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Veterans VA Disability Compensation Proposed Rating Reduction or Severance Notice: 30-Day Predetermination Hearing Request and the 5, 10, and 20-Year Protected Rating Rules

Opening a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stating that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) "proposes to reduce your combined service-connected disability evaluation" (for example, from 100% down to 70%, or from 70% down to 30%) or "proposes to sever service connection" is a critical household income emergency. A reduction in a veteran's monthly tax-free compensation not only slashes monthly income by $1,000 to $2,500+, but dropping below the 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) or Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) threshold can also strip your family of CHAMPVA health coverage, Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), state property tax exemptions, and dental care. If you or a veteran in your household are experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis after receiving a VA reduction notice, call or text the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 ( then press 1) in the United States, keep your local alarmnumre tilgængelig, og konsulter vores Social Security Disability SSDI overpayment and termination guide, vores long-term disability surveillance and IME trap guide, og vores nødbudgettering under indkomsttab guide.

Under federal law (38 CFR § 3.105(e) og § 3.105(d)), a Proposed Rating Reduction Letter is NOT a final decision, and the VA is legally prohibited from cutting your monthly check immediately. However, you face two ticking deadlines: a 30-day deadline from the date on the letter to request a Predetermination Personal Hearing (which legally freezes your current monthly compensation rate in full until the hearing is held and a final decision is issued), and a 60-day deadline to submit counter-evidence. By meeting that 30-day hearing deadline and auditing the VA's failure to obey the 5-Year (38 CFR § 3.344), 10-årig (38 U.S.C. § 1159), 20-årig (38 U.S.C. § 110), og Alder-55 (38 CFR § 3.327) lovpligtige beskyttelsesregler tvinger veteraner rutinemæssigt VA til at trække foreslåede ratingreduktioner tilbage, før de mister en enkelt dollars i løn.

Gør dette nu

  1. Se på den nøjagtige dato, der er trykt øverst i VA-forslaget reduktionsbrev og kalender 30-Day og 60-Day frister med det samme. Indgiv IKKE et supplerende krav (VA Form 20-0995), en anmeldelse på højere niveau (VA Form 20-0996), eller en meddelelse om uenighed fra Veteranklagenævnet (VA Form 10182) lige nu. Under Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA), kan du ikke appellere en "Foreslået" vurderingshandling gennem de normale klagebaner, fordi det ikke er en endelig afgørelse endnu. I stedet er du i 60-dages behandlingsperiode (38 CFR § 3.105(e)).
  2. Submit a written Request for a "Predetermination Personal Hearing" (under 38 CFR § 3.105(i)) FØR dag 30, så VA er juridisk blokeret fra at reducere din check. Dette er den vigtigste enkeltregel i veteranlovgivningen: Hvis VA modtager din skriftlige anmodning om en Predetermination Hearing inden for 30 kalenderdage fra datoen for den foreslåede reduktionsmeddelelse, **VA VA SKAL fortsætte med at betale dit invaliditetskontor hele måneden, efter at du har modtaget din invalidecheck hele måneden. høring, overvejer dine beviser og udsteder en endelig vurderingsbeslutning (som ofte tager 4 til 10+ måneder). Indsend anmodningen online i dag via VA QuickSubmit (access.va.gov) på VA-formular 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) og send en kopi via Certified Mail.
  3. Tjek, om din bedømmelse har været gældende for 5 Years, 10 Years, eller 20 Years (or whether you are Age 55+ eller 100% P&T). Count the exact number of years since the effective date of the specific disability rating the VA wants to reduce. If that rating has been in place for 5 years or more (Stabilized Rating under 38 CFR § 3.344), er en enkelt C&P-eksamen, der viser, at du havde en "god dag", lovmæssigt utilstrækkelig til at reducere din bedømmelse. Hvis vurderingen har været gældende i 20 år eller mere (38 CFR § 3.951(b)), the VA is barred by statute from ever reducing it below that level absent proven fraud.
  4. Demand an immediate copy of the recent Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examination Report (DBQ) that triggered the reduction. If a contractor (Optum Serve / LHI, VES, QTC, or Loyal Source) conducted the C&P exam, the VA Regional Office, or an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO from the DAV, VFW, American Legion, or County Veterans Office) with VBMS (Veterans Benefits Management System) access, can print the exact Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for you this week so you can see every box the examiner unchecked.
  5. Gather private treating records, a private Independent Medical Opinion (IMO / DBQ), and Buddy Statements (VA Form 21-10210) inden for 60-dages-vinduet. For at overvinde en reduktion skal du vise, at enhver forbedring, der blev noteret ved den 15-minutters C&P-eksamen, var midlertidig, at du ikke blev undersøgt under en opblussen (DeLuca / Sharp factors), eller at tilstanden ikke har opnået vedvarende bedring under de almindelige livs- og arbejdsforhold.
  6. Spring aldrig en planlagt VA C&P-geneksamen over (38 CFR § 3.655). Hvis din foreslåede reduktion skete, fordi du gik glip af en planlagt C&P-undersøgelse uden at underrette kontrahenten ("Failure to Report"), indsend straks en skriftlig erklæring, der tilbyder "God sag" (såsom aldrig at modtage den postede meddelelse på din nuværende adresse, hospitalsindlæggelse, sygdom eller arbejdskonflikt) og angive, at du er klar og villig til at melde dig til undersøgelsen med det samme.

