Question:
I been 100% P & T going on 10 years. I just had a hearing about reduction of my rating, wanting to drop myPTSD rating down. I was led to believe that once you was P&T, you had no more hearings. Can you explain why this is happening? Would like to get the truth from someone rather than someone on a phone. Thanks.
Jim's Reply:
I can't be sure since I don't know the full details of your situation but if I have to guess, I'd guess that you were never P & T...or at least not ever rated as Permanently disabled. A 100% PTSD rating almost always will have a future exam scheduled as mental health ratings are temporary. If an award letter says that there is a future exam, the rating is temporary and not permanent. The future exam is usually conducted 3 to 5 years down the road and that you tell me you were at nearly 10 years is concerning. I'm bothered that you may have been led to believe that your rating was permanent and then just before it reaches the 10 year mark, you're examined and the rating is lowered. If you had been rated at 100% for 10 years that rating couldn't have been lowered and VA has been known to jump in at 9 years and a few months to prevent that from happening. Given all that, I'd recommend that you speak with a veterans law attorney since that won't cost you anything and you'll get a good explanation of why that happened or you'll start an appeal. Click here for information.