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rpowell01
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Posts posted by rpowell01
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Congrats Streetwalker. Enjoy yourself and take a good vacation or go fishing....
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I have another question I can seem to find online so maybe somebody has this same question or may know it. I have three children that SSA already said they would get benefits. My wife only makes around $16,660 a year and that is only approx based on a 40 hour week. Anyway the SSA guy I talked with asked me if I wanted to add my wife.
What is the purpose of adding my wife? Its my understanding that they just divide my payment for the children and there is a cap on how much you can get somewhere between 150% to 180% above your payment for total household. If I add my wife would the cap increase or would they just divide up the payment more?
I can't find this online anywhere so I don't know what they base the 150%-180% on. Anyway help is appreciated. I went on SSA website and figured out exactly what my payments was going to be and what my total household payment would be....
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Okay Berta thanks. Radiculopathy is the pinched nerves at the spine and Sciatica is the pain in the back of the legs or throughout the legs. So they are different. They will have to revisit Dr. Bash's IMO because he wrote one in 2012 and one in 2013 after he did an exam and he called my last claims process a CUE after they decided on it. He knows his stuff and I read the VMB, which I didn't have on hand during the last two claims, my last claims were in fact a CUE. They know that I know this now and I will have to wait after all appeals are over with. They totally screwed up my claims for one by not retrieving VA medical records in Tampa which would have in fact resulted from a different decision. Anyway the EMG proves I have radiculopathy in my legs and they can't deny it since they changed my DC to DDD for my whole spine. Dr. Bash has been 110% correct on his diagnosing me that the Tampa VAMC is now diagnosing the same things he already has. Plus with my SSDI awarded to me soley based on all my service connected issues this should help and give more weight to my De Novo Review, hopefully. I will file a claim of Sciatica this week and turn in the EMG report as part of the overall evidence.
I now am going to take a new amended NOD over to the VA RO and a request to have all my claims intertwined because they would in fact affect my IU claim. The VBM is an awesome book and I recommend it to everyone who files claims.
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I am trying to figure out some things. I filed back in early 2011 for right leg pain/radiculopathy. Then I filed for left leg pain/radiculopathy in 2012. Of course the VA denied both of them even after an IMO but I now have an EMG to prove everything.
Anyway should I file for Sciatica or will the VA rate the above under this category? Or is Sciatica a different rating and is not pyramiding aside from radiculopathy? Just curious how do I go about this or if I need to file a new claim for Sciatica or not.
Thanks in advance.
Good thing everything the VA RO denied me on the Tampa VAMC has diagnosed me with so this all just make Dr. Bash's IMO having more weight. I can't wait..
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Hmmm I just read this under the rules. Doesn't make any sense but I will research what they can qualify for.
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Since my approval I have one question and I am trying to figure out if there was a benefit of doing this. I went over to the SSA and turned in my kids documents. They asked me if I wanted to add my wife to the dependents.
I don't know if I will get anything more because all I know its all divided out evenly. But, if I added her would she then be qualified for medicare on the 25 month? Would she still be able to get medicare if she wasn't added? She doesn't make a whole lot so I know she can be put on there if she wanted to. Just curious about the medicare part.
Thanks in Advance
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navy04 just be positive but not over positive. Over positive is where it hurts the worse. I've been denied twice on all my last two previous claims which consisted of about 3-4 claims each. I've learned not to worry because the VA wants me to worry and give up. I don't give up, I may go in the wrong direction which I did on my claims but just look far out not the the future just a head of you. It takes time and a lot of testing and medical records to get a clear picture. They are still baffled about my case in many ways because one MRI shows something the opposite than an EMG. So which one is correct? Both of them are because MRIs are still a theory and are not accurate like people thing. EMGs hold more weight but most Neurologist goes by the MRI but because of clinical evidence and symptoms the EMG holds weight.
Just hang in their and get your diagnosis from them VA doctors and get your medical records filled up. I have TWO binders full of records.
