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rpowell01

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Everything posted by rpowell01

  1. I'm on this just waiting for the RO letter that I have yet to receive. I usually receive the letter within days after it post on ebenefits but it's delayed this round. I was told that this is normal and they are mostly going to schedule another exam to properly rate it. Weird thing is I am P&T no future exams. Oh well I will wait a couple more weeks to see if I receive the letter. I just can't believe the RO is doing this, mainly after 2 VA MDs diagnosed it already, one being a GI surgeon who in fact wanted to implant some kind of stimulator in my body. I asked the surgeon "Will this help the pain in my lumbar and sciatica and she says no", so I didn't see the point of bandaging a symptom but the VA not addressing the issue causing the problem. If you only knew how many times I was denied surgery that could have corrected all of this. I provided non-VA MRI reports that showed herniated discs but the VA thinks their medical care is the best they have their heads deep in their duffel bags. I even had the MRI reread and the same result was the same. I understand scar tissue and fail back surgery are problematic but three herniations in my cervical spine knowing now there is a surgery called MOBI-C that is a true disc replacement and it doesn't cause upper and lower level damage it's upsetting, very upsetting. The VA medical is crap. Think, how come they don't conduct own's body stem cell treatment? I met somebody who needed both knees replaced but he went to a stem cell clinic where they use one's own stem cells and now the guy has new knees!!!!! But the VA is suppose to have the most advanced medical in the world!! Sorry I had to vent.
  2. The VA ratings system needs to be overhauled because those of us that has medical records from the military showing everything still gets screwed one way or another. one thing is for certain I'm glad I left the VA Medical 4 years ago, that was worse than the claims process. I could or still can keep bombarding the RO with all kinds of claims such as Thyroid issues because of the long term pain killers I was on and the Obstructive Sleep Apnea but I decided sometime ago I don't want to go that route unless I end up having more issues related to these things. Yes if you take pain killers you will most likely end up with thyroid issues..,One of the "hidden" side effects long term.. BTW the SSDI judge approved me in 2014 because of DR Bash over the VA because the VA didnt giver her the EMG reports. Luckily I keep copies of everything, so the VA got caught lying, again..
  3. Well it looks like the ruthless folks at the RO wants to keep playing the game because in all their wisdom they rated both at 0%....Time to bypass the RO completely and go back to the BVA!!!! I haven't received anything yet but noticed the changes on ebenefits. Well time to work on Form 9 I guess because I'm going to bypass the RO completely. You know what is bad about all of this? The VA in their wisdom tried their best to Doctor shop on these two issues because I already had 2 C&P exams then they ordered a third which I refused to drop my pants and told the examiner no more probing!!! The first C&P examiner did this and it didn't go to well for her as I warned her. Oh well, they want to keep playing so be it...
  4. Thank you TBird...I haven't forgotten you, JBasser and many others on here all these 8 / 9 years...
  5. On the VA.gov website where I looked at the case, instead of only 2 they added a 3rd contention. Granted Service connection, anal stricture Service connection, Neurogenic bladder Service connection, External popliteal nerve paralysis I guess this may take a month or two for the RO to update everything.... thanks, it's been a long painful road. Been on this road since 2010 with all claims...then 2012 started all the claims on appeal...
  6. A few years ago I was granted TDIU then P&T...If the older posters here recall, I was the person Dr. Craig Bash did an exam on up at the airport in DC right in the middle of Starbucks and AskNod wrote an article on this!!! Well, because of Dr. Craig Bash and his NEXUS and medical opinions, I was not only granted TDIU then P&T and SSDI some years ago, but last week I received a Board of Veteran Appeals Decision GRANTING my final two contentions, of Bowel and Bladder Incontinence due to ALL the Spondylosis I have throughout my Cervical and Lumbar spine. The Board granted both and stated the independent examiner (Dr. Craig Bash), "The Board finds that these opinions are the most probative medical opinions of record."...Basically Dr. Craig Bash's TWO opinions he wrote shut down all VA fake MD contractors they us to constantly deny veterans. The Board stated "The Board acknowledges that the May 2014 VA examiner provided negative nexus opinion concerning the contended etiological relationships at issue in this appeal. The Board notes, however, that the VA Examiner's opinion was based on LACK OF DIAGNOSIS of neurogenic bowel and bladder disabilities.".... I am here writing this because I gave up on these two contentions whenever the VA granted me TDIU & then P&T. I didn't expect this but Dr. Craig Bash deserves the credit and it needs to be made known that because of his two medical opinions he wrote to connect everything his opinions won my case. I am DONE, no more contentions, no more appeals. I am currently 90% TDIU P&T. I know this will place me in the 100% schedule P&T but I am curious about the extra scheduling on these issues. Nothing yet on ebenefits, I guess it will take awhile to get back from DC to the RO? But on the VA.gov website instead of showing the original TWO contentions it shows THREE were granted: Granted Service connection, anal stricture Service connection, Neurogenic bladder Service connection, External popliteal nerve paralysis Does anybody have any idea how they are going to rate these? Yes I do wear the Depend Fit Flex..
