[100% Retro Held Almost A Year Now]

So, I was given 70% almost three years after I retired. I never appealed anything or fought with the VA. The 70% was a partial award because they split the case and went back to evaluate some issues after the award. I ended up getting 100% (380% on that wacky logic scale=100% PT) I got the 70% back pay, then when the 100% award letter came almost a year ago, they never adjusted the back pay and just started paying me at 100% rate. I called about it after 90ish days went by and they indicated that the back pay was evaluated by DFAS already and it was simply a backlog on the payment... that was almost a year ago and nothing. I wonder what the interest would be on about 60K? I was told to fill out a hardship letter to get the back pay faster, that pissed me off that somehow I am supposed to show need over my fellow Vets, so I didn't do it. How Frustrating!!

[100% Retro Held Almost A Year Now]

Waiting on a retro payment for almost a year now, has anyone else had this issue with Reno NV?

[30 Months Closed Out.]

Folks,

I just remembered another technique I used during the C&P exam... I have this rash condition that seems to be brought about during stress, but every time I go to the doctor, it clears up before I can get in to let them see it. So, I took pictures of it and put them on my iPhone. Keeping in step with the easy going vet who is just trying to get help... I showed it to the doc, said it clears up quite quick... blah blah blah and it makes for a much easier time for the doc to document it. I also had all my supporting documentation copied and ready for the doc to inspect whenever he got around to asking me about the various things I was claiming.

Frank

[100%+ Smc!]

Congrats MO3!

What great news for you and those who depend on you. I'd like to echo what Testvet was saying about those whom you thought would have your back... My own mother called me three years ago after talking to one of her friends who was retired military... she wanted to make sure I didn't get my hopes up too much because "everything I may get should be considered a gift"... I almost lost it right then and there. I'm 100% and don't tell anyone, it's non of their business. There are a lot of folks who pass judgement on you for whatever reasons... I look and act very healthy. However I've torched almost all my close personal relationships and live in a world of pain that you just can't understand unless you are there.

So, good luck and live the best life you can now that your fight is over

[File Moved To Special Ops]

I was awarded 100% with over 13 claims and a period of 30 months. They came out with 70% first with a hand full of stuff that they said they wanted to take a look at later. I went back to cnp exams and shortly I was at 100%. I wasn't expecting it, didn't plan for it and frankly am embarrassed to go to the VA hospital and hold myself out as a "disabled vet". With that being said.... I know I'm broken and will not get better, so I am coming to grips with all my limitations. I think there are some small changes taking place at the VA and they are seriously trying to clear the back log of claims....

Small side note... I volunteered at the VA when I first retired. Well, it was through the VA for Catholic charities. I found it strange that when I went to a VA Dr, or something VA affiliated... they asked me if I was still "working" for the VA. I think I got coded as a VA person.... Maybe that has something to do with my good luck with the VA.

If you don't have a job and can volunteer, try to get yourself inside the system and infiltrate that way...

aint nothin easy...

Frank

[Hey All]

Welcome aboard. I'll give you some advice... This is part of my service to those who are behind me as I have received some great words from folks and I'd like to pick up the torch as I hope you will do.... You will notice that there are a few select folks who respond to a majority of the post here with good information.... They didn't get there by doing nothing. Please learn as much as you can and pass your wisdom to those behind you.

I was MEB'd too... Understand that this is the military way to get rid of you with a severance package. No civilian company is going to pay you out at a honest rate, so why would you think that the military will.... or the VA will... Hence "Had it"!!

I would recommend to stay on active duty and document everything. If you are young and have a long ways to go to retirement, you may not be able to stay "fit to fight". Then come on Hadit and you have lots of folks who can help you help yourself.

My father-in-law has a great saying " do the right thing and live the right kind of life and it will come back to you"... chasing percentages is a slippery slope, you will have to prove everything, so learn as much as you can and know what you are talking about. Nobody is getting rich here, we just need to make sure our country is there for those who follow behind us, so as much as you learn here, pass on that knowledge to the next guy who shows up and says "hey all".

