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olenavygoat
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Posts posted by olenavygoat
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The only way we'll get any major reaction is for vets across this country to expose every aspect of the system to the media. Another area to be concentrated on is what the VA, Tri-Care or Medicare is getting charged for. Medical supply places at a minimum double teh price on everything they buy. Depending on the item they as much as quadruple it. Recently I re-injured my back and needed a back-brace and cane from service connected injuries. The VA primary care doctor told me I would have to have an appointment with prosthetics. The appointment came in the mail and was for over a month away. So, having Tri-Care I went to see my private doctor for teh scripts via th eVA letter stating I was to report for evaluation for the types I'd need. The back-brace I received from the medical supply place costs them less than $200, I used to buy them when I worked there. They charged Tri-Care over $1000.00, of which they paid $644, the company gracioulsy wrote off $200 and sent me a bill for $160.00!!!!!
If we all worked together to report this greed we could insure our policies not to increase for years.
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Good advice by Vike.
Although trauma may contribute to sleep disturbance, so can pain. I would say your best bet is to keep up with dreams/nightmares and/or pain that is disturbing your sleep. If it's neither, it could be a prostate or obstructive based issue.
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So, is this an isolated incident or why claims are taking so long to be decided while they dig backwards to try to save money?
This sounds like a wish-washy railroad job.
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I think it's a terrible thing that our government continues to piece-meal the info out about agent orange like none of the studies of the effects weren't predetermined before used. It was a calculated risk, one that continues to ruin and end lives. The whole truth may come out 50 years from now after all Vietnam vets are deceased.
As for the TDUI and 100% scheduler, the difference is Dependancy Indemnity Compensation (DIC). If you type in "DIC from VA" on MSN or Google and you read about the benefit coverage and rates.
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Not to be in defense of many of them, but, some are hit with so many vets that all they have time for is to listen to what you tell them and do the claim on-line with the VA. Unfortunately for us vets, most don't ask for a copy of what the SO puts in. Then as was said, you have some that weither do not know Title 38 or MR manuals well enough or misconstrue what you tell them and code it incorrectly.
All in all, I agree with the other folks. Read the regs yourself so you know what you can claim and what the approx. rating should be. If you need copies I'm certain the board can accomodate you.
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I'm thinking your headaches are either sinus or cervical spine related? If there was no other trauma to the head other than the car accident, it's probably what has caused the condition. If there was a serious condition you may want t orelay you had head trauma. However, if you've been through your C & P they've connected you for "headaches". How your headaches manifested were assumed to have occurred in service, no matter the cause. Now the broken thumb, you may wish to have them service connect if not already done in case meds or surgery may be required later in life.
They actually rated you for "headaches"? I was under the impression it had to be "migraine".
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I wouldn't take any chances. I would insure that you fax th eform to the Oakland, CA RO for inclusion to your claim at the rating board, typically referred to as their "triage section". I would also give a copy to your local rep. and ask them if they would be so gracious as to check occassionally for your record transfer.
I can see the RO's concern about transferring any of the records until a decision is made though. It's easy enough for them to lose pieces of paper due to the tremendous piles they deal with, let alone sending only a part of it ahead.
It does seem odd to do all of these C & P's at once. Usually there would be a seperate one for psychological and one for the hearing impairments.
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I would call the VA Voc Rehab in your state and explain th ecircumstances and ask them what would help in making the morons C & P examiner and the RO) see the light!
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It depends on the branch of service in most instances. If you do a Google search for "Standard Form 180" it will show you where the records are held and to be requested from on the second page.
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Unfavorable is indicating a medical concern of damage and limitation.
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I would have to say that with it being a presumptive AO disease and if the IMO is good that you're exactly right. The C & P doctor will look it over and sign off. I would however, if you have access, insure you take another copy of the IMO with you and insist it is included with the VA doctors opinion. You'll probably have a short series of standard questions as to where you were in-country and how much exposure you had to spray, damp foliage and dry foliage. I'm just really sorry to hear it has manifested itself and wish you the best.
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It should be somewhere in the aid and attendance segment of Title 38. You can get the info over the phone from the VA Voc Rehab folks.
