ArNG11

Sweetness. Always good to read about the wins. Way to go Pete. Best wishes to the Vet and your future battles.

sorry folks took me a while to figure out the edit portion on adobe with a mac. I dare say this and may the Mac Gods have pity on me. I miss MS Word and Editing software. It was much easier. I still love Mac but eh hard to get used to even after 7 years.

Folks I wanted some opinions and critiques. I have been thinking about putting a new claim in however, have been reluctant to consider the loooooooooong whoo hah fight it would be. From folks that know me on here my tragic story is in the form of an ejection from a HMMV. That is how I had earned the nickname "Airborne" and was known by that in my old unit. Anyways, Tragic tale yes but live and learn. Lucky to be around to complain. If I knew then what I knew now it would be a different story and I would have approached the claim differently. But as my old bud use to say, If "ifs" and "and" were pots and pans the whole world would be a kitchen" Multi faceted claim that should have been filed for Neck, back, hips, nerve and all the secondaries. Live and Learn like I said. Anyway, without further delay here are the results. cspineedit.pdf

G Papa no pun intended but does it feel like something rattling in you head? Man that is a weird side effect and quirk but if you sleep better and no CPAP then heh it is well worth it. Heck I'm still on my first machine. Eventually I will try to follow the same path. Good luck and I hope it keeps working for you.

Listen I'm no expert but from reading the criteria for the diagnosis I would guess around at least the 50% mark is right around the money,however, C&P doc, and the whole VA unbiased exam is a joke. The exam is supposed to be fair and impartial. Experience and frankly ratings tell another story. Service connection is the big win once you have that you are golden and it is a strong foundation from which to build upon. Just word to the wise, be honest, be prepared, and have documentation to back you up. Extremely important don't ever loose credibility if you do you are done. They can lie and twist the truth, heh even go against the regs and break the law, it's been done for decades, but if you choose to do the same, your just shooting yourself in the foot. It sucks but kind of the old saying two wrongs don't make a right. Just keep that in mind. JMO. Now follow the procedure to get your records, the whole Cfile. I was extremely lucky and fortunate and I am not the typical case. I quoted the law and regs and did a FOIA request and in 7 days I had all 11" thick brick of my records at my front door. That was in 2013 and in the Muskogee Regional Office. That is not typical by no means, even back then. Most wait months, sometimes years and longer. Heck just read AskNOD website, he is a poster child of VA's wrong doing, however, the man has fought back and is invaluable just like this website but you have to do the research. No one will care more about your claim than you. That is a fact. However, it's difficult to be impartial and unbiased when you're the one under attack and being rung through the crapper. It's just the way it is. Human beings are emotional creatures by nature so it is inevitable. JMO and two cents worth. Fight on.

Congrats. Always helps me on my bad days, which seem to be happening more, reading about victories counters the bad. Look into the benefits and take advantage of them. The biggest thing is to work on getting treatment. I myself need to start reading more about all the changes in the process and the the law. VA is adapting and trying to change the game a bit. It goes in cycles I guess. Just use all the resources that are available here.

Yo Vync how have you been. Long time no speak. I gotta be honest the way I have been feeling these last couple of years it's hard to discern due to having arthritis and several back and neck injuries that cause me pain most of the time. How long of an incubation period before suspicious symptoms and a diagnostic test confirming the disease.? Really just curious and interested.

Thats what you would call a "fast track claim". Heh first take a breather and relish the victory and get the needed treatment. When the shock wears off take a look at how they lowballed you. That can be fixed though. As most of us have learned the hard part is getting service connected, and that is awesome, definitely something to celebrate. You got through that hurdle and that deserves recognition. When the celebration has calmed, start looking at your claim. Well hell even before that, make sure you get familiar with your benefits and entitlements and the regulations and laws pertaining to your claim. Not taking away from your thunder, please don't take it that way. But the VA claims section has a funny way of looking at claims, especially now with all the seriously bad press these last few years. What you stated is a dead on bull's eye, the lowballed the heck out of that. I'm no expert, but the job history alone in your post is what got my flags up. With that situation you should be rated higher according to the regs. Your employability and difficulties in maintaining employment is a good start to the fighting. I would think unless they changed their regs or mistakenly gave you the shaft, NO MISTAKE, The claim as I see it says IU all over it but I am just a cantankerous, disgruntled Veteran that has a few bones to pick with decision makers. Make sure you meet the one year deadline for the NOD. Please don't miss that otherwise you are done with any possibility of getting fairly rated and possibly getting any retroactive compensation. Make sure you get a copy of your C FILE, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!, verify the credentials of the VA "expert" opinion. In my case they used a OB GYN to opine on my back, by the way, that is who they consider an expert to opine on a back claim, endocrine claim, digestive claim, and so on, I kid you not. I hope this INTEL should get you started. Again Congrats, 50% right out the gate. Wow! Please take care, get the medical care you need and get the free meds to help with your service connected conditions. JMO

Good luck! Go enjoy some time with the loved ones.

