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

Hi, What does the VA consider for aid and attendance? I do not cook every meal for myself or my family depending upon weight and preperation of meal. I cannot shower unless someone is home. I have had to have my husband wash my back and hair quite often because I cannot. I do not do laundry because I cannot lift it, so again my husband or kids do the laundry, dishes, cleaning, help with shopping. Does this count? I have my C&P Friday and I do not know what to expect. My doctor wrote a letter some time ago, but I never expected A&A. The VA actually just sent a letter stating deferred A&A, pending info. Do I have a chance at getting A&A by what I stated? My doctor wrote I get help with daily activities. I just wanted to put a quick note, I have loss of use (muscle weakness/ pins and needles daily) on the left side of my body from a brain stem hump and residuals from brain surgery. Thanks.

jmack, I would call the SSA at least once a week or so just to check the "status" of your claim. After all it is your claim. It isn't changing anything by calling, but it may give you "piece of mind" until the next phone call or letter from or to them. I called them all the time. I am a somewhat impatient person and my husband will agree to that one, but it did make me feel at ease for a while when I did call. It took the SSA quite a while on my claim also along with everyone else, but in the long run I had my answer via the phone before I had my letter in the mail (by about 3 days). Good luck.

Hi All, What I do in most cases where you don't know if there is a discount of any sort, whether it be disabled veteran or not is to ASK. It doesn't hurt to ask. The Home Depot by where I live they gives 10% off all the time for DIsabled Veterans, in fact, they give 10% for active duty and retired as well, but Lowes didn't, when I asked them (only for the weekend of Veterans Day). But the only way I found out, was to ask, because they don't advertise it. So now whenever I go somewhere I ask if they give a discount to disabled veterans and it drives my husband and kids nuts, because I ask everyone . Hey with the price of gas the way it is who wouldn't want to save a few dollars here and there. So far in NY that I have personally gotten discounts for being 100% disabled veteran on: Fishing License (cost $5 same a senior citizen), Free State Park entry , Home Depot 10% discount, my Nextel/Sprint cell phone 14% discount (call customer service and let them know), Geico insurance (I think it is 10% discount, customer service said yes and I almost fell off my chair). Here is a link for the NYS Veterans benefits. http://www.veterans.state.ny.us/benefits.htm There are companies that will give discounts, but all you have to do is ask for it.

Time, First, Good luck to you at your hearing. Your attorney may have wanted you to talk to the judge to show your deficits (e.g memory and such from brain injury), I am not sure. But it somewhat seems that way to me. They have a lot of cases, so whether the attorney knew what they were doing or not was the case, who knows, maybe ask another attorney and maybe you can do something about it in the long run, hopefully they won't get anything out of it. As for going to hearing, I would be yourself and tell it like it is. Don't bulls..t, but don't underplay it either, you have to think of your worst day and go from there. Make sure you bring as much information about you condition with you as well as any side affects of your medications (if you are on meds) and any other medical information about yourself that you have pertaining to you disability, even if the lawyer already sent it to them. Its better to be over prepared than under. I wish you all the best!!

Pete, I can understand that. My mother has said that many times, but I would still rather have her live with me and "mooch" if need be than not be able to live at all. After all, she did work her a$$ off to raise me and my brother and sisters and I can only return the same respect. Some people don't see it that way, which is absolutely fine. I would never be able to live with my in-laws, I would go insane (part of the way there now. :)) . I do care about them and would make sure they are cared for, as far as I could help. As for my mother, I would definately have her move in if need be, whatever the circumstances.

Great article. We could only imagine a 4 or 5% no even thinking about the non-manipulated 11 or 12% increase as the article says. The increase for 2008 wil be 2.3% for SSA (as per the recording on the 800#) and the VA just goes with the same figures usually.