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I have an acquaintence in the Voc Rehab arena. About 6-8 months ago they made it even stricter on the counselors to insure that folks getting approved for voc rehab woul be able to return to a work environment, earning $10 or more. So yeah, if you're entertaining the idea of 100% S/C or TDIU I would strongly recommend abstaining from application to the voc rehab program.
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Still, even though this is kinda off-beat, it would be interesting to know to which one one you are referring to; Adam, Chris or Lamar?
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It sounds like the diagnosis is there, but if it's not been rated, then th eGAF and other info have not been put together for rating consideration between VA departments. I've not heard of any ratings on PTSD being given without the exam. You are basically being observed and probed during a Comp & Pension exam, then your records reviewed to cooberate this information with your GAF score for them to come up with a rating, typically low-balled the first time around. Make sure if you're talking that the C & P examiner is writing, you may even wish to make a list of everything pertinant before your exam (e.g.; reactions to situations, types of nightmares, alcohol/drug self-medication, suicide thoughts or attempts., etc.). Also make sure you gather every shred of evidence you can of in-service stressors and events, get a copy of your medical records and your comp file from the VA to review as well.
Another tip I would lend is the questions that are asked during their exams. They will try to lad your answers in order to justify the lowest level of compensation. Any question you are not certain of its intent insure you query the examiner as to what htey mean, exactly. If there was ever a time to be laundering what you're going thru, this will be the time.
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webmd is pretty good too, one that someone here turned me on to. It's good for doing research on a lot of things. One thing I've found is to trust more on what you read outside of the VA system on meds, their effects and side effects. You would also benefit reviewing your disabilities and inquire as to secondary conditions. These too are ratable via VA claimed as such.
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You need to find out if the doctor is referring to your sons in-service mechanic position. It almost sounds like he's trying to leave an out stating that it was not a condition he was treated for in the service. If he hasn't worked since leaving the service, don't worry about it. However, if your son worked as a mechanic after getting out, stand by for heavy seas. You'll need to have the doc clarify his statement if he did work as a mech after service. Also by them making a statement about the remission, this will no doubt lower teh percentage for what is listed.
As far as the rating part for the spine, most of it will depend on the range of motion he has after post-op healing and therapy. At least the doc didn't try to discredit the service related treatment!
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Marty, please, let me know if you rec'd the e-mail about USERRA. I rec'd what looked like a come-back but there was no adnl verbiage. If you did no, please, e-mail me direct at ole_navy_goat@yahoo.com or my work e-mail thomas.mccann@state.tn.us . I typically do employment outreach services in TN but have gotten involved in assisting locally with claims. The folks that are giving you advice have typically been through what you're faced with and know the ropes. Anything you need in regards to fighting the VA, make sure you continue to consult the board of elders.
Also, anyone that would like a resource listing to use or pass on to their acquaintances just shoot me an e-mail to the work e-mail. It contains job hunting, military, disability and educational assistance sites. Granted a couple of entries are Tenn. specific but could easily be modified for use in your area.
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You are correct, it's once a year. You may order additional pairs for $30 either in clear or color lense that they have available.
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I would strongly advise you to look on-line for possible secondary conditions that could culminate from his condition.
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How closely did you look at your medical record for other conditions that may have arisen while in service? You may luck out and find something like tinnitus [ringing and temporary hearing impairment in the ear(s)] or some other that folks don't usually think about unless it's mentioned.
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To my knowledge of USC 38, 4211, you must have either;
Child of a Medal of Honor bearer
Child or spouse of a deceased veteran rated at 100% passing from a service connected condition
30 days in support of a theatre of operations under Title 10 recall
180 active days, not for training, discharged with other than dishonorable
or
A VA ratable injury or disease incurred from military service
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It sounds like both of you may wish to look at www.usdoj.gov.dea/concern/narcotics/.html as it explains the side effects in detail of narcotics.
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One recommendation I would make after reading what Berta sent would be to get a good list of what he is and what he wants to be rated on. Then sit down and make a list of points you want to make and be sure the doctor records in the C & P. As discussed earlier, this would be a good time to hunt up any other supporting documentation.
Whats This ?
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Almost $650, more if you have dependants. So there's a little more good news on Hadit for a change! : )