  7. I guess I should chime in. I went with Dr Bash, who first reviewed all my records then a year later I flew to DC, I think JFK, and Dr Bash did a full head to toe exam, clothed, on me in the airport, right inside Starbucks!!!!!!! Today im 90% IU and P&T!! I should be SMC but decided to stop other claims and now new stuff arising from SCd issues. May e in the future I may file but for now I just done with everything VA.. Dr Bash knows his stuff and the SSDI Judge said in her own decision hismedical opinion held more weight than any VA MD becausethe VA hid th eir own EMG reports from her!!!!!!!!!I had to give her the reports at the hearing in 2014!!! Bestof luck on who you choose… Hes been 100% correct on my diagnosis every single one of them...
  8. Yes sir it has helped very much so far. I had to start slow because I was at first getting night sweats taking that medication but after talking to my pharmacists he said it has to get into my system so cut it in half. So I did that for about 2 weeks and decided to take 3 full ones in one day...NO NO!! Man I was hearing and seeing things not there. So I had to cut it back in half. I had to do a little more research and well since I take pain killers which also releases Dopamine I was getting too much of it which caused me hearing and seeing things not there. So now I will take one full one in the morning then one half one in the afternoon/evening. It has brought my pain levels down from a good 8 to a 6 but I still have a lot of bad days because of an issue between my shoulder blades which I believe I am going to really need surgery there or in my neck very soon. Anybody here who has Spondylosis knows what I'm talking about, you can feel the changes happening. Now, on a good note, I do have more energy and one of the side effects from this medication is it will bring your Testosterone Levels back up. I will say my wife is loving every bit of it!!!!! Whenever all this pain hit me hard in 2010 it went to once every two months, now we are back "baby"...LOL Seriously some of you should give this a try, it really works.
  9. Sorry for such a late reply. I tested Medical Marijuana here in Florida for about a month or two and all that stuff did to me was cause me to sleep all day and all night. What kind of life is that? CBD oils does nothing even the CBD they were selling at these "medical marijuana shops" here in Florida. I tried everything they had because my Pain Management MD told me I had to find what works for me. I just felt stoned all the time, and well that is no life for me. It didn't matter if I took a full 5 second hit or a 1 second hit man I was OUT COLD..... I'm sorry to say that stuff doesn't work for everyone. IMHO I believe Florida Legislation for example, should create a new law forcing pharmaceuticals who sells their medications here in Florida to open up a testing facility here in Florida to see if they can come up with a pill form of it. If they did that I bet it would help because these folks who are currently growing and creating the oils really do not have the background education like many of the Pharm doctors / chemists do nor do they have the hardware they use. I don't want to be stuck on these pain killers the rest of my life.
  10. They may but its real cheap medication. If the VA doesn't go to your local MD and ask him just show him the studies done on it. This may be the medication we really need....
