[Help For A Deceased Shipmate's Spouse]

My spouse had 2 appeals pending, since 2007. He died waiting 2 months ago. The decision arrived 2 days ago. Diabetes (under Nehmer) and hearing loss (he had profound loss) granted and granted..He was already 30% for IHD. Since he was retired Navy, his 30% was offset by his retirement. (Both disability and retirement stopped at death) He did have paid up SBP.

Since he is now deceased, will there be any effect to his surviving spouse since he filed in 2007? Or did they wait until he died to decide, knowing there is no retro or back pay?

I'm posting this for a friend, my division officer's spouse. Jim passed away last fall & she has been goin through hell with VA, etc.

Can anyone assist her in answering her questions? It's above my pay grade & pea brain capicity. She is frequent reader in here.

Thanks: greatescape

[I Won!]

Way to go doc ! May you & yours have fair winds & following seas forever.

[Finally Won Asbestosis Claim]

I had my last C & P hearing in November 2011. The lady who gave it just shook her head after reading my file & said you should

have had it the first time, She could'nt believe it. She told me you will get a better rating after this, by golly she was right. So

from September till January, 3 not bad for speed on VA's part. I owe her a big hug next time I see her !

[Finally Won Asbestosis Claim]

I was a BT from 1964/1968 on an old liberty ship built in 1945.

As part of our normal work day we were exposed to asbestos dust any where from

4 to 24 hours a day depending on what need tearing down & repaired. Everything was

insulated with asbestos, & any of it removed had to be replaced by us. The equipment,

piping, boilers etc would have a halo of dust around them from the vibrations.

I first filed claims for hearing & asbestos in 2007. Hearing was approved last spring.

My asbestos claim was denied the first time with the following reason, you smoked all those

years & you were healthy in 1968 when you got out therefore there is nothing wrong

with you. I got a little upset, got 2 gallons of flesh colored paint for my red "cheeks" , filed

an appeal.

In February of 2008 I had complete resperatory failure, wound up in local hospital (civilian)

& put on oxygen therapy. When I got out & able had oxygen switched to VA with no problems.

I get all my oxygen & supplies form the VA. I let a deadline get away from me last year for an

appeal on asbestos claim. I know, I know, for your info one can kick ones own behind. As

soon as I could I made a follow up appointment with my pulmonary doctor, who wrote up

a diagnosis of asbestosis due to working in enclosed engine room with asbestos dust. Refiled

claim in late July last year. Got my senator involved to, I figured I needed all the help I could get.

Then lo & behold I got my letter on January 3, money in the bank on the 5th.

Now comes the interesting part, the 2 main reasons it was approved was being on oxygen therapy

& my breathing tests. All of this info was available to them, but no one took the time to look.

I know that there are a lot of other guys out there that served under the same conditions, mabye

this will help them or get them off their butts !

Enough typing for awhile !

[Finally Won Asbestosis Claim]

After 5 years of taking patience pills, missing a deadline, refiling again after a diagnosis of asbestosis by my

VA pulmonary doctor last July, which was a life saver. I recieved my lil brown envelope in the mail yesterday

from the VA with a 100% decision on my claim. Yeahhhhhh !

The frustrating part was they had all the info in front of them & could'nt seem to be able to connect the dots.

Any one out there in a simialer situation keep the faith & above all don't give up, keep plugging away!