vetswifeIndy

Carlie, Yes we have a rep in Indianapolis which is about 1 1/2 hr. drive. I had messaged him several wks. ago (can't get him by phone) and ask him to inquire of the claim. His reply was, "Not sure what the hold up is but, it's your PTSD claim". Oh really!!! It said in the C&P results that his C-file was on hand, the documentation of his PTSD from VA MH clinic would had to been in there for her to know he did has a diagnosis of PTSD, (I assume)??? We are awaiting a decision from Indy RO. on this claim. On Ebennes it did say they, "need additional time to review the claim" Not sure if that is a stall tactic of there's, I'm hoping they see the inconsistencies of her report and the VA pysch. Thanks so much for your help! VetswifeIndy

We received my husbands C&P results today from the VA and we are very perplexed as to the examiner's diagnosis. The GAF was 65, she goes on to state he failed to "endorse sufficient hyperarousal symptoms to meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Yet on Criterion D of increased arousal. Difficulty falling or staying asleep (X) Irritability or outbursts of anger (X) Difficulty concentrating (X) Hypervigilance (X) May be pre-military, military, or post military. Does the veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-IV criteria basone on today's evaluation? NO Yet he does in fact have a diagnosis of PTSD through VA mental health clinic. We haven't received out letter from RO as of yet, it is still in the Decision Phase. It will be very interesting to see how this goes. Stay tuned for more Looney Tunes. Thanks for your service, VetswifeIndy

Thank you for serving this country, and a BIG congratulations on your award!!! Like Carlie says, "spend wisely" ;) VetswifeIndy

Not sure if my husband would qualify for insurance. Here is our situation. In March he was awarded 60% for IHD, we received the pkt. with insurance but didn't immediately apply for it. He received a pacemaker/ defib a couple of days after this, and in 3 wks. was rated 100% P&T. So... is he not eligible to apply for the insurance unless he gets another SC disability rating??? Thanks, VetswifeIndy

Roses, I was just reading through the forum, "medications, prescriptions", etc. a post on pg. 9 by Acesup might be of some help to you. He was SC and got chiro. Hope it helps you. VetswifeIndy

Berta, Although I am somewhat fairly new to this site, I have read many of your post and just amazed at the knowledge you possess. I'm sure whatever it is you feel led to do you will be a great asset in assisting others. Your knowledge and experience will bring much insight into helping with the backog that exist. I wish you luck with the completion of your own claim and pray that it will be resolved quickly. Thank you Berta for your time & effort you put into this site, you have helped so many. Please drop in every now and again to say HI! VetswifeIndy

Jim, to change your status, in the upper right corner click your username, then click My Profile, click on edit my profile. Scroll down you will see where to change your status. Be sure to click save changes. Thanks for your service, VetswifeIndy

Willidx4 you might try describing your symptoms to your PCP (assuming you go to a VA facility). Try asking for a referral to see a MH DR. That may get the ball rolling. Good luck to you. VetswifeIndy

Congratulations on your award! When we went to get our ID cards we had to have an appointment, so you may want to check on that. Thanks for your service, VetswifeIndy

Could be doing both... Thanks everyone for your service, VetswifeIndy

My husband is rated 100% for heart only, he isn't housebound. Would he be entitled to SMC or does he have to be 100% + 60? Thanks everyone for your input and your service. VetswifeIndy My husband is rated 100% for heart only, he isn't housebound. Would he be entitled to SMC or does he have to be 100% + 60? Thanks everyone for your input and your service. VetswifeIndy

So I sent a email to my husband's VSO yesterday asking him to look into why our claim of 24 mos. is at a stand still, and with a special status of "need more time to review your claim". Hear back from him this morning with, "not sure why your claim is slow, has something to do with your PTSD claim". Ok so I wonder, how does he know it has to do with the PTSD claim, and not know what it is??? This is AL out of Indy office. Anyone had dealing with this office before? Thanks all for your service, VetswifeIndy

We checked with our local VAMC records dept. on how to obtain my husband's C&P results. We were able to fill out a paper and they will be mailed to us next week. VetswifeIndy

