Question:
In 1975 after completing basic training at Fort Polk and AI infantry training at Fort Polk Louisiana , I was sent to jump school at Fort Benning Georgia wild and jump School. I was sent to the dispensary because the D I said that I was limping. Wow there within 45 minutes I was giving up profile temporarily that said 'no running, no standing over 15 minutes and no walking over half a mile.' This took me off jump status and I was sent to a Ranger camp to break down wall lockers up in Dahlonega Georgia. After being there for a month, I return back to Fort Benning and was given a permanent profile that stated 'no running no standing over 15 minutes and no walking over half a mile.' Then I was given orders to go to Fort Texas to a mechanized infantry unit.
At the VA hospital in Martinsburg West Virginia in 2016, I apply for disabled veteran benefit. I was given 50% for migraine headache, but I receive no percentage for the profile that was put on my record permanently. I believe that I was treated unfair by the United States military because I had already completed basic training and their infantry training while I had to walk over 30 miles to a quart to graduate. I qualified on all the courses all the ranges Sharpshooter or better, yet when I got the Fort Benning they pulled me from jump status because they said I was limping. My question is what is my next move, since they denied me a percentage pertaining to the profile that I was giving
Jim's Reply:
ny time we apply for a VA disability benefit and we are denied, we are given one year after the denial to formally appeal that denial and ask for a review of the case. I almost always recommend that the veteran retain an accredited veterans law attorney to manage the appeal. You can search for one here. You're eligible to retain an attorney for an appeal at no out of pocket costs to you. If it's been more than a year since the denial of your claim, you more or less have to start over and file the claim again.