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Viet Vet

Seaman
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Posts posted by Viet Vet

    Agent Orange Review Sep 08

    in Agent Orange

    Posted

    Did you recive this in mail? I have not. Found on search of VA site. Does not reflect any updates regarding newer prostate cancer info news reports,science studies, etc.}released Aug 08, regarding positive relation of agent orange to agressive prostate cancer in prostate cancer.

    Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Larynx

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Hi again -since you asked, I will try to explain - I am no expert and won't go into alot of details. I just reply by my experience - I had vocal cord squamous cell cancer - I was diagnosed in late Dec 05 - I had no idea about filing a claim. By early Jan, I just was surfing the web and found info on presumptive AO conditions. I saw respiratory cancer with larynx listed so I decided to go ahead and file - found the e-file Vonapp and just did it mid Jan. No help just my decision. If I had known better, would have filed immediately in Dec and got anonther month in, but it was okay - anyway just lucky to find info.

    Claim was awarded 100% Aug 07 - I got retro pay from Jan thru JuJy quickly - one thing I would advise, if you have dependents make sure to file forms for them to be included - it took along time to get the additional for my dependent daughter whom attends university full time.

    I had radiation treatments - 36 in all - late Jan thru early March - 5 days a week - the initial fitting of a mask was a bummer - after that its just short and quick radiation of neck every weekday. Hope you have nice technicians like I did - they were always friendly and understanding.

    Thats about all I can tell you - I just want you to know that I am okay now (hopefully). But there are residuals - I have some hoarseness and dysphagia - those are now rated 10% each - hated to lose the 100% but hope no more cancer - overall, received 100% for a year and half.

    BTW as far as I know your cancer is in larynx so thats the slam-dunk ha ha. Take care and good luck to you.

    Wannabee Vet

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Courtesy Mike Harris: (PS-my opinion only- but I would not want him near my husband's grave at all)

    "Fake vet sentenced to tend military graves at Tahoma

    By MIKE BARBER

    P-I REPORTER

    For pretending that he was a decorated U.S. military veteran, 59-year-old Reggie L. Buddle of Puyallup must tend to the graves of those who really were.

    Reggie L. Buddle of Puyallup, standing in the khaki shirt, during the 2006 opening ceremony for the Washington State Senate. (Photo provided by U.S. Attorney's office)

    U.S. Magistrate Kelly Arnold in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Monday sentenced the counterfeit Vietnam vet to two years' probation and 500 hours laboring at Tahoma National Cemetery for posing as a decorated U.S. Marine captain and military chaplain in 2005 and 2006.

    Buddle, who never was in the Marine Corps, plead guilty in April to unlawful wearing of U.S. military medals and decorations. That followed an investigation by the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    After the hearing, Buddle, who served two years as an Army enlisted man but never in combat and never earning any of the medals he wore, apologized in court Monday and said he was ashamed, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Friedman said such cases, which have been growing nationwide since Congress passed stiffer measures 18 months ago against pretending to be a member of the armed forces, were researched to recommend an appropriate sentence.

    "In this case, we thought it was a good idea to teach him what true service is like," Friedman said.

    When Buddle begins serving those who rest at the national military cemetery in Kent, he must avoid any interaction with families of veterans.

    "The court expressed concern that he not be allowed to participate in any funerals or counseling sessions or any other type of matters at the cemetery. That was part of his underlying crime; it was clear he will be there to supply labor," Friedman said.

    Though Buddle was never an ordained chaplain or reverend, nor authorized by state law to act in any such capacity, he officiated at servicemen's funerals, weddings and baptisms.

    Friedman said state statutes were researched and found to protect the legitimacy of marriages in such instances.

    Buddle even hoodwinked the state Senate.

    On Feb. 27, 2006, dressed in a Marine Corps uniform replete with the rank and medals he awarded himself, Buddle stood before the Senate and gave the prayer at the opening ceremony. Not everyone was so certain that Buddle was the real item. Doubters called authorities, who began investigating.

    Among the unearned medals and service decorations with which Buddle festooned his uniform were those for valor and service in Vietnam; a Combat Action Ribbon authorized for wear by those who have fought enemy forces; a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, issued to members of units that displayed extraordinary heroism under fire; and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, a high-ranking medal authorized for "extraordinary" contribution to national defense.

    Real Marines and their families seemed satisfied with the sentence.

    Bert Rutan, 84, retired pastor at University Congregational Church in Seattle and a Marine who in 1945 received the Silver Star for his actions on Iwo Jima, called the sentence "a fair thing. It has to be publicly known that (posing as a member of the armed forces) is not something you can do."

