WVSERVER

I finally got home after working 15 hrs strait and low and behold all of my medical records from the civilian doctors I seen while in the Air Force were waiting for me. I feel there is enough proof there to file my claim. After doing some research on http://www.howtoassemblevaclaims.com/index.html. I think I am going to complete the paper work my self and then let the American Legion DO turn it in. Then there will be a buffer in between me and the VA. I feel really good about this thanks for all the help.

Carlie, thanks for the research material I will do my homework. Jbasser thank you for the advice I am getting the information for the paper work now I will also go back and talk to my DO. I am also researching getting on a fast track do to hardship. Berta as of my last check up my kidneys were function close to normal, I would have to go back and read the report. But it does make me have to urinate on a frequent basis. I have been told by doctors that it will most likely cause me problems the older I get and can even lead to needing a transplant if I don't stay on top of it. Oh yeah yes I did have 3 kidney stones in a row at one time, but have not had anymore since and never made the connection thanks for bring it up. Everyone thank you for the advice I really needed it thanks.

Pete53 Thank you for the advice, as I am just starting out it is very helpful. I am waiting on some records from the VA and a privet practice in ND. I have some but not all of my records. My American Legion DO who is a WV state employee advised me to wait until I receive all the records I need before filling a claim. She said once the Martinsburg VAMC gets them I will never see them again until the process is over. Having never failed a claim before I will trust her for now. I tried to get some help at the VA and was told I make too much money to get VA health care. I do have a decent job. But I am the only income for 5 people. So even thought It’s seen as good money it does not go very far to cover 3 little one and me and my wife. I do work everyday for the most part, but it is getting harder and harder everyday to keep going, especially when I am having the never-ending body aches. But as long as the kids are counting on me I will always work, unless I am bed redden. I will admit I have a lot to learn about the VA and the benefits they offer, I fell like I am drinking from a fire hydrant trying to figure this out. But anyway, thanks for all the advice and welcomes everyone. I love this site and will be doing a lot of research.

Well I Just decided to file a compensation claim with the VA. I have a couple of question to ask, but first I will give a little history. I was on active duty Air Force Security Forces from 01-06. I was honorable discharged in September of 06. While on active duty I was diagnosed with the following conditions. Sleep apnea requiring CPAP ( was med boarded and given a c-code with return to duty)Hydronephrosis of the kidneyGeneral Anxiety DisorderTitanitisMinor Depression (is seasonal and comes and goes)Acid RefluxDyspepsia Other things that were mentioned but did not receive a diagnosis for include. FibromyalgiaIrritable Bowel SyndromeChronic Fatigue Syndrome In about 04 I started to falling apart my body just got zapped for some reason. So I went to the docs. That was a big mistake I was always treated like crap. It started out that I could not sleep, and then I would have pain all over. Some days I would fill like I was having a heart attack then I would be totally wore out for a couple of days. I was in a Personal Reliability Program Position so every time I went to the doc I would be off work. I stayed in rotation for 95% of my time in the Air Force. I am one of the only people to my knowledge to stay on PRP with a CPAP and sleeping and depression meds. Everyone around wrote me letter to include my Commanders stating that I should be allowed to stay on PRP and was performing at the top even thought I was struggling with medical issues. Sometime in 06 my issues got so bad I could not stay in rotation, because of this I was at the doctors a lot. I could not get them to listen to me no matter what I said. Back at my unit I had to clean the squadron 12hrs a day work 6 days a week and PT twice a day as an NCO. In-between the docs treating me like crap and my squadron making me work twice as much as I normally would I decide I would get out of the Air Force. So I submitted my paper work. I had enough leave I was on terminal leave that week. There was no help out processing. I did not get a VA exam nothing. I actually had a Doc tell me I am seeing you too much I think you just want to get out of work. I almost came un-glued. I said Capt. just do you job if you can’t find me a doctor who can figure out what’s going on with me. Needless to say that was the straw that broke the camels back. I never wanted or needed anything from the VA, I have always had a good job and insurance. I always just dealt with it; I think part of me is afraid of other Doctors treating me like the AF doc’s did. Well now I am in a different situation my youngest son was very sick for about a year which caused my wife to lose her job. This racked up about $350,000 in bills even thought I have insurance. So with all the stress this is causing my medical issues have started back up in full force, I am back to not sleeping and having pain all over, making it hard for me to work everyday but I still do it. Because of the med bills a lot of Doctors will not see any of the members in my family. I have foreclosed a house and lost a car to the bank and I am now looking at Bankruptcy. I can not afford to see the doctor even if I wanted to my out of pocket is outrageous. I now work as a government contractor and may lose my clearance due to my financial situation. So now I got all of that off my chest I have a couple of questions. · Would appreciate any advice you all could offer me. · Any pitfalls that I need to be aware of before I start out on this long journey? · Any steps I need to take before filling my claim? · I have not seen a doc for any of these issues since I left the Air Force. How bad is that? I really can not afford it; I can barely get my kids to the doc when they need it. Thanks for all the help ahead of time and sorry about the long post just needed to vent.