buckeye46

Another win for Asknod! I sent him an email a few weeks ago wondering if I would get a reply, figuring he was busy. He replied the same day! We've exchanged several emails since then, and he has been a bundle of knowledge helping with a claim for DMII that I'm working on. Great guy, and willing to help other veterans. With his knowledge to help you, you'll get whatever you're entitled to. Thanks for everything you've done to help me. Congratulations to Paul and Leigh with their win! Good luck with the Silver Queen corn, Alex! Chuck

I've been reading your posts for a long time, and was so glad to see that you finally had tears of joy! Best of luck in all that you do, and keep all of us posted as to how you're getting along. Take Care, Chuck

Convenient for the VA to drop the Hearing rating from 40% to 20%. 70%, 70%, 40% and 10% would have given you 95.14% using VA math and would have given you the 100% you deserve. They really care about helping the veterans, don't they? Congratulations on your increase, but keep going until you get the 100%. There's a huge difference between 90% and 100%, money wise and benefit wise. Best of everything to you.

Congratulations on your win! It's hard, but try not to let the jealous people ruin your parade. My health issues really started about 40 years after returning from Vietnam, and continually got worse until I finally went to the VA for help. After several heart surguries, Prostate Cancer, and severe shortness of breath; I was finally awarded 100%. I felt like crap, but was walking on a cloud knowing that I would be compensated for my health issues, and my health would be treated as best they could. That bubble burst real quick when I told my SISTER that I would be receiving 100%. She asked "How Long" and dummy me said "Forever". She went off on me like no tomorrow, and said that she had worked for the Federal Government for 37 years and didn't get that much money. She didn't think about the fact that I can't walk across my yard without taking Nitro. I would gladly give up the disability in a heartbeat to have my health back; but that will never happen. Just try to make the best of your life and don't let the jealous ruin your day. You EARNED every penny of the disability and more! Thanks for your service. Buckeye46

Tonio, I fully understand your tension after receiving your rating. I've been 100% for almost 5 years, and still there are days that I wake up thinking it's all a dream and I'll wake up and not have it. You mentioned ChampVA.....I'll try to help fill you in a little on it. It pays 75% of the charge in most cases with a $50 single deductible and a $100 Family deductible per year. If you have other insurance, I believe it pays whatever your other doesn't pay after the annual deductible. There are several supplemental plans available for reasonable rates that pretty much cover whatever ChampVA doesn't cover. My wife retired about two years ago and had a choice of keeping her insurance at the time for almost $500 a month, or use a supplemental. We picked one thru AMRA (American Military Retirees Association), and it has worked out fine for us. You have to join the AMRA in order to get the supplemental insurance, and they have different rates for a lifetime membership, depending on your age. The rates for the supplemental insurance varies depending on the spouses age, starting at $27 a month for under 40 years old, up to $64 a month for ages 60-64. (Those rates may not be exact because I think my wifes rates went to about $75 a month this past January and she's 62).The supplemental insurance has a single deductible of $250 and a family annual deductible of $500. Those rates are off the AMRA site and may have changed a little. Once your wife hits Medicare age, it would become her primary insurance and ChampVA would become the secondary after the annual deductible was met. The AMRA supplemental wouldn't be required after turning 65. My wife and I are very happy with the ChampVA program. In a way, it's better than what the veteran has; a veteran has to go to the VA in most cases, and ChampVA allows the covered person to go to any doctor that accepts Medicare. The drug program is fairly decent, also. On Maintenance type drugs, they are available for free via mail-order. My wife's doctors just file with ChampVA and the supplemental at the same time, and we haven't had any issues with it. If any of this is incorrect, hopefully Bertha, or somebody will step in and help. Thanks again for your service and best of luck to you and your family. Chuck

Glad to hear that you met with Dr. Bash, and things are going better for you. You mentioned the other boards talking about the fees that Dr. Bash charges compared to lawyer fees. If Dr. Bash was wanting the money, versus helping you, he very easily could have made you go to his office, rather than meeting you at the airport. That seems pretty accomodating to me. I've visited many of the other boards, but after finding "Hadit", I don't go anywhere else. Best of luck to you and thanks for your service. Chuck

Full Time, Congrats on your victory! Sorry that it took 30 months, but as most know on Hadit, the VA doesn't hurry. I have learned so much on Hadit, about the VA, and about people, especially veterans. I always hand out a Hadit referral card to any vet that is having a problem with claims. Best of luck to you and your family. Thanks for your service! Chuck