    In Snohomish, Brian and Shellie Starr, whose son, Marine Cpl. Jeff Starr, was killed in combat in Iraq on Memorial Day 2005, said the sentence is appropriate.

    "I'm glad they nailed him," Brian Starr said.

    "I think for someone to impersonate somebody who has done this voluntarily, with the potential for risk of life, is terrible."

    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/325655...ource=rss"

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Crappy Night At The Post Office

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    :angry: Thanks Gary - u have described a job that I had also Automation with the Post Office - DBCS for a postal zone - I am now out of there and retired after 10 years, dont know how I survived - u r right this is the worst thing that could possibly happen to a vet - being subjected to management/supervision of unknown origin - this is the worst job in Post Office - u have to do it every working day without any assistance unless u got lucky and had overtime or an extra casuals help - usually never - on ur own u have to accomplish this without any assistance - u have to process more mail than is humanly possible nightly until dawn - u ask for help and get the answer - nobody here to help - then u just do ur best - and usually somehow u get it done - over and over again - never know what will happen when u come to work - they call it a tour - for one nite - I remember tour in Vietnam was one year!! Ya - its almost impossible to complete but u do it - no help, no equipment {GMC's u have to find urself}- no nothing - mail is everywhere - u gotta go find ur zone urself - even its Automated {ha ha}- then they put more and more coming into the mix -working alone u cant even take time to go piss or anything - u just push urself to get the job done somehow - ET,s help when u can get them to come to fix the machines which jam often for lack of maintenance- even a good nite is not easy when mail volume is lower - because the job has to be done - and u have to help others who have problems with their machines also - its just amazing every nite that the mail get done by morning and somehow get delivered - I did my part to get the mail done right - but it had taken its toll on me - I got SC for whatever happened to me but it was in part from the mess and stress of that torture. I thank u for ur post as it confirms alot of my own experience - no one would ever think its possible to work in a dungeon like I did.

    -

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Berta sorry - my comp is old and a mess - but I want to thank u - I am gonna let u know what happens later - it may help somebody - I dont know what is up with any of these people at this time but I will later - so please jiust know I want to help with some knowledge of Chap 35 if I can . I put it to rest for now.

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I am confused too as to what you were told and am having considerable problems with my own vet rep too-

    often they dont have a clue- especially on Chap 35 -

    I hope the DAV didnt just make this up-

    As long as you are 100% P & T- she should be fully eligible for Chap 35 benefits until age 26 at an approved VA school-but -in my case (I am Chap 35 ) they only paid me after they had the tuition payment that I made confirmed via my VA counselor at the school-and that I was in classes for about 2 weeks or more-without a drop-

    Can anyone else help here with their Chap 35 experience with their kids?

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Thanks Berta - No I have't gotten anything besides 100% - I can't explain this well I guess - only I am working with the DAV rep now and was told this about that I would recieve any retro - I just want my daughter to get what she needs to completer her degree - she is a junior at UM now - I dont know anything about Masters later - I hope u can just see that this is confusing and frustrating to me.

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Frank- did you see real cash money from the VA in your checking acct or mail box or is this what they said-that you Would 'get' the money-

    and did they specifically mean Chap 35 refund of tuition?

    This seems bizarre to me because the VA reminded me that my baby was an adult US veteran and they would not deal with my questions about her Chap 35 at all- so I would assume that when she begins her Masters she pays the tuition so she sure gets the VA check- not me-

    then again-was your daughter in college prior to turning 18?

    I guess in that case they would send you the money-up to her 18th birthday ???

    weird-

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I think I know whats up now! I went to VAMC for checkup on Monday - I then saw DAV at VAMC - they called the RO number and I turned it over to DAV - I wanted to know when my daughter would get ed benefits - after all was said and done I found out that they were behind by a year, but the news was they sent me the money. I didnt know this and I thought the money went to dependent - I guess they think I will use it myself - I assure u - truthfully, any money received for my daughter will go directly to her bank account - I see now how the VA thinks about this - wish the money would go directly to dependent - I never knew it wouldnt till I was told this - even when I had called VA previously - didnt know from websites either - I understand that they suspect intentions - but I wish they would change their laws so it didnt look like a scam - I guess this is the way things go but dont like it - I just want my child to have a good education - we have kept up so far with expenses but its hard to do - I swear anything for her education goes to her education. Hope this info helps somebody.

    Sorry: I meant the VA will send me the money - since I have nothing yet.

