qmcorps

ALL, I am attempting to assist someone with a VA claim. The current issue I'm trying to address is; ptsd @ 30%, secondary condition of depressive disorder nos due to ptsd, GAF of 50. I need some guidance on how to continue. AXIS I: PTSD AXIS II: NONE AXIS III: LOWER BACK PAIN WHICH RADIATES TO LEFT FOOT AXIS IV: SEVERE AXIS V: GAF 50 QUESTION: Is the depressive disorder nos a separate issus from the ptsd or are they considered the same? Thanks.

everyone, I need some help on this. I am attempting to assist a vet who in 1968 (age 19) received severe head trama after being struck by a section of anchor chain that fell three levels before striking him. He is currently receiving 50% for Loss of part of skull and 10% for organic brain syndrome. he has been experiencing ptsd type complaints and depression from this incident. He was medically discharged from the Navy in 1968, and has been seeing a VA psycharist. I am attempting to connect the dots between the incident and ptsd, and / or, the organic brain syndrome with the depression, and / or, the ptsd and depression. Thanks, Mike

Congrats!!!!! It took me five years to get there. Enjoy the moment and have a great life.

macool and everyone else, After I retired from the army in 2001, I filed for compensation. I put together a packet that was tabbed and indexed containing evidence from my military medical records, which also included a complete copy of my military medical records and any civilian treatment I had received. The service rep just ripped apart the file and told me you don't need that. First lesson, I knew more than they did. After waiting one year, I filed a Congressional with my Congressional Rep. Thirty days later I received a letter from his office and the VA on the same day, that started the C&P examinations. Second lesson, use all means at your disposal to win your fight. Good luck and keep fighting. Mike

If all this fails, contact your Congressman. They will have to respond.

Tbird, There are too many vets out there that are absolutely clueless of their rights and benefits. I didn't know anything until I was forced to learn. Which is why I try to share the wealth with everyone. I fight this war for the small circle of folks I know and help accordingly. You have an ass kicking site, thanks. In the fight, Mike PS I made the dental appointment, yea, it was sweet.

One other thing or what comes around, goes around. In one of my earlier posts, I explained how the new dental clinic director (again no names please) denied my work in progress (Jan 06), stating that "I was entitled to nothing and I should just move on." I can't wait until Monday morning for that phone call to the dental clinic.

Thanks, everyone I'm still sorting this out plus I'm working on three other vets va issues. Got to spread the wealth of knowledge. After 26 years in the Army, It's a warm fuzzy to take care of your troops. Reminds me of why I stayed in so long.

Berta, The entitlement date seemes to be based on several C&P exams which took place over the last several months. (Remember the comment about the WB VAMC Staff. They are excellent) The the over the top number was the 60% for cardiomyapathy secondary to hypertension. On another note, I did all of this by myself. I was rather turned off by the indifference of the (no names please) service rep when I started this. The only advice I have for anyone is to become educated to the system, be patient, persevere (they want you to quit) and use every resource you can. The big question is: can they take this away?

The brown envelope showed up today. 100% w/ dependent educational assistance. I'm assuming that this is total & permenent. Comments, please. It's a bit surreal, Thanks!

A funny thing happened while I was trying to chase down my Cfile. I found out I'm rated at 100% effective 1 Jun 06. I still don't know anything else ( I have not received the letter, was sent out on the 23rd) except there are no future examinations scheduled.

I'm in the same boat you are. I was given a CPAP last week after an examination for my asthma. I'm waiting for the C & P results as we speak. I'll post when they come in and let you know.

Change 1. to my previous Post. I contacted the 800 number to find out where the Cfile was for copy, It's still being reviewed by the appeals team. So much for integrity when you ask a question.

