14mi section hike NOBO (North Bound) with Wabbit and Rei. We met up at the McDonalds in Big Bear, then drove both cars to Baldwin Summit Vista (PCT 266.1), staged 1 car, left 2 gal of water for the through hikers, and were surprised to see a Make-A-Wish foundation 28 mile event underway. We then carpooled to Onyx Summit (PCT 252.1), where we staged 2 more gallons of water. We saw some snow across the valley on the summit in the shaded valleys. Saw no other hikers on the trail the whole day, but we did see two dir pike riders, and saw a convoy of off road vehicles on an adjacent dirt road. Saw flowing or slow moving water at almost every spot between miles 256 and 258 as called out on the Far Out (Gut Hook) App, and posted status of water there. Lots of wild flowers, ground squirrels (almost looked like chipmunks), lizards, 1 quail, no turkeys. We used Shawnte Salabert's "Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail Southern California" guide to prep for the hike, and help us plan.
- Wabbit's PCT Day 19 (Mile 252-266): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2T-gFPe0zI
- Baldwin Summit Vista: https://goo.gl/maps/LYBEMNCi1oehQvgX9
- Onyx Summit: https://goo.gl/maps/gNrNU6zWWV1boXwi9
Use the free services of your state's department of veteran affairs
Identify all your service-connectedconditions from your Medical Record
Create a "Statement in Support of Claim" for each condition
Get multiple "Buddy Letters" for each condition
My first VA disability claim that I filed in 2012 was rejected. I was motivated and filed two appeals, and those were denied as well. For ten years I tried to avoid the topic when another vet would ask, have you ever filed a claim with the VA, or the classic question, "what percent are you?". I had felt a kind of resignation that it just wasn't meant to be. I had a couple of good friends who were persistent, and through their recounting of their VA claim journey and gentle cajoling, I decided to give it another go, so I re-grouped, re-strategized and reapplied. In 2022 my new re-vamped application for disability was approved. What changed? Why did my 1st attempt fail, and my final attempt succeed? The key to winning a VA disability claim is to build an easy to evaluate package, one that clearly shows how your condition is service related, that it is pervasive and the severity of the condition. The lessons I learned, are distilled into 4 easy to follow tips, and it is my sincerest hope that these will help the next veteran filing a disability claim.
Tip #1: Free Services from your State's Department of Veteran Affairs
Most states have their own department of veteran affairs separate from the VA (US Veterans Administration), in California it's called Calvet. The VA publishes a list of state departments here. These are typically free, have seasoned, helpful veterans who will guide you through the process, provide forms, proof read your write ups, answer questions, and submit you package to the VA when you are ready. The forms you will typically fill out are:
VA 21-4142 AUTHORIZATION TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)
VA 21-4142A GENERAL RELEASE FOR MEDICAL PROVIDER INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)
VA 21-22 APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION AS CLAIMANT'S REPRESENTATIVE
VA 21-4138 STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM
VA 21-626EZ APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND RELATED COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Tip #2: Identify all your service-connected conditions from your Medical Record
It is essential, that you go through every page of your Medical Record, front and back, even if it's a blurry or faint copy, to look for anything that you can claim. What can you claim? Anything and everything. Seriously claim everything that you can. Unsure of what you can claim? No problem, there's a reference for that, it's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 38 - Chapter I - PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES. The reference is exhaustive, go ahead, search it for headache, cut, anything you find in your medical record. Each Diagnostic Condition (DC) has a 4-digit, a short name for the condition and varying severities. Here's an example of Diagnostic Code (DC) 7804 "Scar(s), unstable or painful", and the associated description and rating:
These descriptions of the conditions will help you identify the DC or Dignostic Code, short name, and severity. Even if you feel your condition isn't a perfect match, include the condition in your package becuase you may still be rated for 0%, which will make you a rated disabled veteran, and will entitle you to benefits, so when in doubt, include the condition. You should have incoming and outgoing hearing tests and physicals, be sure to check these for any variations that you can claim.
