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AFMedic09
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Posts posted by AFMedic09
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I did send in recent PCP visits since discharge from the military for conditions that I claimed. (Ongoing treatment for migraines, female issues requiring surgical intervention while I was in the military, and special device now ect.) However, I have little confidence that any of it was looked at after reading experiences of others here. I hope and pray all the evidence is weighed together. I am not working with a VSO or anyone else to help with my claim. It's just me, but now I have you all! :) So glad I stumbled here while Googling all of my issues. :) The PCP I see now is a civilian. (VA here has a 700 person waiting list - all the benefits they claim we have soudn good in theory, but are nearly impossible to grasp) I am not sure of her familiarity with the VA and writing an IMO. Is there some specific type of doctor I should go to for this?
My medical records are THICK from service of visits made for disagnosis' like bursitis, bladder prolapse, cyctocele/rectocele, migraines, tenisynovitis de quiarveins (sp), restless leg syndrome, and so on. I had hoped that would be enough evidence for them. I guess I will not know for some time, but I will start preparing my defense.
I don't want 100%. I can work, and I frankly don't think I deserve 100% because I've seen planes loaded with caskets of vets leaving Kuwait headed for Denver and I know - I am a lucky one. However, I DO want to be rated fairly. Nothing more, nothing less. What is that rating? I don't know. I guess I will know when I get my envelope and if I am offended---they missed the mark.
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I read somewhere that ebenefits seems to update on Thursdays, has anyone else found this to be true? Did your decision come on a random day, or does it seem they do mass updates on specific week days? My claim went into Preparation for Decision on March 22nd, after 15 months in Gathering Evidence. The e-mail I received stated that this phase usually takes my RO 70 days to complete. That would have my decision in the beginning of June. (Of course no where was I ever told Gathering Evidence would take 15 months...sooooooooooo it's a big guessing game) however, I find it's like trying to avoid stepping on the scale when you are dieting...I go to ebenefits twice a day to see if there is any change. Driving myself insane just PRAYING there is a decision and it is favorable. (I know, I'm a dreamer)
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Thank you so much for your response. I filed the claim Jan 24, 2011. had my C&Ps in March 2011. Sat in gathering evidence until March 22, 2012 and now it is in Preparation for decision. I have a feeling I will have a fight on my hands. Not sure why this has taken so long other than them being back logged. Teh C&P examiner selected "normal" to most everything and when asked to bend for ROM she pushed to bend me further. The psych eval is the only C&P that I had which was detailed, but I'm not sure how that went. My memory is not so good, so I can't recall all the details of questions asked/answered. I am in the process of getting a copy of my C-file, but I don't want to slow the process down...
I was honest during all of my exams, and did not "play up" any condition as I had been told to do y other service members. I just want a fair rating. I am going through St. Pete so I hope that my file lands on someone's desk who is willing to look at all of the evidence and rate fairly. However, after reading other people's stories on here, and seeing their workload (and how many are pending in appeals) I am not encouraged. :( I of course will search through here to find help, and take any advice GLADLY. Thank you again for taking time to respond. I'll keep you all posted.
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congratulations! I have been trolling, and reading your journey. So glad they gave you a fair decision! Enjoy your life now. God Bless!
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He can always volunteer. There has to be life outside of his job, and frankly, he got what most people spend YEARS fighting for. I'm thankful he received a fair decision. He can volunteer, take up a hobby, or maybe just consult at his company? probono? Not sure if they would allow that, but it would keep him "in the game" so to speak. Congratulations, and let us know how it pans out.
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Wow! Congratulations to you! Such wonderful news!!! What RO are you in? Two years is a LONG wait, but so glad it worked out in your favor. :)
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Or do they go by what is done at C&P? I had a pelvic at my C&P, but in order to see my cyctocele the dr. would have had to turn the speculum sideways. (Otherwise it is pushing against the rectal wall, and bladder holding it up) She did not do this. However, I was sent to a specialist at UNC while in the military who did a lot of testing and measuring, and I sent a copy of that report in with copies of other medical records with my claim.
I am just wondering if the VA goes off of diagnosis' given while in service, as they are in your medical records, and treatment of them is in there as well? Thank you!
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That is AWESOME news! I can't think of any reason why that paperwork would be there--if it wasn't his. WOW. God is GOOD! :) So glad for you all!
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I have done all of the paperwork myself. Had no one helping me to fill it out or go through my records - I did all of that. If I have to appeal I am going to find a VRO to work with. Plus, Hadit sure has a lot of helpful people here too. ;)
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I have not gotten a copy of the C&P. (I didn't know I could until finding this site...now I just have to find the address to the clinic where I was seen enar the Gainesville VA) I was peeking over her shoulder trying to see what she was doing on the computer. For the most of what I could see I saw all "normals" She asked about my pain, and most days it is mild - so that's what I told her. Although I was given advice to go and just play parapalegic, I did not. I was honest. I thought it was odd that she was pushing on me every single time, and I told her she hurt me. I just wasn't sure if this was part of her exam. 9Maybe to feel popping or clicking or something?)
