Informal Conferences and Higher Level Reviews Unpacked

[@Mario-so4lf]

I submitted an HLR for a service connected disability rated at 0%. I requested an informal conference. The rater said she could get 10%, but after discussing my case, she was able to get me 30%. Review your medical record, read the 30 CFR, and develop your discussion points. I submitted it in June, and it was settled in September.

[@VA_Ed]

Good work. Thanks for watching

[@TonyCossey1]

I was awarded 30% for migraines and knew that I met the rating standards for 50%. I fully believe it was the informal conference that got it approved. I explained that my decision letter stated that I have migraines about once a month. I had told the C&P examiner and my Primary Care doctor that they occur 2-3 a week. He agreed that I met the standard for 50% and it was awarded. He also found a Duty to Assist error and sent that part back to evaluate me for TDIU.

[@VA_Ed]

Awesome! Nice work. Thanks for sharing and watching

[@Mitch19833]

I’m basically going through the same thing with my Meniere disease. My decision letter said I have it once a month when I get it 1-2 times a week. I have my informal conference on Friday. Wish me luck.

[@mtc5583]

Thank you for making this video as I pulled away great tips. My information conference resulted in a reinstatement of my 100% rating. I appreciate you helping all of us!

[@VA_Ed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AM-yd2xe]

Correct. Wait in line like everyone else. Good advice! Thanks for taking the time to make this video and helping your fellow veterans!

[@VA_Ed]

Thanks for watching

[@parishino1]

First off THANK YOU for your service and thank you for being an advocate for fellow vets... I'm a veteran that was med boarded back in 1994 I had a TBI. The VA gave me 30%. Currently I'm at 100%. My claim is that my effective start date shouldve been the date that I was medically retired Jan 4 1996. I have my Higher Level review call set for this Wednesday. Is there any words of wisdom or advice you could offer prior to my call with the VA?

[@RynAmelli84]

Hey man salute to you. I got called for the HLR now about 2 days ago. I live near ATL. I will be calling them tomorrow & setting up the appt. I see there in the background of your video that you also as I did served within “Rock of the Marne” 3RD ID. I served all my military time on Fort Benning myself. I am fighting against the effective date of my stomach issues which I was given the max rating basically before NYE dropped. I am a bit nervous however, my 100 P.T. Is static in nature due to my 100% PTSD so I’m not really worried abt anything being decreased per se with this phone convo. I hope that it comes back favorable cause I could really use the back pay $$$ man. Indeed I do! Huuuah! We will see how it goes. I have my docs on my PC that I was gonna use to submit the HLR back in early January yet, I held back. I have Dav as my PoA but they really haven’t helped me with shit here there hasn’t been no benefits I can see since linking with them tbh not to say they suck I just don’t see it dwn here.

[@VA_Ed]

My unit was attached to 3rd ID when i deployed to Iraq in 2005. Good luck with the claim. Contact me if you need help. www.vetlawoffice.com.

[@RynAmelli84]

I gotcha. Wow. Yeah I was in Iraq as well man served my deployment over there some years after you in 2009-11. It's a small world indeed. I've called the number back actually earlier to set up for an appt. for the informal review. So, I'm guessing since it's Friday & we are headed into a holiday now I will hear back from them Tuesday prob. due to the holiday. I reference back to your video prior & thanks for the guidance yo💯

[@phototec]

Can I ask you what your 100% PTSD is related to? How do you get rated 100% for PTSD? I am a Vietnam vet and never filed a VA claim before (I served 16 months in Vietnam in 1969), I have my first PTSD claim C&P exam in a week and need any helpful information you can share. Thanks

[@ralphjessee2688]

Great useful information! New sub looking forward to more great content.

[@VA_Ed]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@imveryhungry112]

The HLR takes forever lol. I put in an HLR last august 2023. Had an informal conference DEC 2023, new C AND P exam Jan 2024, and no decision so far. Expect to wait a very long time on an HLR unfortunately.

[@robb3670]

My story sounds like yours I’ve put in my higher level review August of 2023 had my informal conference December 1 of 2023. Currently waiting for them to get back to me. It’s about to be 1 year I put in my higher level review.

[@imveryhungry112]

@robb3670 hey man my claim got approved. I had my c and p exam in January got approved this month.

[@robb3670]

@@imveryhungry112 Congratulations !!!!!!!!! I’m still waiting for mine to be approved.

[@kenross9026]

Im getting ready to do a hlr, Got the diagnosis from my VA Dr. A very good Nexus from my VA Dr, buddy letters, bp records and prescribed 2 bp meds. The VA gave me service connection for hypertension secondary to sleep apnea for which I have a 50 percent rating, but a rating of zero for my high bp. At c&p exam the Dr took it and it was over 200 , the VA sends you a sheet to fill out with bp readings , like 12 readings, to take to the exam the Dr looked at it and said wow thats seriously high, like stroke or heart attack high, asked me if he should call an ambulance, and told me to goto the er. Is it worth the hlr?