Tonio, Congrats on your win. I've followed your path for awhile now, and so happy to see that you made it. In regards to implants; I'm not positive. I have a bridge from many years ago that was done by a civilian dentist. I've asked my VA dentist a couple of times about if the VA would take care of it if it broke, etc. Each time, I've been told that whatever needed to be done would be taken care of at the VA. If something like a root canal is needed; it is done outside the VA on a fee basis method since it is more of an emergency type situation. I've got a couple teeth missing, that have been gone for years, and they've never offered to bridge them; but then again, I've never asked. I'm very happy with what they provide for me. Best of luck to you and your family. Take Care, Chuck

Glad to hear about your victory! I just have to comment about mentioning a disability rating to others. A good friend of mine was talking recently about people using the system, and getting food stamps, unemployment, etc., and I said something that I had never used the system, and had always worked for everything I got. He looked at me and said: "You use the system every month when the VA sends you a check." He was the last person I would have expected that of. If looks could have killed, he would have been dead. I guess disabilities including Ischemic Heart Disease, PTSD, Prostate Cancer, Diabetes, and who knows what else don't count in his book as disabled. For what my health is like, I've earned every penny of the disabilty and then some. Now, if anybody asks, I just say that I was very lucky on my retirement benefits. Once again, congrats on your victory and best of everything for you and yours. Buckeye46

Thanks for your reply, meghp0405. I was thinking along those lines, but didn't want to start a mess with the VA. I also thought that since the VA was the one that diagnosed the Diabetes, it would be in my file anyway. Would this just require a form 21-4138 to be filled in and submitted? They already have all the information concerning the diagnosis. I've got plenty of documentation concerning my current rating, so I don't think they would try to rock the boat on any of that. I've got a private diagnosis for PTSD that the VA knows about, and has the paperwork, but I've never pursed it thru the VA. I could always pursue that if they decide to paly games. Thanks again.

Hopefully this is the right area to ask my question. I have been rated 80% for several years, with 60% for IHD and 60% for Prostate Cancer residuals. I was rated 100% TDIU about three years ago. I was informed by the VA recently that I now have diabetes which will require medication to treat. From the many postings I've read, I believe I fall in the 20% category for the Diabetes, which would push me to 90% total disabily, and 100% for TDIU. I asked my DAV rep and he said that I shouldn't apply for an increase in rating for it due to the possibility of getting lowered elsewhere. I don't believe it would change anything money wise, but I would like it in my records just in case something happens due to Diabetes. The VA found the Diabetes, so it is documented in my file. Would it be best to actually file a claim to include it, or leave well enough alone? This is all Agent Orange related. Thanks!

As a lot of the members are stating, the representatives for the different Veteran Organizations can vary like night and day. I started with a local county officer and didn't feel I was getting anywhere. I then took my paperwork to the local DAV and had the officer look it over. He took a Red Pen and wrote all over it in large letters, "He can't work!" He handed it back to me and told me to mail it in to the local RO. He said that he expected me to join the local DAV if my claim was successful. I told him that I would. I took my paperwork home, replaced the sheet he had written on, and mailed it. Two months later, it was approved for 100% TDIU, plus other issues. He had done nothing to help, but I joined the local DAV anyway. That was three years ago, and I have yet to hear from any member welcoming me to the chapter. I've recieved requests for donations on a regular basis, and after having it take over three months to cash my check; I won't donate again. Thanks to all that helped me learn how to file my own claim!

Congratulations, Sir! So happy to hear that your work has paid off. You'll have to get that Doxie something special. Thanks for your service and best of luck to you. Chuck VN 66-67

JR couldn't have said it better. You've won the battle that so many of us have fought before you. Best of luck to you and the future Mrs Sox. Thanks for your service!

Hollis, Best of luck to you on the 31st! Thanks for your service. Buckeye46

Congratulations on you win! If you haven't applied for the property tax exemption yet, don't be shocked to find that it doesn't do away with all of the taxes, at least not in Charlotte County. It exempts the Ad-Valorem Taxes, but not the Non-Ad-Valorem taxes, such as lighting, etc. In most of Charlotte County, that leaves about $470 a year to pay. Still isn't bad. Carlie, if this isn't the way it's supposed to be, please let me know how to correct it. I live in Port Charlotte, FL and all of the 100% P & T that I know in this area are taxed this way. Once again, congrats and best of everything for you! Chuck