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Please note, NOT all SSDI awards are perminate in nature. If you look at your SSDI award letter, it should clearify this for you. There are several time spreads for reviews by Social Security. Some as little as 6 months after the award. Some 1 to 3 years. The ones that show 7 to 8 years before your next review is stated "Conditon(s) are not likely to improve.The shorter review times will be stated. "Expected to improve", Some, "Likely to improve", ect. Again, your SSDI award letter will tell you when you should expect your next SSDI review.
18 months, but DDD/DJD, Osteoarthritis with radiculopathy doesn't get better and it progresses. Even my MRI just 7 months apart showed it has progressed severely, my last XRays shows it has progressed severely.
My attorney stated that they all do this and have to say this and that most likely I won't get reviewed because I am 45 years old. She said because of my age they always write 18 month review. But, once you hit 50 it changes.
We will see because I can say that since January 2010 it has progressed from my upper extremities to June 2012 to my lower extremities. I had lower extremity problems for years but they were just in the beginning stages. Also my VA PCP finally told me on January 30 that I will have to live the rest of my life like this and in pain which is something I already knew from my VA Neurologist who told me back in November. He said I have too many multiple issues going on that surgery will make it worse. He said it wasn't worth to even think about surgery at this time. So, I have already prepared myself to live like this and I am now starting to learn to cope with the pain which has been the worst downfall for me, ever. Nerve pain is the worst pain and I can say I wouldn't wish it on my enemy.
The Judge stated she felt it would improve but my doctors say it won't. So, we will see. You don't have DDD/DJD, Osteoarthritis with radiculopathy and should ever expect its going to improve. It just doesn't. If it did it would have done this years ago but the records show it has progressed. Yes it may stabilize but that doesn't mean it will get better. I just hope it stays where its at now because I don't know how much more I can take.
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Great News RP,
I finished my SSDI exams a few weeks ago, and man I pray that I get approved. Take a well deserved break bud.
hmm I didn't have to have any exams. Dr. Bash did one back in July 2013 so I am stunned the Judge didn't order any exams. I was expecting some kind of exam date because my friend who basically has the same issues as me just had two exams, one for mental and one for physical. He had his SSDI hearing in December and I just had mine on January 14 of this year. That was a quick decision but again I will say it again, it was Dr. Bash's two medical opinions that had the most weight.
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Congrats Jfarr......You have earned it and don't let others tell you otherwise.
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Thank you all...There are too many people here on hadit who has helped me through my VA claims and I want to thank all of you. I want thank JBasser and Carlie the most because those two folks have opened doors for me to walk through and now I know more and more because of them two. Again thank you all. Step 1 completed and now onward to Step 2...
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Well folks step 1 is completed and I won my SSDI case- Fully Favorable. I just received my letter earlier today...
I was awarded with the same exact things I am service connected for. Even though the VA denied my IU claim I don't see any reason why I shouldn't proceed to step 2 and that is to get to the VA and drop off this decision letter from the Social Security Judge!!!! The VA is going to have a hard time on this one the rest of the way out from here!!!!!
Praise God!!!!!
I also want to say that it was Dr. Craig Bash's medical opinion that sealed the deal with my SSDI claim. His medical opinion held more weight than any SSDI doctor. I have called him and thanked you very much because he just doesn't know how much weight this has lifted off of me. I am still stunned and in awe. I must have had an Anxiety attack when I opened the letter because I had to lay the letter down because I couldn't read them from shaking so much....
Dr. Craig Bash is the man!!!!
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Hold the phone .cowboy, If you just received the decision, you file a NOD, not a CUE. CUE is for when the decision is final and over a year old (unappealable/aka your time to object expired.) If it is a recent denial, it is just a "simple" NOD. You could also submit new and material evidence with the NOD provoking a de novo (brand new) decision under 38 CFR 3.156(b) (Evidence submitted within the appeal period is assumed to be related to the claim and must be examined to determine whether it is New and Material). If so, a new decision must be issued along with a SOC if they deny. Then file the Form 9 and proceed to Go! Don't make it harder than it has to be. There is a time and place for CUE but this isn't one of them-assuming your right to appeal it has not expired.