[@VA_Ed]

Read the rating criteria for hypertension before your HLR

[@kenross9026]

@@VA_Ed I already have and am in the higher numbers

[@Cheezmo]

My buddy got denied for a shoulder injury, requested a HLR, and the reviewer stated that his evidence is there in his medical records. HLR kicked it back to the rater and still got denied

[@VA_Ed]

Might be time for representation or to go to the Board

[@cliftonhead9665]

Just talked to a person from VES about an increased I put in for trying to go from 80% to 100% does anyone know of or had to use them for your C&P. BYW good information.

[@CoreyLondon]

Requested HLR for Migraines 2nd to Tinituus. Submitted fully developed claim (nexus, diagnosis, lay statements, personal statement). C&P examiner stated it was determined I have a diagnosis of Migraines with variants. HLR was "Closed" same day submitted without requested Informal conference. Now saying HLR closed: Issues on review: 3 compensation issues. Still waiting for letter. Anyone else ever experienced that?

[@Topfightvideos]

I was denied CFS sendary to PTSD rating got denied but reason listed VA contract medical QTC OPINED I don't have it. No further explanation given on final decision letter. Oddly enough I did have a QTC exam for PTSD but I never spoke to or interacted with them RE CFS. Curious if VA main ebenfit site article is current and accurate-or am I just hearing what I want to hear ::: I take her point to say if you get denied on a claim supplemental or secondary you can resubmit a new claim using the fully developed route-ensuring your lay statement and dbq is already to go.

[@VA_Ed]

I would be happy to speak to you further. You can set up a call at Www.vetlawoffice.com

[@sweetd4872]

I filed HLR for wrong effective date and they denied me. They ignored my intent to file on record. They paid me from the date I filed the claim which was exactly 1 yr from ITF date. Their reason was because I have been out of service over 1 year 🤔 wait, WHAT?? They pulled that out of thin air. What are my options now..oh and they never called me for my informal conference 😒

[@VA_Ed]

I would have to review the documents. Feel free to set up a call. Www.vetlawoffice.com.

[@sweetd4872]

@@VA_Ed thanks for the reply. Talk to you soon.

[@dustinconfer4161]

I requested a HLR. Had 6 items that got denied for TERA, even though that’s not what was linked. They submitted the TERA memo in Dec. All items before we approved, all items after were denied. Informal conference didn’t seem like this would be adjusted. Hopefully it is, but the whole TERA memo is a huge pain.

[@VA_Ed]

They are considering everything as TERA now. It's really doing an injustice to vets who aren't claiming Tera

[@gustavoalberto1920]

I still dont get that, i got like 5 things denied as well and it said TERA so does that mean they think i tried to claim that because of TERA . What does TERA MEAN

[@VA_Ed]

@@gustavoalberto1920 TERA basically means toxic exposure. With the PACT act the VA is being overinclusive and considering everything to be toxic exposure related even if it isn't. Set up a call if you need help www.vetlawoffice.com

[@cidcampeador7922]

Hi Sir. I submitted a OSA claim secondary to PTSD with OBESITY as an intermediate and got denied. My nexus letter talked about my binge eating for mental comfort causing weight gain followed by OBESITY and therefore OSA. Got the diagnosis and required a CPAP. My denial letter said that OBESITY (as well as genetics or anatomical factors) was one of the risk factors that could’ve caused OSA, but still got denied. The examiner contradicted herself. They did not consider my weight gain (for positive or negative). They just took it as if I submitted it as a straight secondary with no intermediate. Is this a good candidate for an HLR? Thanks.

[@VA_Ed]

HLR might be good when they didn't consider positive evidence in the file. Feel free to Schedule a call Www.vetlawoffice.com

[@juleskinkead4604]

who made the mistake at the va of deferring lung cancer when my va med records my right lung was taken out 1988 and left lung healthy as of now. I filed for right lung pneumonectory due to TERA. The decision says I am positive for TERA but deferred lung cancer????

[@carlhensley3823]

My informal confrence comming up my lawyer just submits evidence and does not talk to the va i thought my lawyer was supposed to talk to the va

[@VA_Ed]

You can't submit new evidence for an informal conference. The point of the conference is to speak with the VA. Maybe your lawyer is inexperienced?

[@jessiearagon2492]

If i am awarded 20% and I submit a HLR, will they stop or continue paying 20% during the process?

[@VA_Ed]

No. They keep paying you.

[@carlhensley3823]

I have a informal conference soon I have a lawyer shouldn't my lawyer be the one to do the informal conferance?

[@VA_Ed]

Yes

[@carlhensley3823]

@@VA_Ed thank you ed for getting back to me I watch alot of your videos great job!!!

[@tpayne115]

What do I do when the VA stole my identity

[@manontheland8605]

Peace, can you explain with as much detail as possible giving examples without disclosing your info? I may have a similar situation and possible effective "to do" list to begin to address the situation, God Willing.