Doc John

Berta, thank you. It looks like I have some research work ahead of me. My gastroenterologist outside of the VA says he can neither confirm nor deny that a nexus exists between the two conditions. I will need another physician in the Tampa Bay area who can draw that line for me. Ulcerative colitis, being a form of inflammatory bowel disease, is made worse by a lot of different things and I imagine my PTSD meds could surely be included. The problem is that no actual cause of the ulcerative colitis has ever been discovered. It seems to be an auto-immune disorder that causes the bowel to become inflamed and ulcerated. It is similar to Chron's disease and may have a genetic link. There are some medicines (short term prednisone followed by specialized anti-inflammatories for the long term) that will control the symptoms and get the disease into remission. But I know from my own personal experience that when my stress is up and my PTSD meds stop controling the stress, that the colitis flares up, too.

I am currently rated 70% for PTSD. I have been diagnosed and suffering from ulcerative colitis since 1995. I currently see a non-VA physician and take medications to control the symptoms of the colitis. I also take meds for the PTSD which do not seem to have any effect on the ulcerative colitis. When my my PTSD symptoms are worse, so is the Ulcerative Colitis. My first question to any veterans, physicians, or ratings examiners is: Does a probable connection between the Ulcerative Colitis and PTSD exist. My second question is: If the two are connected, who is best qualified to make the connection before I request a C&P exam for increased compensation rate, my non-VA gastroenterologist or my VA psychiatrist?

Yeah, for me, the VA concedes hearing loss due to exposure but denies compensation for tinnitus because it was not in my final SMR notes. I already filed the equipois paperwork and we will see what happens. I think an 0311 Marine might run into this same problem and will just need to appeal and provide an IndependentMedicalOpinion letter too, if possible. Overwhealm the VA with evidence. Doc

I can only offer prayers and my deepest sympathy, Pete, to you and your family. I offer no advice. I lost my brother Jim two and a half years ago to cancer. He suffered from PTSD and was in a fight with VA for Agent Orange benefits and finally died of one of the "presumtive" cancers. He was a hospital corpsman, like me, and was on the hospital ship USS Repose for two tours, including Tet offensive in '68 and the fire on the USS Forrestal in '67. He also spent time in country receiving casualties. He died five days after his 60th birthday. His wife received a VA award letter the week after he died stating that his claim had been approved. Then, after they recieved notice of his death, she was told she was not entitled to any survivor benefits. She hates the institution called The Department of Veterans Affairs and even though she might eventually have won a settlement of some sort, she could not face dealing with VA any longer. She was put through the mill along with my brother and she is still worn down by the treatment he received from them. The reliving of our past traumas every time we file a claim or an appeal is horrible. Veterans and our families deserve a more professional and dignified process than what we get. I loved my brother Jim like you love your brother. I still cry easily when I think of him.

Hey 0331. I got the same response last week. VA concedes hearing damage due to being a FMF corpsman, but denies tinnitus. I had a VA hospital audiologist's report and a private M.D.'s report stating "more likely than not" caused by exposure to noise in service. Then a C&P exam by a VA contract physician, stated "less than likely not" caused by in-service exposure. I went to my American Legion rep and we requested a 'de novo' review of my claim immediately, based on two-to-one doctors in my favor. Other folks here at hadit can give you more info about de novo reviews and appeals. All I know is that this has been done to me on all my claims in the past. Deny, appeal. Semper Fi Guns, Doc

Jerr, you said: "That woman needs to be fired. The woman that called did you get her name and contact info so you could verify her statement?" No name, no number and no info other than she said she was from the VA and they are "still processing" my claim. My caller I.D. only showed "unknown number" and normally it shows the main number at the regional office when they call. My telephone line is so full of static and my hearing is so bad that I could just barely understand her anyway. I hope she calls again after my phone line is fixed. :) Doc

That, sir, is a very good question regarding incompetence versus 100%. I am not yet to the point in the process where I need to address that curious dilemma. I will keep your question in the back of my mind and raise it, hopefully, at the proper time. Right now I am awaiting the letter from my psych stating that in the real world, not the VA Planet, I am not incompetent to handle my affairs. If that fails I will start asking the question you have proposed. Doc

