rway

Thanks for everyones insight. I was not sure what types of things they did at in-pt besides a group therapy. It sounds just like the in-pt alchohol program I went through. Which didn't help. (A lot of B.S....Meditating, etc.) I agree, the therapist means a lot!! I just have not found one yet. I have finally ventured out from the VA and I am trying to find one in our community. I have not been able to even look at the 3 therapists that I've had. I am not sure why, but I believe it is because I know they're judging me. Even though I want to talk, I only say one to three word answers. They have gotten no where with me. I am better on the computer, where no one knows me. I need a Computer Therapist.LOL Thanks again all, rway

Has anyone gone through In-Patient PTSD-MST Counseling? I know everyone will react differently. But, I would like to know what your experience was. Did it Help at all. Not sure if I can make that step right now. I do not want to give up my alcohol at this time it helps me. I would be going to Bay Pines, VA in Florida. Thanks for any info. rway

Finally, Its been a long journey. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. (Especially, Mountain Time) Rcvd a total of 90% with TDIU. Had an increase on Migraines and Back, added NEW 70% for MST PTSD, and Stayed the same for Meneires and Left Knee Arthritis. Lost 20% for Left Knee ACL Repair and somehow Reoccurring Tinnitis Disappeared from all the paperwork. All in All a win. I went from 60% to 90% w/TDIU. I am still going to fight for an increase in Meneires and my left knee. I also, have inquired about my disappearing reoccurring Tinnitus. Again, a great thanks to all. I have read many hours from this forum and have learned a lot. I still have a lot more to learn. I will also remember TBird after my medical bills are paid. This site is the best that I have found for helping VETS. Thanks again, RWAY

Letter states.... entitlement to individual unemployability is granted effective Dec. 2006 whis is the date you met the criteria and the evidence showed that you were unemployed. Compensation and Pension examination completed at, VA noted that on joints exam, your knees improved in stability but remainded painful, with non-compesable decreased range of motion. The spine exam noted a decrease in range of motion and painful motion. The ear disease exam noted Meniere's disease symptoms continued to cause vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Your rosacea is under control as noted on the skin exam. The neurological exam and VA evidence showed you have severe and prostrating migraines which affected your ability to work. This was confirmed by your employer. As the evidence shows severe migraines and PTSD symptoms that , with Meniere' disease symtoms, would make it unlikely that you could find and keep substantially gainful employment, individual unemployability is granted. I RCVD... 70% FOR PTSD (NEW CLAIM), 50% FOR MIGRAINES (INCREASED FROM 10%), 20% FOR BACK (INCREASED FROM 10%), 30% MENIERE'S (STAYED THE SAME), 10% MILD DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE, LEFT KNEE (STAYED THE SAME-just noticed this on back side of last page. This is for arthritis of the left knee), and Lost the 20% for chondromalacia and ligament repair left knee. AND ALSO I HAD 10% FOR REOCCURING TINNITIS, WHICH HAS SOMEHOW DISAPPEARED COMPLETELY AND NEVER MENTIONED. My new claim, put in yesterday, asks for an increase in left knee, a claim for cerebellar gait secondary to Menieres Disease and request Total and Permanent status. I wanted to NOD Meneires and Left Knee, but SO said it was best to go this route.??? RWAY