Thank You for your service

Frank

[30 Months Closed Out.]

After 30 months my case has been closed out. 100% P&T. I was pretty surprised to say the least... I want to pass on some lessons learned.

1) claim everything no matter what.

I used a VFW service officer to help me with my initial claim. He was very professional but I could tell he had his doubts about the severity of my claims. (maybe it's just me feeling guilty that I "don't look hurt") I ended up going back to him on a second appointment and asked that he add an incidental finding of a small "spot" on my brain which was picked up on a cat scan. Through that, he struck me as busy filling out "legitimate claims" and seemed put off that I wanted this incidental finding noted. That incidental finding was rated at 60%

2) Continue to get treatment... Even if you have "had it" and are completely sick of doctors and all the crap that goes with it.

I was rated higher due to ongoing symptoms, which I sought out acupuncture and continuing care while my claim was being evaluated. They called me back in for a second look around the two year mark on some stuff and I was able to pull those records out and show the examining doctor.

3) Be proud of yourself and keep a positive attitude.

The evaluating doctors have seen it all. Back in the day, I had a pinched nerve and my pain was so high that I honestly couldn't function. After discussing with my wife how I felt that the doctors weren't taking me seriously, she told me that my behavior may not be believable to some of these doctors and it may look like I'm faking, or making it up. I thought about this and it made sense. I regained my composure and started acting like the proud military member I wanted to be and I started getting much better results from my care takers. I also focused on how I was going to get myself to a better place and actually started asking these doctors how I was going to help myself. I got more help from those who saw me seriously trying to help myself than ever!

4) Read the regs.

After I decided that I was the only one who was responsible for helping me, I read all the regs pertaining to my case and was able to articulate exactly what was wrong in terms that VA doctors understood. Things like "I have a loss of sensation below my right knee, It is called Radiculopathy, It feels like it is numb and tingly at the same time" This gives your doctor something that is "ratable" per the regulations and a description for the severity.

I hope this helps folks. My case was strange in that I didn't have to appeal anything, I felt like the VA did me right by giving me honest evaluations and feed back on the percentages and why. In total I had 320% rated for the secret formula that they could call me 100% P&T. Now the important part is to make the most out of what I have left and I hope the same for anyone who reads this.

[Appeal To Split Combined Vagal Nerve Reflex And Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo]

oh boy the formatting of that previous post was horrible... I think I have it down to two pages. Please bear with me when reading it. Thanks

Frank

[Appeal To Split Combined Vagal Nerve Reflex And Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo]

could someone look over part one of two for the NOD to split the two disabilities. I went back and simplified the argument, found supporting documentation (which I'll leave off for privacy). Hopefully someone will tell me I'm on the right track and I'll finish up the Vagal response argument in a few days.

Should I send them in separate correspondence?

Notice of disagreement with service connection for sensitive vagal parsympathetic nerve

reflex and benign paroxysmal position vertigo. These two disabilities (claimed as presyncope syndrome and vertigo)
are evaluated together because they share the same etiology and symptoms. They do not share the same etiology or symptoms.

Appeal to separate the benign paroxysmal position vertigo from the Sensitive Vagal parasympathetic

nerve reflex. A doctor who is feeling rushed during the appointment, or otherwise is at a lack of descriptive terms may describe the overall event as dizziness in order to simply the paperwork. I have documented instances of a vestibular disorder leading to vertigo (dizziness). Additionally, I have documented instances where there was a parasympathetic vagal nerve reflex, which was causing presyncopetic episodes and those were loosely classified as dizziness until a cardiologist made the final determination and classified those episodes as a vagal response.