We are all happy for you but It is not enough. I don't care how much you get in compensation, because you have earned it twice. You earned it with your military service and sacrifices and, during the claims process, VA made your life miserable as you proved your case and earned it all over again. The whole process is painful. Congratulations? No! I say thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Welcome home. Doc

You got it right, Jim! My American Legion rep said the same thing yesterday. His wife handles the money, too. How in the world does that add up to incompetence? I agree wholeheartedly with the Brady bill, but right now I am wondering if VA is trying to cover itself after the December, 2009 ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court affirming a connection between PTSD, insanity and murder. The case involved a veteran in Molalla, Oregon, who killed a neighbor after the veteran's wife said the neighbor had raped her [Porter v. McCollum (No. 08-10537. Nov. 30, 2009)]. I do not disagree with the VA stating that a PTSD patient who is dangerous to themselves or others should not purchase or transport weapons. I do disagree with a VA representative giving me an anonymous phone call and telling me in effect "oh, by the way, since you don't handle the check book, you can't buy or carry a weapon". It is the after-the-fact telephone message that doesn't make good sense. And what about veterans who already own firearms and keep them in their houses? They could surely still do some serious damage under their own roof. And do they have to surrender their weapons to the VA now? Of course in the end, your'e right; I will get this all straightened out with a letter from my attending shrink and this, too, shall pass. Thanks for letting me air my laundry :) The good news for me is VA is finally compensating me at the proper rate :D . Doc

Last week I got an award raising me from 30% to 70% for PTSD. Today a lady called and identified herself as a VA representative and said my claim is still "being processed". Then she said I cannot purchase or transport firearms since I am being determined incompetent, based on the C&P examination report. During the exam I had told the C&P doctor/examiner that my wife handles our finances. She's a financial planner, for pete's sake! So the lady said, as was also stated in the award letter, that VA "proposed" to find me incompetent to handle my finances and I would need to designate a fiduciary. I had already talked to my psychiatrist at VAMC and he is writing a letter to the effect that I am not incompetent. I already knew that :) . What bugs me most is that the award letter, and the incompetency letter which was delivered at the same time, said nothing about my right to bear arms and now I get a phone call about it. AND my caller ID reads "unknown number". What the heck is this woman doing, calling me on the phone? Shouldn't I be notified of this in writing? What effect does this have on a concealed carry permit? Can I get a witness? Carlie, what is going on at Bay Pines?

In your rants there is an indication that you are not perfect; neither are the rest of us. Sometimes the world we are in just seems unbearable. I am glad you are still with us. Welcome home. Doc

Excellent advice, John. You were a great help to me in getting my original award for SC PTSD and what you just said is great wisdom for anyone who will battle with VA for their rights. Stay warm, its going to be a cold night in the Tampa Bay area. Doc John

Testvet, Thanks. I would rather stay in school for now, and IF I reach unemployability at some future date I will apply then. I understand how your son in law's father feels. I have a real desire to finish school and find out if I can get hired. I am old, stubborn, and (thank God) medicated and unarmed. I am still going to sign my wife up to handle my finances, since I am only competent enough to attend college and then be a health care provider in my new field. It is funny you mentioned the laptop. B) I was just getting ready to email my Voc Rehab counselor to see about getting one. Today Voc Rehab said that "Because we are a return to work program, even if you recieved IU, my determination with regards to employability, would be what counted for Chapter 31" and, "If you did get approved for IU, and then later became employed, it is very likely that IU would be redetermined". So, for the near future I am sticking with Voc Rehab. Now.....about that laptop, Doc

Pete, I am filling out the form 21-8940 tonight and, along with a letter naming my wife as my "fiduciary" for handling my comp checks, I will deliver it to the VARO tomorrow. You are right about trying to get the unemployability dated retro, to the 70% award, that would be August 12, 2009. I will let everyone know what happens. Thanks guys. If I hit any snags I'll call you Larry.

Yeah, the "common sense" thing always seems to be an issue with VA but, at least the increase in compensation came quickly this time. I was amazed. I think I will attempt the unemployability rating. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If my name was Alice, I might think I was in Wonderland.