  11. Nope its just a Parkinsons Medication and I can tell you in one week it has CHANGED MY LIFE. I started taking it last Wednesday, January 9, 2019, and yes since I decided NOT to fill my monthly Extended Release Pain Killers and only the instant release I have noticed a HUGE, HUGE change. My T-Levels have risen once again and my sex drive has gone way, way up which the love of my life has enjoyed it. I've been dealing with this muscle spasm next to my shoulder blade for about 4 months, its still there, and trust me it has nagged me so bad, Its very painful. My local PCP says its coming from my neck and he is sending me to see a surgeon. Please understand this is my medical issues: 1. I have Moderate to Severe Cervical Spondylosis. For people who do not understand Spondylosis its a combination of Cervical DDD and DJD. My discs are deteriorating progressively and as of right now, currently, I don't have any cartilage left on the back side joints. So my neck has bone on bone rubbing. In Jan 2010 I awoke with tingling in my arms and hands and muscle spasms in my pectoral muscles. One year later I had an ESI which helped the tingling go away. In 2011 I had Physical Therapy, outsourced by the VA and after a 4 week session of that therapy I ended up with Crepitus in my neck, basically bone on bone because cartilage disappeared. A Feb 2011 MRI showed THREE herniations, one at C2-3, C5-6 and C6-7. I presented this MRI to the VA and since that time I have been denied decompression surgery THREE times by the same ole' surgeon by the name of Dr. Graham who is a contractor for both James A. Haley and Bay Pines. He is the one who decides who needs surgery. 2. I have spondylosis throughout both Thoracic and Lumbar Spine. In June 2016 my L5-S1 herniated, again denied surgery from the VA. Now I live with Chronic Bilateral Radiculopathy and Bilateral PolyNeuropathy. Besides my spine issues I have lived with Thyroids issues caused by the pain killers I've been taking since 2014 because I now have GRAVES Disease. Yes Pain Killers will kill your thyroid and I should have filed a claim on this but I have decided I am done with filing claims because I'm TDIU and P&T. I do have 2 contentions about to be heard at the VA Board, one is Bladder Incontinence and the other one Bowel Incontinence. The Bladder isn't has bad now like it use to be but the bowel issues are bad. if I didn't take pain killers I would have to wear a diaper which i REFUSE to. I'm only 50 and don't want to go there just yet. Anyway, its been 7 days and I can tell you I REALLY FEEL the difference. Whenever I get struck with pain I keep going compared to before where the pain would have me stuck in bed. I am up now playing my audio keyboard/Piano more. I'm an avid pianist self taught for 20+ years now. Its what helps my pain levels and keep my brain exercised. I pray more veterans will try this medication, give it a shot because I can tell you the pain killers only work for so long. I've been taking them since Sept 2013 and can tell you I don't want to take them anymore, they are NO GOOD for your body or liver. I was on Morphine ER and Oxycodone for a few years, weaned myself off both and told my local pain management doctor we have to try something else because ANY medication like that only last for so long. So he said we would try Hydrocodone and Hysingla. They only work for a couple of months and now my body is use to them. Next month I am going to request and increase in the Carbidopa/Levodopa because right now I only get 10/100mgs of that stuff. Remember DOPAMINE is also activated with Tramadol but with Tramadol you can actually overdose or get Serotonin Syndrome which will kill you. You cannot overdose on Carbidopa/Levodopa but you can have withdraws if you suddenly stop taking it but thats with any medication. I use to take Topimax and let me tell you I ended up in the ER because I suddenly stopped taking it. The withdraws of that was worse than opiods because I could not move my arms nor legs. It was like I was paralyzed. Crazy stuff. Talk to your MDs and show them printing research on this medication, IT WORKS trust me.
  12. I’ve been doing my own research on pain and using other meds besides the opioids. I was watching some documentary and came across this. The brain actually gets rewired because of chronic pain. The chemicals in the brain gets all out of whack and we who are in chronic pain gets addicted to pain. This addiction is not an addiction on narcotics or alcohol but it’s a brain addiction without the cravings. Read this below to understand more in detail: https://www.iflscience.com/brain/parkinsons-drug-could-treat-patients-chronic-pain/ The medication Carbidopa/Levodopa causes our bodies to release dopamine in the brain which in turn helps with pain. This medication was first used for Parkinson’s and after attempting to get the BA to prescribe it and getting the normal denial I was able to get my local Pain Management MD to prescribe it to me. Its been 5 days since I began taking it and it has cut my pain in half, down 50%. This has allowed me to not even get any extended release pain meds filled. I use to take Oxycodone and Morphine ER but had enough of them a few months ago so I requested a switch to Hydrocodone and once a day HYSINGLA ER. So now I only take Hydrocodone and if the Carbidopa/Levodopa keeps working I will come off the Hydrocodone. As as of right now I have no withdraws from the ER meds whatsoever. I don’t know if this is due to more dopamine being released in my brain or what but I’m still stun this med is working. No thanks to the VA this could be the medication we need and if it works on me I’m sure it will help others. Best of Luck