Tip #3: Statement in Support of Claim for each Condition
This was one of my initial mistakes, I failed to file VA form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim, for each condition. This form in invaluable to help you communicate clearly each condition. You will file one of these forms for each condition you claim. On the form, "Section II: Remarks" is the location where you will list your proof to support your claim, write it in 4 paragraphs similar to the following format. Be sure to use the Diagnostic Code (DC) and condition name from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 38 - Chapter I - PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES:
DC XXXX, CONDITION_NAME
--> Explain here in a paragraph how the condition is service connected... when you were seen for the condition on active duty, what medical clinic did you visit, date, time, Dr's name, rank, what the symptoms were, what the diagnosis was, what the prescription was. What it caused or prevented you from doing. Did it make you miss work, did it reoccur, if so how frequently...
--> Explain here in a paragraph how the condition is persistent (affects you now). How frequently, how intense, what are the current symptoms, is the prescription any different . Have you learned more about your condition since active duty? Examples of acute episodes or incidents after the initial diagnosis, can be added here.
--> Explain here in a paragraph how the condition limits you. What had changed in your life because of this condition? Do you need to take precautions, avoid things, do things differently. Add a full range of examples from both active duty and afterwards. Mention here people by name who have first hand knowledge of this condition and who have provided "buddy statements", that you are submitting with this package
Tip #4: Buddy Letters
These are essential, Buddy Letters provide proof from people with first hand knowledge of your condition outside your medical record. The VA recommends you collect information from employers, family, neighbors, friends, public officials. But how is this done? This step is easier than it seems, the key is good communication, you will want to reach out to those in your past who might be of help, then once you've established the best way to communicate with them, send them a request for a "Buddy Letter". What they respond with is entirely up to them, but it's OK to provide them some guidance, here's an example:
Hello,
I've started a VA claim this past year, and wanted to ask for your help with a letter from you.
We're in the gathering statements phase, and the VA suggests collecting statements from: employers, family, neighbors, friends, public officials.
I'm claiming the following conditions, and could use your help with any of these:
CONDITION_1 - I was seen while on Active Duty in DATE_1 on LOCATION_1, and experience it FREQUENCY_1
CONDITION_2 - I was seen while on Active Duty in DATE_2 on LOCATION_2, still experience it FREQUENCY_2
CONDITION_3 - I was seen while on Active Duty in DATE_3 on LOCATION_3, still experience it FREQUENCY_3
The timeframe was while I was on active duty was DATE_START to DATE_END and was stationed in LOCATIONS_HERE.
If you could, please write out a brief summary of how you know me, any recollection you have about me experiencing any of the conditions above, your contact info and signature.
Here's the info for a sample letter:
How you knew me during my time in the uniformed services between the dates DATE_START and DATE_END, at LOCATION_HERE.
Any recollection of my relationship with the conditions
discussing the condition
having the condition
effects of the condition
leaving or missing work because of the condition
related problems because of the condition
Your POC info (Title if on active duty at the time or now retired, name, address, phone, email
Signature
Finally, take a photo or scan the letter and email back to me.
Thank you so much for the assistance, any recollections you provide will help make my case stand out. Let me know if I can provide any other details.
Sincerely,
YOUR_NAME_HERE
Conclusion
I hope you found this useful, if so, please share, and reach out if you have any comments / criticism / feedback.
Here's a full walkthrough of creating a new DMR QSO entry on QRZ as Digitalvoice, requesting a confirmation, editing the entry, and deleting the entry.
Should you log non-simplex (repeater/network/DMR/DStar/YSF) QSO's? Yes, it's your log! When might you not log non-simplex (repeater/network) QSO's? During a contest, rules will typically stipulate only simplex connections can be logged for points. And contests usually expect Cabrillo logs be submitted, or the logging be done on LoTW (Logbook of the World), not QRZ.com. In SOTA (Summits On The Air), for example, you can log non-simplex contacts for points if its a non-terrestrial repeater (satellite). I think the main reason for logging outside a contest is in keeping with ARRL's guidance on the 3 reasons for keeping a log (Legal, Operational, Personal), the 3rd being, "Personally, a log is like a personal radio history reminding you of the people and places you’ve talked to...". http://arrl.com/keeping-a-log