Hvorfor du skal handle inden for 30 dage (ikke 60 dage) for at forhindre, at din månedlige check bliver klippet

Hvert brev af VA foreslået ratingreduktion nævner to forskellige frister: 30 dage og 60 dage. Mange veteraner læste brevet forkert og tror, ​​de har 60 dage til at svare. Her er fælden under 38 CFR § 3.105(e) og § 3.105(i): - Du har 60 dage til at indsende nye medicinske beviser, før VA udsteder en endelig afgørelse. - DU har dog kun 30 DAGE fra datoen for brevet til at anmode om en forudbestemt høring, hvis du ønsker at fastfryse dine månedlige betalinger til din nuværende sats, mens VA behandler din sag. Hvis du venter til dag 35 med at bede om en høring, kan VA udstede en endelig reduktion på dag 61 og skære din check på den første dag i den tredje måned efter den endelige meddelelse, hvilket tvinger dig til at leve på en reduceret indkomst i et år eller mere, mens du kæmper mod anken. Indsend altid en 30-dages anmodning om forudbestemmelseshøring på VA-formular 21-4138 inden for den første uge, du åbner brevet.

Beslutningstræ: Stop en VA foreslået ratingreduktion, TDIU-opsigelse eller fratrædelse

Følg dette trin-for-trin triage-diagram den dag, et VA-foreslået brev med negativ handling ankommer i din postkasse.

flowchart TD
    Start["VA-brev ankommer: 'Foreslået ratingreduktion' eller 'Foreslået fratrædelsesgodtgørelse'"] --> CheckType{"1. Er dette en 'FORSLAGT' handling (60-dages forfalden proces) eller en 'ENDELIG' vurderingsbeslutning?"}

    CheckType -->|"FORESLÅET reduktion/fratrædelsesgodtgørelse (38 CFR 3.105)"| Day30Rule["KRITISK TRIN 1 (FØR DAG 30): - Upload VA-formular 21-4138 via VA QuickSubmit, der anmoder om en 'Personlig høring under 38 CFR 3.105(i)' - Dette FRYSER juridisk din nuværende månedlige betaling indtil efter høringen og den endelige afgørelse"]

    CheckType -->|"ENDELIG beslutning allerede truffet (betalingsnedsættelse)"| FinalAppeal["ENDELIG AFGØRELSE AMA APPEL LANES (Inden for 1 år): - Indsend supplerende krav (VA-formular 20-0995) med nye private DBQ- og behandlingsnotater - Eller gennemgang på højere niveau (VA-formular 20-0996) med uformel konference, hvis VA overtrådte 38 CFR 3.344/CFR 3.344/(d)"]