  13. More people die each year due to alcohol related issues and accidents where’s the outcry over this?
  14. I have a daughter who is a Junior in college utiling Chapter 36 Benefits… So, Since she is using those benefits I do not receive any dependency pay because of this… But my question is this, during the summer months she does not receive any pay for Chapt 35… So, Since she does not receive any Chapter 35 pay during those summer months shouldn’t the VA pay me dependent pay? I have not found any CFR, policy or law that says anything otherwise so I’m thinking the VA is just being real lazy of setting this up for us veterans!!!! your thoughts opinions needed and as always thank you in advanced!!!! Rob
  15. I received a letter from DOD Finance and Accounting, DOT and IRS all on letter head. It appears in December 2016 the POTUS signed the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 into law. What this does is if you were separated from the military due to disability your severance was TAXED and it shouldn't have been taxed. So Congress fixed it so you can get your money back. Your injury while on active duty happened: 1 Resulted Directly from Armed Conflicts, or 2. Took place while you were engaged in extra hazardous duty, or 3. Took place under conditions simulating war, including training exercises such as maneuvers, or 4. Was caused by an instrumentality of war. The Standard Tax Amounts are: $1750 for tax years 1991-2005 $2400 for tax years 2006-2010 $3200 for tax years 2011-2016 The above is if you don't want to go through the hassle and call IRS to figure out how much exactly what taken out. You can just use the standard tax amounts. I recall they took approx $2400 out of my severance pay not no $1750 so I don't know where the IRS gets that from. Anyway if you received this letter I would file to get that money back because its yours and belongs to you!!! If you haven't and you were given a severance pay and they took out taxes I would get a hold of the IRS and or the DOD to figure out why you didn't get a letter. I'm sending my 1040X along with a copy of the letter to IRS so lets see what happens. BTW You only have ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF LETTER TO FILE TO GET THAT MONEY BACK!!! I don't know if I put this is the right topic or nor, my apologize... Here is more info on the ACT: https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2016/dec/injured-veterans-improperly-withheld-taxes-201615746.html Rob
  16. I’ve been taking 100mg CBD and they don’t work that much for the nerve and muscle pain… But it does wonders for my cervicogenic headaches I get all the time… I really want a very high dose of CBD with a very low THC… From my research and studies from college some years ago CBD alone won’t work good by itself… With low THC the CBD actually helps the THC which is a type of cannabidiol… I’ve been reading nothing but great news about it so I hope what I read is great news for me… I’m a Bible Thumper and believe with all my heart in the Word… I also believe that there is a medicinal use for this plant that our creator actually gave us to use…Do not get me wrong I’m all against people wanting to use it just to get a high… My pain doctor is conducting a study a study hopefully other PM doctors here in Florida are doing the same… He wants me to take the capsules but after looking at the price online at the dispensary I sent him a message and told him I could not afford that… Just for 25 capsules I would have to pay $60 and well that is way way too much for the quantity of pills, so I’m going to go with the vape pen… I’m also going to start a journal to help him with his studies because I believe this is very important for everyone in pain… I will let you know how it turns out…
  17. That are now on medical marijuana for pain please give details of the best one you found to work. I am looking for a strain or type that will give me energy, take care of the pain but won't get me stoned!!! I do know I am going to get a little high with the THC but I am not looking to get such a high that I cannot do anything. I am now just waiting for the State of Florida folks to enter me into the database so I can go do the dispensary. I've been looking over the brochure the PM office gave me to the dispensary I am going to go to. Around where I live I have to travel an hour away to the nearest one. To understand how the dosages work they don't provide anything in milligrams whenever it comes to THC. They use RATIOS. So for example they have a 25:1 which means 25 THC to 1 CBD, or 1:25 which means 1 THC to 25 CBD. My PM marijuana doctor told me NOT to just get one kind but to buy a few of them to figure out which one works best for me. What I have to do is buy one that gives energy and pain and then at night one that will help me sleep. Anyway I haven't messed with marijuana since I was still green behind the ears, in my teens. Tried it a few times back then and I laughed my buttocks off. Is there anybody here who is using it now, please leave some reviews.
