DickC

I got a call from Portland and was told they would cover my surgery "soup to nuts" including the physical therapy all to be done here locally. I would also encourage others having issues with the choice card to start sending those emails. Portland did tell me that they have uploaded over 5,000 files of vets to Triwest and so far only about 700 vets have used the choice card. They said by law they are required to upload every veteran's file even if they only live a few miles from a main hospital.

I got an email from Allison Hickey and she forwarded my email to the head of the Portland VA system and I also got an email from him. I have asked that I be able to use the Veteran's accesscard to get my surgery done locally so all I can do now is wait and see. Thanks again for the nfo.

Thanks for the info, I just sent them both an email. I will let you all know if it does any good.

I tore my rotator cuff in late June, finally convinced my PCP in Sept we needed an MRI which showed torn tendons in my right shoulder. Got an appt in Oct to see an orthopedic doc and it got canceled and they said they would reschedule, they never called to rescheduled so I did and got in in late Oct. They gave me a shot of cortisone and put me on a list for surgery and another appt in Jan. I saw the ortho in Jan and was told surgery is the only option so I asked about getting it done locally since it has been longer than 30 day AND it is 190 miles round trip to where the surgery would be done. They told me I should know in a week (that was on Jan 22). I heard nothing but did call the number on the card I got in the mail and was told I am was basically not eligible. I sent a letter to my PCP's nurse a week ago asking if they could check with the ortho dept that put me on the surgery list last Oct to find out what the hell is going on and now no response from them. I am getting pretty frustrated with this whole thing and am about ready to call a congressman to see if he can get an answer from somebody. Thanks for letting me vent.

I have been on Tramadol for 10 years and now going cold turkey. I ran out of meds and I can't get refilled without a new perscription from my doc who quit about 3 weeks ago. This withdrawll is a bitch but I can guarantee that when I get through this I will NEVER go back on this meds. Not sure what I will do about the pain. I have tried marijuana butter but got no relief (and at this point I don't care if I fail a UA). Just venting as the last 2 days have been hell and I don't expect the week to get any better.

WOOHOO got my back pay and my first check last Wednesday.

Congrats.

Rpowell01, I talked to my attorney and was told that this particular judge puts 12 month reviews on EVERY fully favorable decision she makes. I have not yet received anything concerning payment and was told by my attorney that I will get it anywhere between 2 weeks and 60 days.

That is kind of what I thought it meant. Docs tell me there is nothing they can do for my DDD and spinal stenosis not to mention the other stuff I have wrong with me. Guess we will cross that bridge when I get to it.

My Oregon VA doc said NO. She is not opposed to me trying it but said do not smoke it since I already have some lung issues but she can not fill out the form for it. A private doc is about $200-$300 to get the form filled out BUT now that it is legal fro recreational use in Washington state just go across the border.

Hang in there Saints13. The day I filed my papers the guy at the SS office leaned over the counter and told me that when I am denied appeal it because they will deny it for sure and they did. Seems like that is SOP. I was denied twice and had to go in front of an ALJ with a local attorney I hired. I got my letter of decision yesterday. I filed my application in May 2012 and was found to be disabled back to Sept 2011.

I am sitting here in tears as I write this, the journey is finally over and I received a letter today that stated the "Notice of Decision is FULLY FAVORABLE. It does not say how much per month but it does go back to Sept 19, 2011. It also says that medical improvement is expected with appropriate treatment (not what the doctors tell me). Consequently a continuing disability review is recommended in 12 months. What does this mean?

Just got back from a 100 mile drive and my hearing with the ALJ and I am glad that is behind me. My attorney said he thought it went very well and feels that the ALJ will rule in my favor. The VE said I can no longer do my regular type of work and that the classification that SS had for my job (light duty) was wrong and that it was closer to medium duty. The judge only asked one question after hearing all the tetimony and that was if my skills were transfeable to a light duty job and the VE said no not without extensive retraining and at 57 that isn't going to happen. Man I hope I am finally at the end of a long tunnel. ALJ said two weeks for the decision but my attorney said probably closer to two months. I will be sure to stop in and let everyone know what the decision comes through.

I have an appt with my attorney this next week to prepare for the hearing in Jan. This gives him enough time to request recent records and allows me to ask him some questions.

Haven't posted on Hadit for a long time but thought I would stop by say hello and let everybody know that after almost 2 years I have a SSDI hearing date in front of an ALJ in January. Attorney says we will win but I guess time will tell and I'm not holding my breath.

Keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them and mark the dates on a calandar as to when you received and sent any paperwork.

Same for me. I have never understood how they can say the tinnitus is realted to my job in the military but my hearing loss is not. It is my understanding that one can not have tinnitus without a hearing loss.

NONE of the 5 claims were in my SMR but I was awarded 4 of them. I showed where my job in the navy (welder/shipfitter) could have and likely did contibute to the 4 that I won. It was a lot of time and homework on my part but well worth it.

I found myself in the same situation concerning civilian medical records and learned that it is standard practice to destroy them after 10 years. I reasearched the conditions myself and took this info (what I thought may be causing some of the issues)to my civilian doctor and asked him to write a letter using the phrase that has already been stated "it is at least likley as not". I believe this was crucial in winning my awards. No one has more interest in your claim than you do so any home work you can do can be a benefit. I also took the same info I had researched concerning long term health affects of metal fume fever and trychloethelyne (sp) to my C&P exam and gave them to the VA doc.

The first time I asked for my SMR it was incomplete and the 2nd time only added very little. When I filed my statement in support of claim I stated that my SMR were incomplete and sited 2 incidents (1 being a broken hand) that were not listed in the records to support my claim they my SMR are incomplete. I was awarded 4 out of 5 claims in the end.

I have been ordering meds this way for a quite some time now and have never had an issue. I have noticed lately that they do not ship my new order until I am within about a week of running out.

First of all congrats on your sobriety. I already have an AAS in electronic engineering technology and VA through voc rehab is currently paying for me to go to college for Diesel mechanics. Talk to another VA rep and as already stated don't take no for an answer.

Got a call this morning from my counselor and was told that the subsistance pay is retro to Sept 09 to the tune of about $3500!

12RG3, I wasn't hospitalized for either but had multiple Xrays on the hand and 2 different casts. The nose took 4 or 5 stitches to close up. Knowing these took place and were not included in my records makes me wonder what else wasn't included that I have forgotten about after 30+ years. It wasn't until the 2nd request for my records that the headaches were listed as a problem while I was in the service.