    Day30Rule --> WhatAction{"2. Hvilken type negativ handling foreslår VA?"}

    WhatAction -->|"Foreslået % ratingreduktion (f.eks. 70 % til 30 %)"| AuditYears["REVISIONSREGLER LOVBESKYTTET BETYDNINGSREGLER: - 20+ år (38 CFR 3.951b): IMMUNE fra reduktion (undtagen svig) - 5+ år (38 CFR 3.344): Beskyttet 'Stabiliseret bedømmelse': VA kan ikke reducere baseret på 1 eksamen; skal bevise vedvarende forbedring i almindeligt liv/arbejde - Under 5 år (38 CFR 3.343 / Kitchen v. McDonough): VA skal stadig bevise faktisk forbedring under 38 CFR 4.1, 4.2, 4.10"]

    WhatAction -->|"Foreslået fjernelse af TDIU (100 % nedsættelse af arbejdsløshed)"| AuditTdiu["AUDIT TDIU-BESKYTTELSE (38 CFR 3.343c): - VA skal bevise 'Faktisk Employability' med klare og umiskendelige beviser - Marginal beskæftigelse (under føderal fattigdomstærskel) eller beskyttet/familiebeskæftigelse KAN IKKE opsige TDIU - Eller veteranen skal have 12 måneders på hinanden følgende lønsomt arbejde"]

    WhatAction -->|"Foreslået afbrydelse af tjenesteforbindelse"| AuditSeverance["AUDIT SEVERANCE STANDARD (38 CFR 3.105d): - 10+ Years Service Connection (38 USC 1159): IMMUNE from severance (except fraud) - Under 10 Years: Burden is 100% on VA to prove prior grant was 'Clearly and Unmistakably Erroneous (CUE)'"]

    AuditYears --> Submit60["3. BEFORE DAY 60: Obtain C&P DBQ via VSO + Submit Private DBQ, Treating Records & Lay Statements"]
    AuditTdiu --> Submit60
    AuditSeverance --> Submit60

Part 1: The exact wording to put on VA Form 21-4138 before Day 30 to freeze your benefits

To stop the VA from lowering your monthly check while you gather medical records, download VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) from va.gov, fill in your identifying information, and enter this exact legal demand in the remarks box:

"Re: Notice of Proposed Rating Reduction [or Proposed Severance] dated [Insert Date Printed on VA Letter].

1. TIMELY REQUEST FOR PREDETERMINATION HEARING (38 CFR § 3.105(i)): Pursuant to 38 CFR § 3.105(e) and 38 CFR § 3.105(i), I hereby formally request a Predetermination Personal Hearing (via virtual tele-hearing or at my local VA Regional Office) before any final decision is made on the proposed reduction of my service-connected disability rating for [Name of Condition(s)]. Because this hearing request is submitted within 30 days of the date of the notice of proposed adverse action, the VA is required by 38 CFR § 3.105(i)(1) to continue my compensation payments at their current rate until the hearing is held, all evidence submitted within 60 days and at the hearing is reviewed, and a final rating decision is promulgated.

2. DEMAND FOR COMPLETE C&P EXAMINATION REPORT: I request an immediate copy of the Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination report (DBQ) and medical opinion dated [Date of Exam] relied upon to propose this reduction so that my treating physician and I may prepare rebuttal evidence prior to the predetermination hearing.

3. OBJECTION TO PROPOSED REDUCTION: The proposed reduction violates 38 CFR §§ 3.344 [if 5+ years], 4.1, 4.2, 4.10, and 4.13 because my condition has not experienced actual, sustained improvement under the ordinary conditions of life and work."

