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tdunford

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About tdunford

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  1. I just filed for disability compensation about 2 weeks ago. I have learned a lot since that time and should have done the research ahead of time. I have many questions and my first is: 1. Can I file for IU if I haven't been given a rating yet but have been unable to work for over 4 years with a private doctors diagnosis of chronic daily headaches, bipolar and chronic fatigue? 2. If I do have to wait to file for IU, how long will it take, average, to get a disability rating from my recent submission of the disability compensation application? 3. I was medically and honorably discharge 15 years ago and have had the same problems but not much worse and also believe that I have chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome but non of which were diagnosed by my private doctor of the last 4 years. However, what is on record is the daily chronic headaches with an unexplained origin, skin problems (cysts), chronic fatigue, GERD, and countless other things. I just file for disability compensation and only listed bipolar and chronic headaches as the reason for filing. Can I add on all the other symptoms? I originally just assumed that they would see all the many diagnosis from my private medical records. 4. There is also proof that I have been unable to work, with doctors noting so on my medical records and have been on a pain management plan for over 4 years now. Because of all this evidence, should it be easy for me to get 100% disability without having to go through appeals and with a decision made pretty fast? That is what I am hoping for because I really need the compensation. 5. Because I was told that I would not be eligible for VA benefits upon my discharge, am I now eligible for any benefit because they didn't inform me and I had to go through so much suffering because of it like no medical insurance the first 10 years after discharge, thus with no medication for my many service connected disabilities? 6. Because I have so many diagnosed illnesses, could I get a rating for lets say bipolar, CFS, IBS, GERD, chronic headaches, all of which have been diagnosed by a private doctor within the last 4 years and I have the medical records to prove it? If so, do they add up the percentages so if I have 50% for IBS and 50% for GERD will I get a 100% compensation per month? Thank you for your help.
  2. Can I file for TDIU even though I just filed for disability compensation and haven't even been given a disability rating yet? How long will it take to at least get the disability rating? Or is that also given right when the make and inform me of the decision? Because I have the skin disease with the cysts and all the other CFS symptoms, I don't have to have anything diagnosed while I was in, correct? Because they know that I was in the persian gulf and they know that those symptoms are common from gulf war vets? I did have the bipolar, fatigue and sleeping problems diagnosed in my SMR's. Will that be enough in my case to justify service-connected. Plus these diagnosed illnesses that were diagnosed by a Private doctor within the last 4 years: Chronic Daily Headache Bipolar Chronic Depression Pain Medication Management Plan GERD Chronic Rhinitis Skin Cysts (developed during the end of tour and had surgery right after to remove some. Many still exist) Exophoria (Eyes deviate outwards) Leg Pain Sciatica - Nerve Pain Lower Back Pain Joint Pain Muscle Aches Fatigue Allergic Rhinosinusitis Upper Facial Weakness "ABNL Finding on EKG" But I did and still do have more of the CFS symptoms that was not diagnosed by the IMO during the last 4 years that include: Severe painful headaches Muscle Aches Fatigue Joint Pain Inability to Focus Cannot Concentrate Memory Failure Sleeping Problems Cannot Work Bedridden Most of the time Sore Throat Minor Fevers Neck becomes tender Energy problems Once again, do I have to tell the Regional VA Office who now have my disability compensation claim that I want them to "add" unexplained illnesses or CFS or all the other diagnosed illnesses listed above? I just thought that they would see those diagnoses from my private doctor from the medical records so didn't list them all. That was probably a mistake, but can that be corrected yet. They haven't even got my signature yet to even order my private medical records and only a week or so ago requested the SMR's. Or do I simply send them my private medical records the method you described and everything else should be good to go? I just want to make sure that this goes fast and without having to appeal? So if I need to do something to make that happen, then please let me know because I need to take action now as I'm sure you realize. I made the stupid mistake of just going in the VA office and filing for disability compensation without doing the research first. I didn't even know about chronic fatigue syndrome until after I submitted the application. And, finally, does the VA tend to make a decision on a claim faster if they know that a lawyer is representing you? Once again, all your help is greatly appreciated!!!
  3. Also, I will be filing for SSI as I am not eligable for SSDI. Should I wait until a decision has been made on the disability compensation claim or do you think I'm good to just move forward with the SSI application now? Did I read an accurate statement online that the Wounded Warriers Org. can put a "Expedite" label on the SSI application so it could get approved in about 2 months? Sorry for all the questions. Noob.
  4. Yes, all those diagnoses that I mentioned below were diagnosed by Kaiser doctors over the last 4 years and most of those items are also listed as chronic like the headaches, muscle pain, gerd, and fatigue. So now that I have that sitting right here in my hands, can I just contact the regional office and have them add unexplained chronic illnesses or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I need to figure out how to proceed because they are waiting for me to respond to the letter they just sent me and I really need this to go through right away as I really need that "compensation". Thanks for your help.
