ArNG11

Having a hard time of late but I felt compelled to respond to this thread. I agree with all the above. I felt the same way as I only dealt with the enemy while they were behind a cage, however, in situations like these, issues arise, and have an impairment on your life. Your experiences are no different and well qualify to have had and have an effect on you, just as if you were on the front line in the s@$! I don't consider myself in the same league as folks that were on the ground during the first invasions and incursions before then in theater, but being in heightened awareness, the fear of hostile activity, alarms, gun fire, rocket/mortar sounds ect, these things have the same effect in the long term, no matter how hard you try to forget and dismiss. No matter how hard you try! Don't beat yourself up about it, it is what it is, the important thing, is to deal with the issue, seek medical care, and heal. I'm not the best example, however, if anything, I have learned at least that. If a wrench thrower like me can beat the VA at their own game, you folks can as well. Evidence, is what wins. Remember that! No matter how much the VA ignores evidence or at least tries to. Evidence will win, just gotta slap an IME here, an IMO there, and their own verified records. A Purple Heart and the rater still ignored the obvious. Fight my friend, you have the weapons to do so and you can win. YOU WILL WIN! Good Luck Black.

You intrigue me sir. Possibilities though.

Also with it being reflective you should wear sun screen Andy.

Ease up Andy, just make sure you wax that board. : ) Cant change the past with could have, would have, and should have. Focus on the now, but the experience makes you wiser. There is gratification and some peace in that fact.

Don't talk like that, (write) but thinking about your family is admirable and I respect that. Hang in there! see things through, and most importantly a speedy recovery to you.

Best wishes and better health to you flores, hang in there!

I hear you Andy, the process is much slower than we would like it to be. Persistence and followthrough I believe are important, but I admit even as fortunate as I have been with my claims, time weighs heavily on me, and it has done more damage than I care to acknowledge. Meaning no dis-respect, perhaps riding on top of the glaciers might give you the momentum to get to reach your goal faster?

Andy yes it is a good thing. First, regardless of the claim situation, you have to take care of your health issues. Your odds of success increase greatly if your health issues are being addressed and treated. That in itself will help immensely, for the simple reason that you are healthier to fight, mentally ready to properly reason and defend your claims. An important fact, you will be better for and around your family. At times you get focused too much on the fight and what really is important is blurred and clouded. Speaking for myself, I've learned these facts the hard way. You keep going Andy, "slow is smooth...smooth is fast"

That and that you get your health issues acknowledged and treated properly. You take care Andy, things will come together, stay in the fight, we are all there with you bud.

Are you still in currently? Where are you in the separation/medical retirement process? If he will not help you find another doc ( I would report him to the chain of command/ Inspector General or similar) Find another doctor who will actually perform his job. There are ways to combat his attitude. I would very much care about the 20 years you have in don't give that up you have worked hard for that. If you can't find a doc, then I would seek to try to get and Independent Medical Examination and/or Independent Medical Opinion. If your just needing an opinion on your back that can be done. From above it doesn't sound like you just have one condition but you need to start getting records together, getting evidence to support the degree of disabilities. Figure out your game plan. With benefits I do see your point, however, don't throw away your good service. There are options there but I can understand your position. Find a way to gather funds to get an independent medical opinion and/or exam if you have no luck with the doctors there. You gave up your golf fees I imagine you can find a way to budget for and IME/IMO exam or opinion. Use your funds from your approve claim to facilitate that. Find a way. I mean try to find the most cost effective way to get that opinion/exam but this will help you in your pursuits, try another doc, but if needed find a way to get and IME/IMO. I would very much care about the 20 years you have in don't give that up you have worked hard for that. This is just my take from your post. Just my opinion as well. Also this post if fairly old, I would make a new post to get some opinions out there. More eyes will see your post if you start a new one. These are just suggestions but hang in there, more people will chime in. Good luck.

It's where they pressurize your disk to narrow down the pain source, but I like your description better. ?

They can do anastetic disco gram. My private provider performed it on my c6c7 spots. It was used to narrow down the pain source once upon a time.

Heh at least you did not miss the appointment. I understand the date confusions. Take it easy Andy. Things will all come together just keep pressing and take care..

Yes that is how it is going to be. I am not going to advise on the latter, I did it differently and it worked in my situation. You are not a doctor so when the VA asks which disability un-ables you to work, don't narrow the playing field. I would state that all your ailments, injuries, conditions, that are service connected would impede your ability to work. From the above, just my take on this, it appears that the service connected PTSD is the problem or rather causing trouble with your employment. However, like most, the combination of illness and/or injuries will affect employment. Concentrate on the service connected issues. When the fit hit the shan, I opted to state that all my service connected ailments affected my work. In essence, in my case, that is a fact, however, I do have the evidence to substantiate my claim. Be careful with that. A medical expert such as a long standing doc you've been in treatment with, a vocational expert, those folks opinions would be of great value.

Agreed

I would sanitize this letter but the letter can be used as positive evidence. Mind you the strength of the letter will be much higher coming from a mental health professional, preferably one who is familiar with you health records. The Doc who writes the letter has to state he has reviewed your military records and gives the medical nexus required that the condition was related to your military service. Very important! JMO

Agreed. I have met some of those folks since I met the requirements for IU. More positives than negative experiences when not dealing with the VA comp side of the house.

Buck I never knew that either. They sure don't broadcast the information here in OK. But the VA does send a nice letter advising you to check with your local state and city governments for all of the bennies. All states don't have the same benefits, you have check in with the State office.

The hard date for stopped work is date the VA will look at for IU. I agree with Meddac, file now. The 21-4192 for you can send to OPM personnel. Don't use the base address, use the business address where they conduct official transactions. You should have that information.

yes you do. I had to do similar. File for SSDI when you file for OPM disability. Whether you get approved by SS doesn't matter, you shouldn't as you still work, that is the letter you need to provide OPM as proof for filing, you don't have to be approved for SSDI just have to have an application in. When you stop working that is the hard date you will use. The day you stop working, go into the SSA office again and file for SSDI. It is confusing but, that is the process.

You know haven't really though of it that way. Denying due process and obstruction of justice laws come to mind, I agree with you though. Gov entities always waving the big stick, reminds me of a political cartoon with Uncle Sam waving it around. Or maybe it was President Marshall or Roosevelt???? I had my SSA exam just under an hour ago and the Doc, excuse me, the Phd, she honed in on the whole disability picture which I have to say at least appears to be favorable. TD IU was mentioned and she wanted the VA records indicating that. The funny thing was how big her eyes got when she asked about my spine and hand problems, of course, the psych eval is what the purpose of the exam was for though. Just interesting, and I thought it pertinent. Always bring records for those evals, the records come in handy, almost every time. Unemployability issues are hard to argue when you bring evidence and records.

Flores I just remembered, although it is considered a food supplement, some time ago my gastro doc put me on Enteragram ( not sure on spelling) that treatment worked for quite a while in addition to the changed diet, probiotics, and other meds.

Heh that could work in essence. Just be tactful. Keep them in line but do it professionally. As long as you have documented proof and evidence to back your claim up, JMO now, you are on the right track. Good luck. Never give up.

Yippee hooorah! Spelling might be off but the sentiment is still heart felt. Congrats on the bennies. Slow is smooth smooth is fast. Never give up. Hope for a speedy recovery and wish you the best.