Where to submit your 30-Day Predetermination Hearing Request TODAY (So you have time-stamped proof):

  1. Upload via VA QuickSubmit (access.va.gov): Log in with your ID.me eller Login.gov credentials, select QuickSubmit, upload the signed PDF of VA Form 21-4138, and download the confirmation receipt showing the exact date and Document ID.
  2. Send a Duplicate via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested to the Evidence Intake Center:

    Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.

  3. Spørg din akkrediterede VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion, or State/County VSO) for at uploade en kopi direkte til din elektroniske VBMS eFolder og bekræfte, at "Predetermination Hearing Requested" flashen er indtastet i VA-systemet.

Part 2: The 6 statutory "Protected Rating Rules" (5, 10, and 20-Year Rules + Age 55 & P&T)

VA rating specialists (RVSRs) use automated computer workflows that frequently miss mandatory federal laws protecting long-standing disability ratings. Check your rating history against every single row of this table:

Statutory Protection Rule Føderal Citation Exact Legal Protection & How It Defeats the VA's Reduction
1. The 5-Year Rule (Stabilized Ratings) 38 CFR § 3.344(a)-(c) Applies to ANY specific disability percentage rating in effect for 5 consecutive years or more.
- The Rule: Once a rating has stayed at the same level (or higher) for 5+ years, it is legally "Stabilized." The VA cannot reduce it based on a single C&P exam. Instead, the VA must prove through a review of your entire medical history that you have achieved sustained material improvement under the ordinary conditions of life and work (not just temporary relief during bed rest or a 15-minute office exam).
- Under § 3.344(a), hvis C&P-eksaminatoren ikke gennemgik din komplette longitudinelle kravfil, eller hvis der stadig er tvivl om, hvorvidt forbedringen vil blive permanent vedligeholdt under stresset af arbejdet, det er VA lovligt forbudt at reducere vurderingen.
2. The 10-Year Rule (Protection of Service Connection) 38 U.S.C. § 1159 & 38 CFR § 3.957 Gælder, når "Serviceforbindelse" for en tilstand har været i kraft i 10 år eller mere.
- Reglen: Efter 10 år fra den effektive dato for tjenesteforbindelsen, kan VA ALDRIG afbryde (annullere) tjenesteforbindelse for det handicap (medmindre VA beviser, at det oprindelige tilskud blev opnået ved faktisk svindel, eller veteranen manglede kvalificerende militærtjeneste/udskrivningskarakter). (Bemærk: En 10-årig tilstand kan stadig få sin procentsats sænket, hvis den forbedres, underlagt 5-års reglen ovenfor, men den kan aldrig afbrydes.)
3. 20-års reglen (Continuous Rating Immunity) 38 U.S.C. § 110 & 38 CFR § 3.951(b) Gælder, når et handicap løbende er blevet vurderet til eller over en bestemt procentdel (eller 100 % / TDIU) i 20 år eller mere.
- The Rule: The VA is permanently barred by federal statute from EVER reducing that rating below the lowest level it held during those 20 years (except upon a showing of actual fraud). For example, if your PTSD was rated at 50% in 2005, raised to 70% in 2012, and it is now 2026, your rating can never be reduced below 50%; and if it was rated at 70% for 20 straight years, it can never be reduced below 70%.
4. The Age 55 Rule (Exemption from Routine Reexaminations) 38 CFR § 3.327(b)(2)(iv) & M21-1 IV.ii.1.A Applies to veterans who are Age 55 or older at the time of the rating decision or scheduled routine future exam (RFE).
- Reglen: I henhold til VA-reglerne og M21-1 Adjudication Manual, VA må ikke planlægge rutinemæssige fremtidige C&P-genundersøgelser for nogen veteran over 55 år (undtagen i sjældne obligatoriske, midlertidige post-kirurgiske eller aktive cancerremissionsplaner i henhold til 38 CFR § 4.14.97 / § 4.124a /). Hvis du er 55+ og har modtaget en rutinemæssig meddelelse om omprøve, skal du kræve dens annullering under 38 CFR § 3.327(b)(2).
5. The 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) Herske 38 CFR § 3.327(b)(2) Applies when your rating decision grants Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA / Chapter 35) or states "No future examinations are scheduled" / "Static Disability."
- The Rule: Disabilities designated as "Static" (permanent in nature with no likelihood of material improvement) are exempt from routine future examinations unless you voluntarily open the door by filing a new claim ("poking the bear") on a related body system or secondary condition.
6. The "Under 5 Years" Rule (38 CFR § 3.343(a) & Kitchen v. McDonough) 38 CFR §§ 3.343(a), 4.1, 4.2, 4.10, 4.13 What if your rating has been in effect for LESS than 5 years?
- Even if your rating is only 2 or 3 years old, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC, in cases like Brown v. Brown and Kitchen v. McDonough) holds that the VA still bears the burden of proof in EVERY rating reduction case: the VA must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that an actual change in your disability has occurred that improves your ability to function under the ordinary conditions of life and work (38 CFR § 4.10), not merely that a second examiner graded the same symptoms differently than the first examiner.