Appeal:

My appeal is to separate the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and
the sensitive vagal parasympathetic nerve reflex into two separate claims. The first being rated as 6420 (peripheral vestibular disorders) and the second being rated as 8210 (Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve)

The following is my argument and supporting medical history for the Vestibular disorder:
Attachment (1)
22 January 2010, I reported the similar vertigo sensations along with stumbling over my own feet.
Attachment (2)

On November 23^rd, 2009 I experienced an incapacitating case of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo where I was unable

to move between laying down and sitting up without incapacitating dizziness and nausea. I went to the flight surgeon
that was very familiar with this condition and he treated me using a head
movement method called “the Eply maneuver” where the head is moved along
various rotational planes for approximately 30 seconds. The Eply maneuver is used to help usher out
tiny crystals of calcium carbonate, which are a normal part of the inner ear’s
anatomy, that have detached from the otolithic membrane and settled in one of
the semi-circular canals. The procedure
worked, I was able to function normally after the procedure. This fact lends itself to a certain diagnosis
of BPPV.

Attachment (3)

Notes used for initial consult with Nevada Spine Clinic on

November 20, 2009. I write out notes to
avoid letting the consult degenerate into a complaining session and to pass
useful information to the doctor..

Attachment (4)
A mental health visit for which details feeling dizzy within

the last month, this for was filled out June 13, 2007, prior to any surgery on
my neck.

I have experienced frequent feelings of ‘dizziness’ as it is

related to vertigo in the past. It is
important to note that I did not mention vertigo episodes each time they
happened because of the impracticality of bringing up spurious subjects while
at a doctor’s appointment for other reasons.
I was aware of BPPV through my training as an aviator, we were made
familiar with inner ear and vestibular problems. Through my treatment of BPPV and discussion
with the flight surgeon, his estimation was that there are many different
causes for BPPV and unless the symptoms persist and are incapacitating, there
is no reason for a grounding status and there is no good explanation for why
some people get it and some don’t.

The flight surgeon explained that exposure to explosions or noises so loud that one can feel them in their chest or head, or flying a high vibration aircraft such as a helicopter. I have documented history of exposure to these activities, which can lead to these calcium carbonate crystals becoming weakened and dislodge over time.

It is important to note that no two episodes of BPPV are

expected to be the same. The size of the
calcium crystal, the position of the crystal as gravity moves it within the
semi circular canal and the magnitude of the nerve receptor response will all
play a part in the intermittent pattern of symptoms. One common theme of BPPV is the symptoms
present themselves in relation to movement against gravity.

The rating for BPPV should come under 6204

Peripheral vestibular disorders: I believe I should be rated at 30% for this
service connected dysfunction because of the occasional staggering, the need to
reposition when standing still and needing to find something to hold on to when
seated and having occasional dizziness.

Peripheral vestibular disorders
6204
Dizziness and occasional staggering......................................................................... 30
Occasional dizziness................................................................................................. 10
Note: Objective findings supporting the diagnosis of

vestibular disequilibrium are required before a compensable evaluation can be
assigned under this code. Hearing impairment or suppuration shall be separately
rated and combined.

[Appeal To Split Combined Vagal Nerve Reflex And Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo]

Thank You Berta,

so it sounds like I'm on the right track with an appeal? I will pair down the facts and site specific Dr. visits to support the claim in a chronological order.

I don't know if the VA recognizes the Eply maneuver to 'cure' BPV, but it is a medically accepted practice to move the piece of carbon through the eustachian tubes.

Should my appeal be worded to "split" those two items, or two appeals to recognize each item on its own merit, with accompanying documentation?

VR

Frank

[Finally Joined, I'd Like To Say Hello]

Notorious Kelly,

Well played my good sir, it took me a while to figure out what you were talking about. So, this is what happens when you tie your Face Book account to hadit... That's funny. * note to self - make sure mamma doesn't put any of those warrior photos up where i borrowed someone's gun and chest rig to stand in front of a helicopter and make myself look hard....

Purple heart for drone pilots with carpal tunnel? I'm tellin' ya.... if the hair force thought they could make it happen, they would! I will take a little somthin'-somthin' for the hardware in my neck, and otherwise jacked up back and attitude...Thanks for keeping it light.