Anyway, I will wait for the results and then if need be (and from what I can gather they will need be) I will do the NOD based on her exam. I had NO x-rays or anything like that. I have documentation of all my diagnosis' from military treatment. I had hoped the documentation and treatment would suffice. From what I read on here - I am a little discouraged. Seems like some people have all the evidence they need, but still it's overlooked and/or ignored.
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The only paperwork in my ebene account is an AB7. I don't have any information on C&P or anything like that. I am going to write a letter to the VA in Gainesville asking for my C&P results. (Done over a year ago) Still in preparation for decision, but just moved there a week ago, and email said it usually takes 70 days for this phase in my RO. I have no idea what my chances are seeing that the C&P examiner pushed me beyond my bending point when measuring me. She checked "normal" to everything and seemed very busy and disinterested. The only one who took time with me was psych. Anyway, I guess I will know in a few months either way.
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Do I send a hand written request to the RO for the C&P or to the Gainesville VA clinic where the C&P's were accomlished? Thank you for your help.
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I have lost a baby as well, held her in my hand...so tiny...
You are in my prayers my friend. For me, my faith pulled me through, but there are days that I still break down. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. God Bless you, and keep you in comfort. I hope your fight for increase is positive. Just breathe...one breath at a time. That's all we can do sometimes..
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Hello! I am new here. When I introduced myself and gave my story I was told I should request a new exame based on inadequate exam. When asked to bend I did, and then the examiner pushed on my back to push me down further. When asked to bend my knees I did, and then she pushed to bend them further. Goes on with neck rotation and all of that....
At the end of my exam she asked if I was in pain, and I told her "I wasn't until you started pushing on me!" She laughed. Clicked "Normal" on everything as far as I could tell. She asked me the same questions and didn't hardly look at me. I had friends who told me to go in there and really "play it up" they told me they went in and when asked to bend over they said "I can't". Well, I didn't do that. I was honest, and then she pushed on me to make me go further...so now I see why they just refused to do the exercises at all. Why would the VA do this to someone who is honestly showing their ROM? And then rate someone who refuses to bend over etc. (even though they can) at 60%? My claim is FINALLY after 15 months in Preparation for Decision phase, and I just want a fair rating.
My claimed conditions are: Migraines/Headaches (New), Hair Loss (New), Back Pain (New), Bilateral Hip Pain (New), Hypertension (New), PTSD/Depression (New), Restless Leg Syndrome (New), Bilateral Knee Pain (New), Thumb Pain (New), TVT Bladder Sling (New), C-Section Scars (New), Anemia (New), Vision Changes (Secondary), Allergies (New), Gynecology/Urology (New), Incontinence (New), Bilateral Bursitis (New)
You may see the c-section scars and think "What the heck?!" well, I had my first child vaginally at a teaching hospital - they darn near killed me. After surgical repairs it was determined I should not push for any future children. Therefore, the decision to have c-sections was not my own.
Anyway, I'm not looking for 100%, I just want a fair rating. I don't know if I will get that based on the C&P that I had. I did send in my medical records, so I don't know if that will off set the C&P? I hadn't thought too much about it until this was mentioned here...now I am expecting a 0% and go kick rocks from the VA.... :(
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That is precisely what happened. To bend over and touch my toes, well I did, and she pushed down on my back further. Bend my legs and then she pushed them back further...goes on and on. Every range of motion she then "assisted" by pushing further. She had made a remark "Are you in pain?" and I said "I wasn't until you started pushing on me!" So how do I request another C&P? Is it too late since that was in March 2011 and now my claim is in preparation for decision? I had some friends go in to their C&P's and flat out say "I can't bend over" and refuse to do it. (even though they could) but now I see why they did that...what a trick bag...
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I stumbled upon this website by accident, but I have found so much information here I can't help but think it was a bit of divine intervention. I filed my claim for migraines, and a few other conditions on 24 Jan 2011. I had my C&P's in March 2011. (BIG JOKE- the Dr. pushed me beyone what I could bend, and clicked "normal" to everything) I stayed in the abyss of "Gathering Evidence" even though in October 2011 I was told that they had received all needed information. Finally the beginning of March 2012 I emailed through eben. and asked what on earth the hold up was. Magically, on March 22 I received an email stating that on that date my claim had moved to "preparation for decision". Estimated time for my RO (St. Pete) is 70 days per the email. So we shall see. It's great to be here, and read your stories as you all move along in this process. I enjoy the positive outcomes, and the tenacity of those of you appealing the system. I gave ten years of my life with honorable service to the AF and I am praying that my claim falls into the hands of someone willing to give it a fair and accurate rating.
How Often Is Ebenefit Updated?
in VA.gov Questions (formerly E-Benefits)
Posted
I am in Florida also, St. Pete RO. My claim was in Gathering Evidence for 15 months. On March 22 went to Preparation for Decision. An email I received from them said that it is usually in this phase for 70 days in our RO. However, they give themselves and out by saying each case is different and time frames depend on the complexity of claimed conditions.
I am HOPING and PRAYING they stick with the 70 day criteria, but wishes don't change the VA.