Philip Rogers

Berta - to my knowledge, the VA has exempted the drug companies from any lawsuits, which is probably why they get a huge discount. pr

Just remember they evaluate everything, eye contact, the way you dress, the way you walk, your demeanor, etc.. When I was checked for my back and knee, the examiner tried to trick me, by saying the stairs out the back door were shorter. They watch you from the moment you show-up until even as you leave the exam. Be honest but don't offer any extra info, unless it is important to your claim. If it's for a mental health exam, you may want to bring some notes, so you remember everything. I had to, as I frequently forget things, when I feel I'm under pressure. pr

I agree, they'll probably continue you at 50% (jmo). If so, you'll need to appeal. If you're not working you should file for TDIU and SSDI, today. In '89, I started at 30%, I appealed, appealed and appealed, etc., and was awarded 50%, then 70%, then 70% w/TDIU and then in '99, the BVA awarded me 100% back to '89. I appealed every decision, until the last one. If you have any other conditions, such as tinnitus, that could be service-connected(SC), you should file for those also. During my 10yrs of appealing I filed for TDIU 4 times, just in case. BTW, my retro award was about $250 under $100k. Never, ever, ever, ever, give up!!!!!!!!! pr

It is possible but you'll need to register at each VAMC. pr

I think what that astronaut did, from the space station, was quite fitting! jmo pr

I agreeeeeeeeeeee!!! Unfortunately, it won't happen. jmo pr

Sorry, I can't tell ya! You may want to check the education rules, tho. They generally won't go back to prior to your claim date. jmo pr

Gastone - unless I missed something, I don't see them going retro, to a year before the claimant filed, as they only go back to the date the claim is filed, except for claims for increases. jmo pr

If I were you I'd email VA Sec Bob and his next in charge, Allison, and see if they can help. They have clearly retaliated against you. They should have awarded you P&T last year. jmo pr

He had a good life!!! I'd like to make 83yo. I checked SSA stats and they figure based on my age now(69), they estimate I'll make 85yo but that doesn't bring into count any medical conditions. Anyone of us that served in VN are living on borrowed time, for sure! Thanks, Leonard Nimoy, for all the pleasure you brought us over the years!!! pr

I agree, 50-70%,is probable pr

63SIERRA - Were you in a VAMC for your surgery?? If so, it would be considered an informal claim. As to a civilian hospital, I'm not sure but it would be worth looking into. jmo Do you currently have any VA rating(s)?? pr

They accepted you the way you were, so they're responsible - period! pr

I did notice, on CBS news, I think it was last night, that they were saying that this is happening while Brian Williams and someone else were being called out on their statements - so it's kinda like tit-for-tat by the press (we're getting even for what's happening to our members)!!! I, personally, don't think "Bob" needs to apologize for his statement!!! I see it for what it was, Bob trying to establish a "rapport" w/the veteran, as Hamslice stated, above. Berta knows, too! I think they should verify the veteran's statement, as I seriously doubt he was in the Special Forces. jmo I, also, believe we are becoming too touchy-feely and politically correct about everything. There are so many more important issues to work on! (again, jmo) pr

I sure don't like the way they are jumping on his sh*t over this, on the news. Even John McCain, that's such bullsh*t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jmo Especially since most of those news types never served!!! jmo pr

Buck - you should submit a photo of PFC William Lloyd Foley, to the virtual wall, so they can put a person to the name. I just did this just last week on my best friend, then. jmo pr

I don't understand the need for the police report of your assault if you are already rated for PTSD?? Getting the report will not increase your rating. They rate PTSD on your current condition, not how bad the incident may be that caused the PTSD. It doesn't sound like they're trying to cheat you out of any back pay, to me. pr

I'd request that your attorney send you documentation of the hours worked, and by whom, on your case. If he did as little work as you say, the VA may deny some of his payment. I doubt he received any monies from EAJA, unless your claim went to the CAVC, and he represented you there. jmo pr

Dealing w/VocRehab can be a pain. They sent my stuff to an old address(from yrs ago because she was too lazy to check the current address) and then reamed me, about not returning the paperwork. Her main problem was that she had a claim and it was not going well. I spent about 45min - hour explaining how she could win her claim and by then her attitude had changed. Myself, I would wait until I wasn't working and then apply for TDIU. jmo pr

I still think he's better than what we've had running the VA! To me he was trying to make the veteran feel a kinship w/him. He didn't say he was in "The Special Forces" but that he was in special forces. I believe, at that time period, both the Special Forces, Navy Seals and Rangers were newly formed units. Many officers and NCO's had been thru Ranger school but I don't believe there were any active Ranger units, since WW-II, until VN. He was a paratrooper, which were, in effect, a special forces "type" unit, in that they were above and beyond the regular Army troops. The same could be said about submariners. I certainly don't ID myself as special forces, even though I was a paratrooper. One of the guys, in my platoon, that I served with, was later "attached" to The Special Forces, at FT Bragg, upon his return to CONUS (1966/67). He later became a state rep, in Wisconsin and had ID'd himself as a former member of The Special Forces, which he was not. His lie was eventually discovered and he is no longer a state rep, there. I have a guy, who used to be in my PTSD group, that claims he was in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, when he was actually in the 1/50th Mechanized Infantry, which was "attached" to the 173rd. He even went so far as to get a 173rd tattoo, w/airborne wings on his arm, even though he was neither airborne or assigned to the 173rd. In the Army, attached personnel are authorized to wear the unit patch, of the unit they were attached to, while in that unit but aren't authorized to wear it as a combat patch, on their right shoulder. I want to add that many of the homeless, that ID themselves as vets, often aren't, and with further dialog w/them can be discovered as phony's. Many use the vet status as a rouse to get more donations or services, by wearing military clothing. jmo pr

On the orthopedic exam, be sure to stop any range of motion, when the pain first starts. Don't overextend yourself, especially on your back. jmo pr

They generally go with the previous exam/award and stick w/the same rating. It sounds like you've been rated about one year or so, so I wouldn't plan on receiving a P&T status, especially since you appear to have done well up until 2013. Once you hit the 5yr mark you'll have a better chance and will probably be awarded P&T, then. I see two things that are detrimental to your claim and they are good eye contact and no suicidal or homicidal ideation. Most of us, even so-called normal people, have suicidal ideation, periodically. You probably just didn't want to admit it. jmo Good luck!! pr

You could get a copy of you c-file, which could be expedited by contacting your congress person, for help. jmo pr

I, personally, feel that many vets are homeless by choice and are dealing w/PTSD. For many, they find it difficult to work for others and are basically entrepreneurs, in that they choose to work for themselves, whether it be recycling or panhandling. Having been in the military, you realize how little you really need to survive. My original jobs, upon discharge(1968) were menial at best. I had to work one fulltime and two part-time jobs to afford an apartment and a car, even tho I had put half of the new car cost as a down payment, only to have it repossessed, within less than a year. The bank screwed me there but that's another story. I had a cousin who was making more money, panhandling, than I was, in '68-'69, working. He was 16yo at the time and it used to really p*ss me off. jmo pr

I believe they are found at he National Archives in College Park, Maryland and I don't believe they can be found online. I've been to the archives, there, and it's amazing the records that are found there. jmo pr