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartFailureNews/stem-cells-improve-heart-function-heart-failure-patients/story?id=14934467#.UG4FfVGXT3Y

Maset22, my vet husband was having a difficult time recently coping with life in general. He knew things weren't right and that he needed to take a break for a bit. Follow your doc's advice, just going for a bit of rest time may help you to be more able to cope with the stress of life. Hang in there, I pray it will get better for you. VetswifeIndy

Great news, congratulations on your award! VetswifeIndy

As I sat in the Pod filled room with my husband this morning at his Cardio appt. I was so saddened to see so many Viet Nam era vets with heart contditions. There were 4 VN vets sitting across from us and I intentionally struck up a conversation with them to gently inquire what their conditions were. You see I read this blog from the PA, and was so disgusted by his accusations of fraudulent claims. Each of those men were V.N vets as is my husband with extensive heart problems, IHD, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, pacemakers, multiple stents, defibrilliators, etc. The thing I observed about these men was none of them were overweight as the PA had stated. They were probably at the time in their late teens, kids barely out of school back in the sixties who willingly went to a foreign country risking their very lives for the duty of the USA. I wonder if this PA has been in a situation as such??? My husband's VA clinical phycologist said, " there isn't anyway someone can go to war and not be affected greatly, and not have PTSD" So please MR. PA until you've lived and walked in the shoes of these great hero's who were/are willing to lay down their life for another please resign your job. Thank you all sincerely for what you've given this country, I see vets in a different meaningful way. May you be blessed with all you deserve and God give you better health to enjoy your life. VetswifeIndy

Am wondering, how do you go about getting a copy of your C&P exams? VetswifeIndy

Hollis & Georgiapapa, my husband also has IHD and is 100% SC. Before we filed his claim we obtained his medical records from the local VA Hosp. where he is treated. I read through the medical records and anything that pertained to blocked arteries, CAD, IHD, etc, I highlighted. This paperwork was included with the filing of the claim. It indeed was Fast Track, it took only 3 mos. to get a rating. Good luck with your claims and your health. Thanks so much for your service, VetswifeIndy

Pete, "Does your husband drink"? No, he has never been a drinker of alcohol. Berta: The med he takes for his SC heart condition is Amiodarone. I researched it yesterday and it does have side affects to scarring of the liver which I believe is called NASH. We have a cardio appt. on the 2nd. I will have plenty of questions for the doc on that day. Will post what we find out. I want to say what a blessing it is to be on this site, and have people with your knowledge that is willing to share with others. I know there must be hours upon hours of researching done to gain this knowledge. Thanks to everyone who shares! VetswifeIndy

I've been reading these post, hope everyone is doing well. My husband had an ultrasound done today due to having elevated liver test results. It showed fatty patches. I have done some research and fo und a med he is on for his AF called (Amiodarone) can cause liver disease. He has also been on cholesterol meds for years. Is anyone else taking Amiodarone? Wondering how we go about connecting this as a secondary to caused by meds? Thanks so much for your service, VetswifeIndy

I checked ebennies this morning here's what it said> "Status has changed. Evidence requested is past due.(this is the auto deposit. I called months ago and the girl said, you already have that.) Obviously they did not see this in my file. grrrrrr! New evidence received, Decision notification sent. Developement letter sent." The Status listed was, Preparation for Decision. It also states: Change of Status: We determined your claim needed additional review. If additional information is needed from you,you will receive a letter from us explaining what is needed. I am totally confused as to what is going on here. I checked the letter box and didn't see anything new. Does anyone know what this could mean? Thanks so much, VetswifeIndy

Thanks everyone for your reply..... Berta, that is the app I filled out.http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-10d-fill.pdf. Although I didn't send any other information, hope this doesn't prolong things. It's been about 10 days since I mailed it in hopefully will hear something soon. Thanks again, and thank everyone so much for your service! Vetswife

Hello, I recently applied for ChampVA benefits. Can someone tell me about how long it takes to hear back from them?( I sure hope it doesn't take as long as getting a claim settled). ;) Thanks so much, Vetswife

Thanks everyone for your help and knowledge so that I can steer her through this. I will pass along all the advise given here. You guys are wonderful to take your time to post information to help others! Vetswife