ArNG11

Bronco that is the way I worded the statement. " I am claiming that all my service connected disabilities prevent my ability in substantial gainful employment" In my claims I did have three docs opine that my service connected issues play a significant part in my unemployability. I made sure to keep my work injuries separate from the VA as I did not want any confusion on the VA's part for what I was stating and asking to be considered. Reminds me of a Star Wars reference by Admiral Akbar " It's a trap!" Veterans are not medical or vocational experts. Leave that to the docs and voc specialists. So if claiming IU and/or asked which disabilities state all service connected disabilities that affect your employment or unemployment. JMO

I wanted to update this topic as it seems I have been not keeping up with the information. I'd wish that I received my decision letter, however, I have not received any communication from the VA other than a monetary one. From Ebennies and, mind you yes I hate to even rely on that, however, the program gives some insight. From the looks of it my Mental rating is what went up to a single 70% rating. I won another claim for service connection and received a 10 % rating for a C-Spine issue. I also won on my appeal for the knees from the NOD. The VA granted 10% both knees back to my original claim date. From this information I made a logical guess that it was the mental rating that pushed it over. The kicker with that, in my scrambled brain, is that the rating code changed from Adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, to Major Depressive disorder with anxiety, to what it is now PTSD,MDD. I still have not received my decision letter so it is difficult to give more details that the above. Oh one other sign, I received a letter the just recently stating that my claims file is being certified to the BVA. When I receive the decision letter, that should give a more insight on how things were done. I will further update the forum once I get that in my hands. Heh it is a good sign so far. Fight folks fight "fight till your last breath".

Heh there is nothing to fear as long as your honest. Always CYA, but always be honest. If you can't work and it is because of your disabilities (service connected) then that is an important fact to hone in on. There are many factors that are looked at such as age, disabilities, training, experience and so forth. One to also look at is the medications that you are on, those can play a part as well. There is a lot of info in the forums about IU and TD IU, it would be worth a look and was very helpful when I was looking for information. JMO

Seems to be a trendy quarter for that. The VA has been stalling on providing records request more so than normal. Time frame on getting information even after multiple request have been ignored. Shouldn't take more than 20 duty for requested information. I asked for a record on a specific date, specific exam and still NADA, ZIP, ZILCH. I agree with you totally on the direct attempt to stall on information that is vital to your claims.

I have to say B&M are a bit picky with taking claims and representing, however, the firm does have many successes. I knocked on their door a few times. I went with another well known and he did not turn out to be of any serious gain in my claims. I did the research and evidence organization, however, he didn't give my arguments much attention. He wanted me to settle in a few areas that I knew were possible to win if I pursued. Go figure. Maybe I'm just lucky, however, there is the other possibility. Good communications, same game plan, and loyalty to the claim, case, and client, play a huge part in your success rate. JMO

Lumosity games, like games that are specifically used to engage certain parts of the brain? Or just simpler

Ouch, yet so much truth in those statements.

Heh congrats, well done. As much as I loathe the VA tactics every now and then the agency actually treats a Veteran correctly. Good read and congrats once again. Take care.

Congrats on the win. It is good to read more of those. Take care and best of health to you and your family.

Andy I feel for you in the short term memory loss and short term retention. Apnea, medication, psychological problems can all affect this. I have noticed that in the last few years it has been getting significantly worse for myself, folks try to calm me down and state the it is stress, or my mid life crisis, or meds, rather I quite disagree. Now with medications it does get worse, that is understandable of course but that doesn't solve anything or put me at ease in any way. Hang in there my friend. Try cognitive behavior exercises, do manual entry of names and numbers, do activities that engage certain parts of the brain, it does help.

Hang in there bud. With having multiple doc's assessments of your inability to work you should be golden. Evidence is what is important. A Voc rehab denial would constitute great evidence for an IU application as stated above. Look into your state's benefits and local city's benefits, they are some that can get you by. Good luck

Man this crap sucks. Even with all the news, injuries and blatant wrong doing, accountability seems to escape the evil doer's. I often wonder who has more of the blame, the evil doers or the higher ranking officials who decide there "was no major harm to anyone, (anyone other than the Veterans and his dependents). Blah. There's documentation for everything so holding folks accountable should be a no brainer correct? Training records, signatures for obtaining and documenting records, sign offs ect., etc. Clear and unmistakable errors in processing claims, without recourse, without consequences for decisions made? Not that I'm advocating scapegoats or harsh punishments, but are public lashings still illegal? Just curious?

With my experiences, I have never gone or been to the vocational office. I cancelled my appointment at the voc rehab office when I was laid up at the hospital with ITP. Called and cancelled the appointment several months went by and I later I was approved for a years of training. However, this last claim submission got me IU without a voc rehab blessing. My situation is a little different because I am retired through DOD but it shows it is possible to do without a voc rehab assessment. However, in stating the above, Buck is right on the money. Showing you made the attempt for retraining or rehab is solid evidence. Having a doc stating the your injuries, rather, service connected injuries and illness hinder or prevent work is a nice slap in the face to help your case for IU.