Part 3: Defeating specific VA reduction traps (TDIU Unemployability, C&P Flare-Ups, Cancer Remission, and Missed Exams)

Trap 1: The VA Proposes to Strip Your 100% TDIU (Individual Unemployability) Because Social Security (SSA) Reported Wages

Every year, the VA runs an automated computer match with the Social Security Administration (SSA / IRS Master File) to see if veterans receiving 100% Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU, 38 CFR § 4.16) earned any W-2 or 1099 income. If the computer sees wages, it sends VA Form 21-4140 (Employment Questionnaire) or proposes to reduce you from 100% TDIU back down to your schedular rating (for example, 70%). - Know the Strict Legal Bar for Removing TDIU (38 CFR § 3.343(c)): 1. Clear and Unmistakable Evidence of Actual Employability: Under 38 CFR § 3.343(c)(1), the VA cannot reduce a TDIU rating unless it proves by clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran has regained "actual employability." 2. The 12-Consecutive-Month Rule (38 CFR § 3.343(c)(2)): Even if you try going back to work, if you began engaging in substantially gainful employment after January 1, 1985, the VA is legally prohibited from reducing your TDIU rating unless you strictly maintain that substantially gainful employment for 12 CONSECUTIVE months (uninterrupted). If you try working for 7 months and have to quit because of your service-connected disabilities, your TDIU cannot be touched. 3. The "Marginal Employment" and "Sheltered / Protected Environment" Exceptions (38 CFR § 4.16(a)): - Income Below the Federal Poverty Threshold (about $15,650-$16,320/year for 1 person): Any job that pays less than the U.S. Census Bureau's one-person poverty threshold is defined by law as "Marginal Employment", not substantially gainful employment, and never disqualifies you from 100% TDIU. - Protected / Sheltered Work Environment: Even if you earn more than the poverty threshold, if you work for a family business, a sympathetic employer, or a sheltered job that gives you special accommodations non-disabled workers would be fired for (unlimited unscheduled absences during PTSD/migraine flare-ups, taking naps at work, reduced production quotas), submit a signed statement from your supervisor documenting those accommodations to prove it is Protected / Marginal Employment under 38 CFR § 4.16(a).

Trap 2: Orthopedic / Joint Reductions (Knee, Back, Shoulder, Neck) Where the C&P Examiner Ignored "Pain on Weight-Bearing & Flare-Ups"

When a veteran goes to a C&P exam for a service-connected back (lumbar spine) or knee rating, the examiner uses a plastic goniometer to measure how far you bend once in an air-conditioned exam room on a "good day," and writes down that your range of motion improved, triggering a reduction from 40% to 10%. - How to Void an Inadequate Orthopedic C&P Exam (DeLuca, Mitchell, Sharp, og Correia Rules): - Under binding Federal Circuit and CAVC precedent (DeLuca v. Brown, Sharp v. Shulkin, and Correia v. McDonald), an orthopedic C&P examination is legally inadequate and cannot be used to reduce a rating if the examiner failed to test and estimate (in exact degrees of range-of-motion loss): 1. Functional loss during Flare-Ups (even if you are not having a flare-up during the exam, the examiner must ask you to describe your flare-ups and estimate the additional degree of motion lost during a flare-up); 2. Repetitive-Use Testing (at least 3 repetitions); and 3. Active AND Passive Range of Motion, both Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing (Correia rule). - Have your private physician or physical therapist fill out a private Back (Thoracolumbar) or Knee DBQ explicitly documenting your range-of-motion limit during flare-ups and under weight-bearing.

