Loose Cannon

Yes you can still get an GW registry exam please see the two links I provided. One is background on the exam etc and the second is the list of GW environmental health coordinators. Find the one listed at your VA hospital and contact them directly to set up your exam. I did that and had an exam within 3 weeks.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp background on the program

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp use this page to find your coordinators name, phone and email to set up your exam with them.

Hope this helps.

Was going to comment on the CAR (combat action ribbon) but Berta covered all the bases! At the time I retired, 2004, this award must mention the awardee BY NAME. I have an awards ALMAR (message the Marine Corps uses) that lists me and about 20 other Marines when we were awarded the CAR for action in Iraq. The regs were obviously non-existent or very different for Vietnam vets but as long as you have the papers you do, you should be in great shape moving forward.
Good luck and so sorry you have hit a bump in the road...Keep fighting, you will prevail!
LC

I have not experienced this. My PCP has always been attentive to my needs. Recently had a piss poor experience trying to get the authorization referral paperwork for a routine eye exam MAILED to me or FAXED to the eye doc. Long story...you would not believe the BS I had to go through. Gaffed off by fee basis office AND patient advocate office. Next week I will be paying their supervisors a visit in person to see their reaction. If I can keep me cool....someone will lose a job over what transpired this past week.
Don't mess with the Loose Cannon...I am retired & have plenty of time to go "up the chain" whenever needed.
LC
"No better friend, No worse enemy"

Ditto!! Could not have said it better than stinger. I share your feelings...Maybe someday we can buy us an island somewhere in the middle of the ocean. You and I can share it by splitting it in half! Hang tough!
LC

I found that if I ask for specific details in my IRIS they tend to give you a more accurate and detailed answer. Sometimes it may take 2-3 replies to their original IRIS answer but in the long run, I've been more successful at getting a personal answer rather than the "cut & paste" versions of what they try to dismiss our question with.
Stay on them until you get a satisfactory answer. That's thy the IRIS is there.
LC

I had to back down (at my doctors advice) from taking 6 Prazosin pills to 4 because of feeling dizzy and lightheaded. By taking 7 pills, you may be experiencing the same side effect. Best advice I could give you is to consult with your doctors before completely eliminating a prescribed med. Each person reacts differently to meds...what works for some at a certain dose may not work for others. I hope during your Wed appointment you can tell the doc everything you've been experiencing and he/she can "tweak" your meds to get you better results. Hang tough...PTSD is horrible but if you can get through the pain you will come out a better person!
We love you brother!!!!
LC

I totally understand. It is a very personal decision and one you must be comfortable with. I can remember several years ago when a doc was evaluating a scar I have by pushing down on it. I about came out of my chair and yelled out in pain! Yet this "contracted moron doctor" submitted his report and listed the scar as not being painful to the touch! WTF!!??
So years later and after a different doc examined me, I finally got the rating I should have. That's not a fun process for anyone to have to go through for compensation. If you're like me you just want to wake up one day and not have to fight the VA on stuff like this anymore. For me that day will come soon enough I hope. I hope whatever your decision is, that you find happiness in life. Best of luck to you going forward OIFVet.
LC

I have never suggested doing the things you stated, I don't wear glasses, but I do know this;
you are clueless and should change your screen name to "its me again, mere speculation"

Brother 82,
I read your thoughts and wish there was something I could do to instantly make your situation better. Sadly, the only thing I can do is offer you encouragement and be here...whenever you want to talk, I will listen. I know that doesn't seem like much but I don't really know what else to do other than pray you continue to relay your struggles to the professional doctors & that you can get relief.
Treatment (pills, etc.) for PTSD is often different for each individual. But never stop trying. Hope they find something that at the correct dosage gives you the peace so you can once again enjoy your life. Keep taking things one day at a time! God bless you...
LC

Tela, thanks for returning to us with these results.

This statement should get you a grant for the secondary disability:

4.Medical opinion for secondary service connection
a. [X] The claimed condition is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service connected condition.

If I were you I would apply for SSDI and TDIU.......but maybe best to wait for the results of your current claim first....before filing for the TDIU.

This could be a possible point of contention for both SSA and the VA for TDIU:

"Report on veteran's internship at Elmira's Lux-Sury Care from 6/2013 to 8/2013 (brought to examination by veteran) stating veteran "would not be employable anywhere due to issues that were evident while she attended classes. Mentioned lack of ability to stay focused on task and forgetfulness. Noted opinion that veteran would only be able to work from home and likely even then not be successful due to her mental state."

But it is speculative and might not in fact be from a medical professional.

SSA looks for ANY work a SSDI claimant can do, that could cause them to deny SSDI.

BUT that could be overcome, I feel, if you get any retro from the initial claim and then get a Vocational expert's IMO. Yet you might not even need an IMO.

Because the C & P doc did state this:

"Axis IV- Psychosocial and Environmental Problems (describe, if any ):
Severe; chronic pain, unable to sustain work, serious mental health issues"

And states
"She was put on several psychiatric medications at the VA"

If the SSA awards you solely for SC conditions, (and they work faster then the VA does on disability claims) then that would be excellent evidence for TDIU.

