hypertension Claim Timeline - Atlanta Varo

[dereekbanks]

July 07, 2011

Claim filed for:

• memory loss
• insomnia
• post traumatic stress disorder
• hypertension (claimed as hypertensive vascular disease)
• sleep apnea
• generalized anxiety disorder
• major depressive disorder
• chronic adjustment disorder
  
  and I asked for and increase in my sc condition:
  
  • s/p low back injury with posterior (small) disc herniation and IVD at L4-L5 with degenerative changes at L1-L2
  • L4-L5 spinal nerve involvement with paralysis
  • left lower (claimed as back injury)

October 14, 2011

Received brown envelope with several documents that read:

"Complete and return an enclosedVA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information...

Send any treatment records pertinent to your claimed condition(s),especially those which are recent…

We need evidence showing that the following condition(s) existed frommilitary service to the present time: chronic adjustment disorder, major depressivedisorder, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed ashypertensive vascular disease), post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia,memory loss…

As we consider your claim, youmay submit evidence showing that your service-connected L4-L5 spinal nerveinvolvement with paralysis, left lower (claimed as back injury), s/p low backinjury with posterior (small) disc herniation and IVD at L4-L5 with degenerativechanges at L1-L2 [[has][have]] increased in severity…

We need specific details of thecombat related incident(s) that resulted in post-traumatic disorder (PTSD)…"

You may be entitled to compensation at the 100 percent rate if you areunable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because ofyour service-connected disabilities. If you believe you qualify, complete,sign, and return the enclosed VA Form 21-8940, Veterans Application forIncreased Compensation Based on Unemployability."

I expected to receive all of the above except for the last one. Is it normal for the VA so just voluntarily send someone a for for TDIU when they did not file a claim for it?

October 18, 2011

Went to VA Regional Office and submitted all forms and evidence requested, including the application for TDIU.

Notes:

I filed my claim following the guidelines posted at http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/step_7.html. I included my service medical records, current records from the VA hospital and the outpatient clinic the VA referred me to, where a Psychiatrist officially diagnosed me with all of the mental issues I filed a claim for.

On October 20, 2011 I went to the SS office and applied for SSI and SSDI under the Military Causality Service Case (MSCC) rule which expedites cases for veterans injured after October 1, 2011 while on active duty.

So now I wait. . .

[Pete53]

Good Luck on your C&P looks to me that you have your ducks lined up. Remember the only way to get a copy of a QTC exam is from your VARO.

[dereekbanks]

Hello all!

I went to my C & P exam today. . .

I think it went well. . . I think . . .

I entered the waiting area, went to the desk and handed the secretary the documents that QTC sent me to complete prior to my appt. I sat down and waited about 10 minutes and was called back at exactly 1:00pm as scheduled. I was given my check for travel, weighted, asked about the most I have weighted over the past year, had my blood pressure checked then escorted to a room to wait on the doctor. After waiting about 10 mins the doctor knocked and stuck his head in the door and said he would be with me in a few more minutes. I then heard him in knock and enter the room next to me. He and the patient in that room talked about the problems that guy was having and what he did in the military. They then started laughing out loud and the doctor started saying what a small world it was because his father (whom is Korean) worked with the same unit this guy was apart of. They laughed some more as they moved into the hall outside my room door, said goodbyes then the doctor entered my room.

He introduced himself, looked over my paperwork and asked if the VA knew about my injury. I said yes. He then said that is why they only want one x-ray. He asked me to stand and touch my toes. I bent forward until I felt pain and stopped. He said wow, your in bad shape. He told me to lean back and to both sides. I sat down and he attempted to straighten my left leg, I jerked back due to pain and he said the VA should not have even bothered sending me to him because clearly I have severe nerve root compression. He did the same to the other leg and I could not lift it at all without leaning back to do so. He then asked if I had hemorrhoids or bleeding in my rectum. I said no. He asked me to stand and drop my pants. He helped me up and wen to get a glove. I pulled my pants just below my buttocks and he saw my TENS unit and wires going to my back and asked if it was VA issued, I said yes. He said forget the anal exam pull your pants up this is ridiculous. He then asked how far I had to travel to get to his office. I told him about 50 miles. He apologized for me having to drive that far and said the VA should see these things every time I go see my primary care doctor. He then asked me what about some papers I brought with me, I told him they were my medical records and a list of medicines I take in-case he needed to review them. He looked at my list of prescriptions, said wow as he put his hand on his jaw said the side effects alone from my meds would render me unemployable. He asked if they made me dizzy and sleepy. I said yes. He said I probably cannot climb stairs or walk too far either. I said that is also true, nor can I be intimate with my wife anymore or do anything physical with the family. He said don't worry, he will write it up so that the VA will have to take care of me and give me proper compensation. He started jotting down notes about my range of motion being very poor, my TENS unit and meds. He told me to take my time gathering my stuff and that was it. There was no need for x-rays because the VA already has numerous sets and he would write it up so that it will be a no-brainer for the VA. He then shook my had and walked out.

All this occurred in less than 10 minutes. As I left all of his staff opened doors for me and waited with me as my wife pulled the car to the door.

Is it really that easy. . . I'm still sitting here in disbelief!!!

Some feed back would be nice on this one!!!

How long do I have to wait before I can get a copy of those records?

[dereekbanks]

I also have another QTC C & P for PTSD on the 28th of his month then an appointment on the 7th of Dec for Social Security. . . Wish me luck!