togb68

I am looking for any suggestions on how to speed up my review for dependency. I submitted my marriage license in Feb 2013. I resubmitted it on line in Feb 2014. I've called VA, and even contacted my congressional rep. I am in San Antonio. One would think I could just make a quick appointment or make a call. Advice?

I submitted the paperwork and marriage licenses for my new spouse in Feb 2013. The ebenefits portal gave a deadline for review of 26 Jan 14. That date has come and gone. Do I really need to contact my Congressional representative to get this through?

I mailed in a dependency form for a marriage last Feb 2013. I also tried updating on line, but the website would never "complete" so I could make the changes. As a last resort, I called the 800 number today only to be told that the Houston office has an average of 390 days to complete dependency reviews. Seriously? 13 months to look at a marriage license? VA needs to get an "easy" button... this should be a no-brainer.

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When deployed, I first suffered a concussion (TBI). I was out of it for about 24 hours and had a bad headache. Typical to a deployed environment, I was sent to my CHU for quarters and really had no follow-up. My job was stressful--and often times very mentally draining. By the end of my tour, I was depressed and still having headaches. Admittedly, I was angry at the Army. When I redeployed and demobilized, I filed a claim for the TBI because of the continuing headaches, tremors, and loss of balance. This was in 2009. Since that time, I've had some issues... anger, depression, insomonia. After my family gave me an ultimatum, I went to the VA's OEF/OIF counseling center in San Antonio--which is apparently only slightly affiliated with the VA. I was told they don't share or have access to each other's records. I've been in weekly counseling since last August. That doctor indicates PTSD, but I can't say that I encountered any one event as traumatic--certainly not like the combat arms guys. The entire tour just sucked. I had three individuals that I worked with commit suicide, one right outside my office. Jump forward to last month when I was on my 3rd TBI exam for my claim... the doc and I were discussing emotional issues associated with TBI and I broke down crying. I can't even talk about Afghanistan without becoming angry or crying. He suggests now that instead of claiming TBI that I file a claim for PTSD. Quite honestly, I never felt this emotionally raw until my head injury... I don't want to just keep filing claims--just want it recognized, as I can already tell this is going to have a life long impact. I also don't want to delay this process anymore... I'm tired of fighting. Any advice?

Just a quick update on the exam... I had filed a complaint with the VA IG and the Regional Office hotline. On the same day, I received an email from both offices. "Representative 86" from the IG signed a form letter indicating that the matter was closed and that I should contact the Regional Office. The Regional Office responded that the matter was also closed--but didn't say what they were doing/or did. I learned from a friend going through the process that the doctor remains on the rolls, but my particular exam was redone by the VA due to my complaint.

Forgot to answer. I declined the PAP and rectal---that's when the QTC doctor told me my claim would be declined. I have asthma (30%) (I believe from burn pits), neck trauma (whiplash), knee injury, and tremors--all at 60% now . Pending is my hip, TBI, and chronic sinus infection (again, I think from the burn pits).

I was reexamined today. I had received a notice for a C&P exam, but it didn't state why. When I got to VA, I asked what it was for, and they said TBI. When I got to the doctor, he seemed surprised that I had already been evaluated by QTC--but that record was missing. He called the regional office--apparently today's exam was to replace the improper one. The doc told me off the record that the particular QTC physician was now off of the roles because of other complaints. Things seems better, but still moving slow. He told me it would just be a mild concussion since I only had amnesia for a period of 24 hours, and the residual issues are headaches, balance and memory loss. The depression he believes may be separate from the injury. Heck, I've only been back from Astan two years... guess I can wait some more at this point.

Sorry. Didn't mean to be political, just angry that we are taking a second seat.

Why is it that the government can expedite claims for BP and other corporate bailouts but they turn a blind eye on veterans? While I can appreciate the impact of the oil spill, it would be nice to see Uncle Sam act that fast for those of us who served our country.

The paper work clearly said TBI. The doctor even read me two pages out of a manual explaining what TBI was. The form they made me sign declining the procedure also stated TBI and hip bone injury.

I've gotten used to the lack of or no communication, and I understand that I am but one vet of thousands. But I feel violated. Sexually violated by both the doctor and the system. Have others had to go through this too?

I was recently reevaluated for TBI and a hip injury at QTC. Nevermind that my claim was filed in 2009, and forget that I was seen by an internal medicine doc. But why the pressure to undergo a PAP and rectal exam?? Yes I said PAP. Not pelvic. I listed no bowel or other issues. When I declined the exam both the doc and his assistant indicated that my claim would be denied. I prefer to only let the GYN that I chose perform this procedure. Plus he was creepy. Will or can they deny my claim for this? I did contact the VA IG and hotline, but no response.