Good move going to the AF? you bet... I just miss my friends and my ability to make a decision without hurting someones feelings... BWHAHAH

-Frank

[Appeal To Split Combined Vagal Nerve Reflex And Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo]

Hope I am am posting to the right place. I received 0% on Sensitive vagal parasympathetic nerve reflex and benign paroxysmal position vertigo. These two disabilities (claimed as pre syncope syndrome and vertigo) are evaluated together because the share etiology and symptoms.

I don't believe that these two disabilities should be lumped together. I don't believe that there should be 0% on either of these two disabilities.

I started my appeal with a rough draft and wonder if anyone could take a look at what I'm saying and see if my research and reasoning are on the right track. The rough draft follows:

Any feedback is appreciated.

Appeal to separate the benign paroxysmal position vertigo from the Sensitive Vagal parasympathetic nerve reflex.

Appeal: My appeal is to separate the benign

paroxysmal positional vertigo and the sensitive vagal parasympathetic nerve
reflex into two separate claims. The
first being rated as 6420 at 30% and the second being rated as 8210 at 30%. The
following is my argument and supporting medical history for the two ratings:

I experience dizziness frequently in several different

ways: The primary experience is the
momentary feeling of falling or tumbling that lasts for several seconds. It causes me to stumble when walking, or seek
firmer footing when standing and use my hands to stabilize when seated. The feeling comes when least expected and
happens on a frequent weekly basis.

I also experience is a sensation of having my environment

continue to move when I stop or change directions. For example I can be standing still and turn
myself to see or respond to someone calling out to me and the turning sensation
will continue after my body stops. This also happens when I am walking in a straight line and turn a corner. I will feel as if my body is still moving in the direction that I was going before turning the corner. (I am in the process of going through my 900 pages of medical records to show where I have complained to doctor and neurologist about this)

In _(Find date oftreatment)______ I experienced an incapacitating case of benign paroxysmal

positional vertigo where I was unable to move between laying down and sitting
up without incapacitating dizziness and nausea.
I went to the flight surgeon that was very familiar with this condition
and he treated me using a head movement method called “the Eply maneuver” where
the head is moved along various rotational planes for approximately 30
seconds. The Eply maneuver is used to help
usher out tiny crystals of calcium carbonate, which are a normal part of the
inner ear’s anatomy, that have detached from the otolithic membrane and settled
in one of the semi-circular canals. The
procedure worked, I was able to function normally after the procedure. This fact lends itself to a certain diagnosis
of BPPV.

Through my treatment of BPPV and discussion with the flight

surgeon, his estimation was that there are many different causes for BPPV and
unless the symptoms persist and are incapacitating, there is no reason for a
grounding status and there is no good explanation for why some people get it
and some don’t. The most common cause of
BPPV for persons under 50 is concussive force to the head. The flight surgeon explained that exposure to
explosions or noises so loud that one can feel them in their chest or head can
lead to these calcium carbonate crystals becoming weakened and dislodge over
time.

It is important to note that no two episodes of BPPV are

expected to be the same. The size of the
calcium crystal, the position of the crystal as gravity moves it within the
semi circular canal and the magnitude of the nerve receptor response will all
play a part in the intermittent pattern of symptoms. One common theme of BPPV is the symptoms
present themselves in relation to movement against gravity.

The rating for BPPV

should come under 6204
Peripheral vestibular disorders: I believe I should be rated at 30% for this
service connected dysfunction because of the occasional staggering, the need to
reposition when standing still and needing to find something to hold on to when
seated and having occasional dizziness.

Peripheral vestibular disorders
6204
Dizziness and occasional staggering......................................................................... 30
Occasional dizziness................................................................................................. 10
Note: Objective findings supporting the diagnosis of

vestibular disequilibrium are required before a compensable evaluation can be
assigned under this code. Hearing impairment or suppuration shall be separately
rated and combined.

The essential part of my argument to split the BPPV rating

apart from the Sensitive Vagal Parasympathetic nerve reflex is that the BPPV
was identified by an incapacitating episode of dizziness and treated
successfully using the Eply maneuver.