Every thing written in CAPS was not in letter just a note from Me. My letter states... Evaluation of chondromalacia and ligament repair, left knee, which is currenly 20 percent disabling, is decreased to 0 percent effective Dec. 2006 which is the date we received your claim. Due process proposal to reduce procedures were not necessary in this case, as reduction of this disability does not decrease your total evaluation. A statement from ---------,----------,-----------,---------- recieved April 2007, noted that they all felt that this disability was increasing in severity. (ALL LETTERS WERE FROM FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS) Your statement that accompanied your unemployability claim noted that your knee osteroarthritis cause severe pain and you have had to leave work early. You provided a list of medications taken for thes conditions. (MEDICATIONS I LISTED WERE... METHYLPREDNISOLONE, IBUPROFEN, GABAPENTIN, GLUCOSAMINE, MOTRIN, ICE-PAK) Medical Evidence received for VA, noted that your told the doctor that you hurt your knee in a fall. You complained of left knee pain. The doctor noted a history of left knee arthritis. Compensation and Pension joints examination completed at VA, noted that you had a left knee ACL reconstruction in 1994 and left knee arthroscopy in 2000. You claim increased pain with difficulty bending. You claim your left knee pops out when you walk. You state that you wear a knee brace for stability. Your functinal limitations on standing aare to 15-30 minutes, and on walking limited to 1/4 mile. The exam noted that your left knee ws stabe in the medial and lateral ligaments (varus/vlgus in 30 degree of flexion) (varus/valgus in extention) and in the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (Lachman and anterior drawer). The left knee Mc murray's test negative. Your gait was antalgic. There is no evidence of lateral instability. The doctor stated that your range of motion or joint function is not additionally limity by pain, fatigue, lack of coordination, instability, weakness, or lack of endurance following repetitive use. The doctor diagnoed chondromalacia, status post ligament repair, left knee. As the evidence showed no instability in any direction on examination, a noncompensable evaluation is assigned for Dec 2006 A noncompensable evaluation is assigned unless there is recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the knee whis is slight. THAT IS EVERYTHING, WRITTEN IN STATEMENT ABOUT MY KNEE. I AM HIGHLY UPSET WITH THE UNDERLINED PART OF THIS, BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. I CAN BE STANDING, AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY KNEE WILL GIVE RIGHT OUT. MY KNEE HYPEREXTENDS SO OFTEN, CAUSING ME GREAT PAIN AND TO FALL, THAT IS WHY I WEAR THE BRACE. IT IS ADJUSTED FOR MY KNEE NOT TO HYPER EXTEND. SEEN MY SERVICE OFFICER, HE DID NOT WANT ME TO NOD, BECAUSE I WAS RATED TDIU. BUT IF THEY DID NOT TAKE AWAY 20 PERCENT ON MY KNEE, I WOULD BE 100 PERCENT WITHOUT TDIU. HE HAD ME FILE A WHOLE NEW CLAIM, FOR AN INCREASE FOR MY LEFT KNEE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. RWAY

I was previously rated 20% for Left knee (ACL Repair and 3 left knee orthoscopic surgeries)and 10% for arthritis in the left knee, now after getting the results of my claim for my left knee and many other items, They gave me 0 for arthritis in left knee and 0 for left knee. I went over 10 years as of April 2008 but they back dated it, to the date I put the claim in "2006". That would make it 8 yrs 11 months What are my chance of clearing this matter up. I put in for an increase on many items and for TDIU. I had only 1 exam that covered all my claims (TDIU). She did not measure my knee's bending radius and nothing was stated in the results about bending radius. She sent me to have x-rays on my back and knees. Other than that, I have had no other CP's. I did qualify for TDIU with my other items claimed. My knees have not gotten any worse, and they definitely have not improved at all. My knees have not been able to perform for a long time. They are pretty much stable in the degree of disability. Therefore, I have not seen anyone for them, but have taken my medicine, Ibruprofin and have worn my brace religiously, non-stop for now over 10 years. I have been to the doctors many times for other ailments (mainly Meneires) and everytime it has been written by the nurse's station that I have a left knee brace and throughtout the 10 years. I am definely NOD'ing it. But not sure about the plan of attack. My problem is I walk fine (when I do not have active meneires) My problems are bending, climbing stairs, and when ANY added weight is given to me. (EI. 5 lbs. groceries will cause me to limp and ache.) Any advice is welcomed! I am able to walk about 1/4 of a mile, then my knee swells like a balloon and aches for a day or so. Thank you, rway

I am receiving $720 and my 2 yr old is receiving $720. Yes, we probably are receiving 3/4 of his social security. He was getting $576.00, I was getting $144 and my daughter was getting $144. Now each of us are getting $720. So, if $720 is 3/4 of his benefits, my daughters, benefits would not change at all. If, I am understanding you right. If my disability pay is greater than $720, I should apply for my disability social security.(as long as the maximum for family is greater than the $1440 we already receive) I am only 45 and my daughter is 2. But I just received an unofficial letter from the DAV, stating that my service connect disabilities have increased to 90% and was awarded TDIU, and there are 2 more disabilities in reprimand. I have been trying to get ahold of the social security via phone, what a nightmare. I guess I will have to actually go to the place. Thanks for all the insight. RWAY

My husband (age 65) passed away and my daughter and I are now receiving his social security. (she gets 1/2 and I get 1/2) I want to put in for social security for myself, do to my disabilities. What happens to his social security, If I win my case? Will my daughter receive my 1/2 of my husbands social security? rway

So, if I did not put in for TDIU, I would have probably received seperate CP exams for each disibility???