The side affects of medications (that come with the meds and/or can be googled at a good med site, can often hinder employment because they can cause sleep problems, prevent the patient from driving a car, and affect one's ability to function in a task oriented environment.

I am assuming you are not in college under Voc Rehab:
"She spends her time taking care of her children and is in college working toward an Associates in Network Administration."

Has the college provided you with any documented accomodations or can you get documentation from the college that could indicate your memory problems and MH issues have hindered your ability in school?

You might go to an online college but I would think even online schools (because there is one to one input ...at least at my college there was)
might have some documentation on how your SCs affect your scholastic abilities.

The reason I am bringing that up is that the ^%$#@!& VA tried to lower my husband's comp years ago for 2 reasons:

1. He had just acquired a part time crap job from the local VA ( so he wouldnt pursue a very valid EEOC case against them long story there)

(VA said he had attained substantial employment which was ridiculous beased on his fortmer work background.

And VA said his one sole semester of Voc Rehab at Corning College (he need accommodations and even a tutor) had suddenly tiurened him into a rocket scientist.

They tried to lower his 30% PTSD at that time to 10% but then they dropped that when they got the NOD I wrote.

3 years later his posthumous SC PTSD award EED was for 100% P & T so it shows how wrong VA can be in assessing higher education experience when one is disabled.

I know I told that Voc Rehab story here many times before.....but the proposed reduction came on Dec 24th and the Christmas tree went flying out the front door because he was so upset and I still have flashbacks of all that.

Have you formally claimed the migraines as secondary to your SCs ?

The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!

Are you serious about having waited 2 years for a dependency claim? Please tell me your not going through the Nashville RO for that. Holy mother of God!
LC

If a service organization fails just even one veteran, then they are a failure as an organization. EVERY veteran is VERY important and deserves the best. If it is not thier creed, that no veteran should be failed, then I dont want them. All this chitter chatter abt some service officers are good some bad, aint cutting it. theres too much at stake. were not talking abt resturants, or health clubs, were talking abt lives, and futures, of the best of the best this country has produced. who is better than I , the soldier, the veteran. I cant think of anyone. can you?

Local news in central texas reported tonight that 21 out of 26 federal VA buildings in WACO tested positive for Legionares disease. I looked up the symptoms and tired and confused is common.

Patients with Legionnaires' disease usually have fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of coordination (ataxia), and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. Confusion and impaired cognition may also occur,[

They cant decide claims correctly, because they are, tired , confused. and have the shidz all day/
Maybe I can get a reopen based on the fact that THEY are sick,, lol

Yes...its down. There's a message on the homepage that says they are having tech difficulties and login is down. No estimate for fixing.

Loosecannon
I am on TFL and Medicare and medicare is always primary and TFL is secondary. I will tell you have yet to pay out of pocket for any office visits. Since you are TDIU at 100% you can get all of your meds from the VA for free and that includes any private doc scripts. Your wife can go on ChampVA but, she will have to go to the VA for any med service. I personally like having the ability to get second opinions from outside the VA. For example, just recently I had some blood work done at the VA and my PSA almost doubled. I brought it up to my primary doc at the VA and she said, "oh that's OK it's well within normal" Well, I went to my private urologist and discussed it with him and he suggested I have a biopsy. Well I now have PC and it is the aggressive type. If I had listened to the VA doc who knows what would have happened down the road.
Yeah! a $100 is just that but peace of mind of being able to get second opinions is worth it.
Oh! by the way there is no monthly cost for TFL. I think your wife may have to pay for prime though. My wife and I are both over 65 so we pay nothing for TFL. And now I have to submit another claim for the prostrate cancer.

Congratulations Big Time to you for your victory!! I hope you continue to have better days ahead. Keep your doctor well informed on how the meds affect your symptoms as they can be adjusted. I take Ambien too and it has helped me get a good continuous sleep. Also take Prazosin for nightmares & dreams but the high dose was making me very dizzy and lightheaded so my doc reduced doseage.
Stay with it and give it time to really evaluate what the medication bennies are for you. Best of luck as you move forward in your life. Thanks for your service to our country!
LC

Continuing Requirements for IU Award:

After the initial IU award has been made, the veteran must submit a VAF 21-4140, Employment Questionnaire, on a yearly basis to certify continuing unemployability. The VAF 21-4140 is required unless the veteran is 70 years of age or older, has been in receipt of IU for a period of 20 or more consecutive years (as provided at 38 CFR 3.951(b)), or has been granted a 100 percent schedular evaluation. The form is sent out annually to the veteran from the Hines Information Technology Center and must be returned to the regional office. It requests that the veteran report any employment for the past 12 months or certify that no employment has occurred during this period. The VAF 21-4140 includes a statement that it must be returned within 60 days or the veteran’s benefits may be reduced.
Check the Fast Letter link below for additional info:

http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=3920

Hope this helps.
LC