnel (severe) went from 30% proposed to 50% Final.

I am just confused without an eval how they can make the % go down?

Anyone ever have this happen? if so did you get it fixed? yes I still have 100% but shit....it is just wrong...why go through the proposed just to have it all changed on the final...
In addition my lower back was 50% because of anklyosis and because of the range of motion.....the final decision said range was more than 30 degree which is innacurate.....either way I never had a re-eval to even show if it got better..

Any help would be awesome
Corey
 
some cases the proposed ratings are changed and some cases they stay the same, once they send out proposed for IDES purposes they review them again once you become a Vet and they probably do a more in depth review than they do when they complete the proposed
 
What was the rationale for the changes? Does it make sense? What conditions were deemed unfitting by the PEB and what are there ratings under the new VA ratings. Are you still over 30% for the unfitting conditions?

Mike
 
SPC Leggett, You have one of the fastest cases that I have ever seen. I dont know why but the army and airforce are alot faster than the other branches. I am active Navy and it took me almost a year. Good luck to you. I worry about the same thing. I am 100% va, and 30% Navy. I will be retired in 3 weeks and I hope that when I get my final ratings in the next few months that they dont screw me. This process is so stressful as it is. God Bless to everyone.
 
First I will say I am typing this from my phone... We all know how auto correct works so sorry! The PEB had to unfitting conditions my neck--30% fusion etc.... And 50% for my lower back- range of motion was less than 30% an determined to be ankylosis of entire thorocolumbar?? Spine. The 50 I had to fight to get added and won that at the formal medical board. So my AF rating was 70% and proposed VA was 100%(keep in mind I had a list of other ratings)
I retired 27 November and was awaiting the VA final award. The final award comes in a week ago now, and it still is at 100%, only issue was how I got the 100%. In the final award it says my lower back rating is 20% and did not meet the higher % because range of motion is not less than 30 degrees, and it also says ankylosis of the entire are is not present. This contradicts the proposed rating of 50% for that condition a that reason said ROM was less than 30 degrees and also said ankylosis of entire throcolumbar spine.

Yes I still have 100% but I think this is wrong. It says they want to follow up with a few conditions and I fear that because of the error if any other condition improves my 100% rating is gone ( my va rep warned me they would try to do this)... Where if my back was at the 50 where it should be it is almost impossible to drop.
I am worried because I really am hurt, and even just had a spinal cord stimulator installed because the motion is unbearable at times and still have regular Dr appointments addressing this.

I did not have a follow up appointment to justify the reduction, and I have the VA doctors hand written range of motion notes from my appointment clearly showing it is less than 30 degrees.
 
I am worried about the same thing bud. I am 30% Navy and 100% VA. They rated me for over 20 conditions and they want me to come back in a year for my PTSD, Headaches, and Scars. I fear the same as you. These conditions should have been permanent due to how long I have had them. None of these issues is going to go away. I dont know. Pray for you and be safe. Good Luck
 
I just am stunned that all of your issues got taken into consideration. I guess I had to worst so called doctor in the Air Force that took nothing I said into consideration. I only got 40% for my 2 herniated disc's and nerve damage in my lower back, and a torn meniscus in my left knee got nothing. Now, from the VA I get 70% for my back, knee, nerve damage, and severe depression.

The down side from this all, I have yet to see any doctor from the VA at all. To exclude the initial in-processing visit where i was diagnosed to have full blown PTSD. What that means for me, I have no clue cause no one will talk to me. Now since being diagnosed with PTSD I now have to take meds everyday twice a day. Don't get me wrong I am glad to hear that everyone is getting care, but to get such a low rating and all I have to show for it is this cane I depend upon and to be in constant pain. sorry to get off topic folks.
 
The VA deferred a few things that did not make sense. I had testicular surgery last year, due to an infection I got in OEF 2010. That did not even want to rate that. Then I have a torn rotator cup in my right shoulder also from OEF. I have to fight with the VA on the last two issues. It took alot of issues for me to reach 100%. People dont know just how many issues it takes. I am technically over 200% numbers wise, but you know it doesnt work that way. It is sad that if we owed the Govt 1 penny they would hunt us down, but when they owe us what we proudly deserve, we have to fight them tooth and nail. Good luck bud. We have better %s then most.
 
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