Trap 3: Mandatory 100% Cancer Remission or Post-Surgery Reductions (Prostate, Breast, PACT Act Cancers)

When active service-connected cancer (such as Agent Orange prostate cancer or Burn Pit / PACT Act respiratory/gastrointestinal cancer) goes into treatment remission, federal regulations (e.g., 38 CFR § 4.115b Diagnostic Code 7528) require a C&P reexamination 6 months after treatment ends, proposing to reduce the temporary 100% active cancer rating down to a residual rating (often 10% or 20%). - How to Maximize Your Post-Cancer Residual Rating: Even if the cancer itself is in clinical remission, the VA must rate every chronic residual and treatment side effect separately (38 CFR § 4.115b), including: - Voiding Dysfunction / Urinary Frequency or Incontinence (requiring absorbent pads: 20%, 40%, or 60% rating): Changing absorbent pads 2 to 4 times per day equals a 40% rating; changing pads more than 4 times per day equals a 60% rating; - Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) in both hands and both feet (4 separate bilateral ratings); - Radiation Enteritis, Erectile Dysfunction (SMC-K), Surgical Scars, and Secondary Depression / Anxiety caused by the cancer diagnosis and chronic residuals.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|            WHAT IF YOUR PROPOSED LETTER SAYS "PROPOSED SEVERANCE"                 |
|             (CANCELLING SERVICE CONNECTION UNDER 38 CFR § 3.105(d))               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sometimes the VA does not just propose lowering your percentage: it proposes     |
| "Severing Service Connection" altogether, claiming it made a mistake years ago    |
| when it granted your disability.                                                  |
|                                                                                   |
|   -> THE "CLEAR AND UNMISTAKABLE ERROR (CUE)" SHIELD:                             |
|      Under 38 CFR § 3.105(d), the VA CANNOT sever your service connection simply  |
|      because a new C&P doctor disagrees with the prior doctor who granted your    |
|      claim. A "difference of medical opinion" is NEVER grounds for severance.     |
|      Instead, the VA bears the crushing burden of proving that the original grant |
|      was "Clearly and Unmistakably Erroneous": meaning NO reasonable person      |
|      could have agreed with the original decision based on the law and evidence   |
|      that existed at the time. (And after 10 years, severance is barred.)         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Why You Should Think Twice Before 'Poking the Bear' Once You Have 100% P&T or a Long-Standing High Rating

Many proposed rating reductions happen because a veteran who already holds a 70%, 90%, or 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) rating files a brand-new claim for a minor secondary condition or an increase on an old joint. When you file a new claim or secondary claim connected to an existing rated disability, the VA claims processor opens your entire VBMS eFolder and routinely orders a new C&P exam on the underlying primary disability, giving a contractor examiner the chance to write down that your primary 70% PTSD or 40% back condition "looks improved." Before filing any new claim when you are already at 100% P&T (or have a critical 70%+ rating that is under 20 years old), always have an accredited VSO or VA-accredited attorney review your Code Sheet inside VBMS to verify which of your ratings are marked "Static" and how close you are to the 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year protection milestones.

