KMoeller68

I recevied a letter dated 21 Feb 2013 from my VA Regional Office (Oakland, CA) stating they are in receipt of my claim (Appeal filed May 2012 with DAV assistance) and due to back log, a decision in my case may be delayed (I opted for DRO Review after the VA received by NOD). Yesterday, I decided to call the 800 number and inquire on the 'wording' of the letter, as I wanted clairification the VA was referring to my Appeal, not my initial claim that was denied. I was told it was regarding my appeal, and that a 'drop dead' decision date was put on my appeal of August 19, 2013. I asked what that means, and the rep couldn't really explain it, so I contaced my DAV (since my initial claim filing in April 2010, I have only spoken to the DAV once!) and yet again had to leave a message...that I know won't get returned. Has anyone else been through this? PS....I actually went down to the Regional Office in Oakland and viewed my C-File....and found all the medical records indicating the medical diagnosis I based my Claim on, and the VA denied my initial claim as "No evidence of service connected condition while on active duty". I have provided all my civilian medical files (that show throughout the last 20 years I have been seeking medical attention for my diagnosis), a Nexus letter from my civilian provider to the VA (indicating that I have a lifelong condition that is chronic and I am prone to flare ups that can be dibilitating...and connecting the diagnosis in service and subsequent treatement since separating). When I viewed my C file, I requested (and received) copies of the documentation in my C-File that provide my diagnosed condition while in service. The ironic thing is....when I looked through my C-File, my C&P Examiner put colored tabs on the pages that indicated my diagnosis...and in my Denial letter, it referrs to the examiner not finding any evidence in my file that I was ever diagnosed with that condition...Can anyone explain that? Is it that bad at the VA that they just deny claims, even though the evidence is staring at them in black and white (I hade several procedures/tests that show the diagnosis while in service)? Oh...PSS...while in the original claim process, I actually got a call from a case manager regarding clarification on my mailing address, and even He acknowledged he saw in my claim file the diagnosis. I'm so stressed out (stress causes flare ups) over all this, I wonder now, if I should file a claim for stress/anxiety!!! Thanks for listening! Any thoughts on that drop dead date?

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your advice and support. You have all given me some good pieces of information that will be very useful going forward. First, I was operated on at the clinic on base at Malmstrom AFB in Montana in August 1992...prior to the scheduled procedure, I had been seen at that clinic of course and also Wilford Hall at Lackland AFB, Texas. The surgeon that performed the surgery was actually a civillian doctor that the military contracted to have come onbase for operations. Would I still be able to contact the clinic almost 19 years later and get the operative report, Surgeon's Summary and the Rx for Provera? I continued to have complications and symtoms even after the surgery that kept me going back to the clinic until shortly before I seperated from the AF. Also, would the conversation I had with my First Sgt. be summarized in my Military file, and can I request that file? I'm sure it's seperate from my SMR file...but am I able to have copies of what I would call my 'service or personnel' file? I guess I must first gather all documents the VA/Military has on me, then put the timeline together myself and attach the records as 'evidence'. What I am still confused by is why would the VA Doctor I had my exam with said the Endo is service connected during my exam, but the reason for decision states: "The examiner stated that your Endometriosis and Adenomyosis were not diagnosed while in the military." First, the Adenomyosis was not diagnosed in the military and I never claimed it was, it was diagnosed in 2003, but is considered related to Endometriosis...it used to be referred to as "internal endometriosis" meaning the disease is located inside the uterus, while Endometriosis is located outside the uterus (on the tubes, ovaries or attached to other internal organs). This is why I claimed it to be a secondary condition to the Endometriosis that was diagnosed while in the military. I'm not certian why they are combining the two together, when I listed the primary condition as Endometriosis...and the two secondary condtions (diagnosed after seperation) were the Adenomyosis and the foot/ankle condition. Are they using a 'play' on words, including the Adenomyosis in that sentence because it wasn't diagnosed in the military, and so it can be 'considered' a true statement? Also, after I had my VA exam, I called the Case Worker, Louis, and asked if my file had been recieved back for review and did the Examiner put in his notes that in our conversation it was discussed that the Endometriosis was service connected, and the VA Case Worker stated, "Yes, I do see that it is noted that Endometriosis was diagnosed in the Military and is service connected." However, in the Reason for Decision, it states, " Without evidence showing a chronic disability which occurred in or was cuased by military service, service connection is denied." It seems it should be three different Resons for decision as each were listed apart from each other on my claim...so I should have three decision reasons, but the first is titled "Service Connection for Endometriosis with Adenomyosis" and is wrong due to the fact I never stated I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis while in service. The Second Decision Reason is regarding my foot and is listed as secondary to endometriosis with Adenomyosis... Thanks for listening to my rants....I'll get to work on requesting my SMR and my C-File and my Personnel file and keep everyone updated....It means a lot to me to find this site!

