How can I find when my intent to file was, I believe it was in February but am not for sure- I do see on my notice the date that I did submit, which was like August 2nd. I’m trying to calculate my back pay. The back pay will be deposited any day now correct?

Also, you can see that the date is effective January 9, 2026. I’m now rated 90%. Will I not start receiving the full amount until then?

Had a C&P exam today for IBS and migraines secondary to PTSD and the whole thing was kinda weird.
I’m currently 70% for PTSD and had previously been denied for IBS and migraines because the VA couldn’t establish a baseline, even though they acknowledged both were aggravated by my PTSD. Submitted some older medical records and got scheduled for another exam.
Anyway, the examiner was an older guy and at some point he started going on about how the regional offices make all the decisions and how veterans need to be careful filing claims because they can end up getting their ratings reduced.
He was saying the VA has like a trillion-dollar compensation budget, they’re changing rules, and veterans are getting reduced all the time. He also claimed the regional office specifically wants him warning veterans about this stuff.
At one point he straight up asked me, “Are you sure you want to file this?”
He also told me the VA would be calling my employer to verify my call-outs and telework days because of my IBS and migraines.
The actual exam was pretty quick, less than 30 minutes. He asked when everything started, how often I have symptoms, and a little about my PTSD, but we also spent a good chunk of time talking about random stuff and sleep apnea.
I get that ratings can be reduced and that the examiner doesn’t make the final decision, but the whole conversation just felt weird. Almost like he was trying to talk me out of pursuing my claims.
I’m not even asking for a PTSD increase, just trying to get my secondary conditions connected.
Anyone else experienced something like this? Is this actually something examiners are being told to say, or was this guy just giving me his personal opinions?
Not gonna lie, I left feeling pretty uneasy about the whole thing.

July 1st surgery. Life changing

I posted separately about a claim I submitted on September 29th related to my chronic kidney disease. Now, 16 days later, and two C&P exams (one over the phone and one in person), my claim was finalized today and the increase I submitted was approved. Never expected it to go through so quickly. Kudos to whatever process they used this time.

I'm on my 3rd supplemental for my lower back. While submitting my claim, I realized sciatica was its own thing that can be filed for. On 9/10, I submitted my back supplemental and new sciatica claim.

I was quickly scheduled for an appointment. I didn't know if it was for my back, sciatica, or both. It was the strangest appointment and I walked out disappointed thinking I'm going to be denied again. She wasn't typing what I was saying and she wanted to talk about my weight. The lady was even suggesting I file for something I clearly said wasn't service related, which I'm not going to do.

The next day I get another appointment notification at another site. Again, I wasn't sure which claim it was for. I walked out of that appointment which was 2 days ago feeling very confident. I felt like the gentlemen was helping frame the narrative of the claim to give me my best chance. When I over analyzed, he helped find clarity. When I minimized, he asked probing questions.

Today, 10/15, I got an approval for the sciatica claim, which would be caused by my back injury, yet my back injury has been denied twice.

I think the first appointment 2 weeks ago was for my sciatica. In record time, I have an acceptance. Hopefully this is good news for my back claim since they both used the same submitted evidence and the guy seemed to be helping me out while the lady seemed to hardly care.

I am already at a decent percentage of disability. I am wanting to file more, I have some unclaimed conditions, aswell as secondary conditions. I have 3 issues though.

1. Maybe it’s just fear mongering, but I see posts all the time “don’t poke the bear” they WILL reduce you. How much of a risk is that actually? My symptoms haven’t improved, I just have issues with trusting the VA on not doing some bullshit reduction.

2. I didn’t document really much of anything while I was in the service. For example, my back and my shoulders are tore up, yet I have NO paperwork to confirm this with the VA (I was 11B in Army, on a gun squad)

3. Can I do the claim alone? Or am I better off getting advised by VFO, or DAV? I really don’t want to pay for services because honestly I think all of that’s a scam and it doesn’t look good in my opinion. Last time I had my claim done by someone in a transition office when I was getting out.

Can someone explain to me why my retroactive pay is so low and why it says it’s completed and they paid me but I don’t see it in my account so I went from 60% to 70% and it says effective date aug 11 and then it says payment start date September 1st and it says retroactive pay deposited October 14 but it’s only 373.43 and I don’t see it in my navy federal account

To start off, my claim was for Depression w/Anxiety and the C&P exam was done third party over zoom.

The examiner was older former military, seemed very kind, and far too understanding.

When we started, they said it would take about an hour. Childhood questions went quick.

Once we moved on to symptoms and functional loss, they seemed to be less of an auditor, and more of a guide than anything else.

By the end of the time, they asked if I would be surprised if they said I had PTSD and not just the MDD and Anxiety I claimed. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience given the emotions involved.

My question is: is this typically good or bad? I've read so many horror stories about a C&P exam seemingly going good, just to find out the examiner downplayed or didn't service connect. Should I be worried?