How to Obtain Your VA 'Rating Code Sheet' Today to See Which Disabilities Are Marked 'Static'

Your normal VA Benefit Summary Letter on va.gov only shows your combined percentage, not the hidden internal status of each individual disability. Call an accredited Veterans Service Officer (DAV, VFW, American Legion, or your County Veterans Service Office) and ask them to look up your profile in VBMS and send you a copy of your Rating Code Sheet. The Code Sheet reveals: (1) the exact Effective Date of every rating (so you can calculate your 5, 10, and 20-year dates to the exact day), (2) the Diagnostic Code, and (3) whether each condition is flagged as "Static (No Future Exam)" or has a scheduled Routine Future Exam (RFE) date.

Regional veterans' benefit appeal and ombudsman resources

  • USA (Department of Veterans Affairs: VBA):
  • VA QuickSubmit (Evidence Intake Portal): Upload din 30-dages forudbestemte høringsanmodning (VA Form 21-4138) og private DBQ'er umiddelbart kl access.va.gov (vælg QuickSubmit).
  • VA National Call Center & Accredited VSO Directory: Ring 1-800-827-1000 for at bekræfte status for din anmodning om forudbestemmelseshøring, eller find en gratis akkrediteret VSO-repræsentant, skadesagent eller VA-akkrediteret advokat gennem VA Office of General Counsel Accreditation Search på va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: Ring til 988 og tryk 1, sms 838255, eller chat på veteranscrisisline.net.
  • Canada (Veterans Affairs Canada: VAC):
  • Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA) & Veterans Review og Appel Board (VRAB): Hvis Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) revurderer eller reducerer en Smerte- og lidelseskompensation (PSC) eller indkomsterstatningsydelse (IRB) vurdering, har du ret til gratis juridisk repræsentation ved en advokat fra Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA kl 1-877-368-0859) før Veteranernes vurderings- og klagenævn (VRAB), og kan eskalere uretfærdig administration til Kontoret for Veteranombudet (1-877-330-4343 / ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca).
  • Storbritannien (Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: AFCS & War Pension Scheme):
  • Veterans UK Obligatorisk Revurdering & First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber): Hvis Veterans UK (Ministry of Defence) reducerer eller afslutter en AFCS garanteret indkomstbetaling (GIP) eller Krigsinvalidepension, anmod om en gennemgang eller appel uafhængigt til First-tier Tribunal (War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation) med gratis repræsentation fra Royal British Legion (0808 802 8080).
  • Australien (Department of Veterans' Affairs: DVA):
  • Veteranernes anmeldelsesnævn (VRB) & MRCA / DRCA / VEA Beskyttelser: Hvis DVA foreslår en reduktion i Særlig sats (TPI) eller Permanent værdiforringelse (MRCA) kompensation, klage til Veteranernes Bedømmelsesnævn (VRB kl 1800 550 460 / vrb.gov.au) med gratis fortalervirksomhed fra RSL (Returned & Services League).

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Jeg har lige modtaget et VA-brev om, at de "foreslår at reducere" min handicapvurdering fra 70 % til 30 %. Skal jeg indgive et supplerende krav eller en anmeldelse på højere niveau med det samme?

Nej. Indgiv IKKE et supplerende krav (VA-formular 20-0995) eller gennemgang på højere niveau (VA-formular 20-0996) som svar på et "Foreslået" reduktionsbrev. I henhold til VA-reglerne (38 CFR § 3.105(e)), er en foreslået reduktion ikke en endelig beslutning endnu, så VA vil afvise standardklageformularer som for tidligt. I stedet skal du indsende en skriftlig erklæring på VA-formular 21-4138 inden for 30 kalenderdage efter datoen på brevet, hvor du anmoder om en "Personlig høring i henhold til 38 CFR § 3.105(i)." Overholdelse af denne 30-dages frist tvinger lovligt VA til at blive ved med at betale din fulde 70 procent månedlige check, mens du samler medicinske beviser og venter på din høring.

Hvad er forskellen mellem 30-dages deadline og 60-dages fristen i et VA-forslag til ratingreduktionsbrev?