J Hey! I actually never had to go to a hearing. An ALJ decided on the case by what evidence I had sent in and ruled favorable for me without having to go to through a court hearing (thank goodness for that). It took just about 2 1/2 months months from the day they received my appeal to the day I received the approval letter from them. But it took them Then as soon as I received the letter I called them the next day and set up an appointment to add my children on my claim even though I had already done that prior, I had to now take responsibility for them because I actually was approved. My original denial took over 7 months to get and when I sent the appeal in I overloaded them with tons of paperwork backing up my claim from at least 6 other doctors. The only thing I am going to do now is appeal the date they paid me retro from. I was awarded disability back all the way to July 04, but they only gave me retro back pay 1 year prior to the date I filed which was Oct 06. (the second time) I was not fully aware that if I appealed the denial the first time I filed which was 2004, I would have probably been awarded SSDI then (you live and learn). So now I am going to write another long appeal letter (my other one was 4 pages) asking if they will award me retro back to my original filing date of Feb 04 for them since they already gave me the disability back to July 2004. I figure it can't hurt to appeal. and I haven't had gainful employment since 2002 because of it. I am not going to expect anything out of it, but Just keep moving forward with the VA. Good luck Tamara :)

jbasser, HOORAY!!!! WTG! CONGRATS on the win. So glad to hear you got the fully favorable from the judge. Keep going forward and onto the VA, go get um good, we are all behind you!

Sgt. Eve, Most people have hereditry Chiari, but not all. Mine is considered acquired, due to a serious car accident with head trauma and I had stitches and a concuscion and it displaced my odontiod bone (medically proven, of course, that's how I ended up with the service connection) so now I ended up worse, because when I had the surgery I had other complications because of the previous car accident problems. In any case, it took a lot of paperwork on my case and a lot of doctors. All I have to say is thank goodness I kept all of my dotor records since, forever, because that is what saved me )at least that and the doctors statements) Good luck to you and keep me posted. And thanks again everyone for the well wishes. As for seeing Mickey...I can't do any of that even if I wanted to. It takes too much out of me.I would rather stay home and hang with my family. .

Chuck, The bills were for brain surgery for my service connected injury,yes. and NO, the VA would not do this particular surgery, well they could, do this surgery, but not for this particular illness. There are only a handful of neurosurgeons in the entire country who will even attempt this surgery. I had to call at least 20 different neurologists just to find one to point me in the right direction to find a neurosurgeon who knew about enough about my illness to even talk to me. It is Chiari Malformation. They have all heard about it, it's the fact that they don't want to treat you, because they don't know enough or haven't ever treated enough patients. It is a rare condition, so if they indeed mess up, they don't want a malpractice suit on their hands. Now if I waited until the VA approved me for my claim (which I am still waiting on pending issues for over 2 years later)), I would be totally paralized on the left side (not just permanent loss of use and sensation) and I would be in a wheelchair right now. Thats how bad my growth was. As of the 18th of this month it will be 2 years since my surgery and I have many issues still and always will. Surgery for Chiari is not a cure, it is merely a temorary fix for the moment, there is no cure, but it did stop the herniation of the brain from growing, which in my case was a huge factor, because it was to my 2nd vertabrea. In any case, I think they should do something, at least make a deal with them on my behalf, because I don't want to lose my doctors because of unpaid bills (insurance did cover most of it) that is not fair to me.

Is there a certian paragraph or law I can quote when writing to get reimbursement for back medical bills??? I am writing a letter to DVA for back medical bills from surgery and I was wondering if there was something I should quote? thanks.

Thanks everyone for the help and support!!! Steve, I just recently received the TDIU and I think that helped me get the SSD. I sent my C&P reports along with all my other medical records in my appeal package I sent them. All I know is It cost me about $8.00+ to send it 2 towns over, so it was heavy. I sent them every doctor report I had dating back even further than when I had applied for(I figure they overloaded me with papers, why not) and the surgical reports from my brain surgery and the lovely pictures of my 11 inch scar on the back of my head (taken the day before my staples were removed). I figured they needed the full effect.

I have been awarded disability from SSA, hooray. Now, it states that I am insured (approved) through Sept. 2010, this means a "possibility" under SSA terms that I could get better. I have a permanent illness, Chiari Malformation ,had brain surgery and have permanent loss of use on the entire left side of my body, because of permanent brain stem damage. All of this was noted in the doctors medical notes and surgical notes I sent them. My question is now that they gave me disability and it shows that my file will be reviewed in "no less than 3 years", should I call and question it, because what I have is permanent with no possibility for recovery? Also what should I expect when they ask for an update/review on my file? I want to make sure I am prepared in advance. Thanks