This is exactly right. All appeals must me exhausted first then you can file a CUE. You are better to file a NOD with DRO review (De Novo Review) and let it play out. A CUE is something you want to do after all the appeals are met, mainly after the BVA hearing. There is NO time limit on CUEs, you can file them 10 years after the appeals are completed if a mistake was found by the rater or decision review officer. CUE is a technical term and allows you or your attorney to show cause how the DRO made a mistake. Do exactly what the great asknod stated above and you will be good.
The VA always makes ton of mistakes and those DRO are not trained to be perfect and sometimes there are DRO who just get a paycheck and makes all kinds of mistakes with out a care.
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marinejay congrats on the win you've earned.
I had the same problem until I purchased an inversion table and it has helped me tremendously so I didn't file a claim on that. It helped so much I was able to accidentally have another child and I am 45!!!! YIKES I know but I love my precious little one.
But I do have the bowel and bladder issues. If it wasn't for the percocet I don't know how I would be able to live properly because I was going to the restroom at least 10 times a day because of it. The bladder issue on the other hand is still a problem and I can't seem to find a fix for it.
Best of luck in your journey!!!
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navy04 I worked in Information Technology for a long time. I can tell you if you want to you can find anything and everything, its on the internet. If I really wanted to and if a Senator had a security system in his/her house that was connected to the internet then I can plug right in and watch him and his family. Trust me, nothing is 110% secured, nothing.
People really need to know who is running the gov't and I can tell you it is not the people in Washington. Everything leads to the dollar bill, if you want to know who runs this country find out who actually runs the Federal Reserve. They are the ones running the show. Follow the dollar signs....
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WOW and I wonder if they had the NSA channel our IP Addresses on all visits here and other websites complaining about Shineski. This whole administration is digging a hole deeper and deeper...
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Can anybody tell me if I can submit evidence to the ALJ after I have had my hearing and before the decision is made which is around 60-90 days afterwards?
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john999 well I already have a group working on my stuff and my hearing is set for January 14th. The attorney is out of PA and after talking with her she is very confident I will be approved. Anyway I am hoping the thoracic outlet syndrome and results are done before this date because this will be just more evidence.
BTW you remember me telling you about the pain killers in my pms and how I wouldn't give in? Well they changed me to Vicodin which was like candy and didn't do nothing then they switched it to Percocet and it does work. I just don't know how people get high or drunk on it unless they take high doses of it. Its the best decision I have made so far because I didn't realize how much pain I was actually in until I started taking it. Now, if I miss a dose boom I feel that pain so I am up everyday now at 6am to make sure I take all my meds properly. Then they upped the Gabapentin to 3600mg per day. They work as long as I take them.
I just can't believe that all the issues I have in my upper body might be because of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I just hope they can fix it. But again I think the nerve damage is the real issue...I think its a done deal..
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navy04 here is what I learned from research and in college. The spine is the move vital part of the spine. Any issues with the spine or the nerves exiting the spine will cause you to 1. feel old, 2. begin to look old, and 3. cause issues just like the older generation. This is why you are told this and why you probably feel like this.
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Its a catch 22 thing, no matter how I sleep I wake up numb so I have to turn, even if I sleep on my side.
There are youtube videos that show you how you can tell if its TOS. Everyone of them so far is positive for me for TOS. The only one I haven't done yet was to see if my shouldn't blades are winged. I know its not any circulation issue and my PCP even told me it wasn't because I just had a work up done about two years ago. So, I know my arteries are clear and my heart is good. I actually had a CT on my heart where they do a 3d imaging of it. Pretty neat the VA can do this. Anyway I am positive its TOS and this might be what I need so I can get out of pain if they can go in and break the cervical rib to give me relief. Man this stuff is worse than shingles because its long term!!!