  5. Thanks Senior Chief. I have done the research and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the one. I was aware that FM was similar, but found that CFS shared most of my symptoms. Symptoms include the following: Severe painful headaches Muscle Aches Fatigue Joint Pain Inability to Focus Cannot Concentrate Memory Failure Sleeping Problems Cannot Work Bedridden Most of the time Sore Throat Minor Fevers Neck becomes tender Energy problems IMO Diagnosis over the last 4 years (only time that I've had medical insurance): Chronic Daily Headache Bipolar Chronic Depression Pain Medication Management Plan GERD Chronic Rhinitis Skin Cysts (developed during the end of tour and had surgery right after to remove some. Many still exist) Exophoria (Eyes deviate outwards) Leg Pain Sciatica - Nerve Pain Lower Back Pain Joint Pain Muscle Aches Fatigue Allergic Rhinosinusitis Upper Facial Weakness "ABNL Finding on EKG" END I was in the Persian Gulf in 1996. The fatigue and headaches and the GERD are the most dominant symptoms still to date. Can I add Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as another reason for filing for disability compensation even though I filed the "formal" form about two weeks ago? Right now I just received the first letter stating that they are requesting my service medical records and they asked me to sign a release form so they can get my Kaiser records from the last 4 years. I contacted Kaiser and have those records printed that I plan on sending them that proves everything. More than likely my MSR's were destroyed because I was discharged in 1996. Agree on that assumption? How should I proceed senior chief?
  6. Thank you, Carly, it's a pleasure to be aboard. One of the major things I need to know about my situation is if it's too late to add Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to the list of medical reasons for file for disability compensation? Or if I have to get diagnosed first or go through some kind of required exam or something? Should I get one of those free lawyers to help me so I don't have to file again and waste a lot of time? I need assistance right away so I really need to know the fastest way for me to get compensation. I have my medical records from the last 4 years that chronicle my chronic headaches and bipolar. I did not have medical insurance until 4 years ago, but I was diagnoses with bipolar in the military and was having fatigue and sleeping problems that they also will see in the records. More than likely the records have been destroyed because it was 1996 when I was discharge. Am I correct in assuming that? I just read about a similar case and she won her claim on appeal and her medical records were also destroyed and they approved her on "presumptive service-connection" see below... For her part, the Veteran has reported a history of headaches, and back, neck and wrist pain dating back to service. She is competent to report experiencing these symptoms in service, and to also report a continuity of similar symptomatology since service as symptoms of headaches and joint pain are all capable of lay observation. Her testimony in this regard may serve to satisfy the requirement for a nexus between an in-service event and a current disability. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007). The Board is aware that there are no medical records that show treatment or complaint of the claimed disorders within the first few years after the Veteran's discharge from service in 1991. Incurrence of a disorder or disease during service may be rebutted by absence of medical treatment for, or related complaints about, the claimed condition for a prolonged period after service. See Maxson v. West, 12 Vet. App. 453 (1999), aff'd, 230 F.3d 1330 (Fed. Cir. 2000). Thus, the absence of treatment for several years after service weighs against her current testimony of continuity of symptomatology. Nonetheless, the VA examiner's opinion can be read as placing the evidence in equipoise on the question of whether the current headaches, back, neck, and wrist disorders are related to service. Destruction of service medical records creates a heightened duty on the part of VA to consider the applicability of the benefit of the doubt, to assist the claimant in developing the claim, and to explain its decision. Cromer, 19 Vet App 215 (2005); Russo v. Brown, 9 Vet. App. 46, 51 (1996). With these considerations in mind, and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, entitlement to service connection for headaches, recurrent lumbosacral strain, cervical spondylosis, and bilateral wrist tendonitis is therefore granted. 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(b). ORDER Service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, as an undiagnosed illness, is granted. Service connection for a disorder manifested by bilateral knee pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia, is granted. Service connection for a headache disorder, variously diagnosed, is granted. Service connection for a disorder manifested by back pain, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is granted. Service connection for a disorder manifested by neck pain, diagnoses as spondylosis, is granted. Service connection for a disorder manifested by bilateral wrist pain, diagnosed as tendonitis, is granted. ______________________________________________ Mark D. Hindin Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals END ...my case is almost exactly like hers, except I have more documented symptoms that were "medically unexplained" that are recorded in my medical records from the last 4 years. How could I get an approval on my claim without having to go through the appeals process like the above had to do? How could I use her case to benefit mine? I personally think I should hire a lawyer from this point on, but am completely open to suggestions and advice so please share your knowledge and experience.
  7. So did this case result in 100% disability rating? My recent case I just submitted has nearly the same circumstances and symptoms.
