Smc For Hysterectomy/ovaries Removed, But...?

[LILS]

Thanks everyone! Jvretiredvet, the thought had also crossed my mind about being able to get a tubal reversal if they said anything about that. I was only 36 when I had my TAH/BSO, so I was not menopausal. Also having to take hormones everyday does suck!

On another note, my husband and I were just joking about being a VA rater, so we can help clear the backlog. We're both looking for jobs, especially GS jobs & we've both spent our entire career in the medical field as med techs/EMTs, so we know all about medical conditions, etc. The only difference between me and a lot of the VA rating reps, is I would never try to screw the veterans out of their well deserved $$. They need more vets in those jobs (OBVIOUSLY) since we wouldn't want to BS another vet (at least most of us wouldn't).

These idiots also rated me 0% for a hysterectomy SCAR, but did not even mention the actual surgery, let alone rate me!! I knew for a fact that that surgery was 50%. I just submitted my NOD on Monday for that and a couple of other things. Here's another good one. I was deferred for high blood pressure, even though it's clearly documented in my record for over 16 years & I have been on BP meds the entire time. On Monday, I have to drive 1 1/2hrs away for a VA C&P for that. Here's the kicker: How in the world are they going to see if I have high BP, since I am on BP meds to control it????

[broncovet]

Lils

You have been given good advice. As someone once said, the VA uses the CFR's against us, BUT we can likewise use the CFR's in our favor.

The VA has to rate you ON THE CRITERIA. They can not say, oh he has a purple shirt so we will deny as I hate purple. And, the criteria does not mention that SMC for loss of a reproductive organ is contingent upon those organs being in good working order prior.

The VA initially denied me hearing loss based on the "lapse of time" since military service. Negative. I appealed it and won. "Lapse of time" is not one of the rating criteria, altho rating specialists use this frequently to deny. Unfortunantely we have to appeal and we have to know enough to call "BS" on it.

Hearing loss often gets worse over the years, and an event in service, such as an explosion or even prolonged noise exposure can trigger hearing loss...often many years later.

[iceturkee]

Yes.

my question would be if you are a veteran and have a hysterctomy, would i be able to become service connected for it? or would it mean an smc claim? i ask because i might need one down the road!

[Tbird]

my question would be if you are a veteran and have a hysterctomy, would i be able to become service connected for it? or would it mean an smc claim? i ask because i might need one down the road!

No, unless it was done during active duty.

[iceturkee]

No, unless it was done during active duty.

but i could apply for smc k, for what its worth?

[LILS]

Thanks all. You're the best! Would the SMC be a separate check or would it be combined in the disability pay? I just want to make sure I don't miss it in case they "forget" to give it to me...since it's so small. Would it say SMC on my monthy statements, etc or would I just have to add up the SMC w/ the disability pay & figure it out.