60-dages fristen er det vindue, du har til at indsende medicinsk dokumentation, private DBQ'er og lægerklæringer, før VA udsteder en endelig afgørelse. 30-dages fristen er dog langt mere presserende: i henhold til 38 CFR § 3.105(i), hvis VA modtager din skriftlige anmodning om en forudbestemt høring inden for 30 dage efter opsigelsesdatoen, kan VA ikke reducere din månedlige betaling, før efter høringen er afholdt, og en endelig afgørelse er truffet. Hvis du går glip af høringsfristen på 30 dage og kun indsender bevis på dag 45, kan VA gå videre og skære din månedlige check på dag 61, mens du venter måneder på en appel.

Min VA-rating har været på 70% i 6 år, og en entreprenør C&P-eksaminator så mig i 10 minutter på en god dag og sagde, at jeg forbedrede mig. Kan VA lovligt skære min bedømmelse baseret på den ene eksamen?

Nej. Når en specifik invaliditetsprocent har været gældende i 5 på hinanden følgende år eller mere, bliver den en "stabiliseret vurdering" beskyttet af 38 CFR § 3.344. I henhold til § 3.344(a)-(c) er VA juridisk afskåret fra at reducere en 5-årig stabiliseret vurdering baseret på en enkelt C&P-undersøgelse. I stedet skal VA bevise gennem hele din longitudinelle journal, at din tilstand har opnået "vedvarende bedring", og at forbedringen vil blive opretholdt under de almindelige belastninger i livet og arbejdet. At citere 38 CFR § 3.344 ved din forudbestemmelseshøring og indsendelse af igangværende behandlingsnotater tvinger næsten altid VA til at annullere en reduktion af en enkelt eksamen.

Hvad sker der, hvis mit brev om foreslået reduktion siger, at VA skærer min vurdering, fordi jeg gik glip af en planlagt C&P-eksamen ("Manglende rapportering")?

I henhold til 38 CFR § 3.655, hvis du går glip af en planlagt C&P-geneksamen uden "god sag", foreslår VA at reducere eller stoppe din kompensation for denne tilstand. Indsend øjeblikkeligt VA-formular 21-4138 inden for 30 dage med anmodning om en forudbestemt høring, forklar din gode årsag til at gå glip af eksamen (f.eks. modtog du aldrig entreprenørens telefonopkald eller brev med posten, du var syg, eller du havde en arbejds-/familienødsituation), og angiv udtrykkeligt skriftligt: ​​"Jeg er klar til en C-undersøgelse med det samme." Når du udtrykker villighed til at deltage og etablerer en god sag, skal VA omlægge eksamen og standse reduktionen.

Relaterede guider

Kilder og officiel vejledning

  • Code of Federal Regulations (Title 38: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief): 38 CFR § 3.105(d) & (e) (60-dages forfaldsbehandlingsperiode for foreslået fratrædelsesgodtgørelse og nedsættelser); 38 CFR § 3.105(i) (30-dages anmodning om forudbestemt høring om at fortsætte fordele); 38 CFR § 3.344 (5-års stabiliseret vurderingsregel); 38 CFR § 3.957 (10-års beskyttelse af tjenesteforbindelse); 38 CFR § 3.951(b) (20-Year Continuous Rating Protection); 38 CFR § 3.343(c) (TDIU Reduction Standards); and 38 CFR § 3.327(b)(2) (Age 55 and Static Disability Exam Exemptions).
  • United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC): Brown v. Brown (5 Vet. App. 413: Burden of Proof on VA in Rating Reductions); Kitchen v. McDonough (34 Vet. App. 191: Application of 38 CFR §§ 4.1, 4.2, and 4.10 to Reductions Under 5 Years); DeLuca v. Brown (8 Vet. App. 202) & Correia v. McDonald (28 Vet. App. 158: Mandatory Flare-Up and Weight-Bearing Range-of-Motion Testing).
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA): M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, Part X, Subpart ii, Chapter 4 (Revision of Decisions: Reductions and Severances) and Part IV, Subpart ii, Chapter 1 (Routine Future Examinations).