Philip Rogers

You cannot receive more than $985 a month and still get VA pension. If you get more SS than $985 VA will stop pension. The combination of the two cannot be more than $985, to receive VA pension. If you receive $300 from SS VA will reduce your pension payment to $685, so the two equal $985. If you have PTSD, you should apply for SC, as you can receive VA comp and SS. Also, if you took a reduced SS, at age 62, retirement age, you should apply for SSDI, as it pays the full rate. jmo pr

I'm going for my second study tonight. The VA is paying and tonight they'll put the CPAP machine on and figure out the settings. Then they'll notify the VA and the VA will order me a machine, from their cheap factory, probably somewhere in China. Cheap f**king VA!!! Now I have to connect it to my PTSD, for SC. pr

hedgey - congrats!!!! Chances are it's true cuz VSO's are notified before vets, as it allows the VSO's to appear that they are "knights in shining armour." The money "may" be in bank before notice arrives. TDIU, w/P&T, brings 100% rate of pay, ChampVA medical insurance for spouse and minor children, plus Chapter 35 educational benefits, for spouse and children under 26 yo, w/some beneficial exceptions. It will also bring some other state and federal bennies. Congrats, again!!! pr

Carla - I believe the part that states "fear for their own life or the life of others" is directly from the VA. The DSM IVTR states: The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present: 1.the person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others. 2.the person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror. I believe the VA re-wrote the criteria in an effort to decrease or limit the number of claims. jmo pr

I believe it should apply, to you, because it has to do w/AO exposure and not just specifically VN service. Sounds like you'll need conclusive evidence of exposure, but then what do I know. jmo pr

I believe it should apply, to you, because it has to do w/AO exposure and not just specifically VN service. Sounds like you'll need conclusive evidence of exposure. jmo pr

I would think it would only go back to the regulation change. The rule is whichever rule is more favorable and since this is a new rule, they should only go back to July 13, 2010, unless he can meet the previous rules requirements. jmo pr

I believe Terry Higgins used to post here and faded away one day. I don't know what happened to him, tho. pr

Thanks, Berta! Not sure what you mean about Allen V Principi. I'm already SC for ETOH secondary to PTSD. Based on the above they'll probably give me 10%, which I'll, obviously, appeal. Thanks again and have a great Thanksgiving day!!! pr

I've just been diagnosed with acute/chronic pancreatitis, during a four day stay, at a local hospital. I'll file a claim tomorrow. I'm already SC for ETOH, so this should be a no-brainer. My local hospital called my VAMC and verified that "acute pancreatitis" is an emergency and I am eligible for the services. The VA person stated they should send the bill to them to process. We'll see what happens, there! Is anyone out there rated for pancreatitis?? If so, what code number and what percentage?? Thanks! pr

A friend of mine did, some yrs back and he was very satisfied w/their service. pr

I believe there are four options: oral meds like viagra, cialis, etc.; the vacuum pump, as seen advertised in DAV, AL, VFW, etc. magazines; self injections into the penis and the surgical implant. Pick one. pr

I would file for undiagnosed illnesses, listing all your symptoms. jmo pr

Any chance your depression is really PTSD, from the chemical plant explosion?? Just a thought. pr

I'm sorry so many, here, are so judgemental!!! Who knows why he left??? I sure don't! Maybe his PTSD was so bad he felt it was best to go AWOL . . . . That was many yrs ago. jmo pr

So what's your point??? You want them to pay for a misdiagnosis, back in 2/66??? pr

You could go check your c-file. He may have sent it and the VA could have misfiled it. You could also get a personal copy from your chiropractor and deliver it to the VA, yourself. pr

I had it but they found it was scrub typhus. They treated with antibiotics and it subsided. No residuals that I know of. Good luck! pr

I'm going to disagree w/halos2 and testvet. There is a slight chance they could pay retro but it'll take a long time and much argument . . . and this is just my opinion. Since you were already SC and rated 10% any treatment by the VA should have been treated as an increased claim request. I think you'd win, in the end, but it'll be a fight. Then again, I could be wrong. pr

I was involved in a study of what was called "flooding," back in 1990-1991 time frame. During the study we were required to looked at still photos of combat action. The first time without sound and the second time with sound. The sound was that of small arms, grenades, machine gun and mortar fire. I'd do this for about an hour and a half and then get sent home. It took me weeks to get rid of the feelings that therapy brought up. They eventually scrapped that therapy idea. Sounds like they're bringing it back, tho!!! I'd stay away from it. pr

Barring any law against it, that I'm unaware of, I don't see why not. SSDI advocates need not be attorneys, so I don't see why a non-professional couldn't do it. I believe Allsup is not attorneys. jmo Lets see what others say. pr

On the question of using BVA decisions in your appeals - remember you are dealing w/adjudicators. Most would be willing to award the benefit if you can show them how. I used BVA cases in my appeals, quoting info that was identical to my claim. What needs to be done is for you to show the adjudicator how to come to the correct conclusion. The VA says you can't use non-precedential cases but I believe you can. They just may not hold up on appeal, to the CAVC, but for the average adjudicator, it points them in the right direction. jmo pr

DRO hearings are usually recorded. I see this as a probable winner, w/retro to 1994. jmo pr

I agree w/Carlie and John, you should go for it! I have my doubts but I've been wrong before. It was in 1965, when I went in the Army. pr

I would call them grave procedural errors, rather than CUE's. Something can't be CUE until the decision becomes final, which happens one yr after the decision, if not appealed. CUE in this sense, is a specific term for use in the VA claims process. You can NOD a grave procedural anytime before the one yr appeal time tolls. So yes, that's what I'm saying. pr