  18. I asked the question right after I sent a secured message to my PCP and he just responded yesterday stating he did not know about the outside study that showed OSA. I just replied and told him to look back at the secured messages as I told him back in Sept or October 2015 I had the study done outside of the VA because I felt the VA was completely wrong on their study or something went wrong with it to show a negative result which does happen a lot with these crappy home studies they do. So he wants me to fax the report of the study not the prescription to CPAP clinic (pulmonary I'm guessing). FINGERS CROSSED!!! And thanks for the Info. And yes I could have filed a claim on this even though I'm 100% and it would fall in as an extra scheduler but like I said in my original post this is about my health not about filing any claim. I haven't had a good nights sleep more than two days in a row in over 2 years!!!! I may get one good nights sleep once in awhile but it doesn't happen that much. I have read that the medical marijuana helps with the sleep apnea so I am now just waiting for the Florida Department of Health Compassionate Use to set me up on their side. My Pain management doctor has already done his part and I've sent them all the applications and fees. Just waiting for them. I cannot wait, I've been off the Morphine Sustain Release for over 2-3 weeks now (been in a lot of pain though) and I'm only on the Oxycodone. Once I get approved for the medical marijuana I am going to do a quick wean off the Oxycodone because I am telling you those opioids have caused so many problems all by themselves that its not worth taking them any longer. From my Thyroid being totally messed up for the rest of my life to Sleep Apnea its just not worth it any longer!!!
  19. Back in late 2014 or early 2015 I had sleep study conducted at the Tampa VA. Of course they came back saying I was fine and didn't have Obstructed Sleep Apnea. But my PCP sure sent me to the ENT clinic to allow them to do surgery by taking out my tonsiles and clipping my uvula (spelling). Of course I refused because something did not feel nor sound right. I would and still do wake up with shortness of breath, heart racing and in sweating from head to toe. So I decided to go outside of the VA and well, well, well they said I have severe OSA and my NON VA PCP said I NEEDED a CPAP. Well after about 6 months they had to come and pick up the CPAP because I could not use it. I tried both the mouth and nose fittings but I would rip it off every single time. The OSA is still there and I haven't found a way to deal with it. I have had enough and talked with NON-VA Pain Management and he told me exactly what I needed to do to overcome me ripping off the mask at night. So I get a hold of my VA PCP to see if he will order me a CPAP and again he wants to send me to the pulmonary clinic to have the test done again. I just sent him a message asking him if I give him the sleep study test report outside of the VA will he order CPAP. My question is this, is the VA mandated to accept NON-VA medical reports on studies like this? Because one study done by the VA didn't show I had OSA doesn't mean I don't have OSA because another study shows I have it. What is the VA's policy about this? You would think since this is a very import issue where I could end up dying in my sleep he would accept the report. He has not answered yet but I would like to know ahead of time just in case he says they cannot use NON-VA test reports. This is not about filing claims and I am NOT going to file a claim on this issue, I am done with filing claims since I am P&T even though I know I can get the extra schedule. I just want to get a CPAP because I cannot take this any longer!!!! I know this is in fact a secondary issue I want the VA to provide the CPAP because with medicare its too expensive.
  20. I’m up here in Jefferson City, Tennessee currently for two weeks on vacation… Being from Florida this place is like night vs daycompared to Florida…To be honest I have been looking at houses online for sale all around this area… I haven’t used my VA Home Certificate yet because the bank I use now is a private local bank so they don’t use or accept the VA Certificate… Anyway I just love this place/area and right now I’m researching and really thinking of selling out in Florida and moving up here… Tennessee doesn’t have the full exemption on property taxes that Florida has but the cost of living is so cheap here that it works out the same… I live in a small county of roughly 30,000 people in Florida and our gas prices are high approx. 2.40 currently but here it’s only 2.12 and lower… The houses per square feet is way way cheaper here compared to where I’m from in Florida… So right now I owe $79k on my home currently… I had utilized the SHIP program which is a grant that is given to help with down payments on your home… After 20 years of living in the home the grant doesn’t have to be paid back!! If you live in the home between 10-15 years toy have to pay back I think 50% of the grant if you sellout and between 15-20 you only pay back 25%… We paid $120k and approx $23k was granted to us from SHIP…If I can make at least $20k tp help put down on a home up here I’m selling out and moving… Im tired of Florida, I’ve been there my whole life my my duty stations while in the Army and I’m ready for a change… I’m 49 years old and well I want to live in a higher altitude because It feels better on my whole spine…