Andy, I don't know about the VA, when I had my done I had to go to my private doctor, the OKC VAMC would not entertain an EMG, my provider would not hear of it unless I had an updated MRI. Which I did just on the private side. Their machine was malfunctioning and go on the fritz toward the last few thousand revolutions. VAMC mRI is quite different than the one I got from a private doc. Neuro exams can be somewhat complicated, but that is not any reason for the VA to give you the run around. I hate to even ask but have you tried the fee based route or the supposed choice option, or ask for a outside referral? Other than going to a private Dr., it will be difficult to get the VAMC in gear, not impossible, just difficult. I had to wait about 30 days or so on the private side from the date of the request, but it got done.

Those are the results which need to be looked at.

It'a funny video and most who have a sense of humor can laugh at this, I did. However, it frightens me that even with this much publicity little has been done to correct the many problems that the VA system has. These problems while present shouldn't just be addressed when campaigns and elections are going on. Time for action. "You can talk the talk, but are you willing to walk the walk and do what needs to be done". It gets tiring, even a person who knows little about the in's and out's of the VA Medical system and VA Compensation system can see what possible solutions there are, however, those possible solutions are never implemented correctly. Enough talk already leaders and politicians it is time for action. Results are what show progress, not silly empty promises. In any case Good Morning all, had a bowl of nice homemade warm oatmeal. Really hit the spot.

Don't stop until you win what you're entitled to and deserve. Keep it up and glad to read the fight still goes on.

Hang in there Diver, "it can't rain all the time", I am in a similar fix but things will fit together just nicely in the end of all the run around. Depression, Anger, Anxiety, and all that jazz, you are right on the money, it will never go away, just the same as the pain. However, once you accept that, you can concentrate on learning to make those bad days not be so terrible, to say, that you can still have some good days and enjoyment for the things you can do and can have, well, that and family keep me going, support and understanding help a great deal, definitely some type of support system is needed. As much as it was to swallow my pride and accept that I needed to change things, that is retire, I couldn't physically and mentally handle my career and line of work,the decision to retire was the best decision I made. I understand how you feel. Seems silly because I have heard this saying so many times, but "when life hands you a bunch of lemons, make those lemons into lemonade" It helps. I get to spend more time with my family. I get to spoil my dogs and kids more because I am not working, I get quality time to spend with my wife and family. I also get the satisfaction and feeling of success when I can help other Veterans in their walk with benefits. I don't know I may sound like a broken record and just a voice full of cliches and sayings, however, really think about things. The good outweighs the bad at the end of the day and that fact keeps me going. Hang in there bro. "One day at a time" . Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

The key to the SMC is not whether the Veteran can leave his home but rather leave his home to have substantial gainful employment. Two very different concepts but the VA likes to make things complicated and clear as mud. Just gotta hose off the horse manure.

No you're probably right about that, but more can be done than what they are currently doing. I would like to think that if they had something that could feasibly work that the need would more than justify the proper response, whatever, that solution may be. Have to admit I've wondered about Canada a couple of times. I really wished there was an implementable and equivocal solution where Veterans at the very least have a positive outcome. Ofcourse there's also the few that abuse the meds, hurt the people that may need relief the most. Shafted either way. ?

I'm there myself. I don't want the VA to perform anything any more, I honestly feel the care they provide me is substandard, however, the VA should pay for my treatment, pay for my medical expenses, that responsibility falls on the VA as my sickness and injuries happened in the line of duty. At the very least that is what the VA should do. That's is, I dare say what I desire and deserve. I'm wondering now, whether SS is going to follow the same posture as the other agencies? How much evidence do you folks need?

At least the VA knows what ' entire claim's file means" Wish every one luck who is dealing with the SSA decisions and reviews. WTF, how is this allowed to be legal?

You are right about this with regards to SSA, when I knew the records qualified me I sen't for the SSA to send me a copy of my records file, one letter they sent back was that they claimed to be working on my claim right then, the other stated that SSA had sent VA a copy of my records. The last was which part of my records I wanted. The VA part is correct as I verified this fact already, the other is a bunch of crap. What part of my records? I guess the word entire claims file has a different meaning? These agencies know perfectly well why WE request records, put plainly the request are for records that will win our claims, I'm disappointed in the system. I thought the VA was scandalous. Which they are by a land slide but SSA, well all I'm stating is WTF.

I agree with Buck and the others. Taking that much ibuprofen can lead to some serious damage to the lining of the stomach and will cause other problems out of the digestive tract such as the esophagus and trachea. Not to mention the damage that prolonged use does to the liver. Im sure you have heard this before and like you've stated in your posts you know the "Motrin" will cause problems. Naproxen is another they might send your way, if the ibuprofen works well then you can for something medication that has a mixture of ibuprofen and other pain relievers. My private doc placed me on Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine. There are other compound medications that could help if you have to be on ibuprofen. JMO Ask your doc about them.