DickC

I guess I am pretty fortunate as I have a very good VSO who seems to be very knowlegable. I filed for my headaces and depression at the same time and the only time I have ever been to a Psychiatrist is after my mom died. The VA did make me talk to one during my claim evaluation. I had been on depression meds for 20+ years and did submit ALL of my civilian records pertaining to these meds and why they were issued. In gathering my civilian records I found that they only keep them for 10 years and then they are destroyed so get your civilan medical records now and submit anything that pertains to your claim. My VSO also had me ask my civilian doctor for a letter that stated "It is as least likely as not" that my headaches and resulting depression are a result of exposure to chemicals in the military. That statement is very important according to my VSO.

It took me 3 tries to get the majority of my records and I still did not get them all. No mention of a broken hand or a nose patched back together anywhere in them. When I filed for my disability claim I made sure to state that the records I received from VA were incomplete.

Chronic pain absolutly is a contributing factor for depression. I have a 50% rating for depression due to daily chronic headaces (service connected). A VA shrink asked me to tell him about my depression and I asked him "what would you like to know about? The days I wake up bawling or the days I could care less if I take another breath?" Hurt every day and the depression can be overwhelming at times.

I just filed for voc rehab about a month ago (didn't know it was available) and my local VA rep is the one that pushed me to give it a go, the one at school is about worthless IMO. My schooling is paid under Trade Act (I lost me job after 12 years to overseas) and so all I was asking from VA is some help to buy some of the tools I need that Trade Act will not buy. VA will only buy the same tools that Trade act will buy which is of no use to me. There are tools I will need to make a living in this field that are not on the tool list provided by the school so I will use the subsitance check to buy the tools I need.

I am rated 80% and just met with Voc Rehab and was told I qualify. I am already in school (started last June) and they are fine with the program I am in. I have 2 questions that I can not find answers to so any help would be appreciated. 1)Is my subsistance retroactive back to June when I started school? 2)The number of credits I am taking varies between 1/2 (6 credits),3/4 (10 credits), and fulltime(12+ credits)depending on the classes that are offered for the term. Because this varies do they adjust my payments for each term accordingly or will they just pay me at the lowedt rate regardless of credits (my voc rehab counselor has a copy of intended credits for each term).

I was denied a hearing loss claim but was granted 10% for tinitus due to the job I had in the military.

Due to chronic headaches I filed for depression also and won both claims.

The audiologist I saw said my hearing was "perfectly normal" upon discharge. The 2 audiograms in my service records spaced 3 years apart show different. Right ear is worse than the left. I took the numbers on my service audigrams and made a chart and submitted that with my appeal. Dick

I am happy with the decision and plan on hanging around whenever I can. Thanks Again. Dick

I got a letter from the VA today and they have awarded 50% for my migraines and 50% for my depression on top of the 10% for the tinnitus that I had already won. That means according to VA math that I am now 80%. I really want to say thanks to everybody for the information that is on this site. I have read the letter about 5 times and still can't believe it. Dick

When I went for the audio test the lady giving the test went out of her way to show it could not be realted to the service. VA granted the tinnitus but denied the hearing loss based only on her comments concerning my audio exam when I was discharged. The same frequencies I have hearing losses in now are the same ones that show up on the audio exam in question. I do have a letter from my civilian doc that states "it is as least likely as not" that my headaches are a result of exposure to toxins in the military. I am not sure what a Cfile is but am assuming it is the file where the approvals or denials are documented. Am I correct? Dick

There are a couple references in the copies my SMR that they sent me regarding headaches during welding but the records are not complete and I know this to be a fact and have told the VA this. The VA neuroligist that I saw for my C&P exam told me that migraines are genetic and can lay dormant for years or forever BUT are often triggered by something that gets them started. Mine started when I began welding for the navy and was poisoned by metal fume fever a few different times. I told the doc all of this so now I guess we wait and see what happens. Dick

I have filed claims for a hearing loss which is currently on appeal but they granted me 10% on my tinitus. I have had the C&P exams for my migranes and depression and I'm not sure how they will turn out. I thought the one with the neurologist went better than the one with the shrink. Just wanted t say thanks for all the info I have found here. Dick

A big THANKS to everyone on this board. I finally got most of my civilian medical records together (also learned that they are only kept for 10 years and then destroyed) and met with a VSO for the first time. As soon as I get a couple more pieces of paperwork we will file the claim (VSO says we need to do it before the end of Sept) and once filed it will take 8-12 months for the VA to schedule an exam. My question is: What should I expect from the C&P exam? The claims are for hearing loss, tinnits, and headaches. Dick