Hello, I am an Honorably Discharged Female USAF Gulf Era Veteran. While in the Service I was operated on, and diagnosed, with a medical condition called Endometriosis. In conversations with the doctor, I was told I had Stage 4 Endometriosis and given several options on how to control symptoms, etc. This was in August of 1992 while stationed at Malmstrom AFB, MT. In December of that same year, I had several things go wrong and was back and forth to the OBGYN at the clinic. After about a month of exams, tests and medications, I got a call from my First Sgt. While in his office, he explained to me that the only way to treat my condition was through something called "Uterine Cauterization". I asked if that would relieve my symptoms, but allow me in the future, to have children...and he responded "No, I wouldn't be able to have children if I had the procedure." So, I declined. I was confused as to why my First Sgt. was the one to have this discussion with me, so I went back to the Doctor that did the surgery and he explained that he was able to get all the lesions from the endo during surgery, but that I also had 'internal endo' which was located inside the uterus, and without the cauterization process, he could only give me meds to help with the pain and symptoms...so we went with that. At the end of visit, he asked me if I wanted children in the future, was that why I declined the cauterization procedure, and I said yes. He wrote out prescriptions for me and I got them filled. A few months later, I find out I'm pregnant (May 1993). I go back to the Doctor and he explained that one of the medications he provided me was called "Provera"....which is a drug prescribed for women with Endometriosis, but it also is used in conjunction with fertility! My doctor did not tell me anything about this medication other than it would help with the (sorry if it's too much info!) bleeding issues I was having. My Commander was not happy I was pregnant and bascially pushed me to get out of the AF and I seperated 15 Aug 1993. I didn't have any of the Seperation appointments that are normally set up...I didn't have a medical exam, or anything. I was just sent to admin to help fill out my DD214 Form, and that was that. I didn't know to ask for my medical records, or anything. Fast forward to April of 2010...I find out that I should have been told to report to the VA to start a claim as soon as I got home as a civilian. I missed out on my GI Bill for the same reasons...I had no clue that the medical condition I was diagnosed while in the military for entitled me to compensation. So, I fill out the claim a year ago April. In that claim, I also ask for Adenomyosis as a secondary diagnosis to the Endometriosis. I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis in 2003...it is what is considered "Internal Endometriosis", which was why I was offered the Cauterization procedure for while in the military. Due to the Adenomyosis, I had to be put on a medication called Depot Lupron for an extended period of time to get my symptoms under control...this caused Osteopenia in my left foot and ankle....which in 2005, I injured so much so, I required donor tendon and grafting....which my body rejected due to contaminated subcutaneous sutures...causing me to go septic...I was inpatient for 6 days, almost lost my life and almost my foot. I was able to keep both by the grace of God, but my foot is so bad now, that I have included this as part of my claim. Had it not been for the Adenomyosis, the Lupron would not have been needed, and I would not have had the Osteopenia, which is why I hurt my foot... I've been denied all three as of June 22, 2011. I am told there is nothing in my military records indicating Endometriosis...only 'bleeding issues'. How can that be? How can I come up with these conversations, surgeries, diagnoses and prescribed medications unless I actually HAD THEM???? I also recevied a letter from the DAV offering assistance...which I will call on Monday. However, I want to point out that I spoke to two different VA people (one from 800 #, Louis a Case Manager) and the Doctor that I had to see for the C&P Exam....they BOTH confirmed that the Endometriosis was service connected in conversations. I also brought copies of my medical records (not my SMR, but all civillian records) when I filled out my claim and to my C&P Exam...and neither time did they want anything to do with them...they kept telling me they had received all medical records required in order to make a decision....but in the decision, it states they were missing several of the items I HAVE COPIES OF and tried to provide them. Ugh!!!!! HELP!!! What do I do????