I recently (July) completed examinations for four seperate claims in letters of disagreement I submitted 2.5 years ago. One was for hypertension (10%). After a DR visit, an EKG, an EEG, a visit with a cardioligist and another ekg. The end result was cardiomyopathy(left vent ejection fraction of 48%) secondary to hypertension. I was told that decision has been rendered and I'll receive it "shortly", so we'll see. I'll see what comes back from Phila for the remaining. I walked in with four complaints and left with them and two secondaries. Anyway, I have to compliment the W-B, PA VA medical staff on this one. What I learned from this was, make the appointments, take the tests(no matter how much time you lose at work), tell the doctors exactly how you feel. They won't always ask the right questions or try to pull answers from you. other than the test information, tell them every and all symptoms you have related to your ilness or injury and any secondary effects that are being caused by them. Above all, write everything down incase you are a fellow suffer of CRS(Can't remember SXXX). Good Luck PS use the 800 number and email. That was the only way I could track my Cfile.

When I was on active duty I used the VA dental clinic. One of the procedures was the removal of a tooth and the placement of the "screw" for an implant. When it was time to fit the prosthetic tooth, it was discovered that the "screw" was placed at an angle and was not properly lined up. At this time I had retired and this was considered work in progress. aproximately a year later the "screw" was removed and the hole was filled with a bone graft. Aproximately six months later the surgeon was prepared to place another "screw" in the same site and complete the procedure. When I returned for the procedure I was told "I was not entitled to anything and I should just move on". I complained in writing to the patients advocates office and the hospital director. I also sent an email to the VA IG's office. I received a canned letter from the directors office after I filed a congressional(which is still pending). I have run out of options as how to address this, any suggestions?

I tend to agree. I filed an NOD over two years ago on four evaluations that I disagreed with the findings. I finally was scheduled for C&P exams in May 06. I must compliment the Medical Staff for the extensive and detailed examinations(they revealed two additional secondary conditions). Because of the dilligence of the VAMC staff, I'm sure the two month delay busted up someone's metrics at the VARO. Anyway, I'm 90%(87 solid) and still waiting for the response. As I stated once before, this process is not for the faint hearted, they want you to quit. Everyone needs to understand this is a protracted affair and you must fight for every small victory. I have been at this for five years with accurate and solid military medical records. keep fighting, learn the contents of 38 CFR.

By the way, I'm retired Army myself. Become very familiar with 38 CFR, Chap 4 for starters.

This is the starting point.( http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...fr4_main_02.tpl ) remove the "()" and cut and paste this into your browser. In a perfect world this should be a 10 (realistic) or 20(lots of documentation) percent. In my case this is the cause of a secondary condition. Submit the documentation for a Comp & Pension examination. Be prepared to wait for up to a year or more for the exam. On my initial claim, I submitted 26 years worth of medical records and the appropriate VA forms. It sat for one year until I filed a congressional complaint. That got the ball rolling. I have been doing this for four years with valid medical records. Treat this like a war and every submission is another campagin to achieve victory. This process is not for the faint hearted, the VA wants you to become discouraged and give up. V/R, Mike Diseases of the Arteries and Veins 7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension): Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more................ 60 Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more................ 40 Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic 20 pressure predominantly 200 or more......................... Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic 10 pressure predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control..................................... Note (1): Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm. Note (2): Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation.

Greetings everyone, I found this site a short time ago, and it is a gold mine. I have been fighting the fight since 2002 when I retired from the Army. I was armed with the CFR and 26 years worth of medical records and the thought that God was on my side. He was, the VA was not. The home page comment of "Put down your gun and pick up the keyboard.... is so true." This site (forums) has made me aware that there are secondary conditions to the primary. I just finished a sleep study this am at my local VAMC (they are excellent people) and I will now have to use a CPAC machine. If it were not for the postings I would not have known that sleep apnea is secondary to asthma (which i have). I have also been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy as a secondary to hypertension. Which brings me to my question(sorry for the rambling), I already have the results from the C&P exam (the VARO does not yet have them). So, should I wait for the results or fax the VARO the results and the appropriate sections of chap 4 38CFR? This has helped me in the past. Your opinions please. Thanks, Mike