  8. I just filed for disability compensation and they are in the process of getting my medical records. I know for a fact that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I was medically, honorably discharged in 1996 and was in the Persian gulf. I was told that I would not quality for VA assistance so haven't persued it until recently. I was approved and put into Priority Group 3 as service-connected. I haven't been given a rating yet as I just filed for disability compensation. I have had chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms since the end of my tour. The last 4 years have been the worse with chronic headaches and joint/muscle pain. I had Kaiser and haven't been able to afford to keep it because I haven't been able to work in over 4 years. I have 9 of the 10 symptoms of CFS and it is all documented in my medical records which I have right in front of me and will be sending to the regional office in support of my claim. I did not claim disability compensation due to CFS because I only recently heard about it and learned that I have it because I have had all of those symptoms for 15 years. I have been diagnosed as having chronic headaches and joint problems, GERD, concentration/memory issues, throat problems, etc... all of which are documented in my medical records. My question is: What do I do now? I already filed for disability compensation due to the 4+ years of chronic headaches and also for bipolar which is what I was diagnosed with in the military. Should I get the CFS diagnosis somehow? And, if so, how do I go about getting the diagnosis? Can I simply add on to the disability compensation claim that I just turned in and add CFS to it or should I do something else? I learned that if I was diagnoses with CFS and have been unable to work for 4+ years that I would get a 100% disability rating which I should have in my opinion because it's impossible for me to work. Or, should I file for unemployabiltiy. I just don't know which direction to go and what order to do it in and I need asistance asap. What do you all suggest?
  9. Hello y'all. This is my first post and I just became a member. I have a situation that I need help with. I just got approved for VA Health and got put into Priority Group 3. That will more than likely change as I just filed for disability compensation and will also file for unemployability. I was medically, honorably discharged in 1996. I was told that I would not be eligible for VA Health so I never pursued it. I went for years without medical insurance because I couldn't afford it. It was hard for me to keep a job due to my disability. 4 years ago I started to get worse headaches that were a symptom of my disability. The headaches got worse and worse and they became severe, daily chronic headaches. My mother finally helped pay for medical insurance so I had Kaiser for the last 4+ years. I seen countless doctors and specialists and was diagnosed with chronic headaches and bipolar. I was given Vicodin for the pain because nothing else worked so I took it for 3+ years. My wife and I lost our home and had to file bankruptcy. We had to move to a different state were we could afford to live and my medical insurance is no longer good and my mother cannot help to pay it any longer. My mom suggested that I try to get VA Health and low and behold I get accepted with a service-connected disability. I recently filed for disability compensation and will file for unemployability as I cannot work with these chronic headaches as I am in daily severe pain. I have been without pain medication for a couple months now and it's just become too much to deal with. I had my first doctors appointment yesterday and my dodge durango broke down on the highway getting there as it was a 20+ mile drive, so I missed the appointment and was not able to get pain medication or my other medications that I ran out of. My problem is that I can't get to VA Health because (1) If I were to reschedule they told me I'd have to wait until August to see the doctor, and (2) If I try to get a same day appointment by calling at 7:30am, then if I do get the appointment I couldn't get a ride because DAV needs at least a day ahead of time to be able to fit into the schedule. They gave me the number to the "VA Transportation Division" and they told me that they wouldn't pay anything and couldn't help and could only pay $0.40 something cents a mile for transportation to a doctor appointment. They did tell me that I could go to the nearest Air Force Base here in Las Vegas and go to the emergency room but I wouldn't be able to get there either. It is hard enough for me to get out of the house because the pain radiates down my body and I also have chronic fatigue syndrome (I believe) because I have nearly all of the symptoms and was in the Red Sea which is the other qualifier. My other question is should I file for unemployability for the chronic headaches and bipolar or file for disability compensation for chronic fatigue syndrome. It was never diagnosed, but I have all my medical records for the last 4 years right here with me and it chronicles all my many doctors appointments, all the different medications they had me try and all the symptoms that I've had, which are also the symptoms listed for chronic fatigue syndrome. So, I'm not sure in which order I should do all this in. And, I need pain medication before this pain pushes me over the edge as I've dealt with it patiently the best that I could. And now that I missed that doctors appointment yesterday and would have to wait until August if I were to reschedule, and I couldn't get a ride if I were to end up getting a same day appointment, Well, you can see my problem. Any suggestions on those many questions? I would greatly appreciate any help. Also, would I be entitled to anything because I was told that I wouldn't be eligible for VA Health? One other question regarding my circumstances. I found out through researching online that I should also be eligible for SSI which could be about $1000 a month. Would I get less from VA if they do approve my unemployability? Also, I also learned that Wounded Warriors would rush my SSI application so it would be approved in 2 months instead of 6 to 9. Anyone have any experience with that? Are there any other benefits that are available that I should apply for considering my particular circumstances? Sorry for all the questions, but I know that I have to get all these applications in and I need money to pay bills. I have a wife (and 2 dogs) and it's hard enough with my disabilities (that are no joke). My wife had a husband that died of leukemia and she told me that I have gone through at least twice as much pain on a daily basis than he ever did to give you guys a better understanding of my situation.
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