tdak

Its ridiculous. I used to get "free" help from nieces and nephews and throw them a few bucks when I had it, but now when I ask its like pulling teeth, because they live 45 minutes away and the price of gas is so crazy it costs to much to just throw them a $20 to help me out for a few hours for the drive. I have to have someone to shop with me, be home with me when I shower(sometimes help me wash my hair, depending how bad of a day I'm having). My family cleans, does 85-95% of all household chores. If I do things around the house I am down for about 3-4 days at a time, just for overdoing it, not to mention almost daily migraines (5-6-7 days a week). How can I pay them to aid and attend me(help me) if the VA won't pay me to pay them? It's a catch 22. I honestly think its because I "look" good on the outside, which is deceiving and totally unfair.

I agree with you on that. Advertising prescription drugs is as bad as advertising cigarettes and alcohol to young kids.

Oh, to me this one is easy, they help themselves. The advertise themselves, with help from the doctors of course. Hey whats the new drug of choice on the market today, lets use that one and go script happy, of course until some goes, pardon he pun, postal or even suicidal, who knows. Then they recall it and take if off the shelves, of course only after someone sues them, but not before we all watch the pasted ads on TV every 20 minutes for a month or so if we were the victim of this particular drug. My question, where did it really start, the drug company pushing to have it approved or the FDA allowing it to be marketing to the public?

I got my award letter in todays mail. I was happy and sad all at the same time. I was awarded separately for my migraines, tmj and tinnitus, hooray, BUT I was denied SMC. The funny thing is the way they stated it is,..."you no longer need the regular aid and attendance of another person." Are they saying I needed it or had it before (they should have given it to me prior) and now I don't??? (like they are now taking it away...hmmm) This was on the front (1st) page, but the reason page just states that there was no evidence, which there was a dr. letter (Neurologist). The VA claims that I never sent them back/replied the evidence letter from March, what crap. They even called me and took a statement over the phone, what was that. The woman on the phone said she would take that statement too. Damn!, I forgot who I was dealing with. Now I guess I have to appeal, which I have never done in my life and I have an American Legion Rep. who will probably won't be happy to hear that I want to appeal. I have a year, but I go back to my Neurologist the end of June and he was the one who originally wrote the letter stating I needed daily assistance. I will ask him to tweak the letter better for me to submit. Any suggestion on tweaking.

I don't think that splitting another forum will help. It may make it even more complicated. I learned a long time ago K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) (Silly works too). If the forum becomes divided then it will no longer be the VA Claims Forum. It will have to be something else. Claims are claims, no matter what type. Thats why you have the search box at the bottom of the screen. Enter your words, search for your item then read/research. If you feel your thread didn't get the attention it deserved, then look it up and my suggestion would be to put the word bump in your reply to bump it back to the top for people to read or just add your own comment and it will bump it to the top of the list. Just think if the VA Claims forum were split, then you have to go back and forth between yet another forum. It sounded like a good idea at first but after thinking about it for a while I don't think that it would be a plus for the site. My opinion, of course.

It just amazes me that it seems only recently that the RO has been calling us. There was that bill or law or whatever they (the gov't) want to call it about trying to quicken up the process of vets claims. Maybe this is part of it? Who knows. All I know is that when the woman said to me, well you are already getting TDIU and it won't change anything. I was screaming at her (IN MY HEAD OF COURSE) like are you kidding me. It changes everything. I know 100% pay is 100% pay, but the fact is I will be schedular at 100% will be covered medically for all the other medical issues and then hopefully they will give me the A & A. I mean how many times do I need to tell them I can't even wash my own hair? When they ask if there is anything else they can do for me, I always tell them they can come over and help me out for free due to the fact that I have used all of my family and friend favors up already mainly due to the price of gas. But it never works.

OH let me add my 2 cents PLEASE..... I GET NOTHING OFF. Because I got hurt am SC"d at 100% IU, and came home. In NY you MUST have served WARTIME to get ANY discount on your taxes. (Oh, thats right, I missed the war because I got hurt) My taxes are $5200.00, which is not a lot compared to many people, but I have 2 1/2 acres that are considered swamp, which I am only charged $500 a year for, so I guess the other 3/4 acres I'm getting ripped off for them., plus the garbage $400 yr., I have a well, so water is mine, electric, $3000 yr. ( I want to go solar) and home owners ins., plus all the rest cable/phone/internet/cars........oh lets not forget prescriptions and doctors.....last month alone for my RX was $537 (my co-pays). Good thing I have double insurance huh. (gotta love NY)(makes ya want to go on welfare to not have to worry about all the bills)

HI Carlie, How are you! I haven't been at my best. (the winter kills me). I realllllllllllly want to move to a warmer climate(been trying to talk the hubby into it for some time now, he says 3 more years for his 20, yuck). Thanks for the input. This is the second time they have called me on this same claim. I swear goons work there some days, ok. not all goons, but a lot of them. Gosh jut wish it were done already.

Has anyone gotten a call from VARO on regards to their claim? I got one today due to the fact that I am trying to get 100% schedular so I can hopefully get some A&A rather than the 100% IU I already receive. The person was like, well you already get 100% so why would you want to break out they other claims and have them rated separately, it won't change your rating. I was actually getting upset by them because of that. Who wouldn't want their claims listed separate, I mean if you (the VA) owe me benefits, comp, what I deserve (however you would like to put it) then rate them separate. In order to get A&A you need to be 100%, so I really need them listed separately like they were supposed to be in the beginning. In all fairness, my secondary claim was sent in that was over a year ago and they dropped the ball and forgot that part of my claim unlit my rep mentioned it to them. Well after about 10 minutes when I explained to them all of my issues(the several dozen that I have), their tune changed and realized that oh yeah they need to be rated separately and they would take my statement down, gee how nice of them. I was told I should get a decision in a few weeks....hmmmm. I won't hold my breath waiting.

I will definitely keep you all posted. It is very confusing to read, but what isn't with the VA. B) tdak

Thanks Pete, RichT & Tanker, My Neurologist was actually the one who wrote the letter stating I needed help with everyday activities. The Va also has me set up for 2 other C & P for hearing and dental (for my TMJ). I have gotten progressively worse since I had surgery and really do wish I had the extra money now to pay someone to help me daily rather than HAVE to always rely on family (I think it really wears on them). I give to those who help me out when I can, even though there is not much left after bills are paid. I am just grateful that my family has been so strong and has stood by me. If I were them, I would have been sick of me already (real *itchy and moody and bossy, especially when I have migraines, which has been 16 days this month so far and counting). thanks again, I will read all the the C & P exam notes. Tdak

Pete, I believe it is already filed as per the VA, my last letter from them has it listed as SMC, based on aid and attendance as a deferred decision because they need additional information or evidence. Then I got the C & P letter about 2 weeks later. thanks, tdak