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I think I know whats up now! I went to VAMC for checkup on Monday - I then saw DAV at VAMC - they called the RO number and I turned it over to DAV - I wanted to know when my daughter would get ed benefits - after all was said and done I found out that they were behind by a year, but the news was they sent me the money. I didnt know this and I thought the money went to dependent - I guess they think I will use it myself - I assure u - truthfully, any money received for my daughter will go directly to her bank account - I see now how the VA thinks about this - wish the money would go directly to dependent - I never knew it wouldnt till I was told this - even when I had called VA previously - didnt know from websites either - I understand that they suspect intentions - but I wish they would change their laws so it didnt look like a scam - I guess this is the way things go but dont like it - I just want my child to have a good education - we have kept up so far with expenses but its hard to do - I swear anything for her education goes to her education. Hope this info helps somebody.

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Berta - I guess I have to back up to beginning - I filed claim VONAPP Jan 06 -recieved 100% grant sc Aug 06 - retro to Jan06 -the letter of Aug06 stated " We couldn't pay for {daugter's name} because she is over 18. We are enclosing a VA FORM 21-674 - Request for Approval of School Attendance, for you to complete if {daughter's name} is in school. We can only pay dependents between ages of 18 and 23 if they are attending an approved school."

    This is the form I sent in although they did not sent me the21-674 - I downloaded it from VA website - they sent 21-674b School Attendance Report - which was also completed and sent too. In addition sent in VA Form 21-686c Declaration Of Status Of Dependents, which they had attached.

    I assume my daugher's attendance at Univ of Miami is an approved school - I would think so! It cost a mint - she has scholarship but not full - but still its very costly to attend - she is doing well there. That ed benefit would really help out though. That's about all I can tell you - I do appreciate ur advise also.

    Frank

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Thanks for info Berta - I am lucky to not have had larynoctomy - yet!!!! Hope I am gonna be ok now too - I can accept the reduction for my part , but I am just wishing I could be at 30% for the ed benefits for my daughter who is junior year at Univ - I have additional claim waiting for tinnitus which I have 0% SC since 1989 - hope to be able to get to 30% if they grant that at10% - dont know why I was never given 10% tinnitus from get go though - I had submitted form already for my daughter's ed benefits - but VA said they lost the form - ha ha!! So I made copy again and sent it in - no action yet - I best be checking on it too!! Since I am retired AF, I can try CRSC when I get final rating - just hope other vets can get theirsc ratings fairly - I am not "crying in my beer" because at least the VA has done the best medically for me that can be done - Thanks again to all for good advice and info

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Thanks Cavman - I have seen ur post many time - U r good guy in mind - I just wish u always the best -from my post u know I got the presumed - so it from the VA list - I know u should also have had it - but they deny- its unfair for sure - wish it were not so - I ask myself - of couirse ur tousils were affected - no question - who determines this theis? I hope u get total rating - but why does VA deny- totally unafair- keep ur mind clear - someday its gotta happen - I just wanna help others too - wish I had the power - I know Berta is the best source - she can do it if possible - I just have my small problem - I am kinda ashamed also to ask but wanna help vets also -hope I can -Thanks

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Ralph

    Thanks for ur welcome - please I juist dont know how to post well - it takes me time and I will do better later- u r vets doing this - I wanna be too - hope I can help a vet also - I just am stuck now in my situation also - I get very anxious but am ok - just as u all know I want to help all - I am ok - wish all same - I like to see the good things on this site - u help people here - I am impressed - I hope I can help somehow - but I am just here now to find out about mu situation also- bcuz no one can figure out the VA - just help me with ur support - I dont expect any more - Thanks - hope I can help

    Frank

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I am sorry - I dont know how to use this - I am trying my best - Thanks for ur help -I have done had radiation therapy for layrnyx cancer already - only I know I was for sure exposed in the Air Force- I just ask ur advice onlly -I only know I have this problem and I found out about more stuff on the web by research - I am quit my job - retired- beuxz I couldnt continue - but wish I could have.

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    VV,

    First off, what is the status of your voice box cancer? In remission? Cured? You can claim for any condition, even if not listed, as long as you have a qualified medical opinion that it affects your ability to earn a meaningful living and is a secondary symptom of the primary SC ailment.

    Even though the Part IV may not list your specific problem, you can still submit it IF it makes medical sense as a symptom affecting your ability to gain and keep "meaningful employment." May or may not work, but worth doing; that's how new presumptive ailments get created!!

    Ralph

    Proposed Disabiltiy Rating

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I am new here - excuse me - I am asking about if this it the wayVA does this - since I never have seen tbis before on this site - I have larnxy cancer AO presumed and 100% granted - now I will be reduced to 20% - dysphagia secondary 10% - and hoaseness 10% - primary, I suppose - I have the time still to NOD this - but do not know if I should - I feel I have xerostomia -severe dry mouth - but dont find that condition listed - should I challenge this or accept the C&P exam for now ? Later to have examination? Thanks

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