Hi everyone, I haven't been on this site for awhile. Meds have been taking a toll. I am currently 60% (Meniere's, Knees, Back, Tinnitis and Migraines). I put in for an increase in each and added new (MD and PTSD) in Dec. 2006. Because of the long duration, symptoms getting worse and this site (with great info) I applied for TDIU and for Total and Permanent in Apr. 2007. I have had only the routine appointments thus far. Then, the other day I received 2 letters with appointments. One was for the very next day and then another for 2 days later. The 1st appointment was for disbility for unemployability and the 2nd for MD/PTSD. I called and asked about any other future appointments and they said there are none scheduled. Question---Is this common NOT to go to Ortho, Neuro, etc. and just go to the TDIU appt. Will they just use her info for the increase? She did measure back and knees and had x-rays of back and knees done. She did not talk to me about MD or PTSD thou. She said she had Migraine Log from Neuro. I was definitely not prepared for this appt. I thought I would have individual appt. for each. I am glad its over though, if that is all I will have to do. My PTSD exam consisted of a doc that asked yes and no questions. I never went into detail with him. He said he was unable to locate my C-File. I did give him a copy of my PTSD Letter. He just hen pecked at the computer, which gave him a lot of trouble. He did ask me if I heard of some sayings. In which I said I had heard them before. Then he asked me what the sayings meant. That blew me away because, I didn't know any of the meanings. (Just heard Grandparents say them before)??? How do I ask for copies of these appt's? Do I just fill out the same release of info form at my VA? Thanks for any insight. rway

Thanks for all the great replies and Berta for doing research on the ships location during that time frame. Today, we had a call from the Home Base Primary Care, they want to have a consultation with us. I am not sure exactly how they will be able to help, but I know my VA mental health physician called them. My husband has been in denial of even having the cancer. He has had all the radiation treatments that he can have, and is now only doing Chemo. He believes, he can beat it, God Bless Him. His doctor is terrible, he hasn't told him anything about his cancer. Although, my husband, doesn't ask and doesn't want me to either. I know only be researching on the internet. He on the other hand doesn't use the computer at all. I am hoping the Home Base Care will help with this situation. RWAY

Thanks Pete. My husband was only on the ship during that time. I looked up the ship and it was listed as having asbestos. But, then again, every ship during those years were made with asbestos insulation. I was told by my va doc that the navy had certain time frames that admitted to the asbestos and are paying disability. I have been unable to find it via the internet. I just thought maybe someone has heard something this. rway

My husband has been diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer since Nov 06. He only smoked 3 years while he was in the Navy. He spent those 3 years on the USS Lester from Jul 1959- Jul 1962. The rest of his working career was with the Depart. of Defense working for the Air Force, now retired (1995). He is enrolled with the VA, but has never filed for any service connections. Is there a chance that we could win a claim for service-connection for his cancer? Thanks rway

Josephine, Yes, I am 30% SC for Meniere's. But, I looked at my award letter for the 30% and it stated that for a higher rating I must have a cerebellar gate. Then if you look at the 100% rating for Meniere's: Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus. The only thing is, for some reason they want me to LINK it to Meniere's and show them that I had it back in 1998. (which I did, but I did not have it more than once a week) (And if I had any evidence of that, I would have been rated 100% back then???) I am currently waiting on my recent copy's of my records from my visits to my ENT and Primary. At both appt. I had gait problems, but not sure they wrote in that they are from Meniere's. I did not know I had to go that far into depth with these people. I am afraid they are considering that I may be I/U because of Gait problems and GAD, becuase I have a laymans letter that was sent stating they seem me back in 2004 with these symptoms at a temp job. So does this mean, I have to go to my Psych. Doc and ask him to clearify my Anxiety symptoms and link them to PTSD or Depression??? If I do not link them, I feel they will say that these two items are the cause that I am unable to work? Can they do this?

The good thing is that I have finally recieved something, meaning they have not lost my claim. The letter states that they are working on my application for; Then it list all my SC disabilitis, then adds they are working to service connect for depression secondary to your service connections and ptsd. (I agree with all of this) My question is, the next paragraph states that THEY are amending my claim to include cerebellar gait(secondary to Meniere's Disease) and GAD as well as increased service connected compensation based on individual unemployablility(IU). It states "This letter deals only with these three issues newly claimed issues. They say, please submit medical evidence on your current cerebellar gait disability as well as evidence showing a connection between your cerebellar gait disability and your service connected Meniere's Disease. And they need evidence showing that the following conditions existed from military services to the present time: Cerebellar gait and GAD My question is Cerebellar gait is a symptom of Meniere's and GAD is a symptom of my PTSD...right?? It looks like they want to rate these separately??? And maybe it has to do with the date for IU??? Any help would be appreciative. I've been out of the Service since 1998. Thanks RWAY