Yea I do have the same issues as you. My spine is of a 60+ year old person I was told by the Docs...Even Dr. Bash mentioned this to me. Its not fun being 45 and having a 60 year old spine. Not criticizing the older generation here, I feel bad for you all.
The VA didn't clear me two days ago to enter their in-patient pain management program but the Doc did give me some ideas I can do at home to start the process. Sitting around in pain will cause more pain. Its just the way the mind does this. I use to be such an active person then boom went downhill that fast. In just 3 years I went from being in pretty good health, even thought I was weighing 240 I was in good health to jumping up to 270lbs and now back down to 240ish. But this time around I am in not in good health. So, I have to work my way back up and getting on the treadmill at least 4 minutes per day and working my way up each week.
I am going to do it but I think its too late for me to get any relief. Once you have nerve damage you have it for life. The Doc even told me there is no cure for it, its just the way the body is. It was good for her to tell me this so I have come to terms with it.
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I do know that its normal that the first two decisions will be a denial unless you are terminal or your can paralyzed. The first two decisions are made on the state levels and the third one is the federal level which is a different ball game. The State SS people don't know the hands from the fingers and use RNs to make decisions, even going against a medical doctor's decision. Now, if you have a smart doctor who knows their stuff they know how to fill out the SS Form or even write a letter that an RN or PA can't deny. If you were denied twice get you an attorney and get it to the third round. Yes your attorney will make it last as long as they can but it will be worth it in the long run.
I do know SS is going to the video hearings now and they are cutting the 2 year hearing average by 6+ months now. I applied in Sept 2012 and have my hearing in January. My friend has a person to person hearing in December and he has waited 2 years. Its funny how you get to know more people with your exact conditions than you do the normal people when you end up with the conditions. God Bless you my friend.
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So sorry that your in this condition. I use to Coach high school football, I know that feeling when its pulled right out under your feet like that. its okay if you ramble on, its okay...God Bless you and your family..
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navy04 I am going to be up front with you about the Crohn's disease. To be honest back in the early 2000's I was told I had it, I had all the test done and even the GI where they make you drink the chalk. Guess what my doctor gave me a prescription of Cipro and I took it and took it. Guess what it disappeared and I haven't had problems with it since then. I am only lucky person or God showed favor on me...I can't explain how it disappeared but it did.
I remember whenever I had problems with it I would turn pale white and get sick on my stomach, had to use the bathroom all the time. It was bad and I do not miss it.
I still believe a lot of my issues are Ft McClelland related with all the hazardous crap that was found after they shut down that place.
Anyway I wish you the best of luck on your hearing.
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free_spirit_etc I can say that if I was a drunk I would have been on SSDI already. Seriously!!! I have a Half-Uncle who is a drunk and drug user and have been all his life. He has worked on and off throughout the years since he was released from the Army back in the 70s. I didn't think he had enough points but I guess he did. Anyway he lost one of his eyes and BOOOM he was approved for SSDI!!!! Not because he lost his eye but because he is a drunk!!! True Story...My dad was upset and he is still pissed off about it and then there are us who are really hurt and can't work and we have a hard freaking time getting approved.
Its all good though, my attorney is pretty much set that I will get approved. She said I just have too many issues and medical evidence to prove it.
Ssdi Question
in Social Security Disability Questions
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Look up SSA calculator. First login to your SSA account and look up your earnings. Then input those earning in the SSA calculator. Don't do the basic calculator but the 2nd one on there. I calculated around $1360 a month. If you look at the disability towards the bottom it will show you then below that is what your child would get. So you just add that number to it and then you will know your approx amount. Remember the dependent amount is divided up so there is no need divide it just add that number to your payment because it will end up being the same. I think my total with my dependents is around $2200...