Philip Rogers

Sorry Max, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry to have picked on you. And on a side note, we had a whole platoon of commo guys in my company that were awarded CIB's in late 1965/early1966. pr

Not to piss you off but in the latter years, after 1967, everyone got medals. Not that you didn't deserve them but it wasn't just officers. Also the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, for most, was just a ribbon & 7 counteroffensive campaigns is just a period of time. What's the ArCom??? How about a CIB - you got one??? Airborne!! jmo pr

For absolute definition of child you need to read 38 CFR 3.57 Child. My system doesn't support microsoft office which is what I needed to post the code. I think he's covered but you've changed your statement from "adopted to legal guardianship." That may change it. pr

Pete - I'm going to disagree with you on the wheelchair issue, in that it can't be the sole cause but can cause other hardships. Nowadays, with all the specialized HC equipment for ambulating and driving, being in a wheelchair doesn't have the same issues it had years ago. HB and A&A are both the same payment. In your case I think your agoraphobia qualifies you for it. For a PTSD rated vet the anxiety of leaving a safe area can qualify them. I know vets that literally don't leave their property except for medical appointments and maybe an occassional holiday meal with family. One qualifies for A&A based just on the need of help from others and it doesn't need to be paid help. This can be for things as simple as meal preparation, compliance with medication orders, the looking out for issues of safety in ones daily life, to name a few. I can't cook because I easily get distracted and forget that I have something on the stove, until the smoke detector sounds and by then the meal is past edible, plus the issue of potential fire. Safety issue. We'll see if I win? I think this new interpretation by the court will open the door for many, no matter what some of you Monday night quarterbacks/legal experts think. jmo pr

You should be able to turn in evidence at your VAMC, have them stamp it received and then they forward it to the RO. A VA is a VA is a VA. Don't matter which one. jmo pr

Another way is to make a photocopy of the front page of your document with the certified addressed envelope. Read that suggested somewhere. pr

I have read that book, Terry, thanks to you. It is excellent! You can see how the VA, SSDI, and Insurance companies work. Delay, delay, delay and then deny, deny, deny. pr

No problem. I've got published proof of rocket attack on the Air Base he worked as dog handler on security patrol. VA rater claims stressor not severe enough. Sorry VA but that's a shrinks decision to make not a raters. jmo pr

Easy, it's about the money. I've got a vet they keep denying has PTSD but they've been treating him for PTSD for about 4 yrs. Duh! pr

I seriously doubt any here wouldn't rather have our lives back and be working. Not working is extremely hard, especially on our self estem or how we feel about ourselves, which is what we called it when I was your age. You are very lucky, in that because of us, you are able to get what you have. There never used to be a diagnosis called PTSD. We treated ourselves with alcohol, drugs and over working. We became "aholics or addicts." Most of us didn't originally become disabled due to PTSD, until we were forced to stop working for some other reason, whether it was a layoff, some type of medical disability, downsizing, or whatever. The PTSD got worse due to our inability to work. No doubt if a claimant can continue to work I say do it because when you stop you life goes into the sh*tter. As for your question, at 61 yeras old, I'd skip the pill. I paid my dues and I know what and who I am. Now if I was 33, I'd take the pill and then start kicking a** and taking names. Airborne, Sergeant!!! jmo pr

Nope! jmo pr

Couldn't you get an "L" award and an "s" award? I think you can get a "k" award, with another SMC award, so why not an "s" award? pr

Larry, I got a friend rides a trike and he's got cerebral palsy. Of course he's never ridden a real bike though, either. Gonna have to hang mine up too, one of these days. I think about it . . . . then think nawwww, not yet. At least ya got Harley Dog. Later . . . pr

LarryJ - they make an apparatis for m/c's works like training wheels - in that when your stopped the wheels are down and on acceleration they retract and then extend when slowing at about 5 mph. There's also a trike but to give up riding is to die. Bad enuf they named a bike Harley, but your poor dog. lol jmo pr

John, I'd say they screen you because you take opiates. I think they are making sure you are taking them and no selling them and it may be allowed because it's part of your pain clinic contract, but they are not allowed to just randomly test anyone for drugs, unless they have written informed consent. pr

John, I think that's incorrect. I think that only happens when you are in an in-patient PTSD program and you've signed a release that allows that. I found in my records where they had tested me in error and there was a statement in there that stated that it was done in error. As for MJ, one of the vets in my VVA chapter says the VA in Spokane, WA, will prescribe medical MJ for him but he lives in Idaho so it can't be mailed to him and they can't give it to him to transport into Idaho, because it's illegal there. I think he's considering moving to Washington. I know a few PTSD vets who say it works for them. I won't because it's illegal and it might make me want to smoke cigarettes again, which was way too hard to quit. Acually, one of my counselors says it's less harmful to our bodies and less dangerous to society than alcohol. jmo pr

There is no "bottom of the pile." Files not being worked on are stored in the file room. Claims and schedued work is tracked via computer. I personally doubt it'll slow it down. Current claims will be worked in the order received and when all evidence requested is present. jmo pr

Dorothy - I looked thru 38 USC 1114 and don't see any mention of "the independent 50 or 100 rule," only the 100+60. My USC is the 2000 edition. Is this a more recent change? pr

I'm fairly positive it is an "s" award. If you go to the US code, 1114(s) covers 100+60 for housebound. That's why it's called an "s" award. You state you're 100%+50% or is that an error? Housebound for a single vet is $295 and that's the housebound rate. All the letter ratings are found in US code 1114. jmo pr

Not to be unsympathetic but who in their right mind goes to a VA for emergency care, probably deserves to die. Maybe that statement is a little harsh but when you need emergency care you want the most knowledgable, skilled and certified emergency room physicians available, not some doctor supplimenting his retirement income. Many go there because it's "free." I've always believed and stated that free care is worth just what you pay for it. How many VA's are rated a Trauma One level hospital. Probably none. I only go to the VA for meds and occassional lab work and when I need better meds then the VA will prescribe I pay for them out of pocket. But then that's me. I think the VA system is overloaded patients financially well off who can afford to go elsewhere but go there because they are WWII vets and they don't have to pay their co-pays. jmo pr

Not trying to tick someone off but I think it's urticaria. pr

Your claim transfers when "you" request it be transferred, file a new claim or appeal a current claim at the new states RO or the VA can illegally transfer it when you notify them of an address change out of your current state. It is best to allow the claim to be completed where it currently is. Should they need more C&P's you'll need to return at your expense but if you move the file prior a decision, your actual claim work usually starts from the date received, at the new RO. The actual original date the claim was received remains the same. Togus is fairly nice. They have a nice gym and pool you can probably use or at least they used to, in 1990, when I was there. pr

I've done a little research on them and it looks positive. Just wondering if anyone has used them and if so, would you recommend them? I've referred a non-vet friend to them. Thanks to anyone who answers. pr

Looks like I'm in error. I did a little checking and apparently they still use them (from what I can find) but you can have them removed from the DD214, so the public doesn't see them. Sorry for the error. pr

Josephine - I know when it took place. They continued SPN codes until late 60's, early 70's, when I think they were found illegal and must be stricken from the records. I think they veteran has to request their removal. pr