The second part of my argument is centered around a

well-documented conclusion that the vagal Parasympathetic nerve reflex (VPNR)
is caused by position of the neck specifically, it affects the 10^th
cranial nerve as it travels down the right side of my neck and specifically
where the Vagal node is located where one would check for a pulse on the carotid
artery.

Background: Post

surgical fusion of my neck and subsequent physical therapy dated and documented
_date_ brought about a correlation
between executing the stretching exercises assigned and a feeling of fainting,
or the dizzying panic that comes with a rapidly lowering heart rate and blood
pressure. I had been assigned a stretch
to reach up with my left hand and pull my head directly to the side. This stretch caused the right side of my neck
to stretch out and subsequently allowed me to draw an undeniable relationship
between the position of my neck and the feeling of being ready to loose consciousness. Throughout the period from cervical surgery
to present day I have suffered from episodes that felt as if I was going to
faint. The symptoms could be grouped
into simple dizziness, but they are very different. The more frequent these episodes became the
more I was able to narrow down the position of my neck. The example I gave to the doctor, which
allowed me to see a cardiologist is one where I was driving down the road and
talking on my cell phone. I had the
cruise control on and was lazily laying on my right side, right elbow on the
center map case with my cell phone in my hand.
This was causing my neck to be flexed in such a way that the vagas nerve
was affected and it caused the vagal response.
I felt dizzy, flushed; panicked and thought I may loose consciousness. I immediately hung the phone up, sat up
straight and focused on driving. The
symptoms left me as quick as they came and I felt normal. During the same drive I resumed my phone
call. For the second phone call, I
placed my left elbow on the driver’s side window to hold my phone in the left
hand. I leaned my head to the left in
such a way that it stretched the right side of my neck and I quickly had the
same symptoms as before and I learned that this panicky dizziness with
impending feelings of loosing consciousness were brought on by the position of
my neck and held stationary in such a way that the vagas node on the right side
of my neck was affected. The range of
motion is quite small that brings about the vagas response. The physical therapy provided where I was
actively pulling my head to the left and inducing the response and the more
slight tilt of my head directly to the left allowed my cardiologist to draw the
conclusion that the Sensitive Vagal parasympathetic nerve reflex was caused by
some type of dysfunction on the right side of my neck where the Vagal node is
located.

The rating for sensitive vagal parasympathetic nerve reflex should come under 8210 Peripheral vestibular disorders: I

believe I should be rated at 30% for this service connected dysfunction because
of the extent of sensory and motor loss to my blood pressure, heart and
respiratory system. There is frequent
dysfunction, which can lend itself to distracting and dangerous situations.

Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve
8210

Paralysis of:

Complete 50
Incomplete, severe..................................................................................................30
Incomplete, moderate..............................................................................................10
Note: Dependent upon extent of sensory and motor loss to organs of voice,

respiration, pharynx, stomach and heart.

[Finally Joined, I'd Like To Say Hello]

Hello Folks,

I've been lurking around for several years reading various posts on the site and the amount of good information here is amazing! I retired in Dec '10 from USAF. I enlisted USMC and served 12 years there and did an interservice transfer to USAF as a Major. Seems the boys in blue needed help flying their aircraft...So they offered a pay bonus that was too good to pass up. The airlines take a lot of pilots off active duty. I decided to stick it out and get my 20 and ended up flying unmanned aircraft in nevada as my last duty station.

I've got all the typical helicopter pilot ailments with some other problems associated with multiple combat tours from Marine infantry to sitting hours and hours in front of a console flying drones. I hope I can be a productive member of this site, I hope I can give as much as I get.... but I've already gotten such good info.

After two years, I finally got word that I'm rated at 70% and of course I've "had it" and will appeal every single thing. my parents told me that I should look at all this VA money as a gift and not expect much. Needless to say I don't talk to anyone about my service, my ailments, or my ratings.... I've just had it.

Semper Fly!

Frank