  21. The day you stopped worked is the day YOU SHOULD receive your back pay to. That is what happened with me. I stopped worked in April 2012 and in February 2014, two weeks after my SSDI hearing, the Social Security Judge approved me for SSDI. Then on March 1st boom I received my TDIU rated back to April 2012. So remember its the day you stopped work because IU is given to those who cannot work due to their service connected issues. I would check eBenefits and look at your pay history and keep an update on your bank account because mine hit days earlier than I go the letter. Myself I am 90% TDIU and Permanent and Total Disability which means I am considered 100% P&T. The P&T is what you want to shoot for as that gives your dependents the benefits and helps you in many other ways. Just research to see what your state gives for VA Benefits for veterans who are P&T. Remember TDIU is NOT P&T they are different. P&T means your disability will never get better. Here in Florida because I am P&T I do not have to pay for taxes on my home I live in, free fishing and hunting licenses for me, free DAV license plate, my dependents get free tuition to any college here in Florida. Florida's VA pays for their tuition and my daughter also receives the Pell Grant. ALSO she receives Chapter 35 benefits through the Veteran Affairs so they pay her a monthly stipend, up to 48 months. That stipend amount depends if the dependent is FULL TIME, HALF TIME...or whatever other times they are. My daughter is full time so she receives $1024 a month, ALL TAX FREE!!!! Hope this helps and congrats if you were approved for TDIU. If you need any help let me know maybe I can show you the help that was given to me by many members on this board. I received P&T because my spine is like a 70 year old person and I'm only 49!!! Plus all the upper and lower radiculopathy doesn't help one bit. Rob
  22. A lot of people get it wrong about the VA Home Loan. Its really NOT a loan, just a guarantee on the loan. The VA will guarantee the loan up to a maximum limit which I cannot remember off the top of head. So if the loan goes in default or foreclosure the VA will pay off loan. Then the VA will end up with the home & land and they will auction it off. If a veteran owns the land then most of the time the land will become part of the loan as collateral. What the VA Loan does is gives the Veteran Low interest Rate (because its guarantee to be paid off no matter what) and it helps to waive any down payment or very low down payment. Myself I did not use this and I now wish I had to get a lower interest rate. Myself I used my State's SHIP program that gave me something like $24,000 grant that was my down payment on the home. The way the SHIP program works is different in each county in each state as the county sets up how it works. Example: where I live here in Florida we have to stay in our home for 20 years before the $24,000 is forgiven. After 20 years I can sell the home and do whatever I want. After 15 years, if we sell our home we have to pay back 25% and after 10 years we would have to pay back 50%. Our county set it up like this because people would get the SHIP money then sell the home after 5 years. Well they screwed it up for many people afterwards. I went the SHIP route because it gave me the down payment on my home and currently I only owe 13 more years on my home and land. It was a 30 year loan that started January 2007. Every 5 years the Bank refinances it and lowers our interest rate. But instead of lowering our payments I told the bank to keep the payment the same. What this does is it took 7 years off the loan. This is why I only have 13 years left currently. This is going to change after I pay off my bass boat and my SUV which is an extra $1,000 I will put on my home!!!! Sorry I changed subjects but I wanted to give a broad way to show things. So remember the VA Loan is just a guarantee, you still have to go to a bank or company to get it mortgage. You can print the certificate from eBenefits, it should be on there. Hope this helps. Rob
  23. This is what you want. You want to see the judge in person or by video. Just make sure you have ALL your medical records on hand at the hearing because the VA purposely left out EMGs and other reports that showed I was disabled and couldn't work. I had them with me at the hearing and turned them over as evidence. Just be ready and prepared. Don't argue with the judge and just be polite. If you are in pain, stand up, let the judge know you cannot sit all the time, if you have problems. The ALJ is the FEDERAL level, everything before this is state levels. States deny 80% of the time and don't get me wrong it will depend on the judge you get also. Some judges are pain in the butt but others are polite and will listen to you. Just make sure you have ALL your evidence. Get everything you can. Also if you can get a NEXUS, get a specialist to examine you and is he feels you cannot work have him write a letter. See a lot of people don't know ANY doctor can actually file SSDI for you. I had a friend who had everything level in his neck fused because of a tumor. The surgeon told him do not worry about filing for SSDI as he would do that for him. And guess what one day he received the approval. Doctors have more power than any doctor the SSDI uses, who are contracts to deny patients SSDI. Think about that, how are they allowed to do this with our laws?