Thanks in advance

I just had a MH C&P. i was claiming general anxiety. the way my nexus is written i was figureing 30%. The examiner said that anxiety is at the core of PTSD and started asking very targeted questions with leading answers. I asked ChatGPT and that is thinking the PTSD rating could be closer to 50-70%. anyone ever expierence something liek that? THe rater wanted me to get more. Several times as he was typing he commented to himself that he knows the correct answer for this one.

I’m going to go for my PTSD increase from 70 to 100. My symptoms have gotten worse since 2022 when I hit my bump to 70. Before everyone comes at me and says don’t do it. I know it’s always a risk but if your symptoms are worse it’s very hard to get reduced as long as everything is accurate. My condition is static and a little more background. I see a psychiatrist monthly and have a good 5-6 notes from herself about how medication isn’t really working and now they want to do RTMS and or ketamine. I ran everything through multiple AI and all said I have a strong case of increase. I almost pissed in a laundry bin the other day after being awake because I was so far out of it and have added suicidal ideations to the mix along with an R.A to telework two days a week from home because my anger and irritability. I’m getting one more psych appointment and my wife is working on the statement as well. I know it’s super crazy out there but I truly feel that it’s time to file for an increase. Just wanted to put this out there so I could vent somewhere and let people know that even in this climate. You do what’s best for you and your family! Here’s to a good outcome!

I really just need a second pair of eyes to look at my decision letter for my higher level of review. It looks like they’re describing a higher rating than I was given. What should I do at this point? I don’t really want to do a board appeal with how long it takes. Do I say screw the back pay and ask for an increase? Do another supplemental?

November 25 2025 , judge reviewing my appeals on October 13,2026

Ive been reading and learning here. I appreciate this community. My question is ...what does left and right lower extremities include ? Seems kind of vague. What all does it include?

Hey I just started all of my claims and appointments this week was all of my appointments for everything I was claiming how long after will I receive a decision? This is my current list. All of my examiners have been really cool and very helpful/understanding in this whole process.

I've been overpaid by 10k over the last 5 years. I just reported the problem, so it might take a couple of months for them to catch up. I can show financial hardship. Will the VA allow me to take over 3 years to repay? I'm hoping for a much longer time. Any tips or suggestions on how to handle this?

Crossing my fingers for 30%, but looks like it might be tight ...

Ive been out the Air Force for about a few months now under an Adjustment Disorder Administrative Discharge (USAF). I know a few people that were also discharged under Adjustment Disorder, but they themselves are rated through the VA for something not related to it like MDD or PTSD and continue to struggle even after the 6 months of recovery that AD allegedly takes to sort itself out.

It just seems like the military as a whole likes to use Adjustment Disorder as a catch all to quickly get rid of people that have Mental Health issues without going through the proper MEB/Medical Seperation process.

Has anyone here seen this play out? or perhaps been on the reciving end of this?

Edit: I was in for three years, second/last year of enlistment is when the involuntary hospitalizations, meds that messed with my mind, and TTMs happened. Ive since been service connected and have a civilian job again (still reciving VA therapy) still stings though, the gaslighting i underwent was insane.

I just finished my exam for my Bdd claim. And it only lasted for 15 minutes? Its that normal???? She did measure my ROM but did not ask much questions. She didn’t even asked about my migraines but I have a TBI exam later on. I feel like the exam I did too short and may affect my claims.

I am currently about to submit a claim for four different issues. My question for you all is should I write a one page personal statement talking about how all four issues impact my life or should I write a separate statement for EACH claim?

Raters out there, do you read all of the personal statements and do they carry weight?

I was denied an increase from 30% to 50% for migraines. I submitted employment documentation showing sick leave usage, along with a supervisor statement describing reduced productivity, impaired work performance, and missed work. My C&P DBQ also documented symptoms that meet the 50% rating criteria.

What frustrates me is that the denial letter stated:
“If you have documentation that shows prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability or work documentation showing time off or missed work in the past 12 months, that could be helpful to an increase claim moving forward.”

I already submitted exactly what they are asking for. The only thing I did not submit was a migraine log, but based on the rationale, that doesn’t seem to be the issue.

I’m wondering whether the VA viewed my continued employment and income as evidence against severe economic inadaptability. Even though Under Pierce v. Principi, the 50% criteria do not require a veteran to be completely unable to work.

At this point, I’m considering a Supplemental Claim with updated leave records, but I’m also wondering whether a Board appeal is the better option if the VA failed to properly consider the evidence already submitted or misapplied the rating criteria. I’d appreciate any thoughts on the best way to proceed.

Just finished my C&P physical exam. During the rotation of movement parts, the doctor physically forced my limbs and joints, forcing me into excruciating pain. I don’t know if this is normal or not, but I’ve never heard of that happening to someone. An example would be I was laying on my back and he was checking my knees and took my shin and pushed it as far as he could all the way to my ass, causing a bunch of pain, crackling and popping in my knees. Once he would slowly close my joints, he would then take the protractor and measure that. I’ve left the office shaking in pain and sweating profusely. This is for a BDD CLAIM