denver80904

I had a doctor claim that it was connected to my service connection for my thoracic. I'm meeting my VSO tomorrow and we are going to do what is needed. He agrees with me that the VBA didn't do that part correctly. The C and P doctor said 50% or greater, but my ROM wasn't affected with any movement. That may be reasoning behind everything. I'll keep things updated when more news comes about my way. Early in the NOD or something else that we may do. As for the Kyphosis, I do not have this condition. 2 weeks ago the back and neck doctor at the VA examined my back and the alignment is a little out of place at C1 and right Hip (femur, which has Osetoporosis). He is deciding the plan of action for me. Thank you everyone for the support.

I have been on this site for a few months now. I wish I did this prior to my claim. At least 60% 1st go around isn't to bad.

VetinPa ----- LOL I use ebennies but it isn't working right now. Everything is telling me to call the 1-800. Medic--- Thank you for the reply. I'm researching TDIU and writing notes to get worked on with my VSO.

Thank you VetinPA. It's been a long a windy road for sure. FYI: I moved from Philly 2 years ago. Don't miss anything at all. Best of luck to you!

No need to check my bank account. It will email me and text me when a deposit is made. love technology some times. Thank you for the reply Pete53

Hello Fellow Hadit members, Friday 5/31/12 my claim was completed. On 6/2/12 I recieved the infamous "Brown Folder", mine was white. It states I am 60% disabled. My retro goes back to 5/17/11. So it took, 1 year and 2 weeks. I filed a "Hardship" on 5/1/12. I am still awaiting the retro pay, Peggy told me it would be acouple of days. Everything has been approved and I'm waiting on the Treasury. Good enough for me. I got a letter from DAV on 6/1/12 stating the same as the the "Brown Folder" I was denied Osteopenia thoracic spine with compression fractures (claimed as mid and lower back condition) I am claiming the thoracic issues and headaches as Secondary to my Cervical Neck issues. How does everyone feel those 2 items could be secondary? Lastly, I want to file TDIU on the claim regarding the 50% Dysthymic Disorde. It states "Ocupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress." I am constanly under stress and it's been that way for over 20 years. Do I have a chance to optain TDIU? I do have a C&P doctor stated I can not work due to my spine injuries. I can not stand, walk or sit for a long given period." This is for the denied claim which will be redone as Secondary to Cervical. 50% Dysthymic Disorder (claimed 5/17/11) 10% Compression Fracture C6 with degenerative arthritis ROM greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees. (claimed Sept. 21/11) 10% Tinnitus 60% Total Disability Thank you for all the support. I wish everyone the best of luck on their claims.

Thank you, Carlie. I think since I turned in the Hardship it will be a month or 2. The woman I talked to said she was walking my claim over when we hang up. I'm still a bit surprised at the support she gave.

Hello all Hadit members and guests, Great news today when I got back from my morning VA appointments, where I included a stop by the RO to check on the hardship from last week. The person who tried to help me said no hardship was in my file. he said he would physically go get my file and see where it stands. I delcined this due to the fact I didn't want to go backwards. So I blew it off. I get home and someone from the VA whose name and voice I don't recall. I called the number back and it was the person putting my claim together. She wanted to verify that I didn't have an NEW items for discovery. I told here, everything you need is in my VA Medical. She confirmed that all my claims are conneccted to my service. Which I told her all of the things did happen and when and where. She then asked me to identify myself with the normal challenge stuff. The she read a script which meant that her work was done and it's going to Prep. For Decision. I told EBenefits was still at Gathering which I checked before I left today for the VA. She said she has changed it. Also, my Hardship was in my file and she said she pulled it out and made it the top sheet the next person would see. Suprising at the helpfulness and knowledge of this person. I checked EBenefits and it alos had changed to confirm this conversation. I confirmed the date of claim which was 1 year old as of 5/17/12. I checked how this RO fairs against others in its area. It by far is the has the smallest claims. It's The Fargo, ND RO. The woman told me that the claim should be granted soon, but of course she can not but a date or timeframe on that. Which I understand it's out of her hands. Any insight to the next stages, or what you see in this situation, or experiences with something like this. Feel free to comment, Thanks

Friday, I met with my VSO and we filed the hardship and released all my exams and what-not. He noted that someone was looking at my file "today". I went and got the C&P exam from Thursday. I posted this in another forum once I figured it should be placed there.

Just an idea I had. I have a claim in appeals with SS and already contacted my lawyer. The real question, drop the appeal and have the lawyer start a new one with all the documentation from exams, doctors, mri, bone scans, and dexa scan. I believe the case will be stonger with this information. Already called my lawyer, just playing the waiting game. Thanks for the replies.

This is an update to my original post. I turned in a new claim for Upper, Mid, and Lumbar. The doctor asked "Why are you not disabled?" He said that the Army medical records has documentation that I did have neck, upper back, and rib problems while I was still in service. 7-21-1992. I forgot about this since those days were extremely active. IE Kwait, Panama, Riots in LA. He said that I should claim Social Security also. Question should I wait becuase I have enough on my plate with the VA or should I go ahead and do everything since I have complete records from the VA and Army? Old exam was for neck and depression which are linked to my service. Just in the waiting game after my exams. Tomorrow I am filling for a Hardship through my VSO. I appreciate any input from the members. Thank you for your service.

I am already in the Grant and Per Deim program. I have been in it for a year, trying to get my physical and mental health better. I have tried a few programs but physically I unable to do many jobs. Last job I had my 6th right rib shattered. Lasting 4 months of rehab and surgery. Then Dec 26th, a compression fracture at t7 and t12 have been a huge problem for me. I appreciate being guided to the websites. I am going to save them for myself and other vets around here.

Thank you Carlie. I checking these out right now.

Well, today i got some paperwork to file for the Formal Claim. This time I will take my time and put all the exams and tests in order to save some time on the VA's end. My VSO suggested to make my thoracic and lumbar problems as secondary to my neck issues. My neuroligist sound convincing that when 1 problem occurs in the spine the rest of it becomes weaker to compensate. If that is true, then I have claims that would need attention to it. The C&P exam was over my neck but the doctor did my lumbar anad thoracic. I have those 1st exams and they are promising. I am confident that this claim will be approved with all the evidence from appointments, testing, and failure of physical therapy. I shall update this as time goes along. Off to a sleep study tonight, so I'll be out of the loop for a day. Tomorrow at 8am, I go see the neck and back doctor, again.

Thank you Broncovet. the process is still going. I had to get someone else's information out of my file. 2nd the comp doctor didn't do the correct test for my neck. These 2 things have delayed things. I will go in and file for hardship today. I have been homeless because I tore my ACL on Jan 1, 2011., then broke a rib in June when I went back to work, then I had an accident with a bed and got compression fracture in my Thoracic which led to all the findings from the exams. The VA knows I'm homeless but I doubt the raters know or care. Thank you all the advice I get from people here. Hadit has been a wonderful learning experience.