  24. Take it from me get a NEXUS by a specialist stating you cannot go back to work. SSDI tried twice, first the initial hearing to deny me but I won because the VA purposely tried to hide the EMG reports by not sending them to the VA. Luckily I had everything at the SSDI hearing in front of the judge. This was in Jan 2014 then in Feb 2015 they sent me a letter they are "reviewing my case"..Again I had to get a specialist to do an exam and write a letter. This time around I was found to be P&T with SSDI because if they say no future exams schedule then its permanent. Then I used that letter just this year to have the VA approve me for P&T. The VA had no choice because SSDI found my issues to be only Service Connected issues so the VA had to give me P&T. I am on high levels of pain medications, I hate them so much, but without them the pain would be too much. Don't give up, get a specialists to prove your issues. It will cost you but in the long run it pays for itself.
  25. Shingles, shingles, shingles, I remember having that back in the summer of 2007 or 2008...The Chicken Pox virus never goes away and if you ever had Chicken Pox you most likely will get Shingles as its the "adult" form of Chicken Pox. The virus goes dormant in our nerves and whenever it comes back as Shingles. I had it start in my upper left shoulder blade then it followed the nerve all the way down my left arm. Whenever I went to work I was told to leave as it was contagious at that point. So I went straight to the ER and as soon as I walked in the Nurse and Doctor knew exactly what it was. I've heard of shingles but never really knew about it before then. That was the first time I've ever taken any type of pain medication besides Tylenol 3 because I had both of my wisdom teeth removed after they broke apart the same day which I didn't know they were wisdom teeth!!! They put me on hydrocodone and Lyrica and finally after a month the pain went away. I've always thought Shingles was the worse pain until about a month ago. I helped my son mow the yard and using a self propelled mower I somehow did something. Two days later both my legs were in severe pain, could barely walk. Decided to go to the ER only to get a Steriod shot and boom it helped 90%. From there my left calf was in severe pain and it felt like I ripped a muscle again like I did about two years ago because the nerve was spasmed so severe whenever I walked up a bank at a lake we were at you could hear the rip, like leather tearing apart. That took 3 months to heal. Then last Thursday I had to get an MRI on my right shoulder. Laying there somehow fixed what was going on in my lumbar spine or sacral joints down low as whenever I got up the pain in my calf was gone!!! You believe that? Just like that it was gone...Talk about weird, that was weird.... Yesterday I go see a Neurosurgeon and he wants to do a lower and upper Myelogram to see if he see what is exactly causing my issues as the MRI really is not showing much enough to consider surgery. At C6-C7 my disc is pinching my Esophagus and he said he wasn't big enough to do surgery. I was like "CRAZY" because there are days I cannot swallow food and liquids. Navy04 I don't use the VA any longer for my medical treatment. I left them back in March of this year and it was the best move I've ever did. They VA was under-dosing me on my pain medications. I was still on 15mg of Morphine SR after 3 years. Noway this should have been like this and because of the Feds stupid policies they were hurting me worse. I now see a pain management MD outside of the VA and that guy kept on apologizing to me whenever he seen my medical records from the VA. He said he can see the VA was treating me wrong. Currently I am prescribed Oxycodone 15mg 5 x a day and Morphine SR 30mg 2x a day. After my last visit they wanted to up my Morphine to 3x a day and I said nope. I try my best not to take the Morphine twice a day and the way I do it is I end up falling asleep early now and try to sleep all night. But there are many nights where I cannot sleep or only sleep 3-4 hours so I end up taking the second dose. I really hate these pain medications, I hate them with everything in my heart. I am going to start looking into the Medical Marijuana here in Florida. We have a doctor 20 miles away who prescribes it. It is delivered to the front door. Also you cannot smoke it, you can only take it orally or by vapor which is a great thing because orally you get better results. I am a bible thumper and believe in The Word with all I have but I also believe God created that plant as a medication. Think about it, its pure and pharmaceuticals don't want to dispense it because it doesn't cause other problems in our bodies. These companies want you to stay sick and ill, thats how they make their money. Its all about GREED, GREED, GREED and I can tell you they will burn whenever that day comes when the Sheep is separated from the Goats... Sorry for writing so much..I do that a lot...Navy04 anyway we don't have to get our treatment from the VA and they cannot make you do that. I have a friend who is 60% TDIU and P&T and never he has never went to the VA. All his surgeries were done outside of the VA. So do not let them tell you that you have to get treatment from the VA, that is a lie. Ever since I left the VA it felt like a huge monkey was taken off my shoulders, I cannot explain it.
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