Say it isn't so. Man GP, I am jealous, as today I ordered some more filters for mine ResMed, the washable ones. John had done it some time ago, how are you feeling? Any corks or issues come up yet? I may look into it again.

I will say though. Although it takes 3 weeks to schedule an appointment with my VA primary doc, yup, that the best they can do in OKC right now, in any case, I had the sleep clinic appt, and with in minutes the medical assistant got all my parts and filter requests for my s9 machine like on the spot. I was hoping that they had the washable filter for it but they didn't just the standard ones. Heh at least I got 4 of them at a time. He ordered the heated tubing for me and it arrived within a few days. Frankly, I was impressed. Now if only they could be that efficient with other things.

I know this is not any consolation but I ran out of the Butrans and Oxycontin, man that is bad withdrawal experience. It's kind of high on my insurance it's like 250 for the Butrans although the Oxy is not terrible at 10 bucks. I've repeatedly asked my VA PCP if I can get the VA to cover this but you know how that goes. Getting harder to afford lately. Here the last few rx s sent by the VA via mail have been damaged. Luckily bottles were not. But psych meds, pain meds, heart meds, are not fun to run out of either. I have to say though, as much as I can complain about the VA rx system, I've been getting meds from them for a few years, I can count the deliveries issues on one hand. That is not a bad track record. But man when the meds don't get delivered or messed up in transit. That really sucks. I wish they could transfer it to a local pharmacy when that happens or something. Rpowell I feel for you I do. 10mg of oxycontin and it messed with me a bit losing a few days when I ran out. I hope you don't have to go to the ER but I can understand your pain, I've been having some issues myself even with alternating pain treatments. Take it easy, hopefully the USPS delivers soon.

Much appreciated. Besides maybe some day that Eagle will be looking forward with wings open and strong my friend. Heh if you ever have the chance try RC flying, I kid you not riding thermals with birds of prey is the most peaceful experience. You may not fly but if you try it I don't think you'll regret it. JMO

Congrats bud. You have definitely earned it. Good luck and keep going strong man. Can't rain all the time.

Well at least you have one. That's the important thing. Have you gotten new electrodes from them? They replaced all mine and are doing it on a regular basis now.

Curious Vync, was your outside doc is it a physical therapist. That is how my outside provider got me a tens unit. Most people get a script from the primary or pain doc to go to physical therapy, PT therapist confers with the doc and basically state that having your own tens/IF unit would be beneficial to the patient. I don't know if this will work with your insurance and/or provider but that is how I got mine. Whatever you do not get those cheap wannabe devices, they are not approved and they can get dangerous. Be sure that its UL and medically approved. I mean you have one now but if others on here want to try that type of therapy it is worth the trouble and that was the route I took. The VA is kind enough to supply the electrode pads, those get expensive. They also provided me with new parts for my CPAP as well. Sorry got a little distracted my point is with there are avenues to get new treatment methods and get them through the VA.

Vync I recommend trying everything. Kind of throw everything you have in your arsenal to deal with issues. As for me I still go by a multi faceted approach. Do this for a little while, then in combination with this and that, it has yielded the best results than any one pain regiment. There is one other thing that I must add, your mental being and where you are in life can have a significant amount of impact on how you deal and cope with your issues. The BS we as Veterans have to go through just to get untimely, mediocre care at best now, is just morally, law dodging wrong. You know ask for two sets when it comes to the tens units. One set of pads for large areas and one for specific focal points. That's how I got mine. Granted I didn't get the TENS unit from the VA that was private insurance at work, but the VA has supplied me with all the filters, hoses, mask, and humidifier containers when I ask. A TENS unit, specifically, a combo unit that does TENS and IF works well. Heck I have even asked for large freezable ice packs and have been given one. I won't kid you it can sometimes be a fight, but its worth it. Oh and the capsicum pain cream, just make absolutely sure you wash your hands throughly or your gonna regret it big time. Thats all I'm gonna say on that one.

Heh rpowel, long time no blog. I am sorry to hear that you are having these issues. I have had similar situations. Frankly, I would not advice doing those OTC, non medical devices, I think if you ask anyone most people have had problems with those infomercial type products. I managed to get lucky and my private insurance issued me a Intensity IF combo unit. You can get one for 75 bucks. It will feel funny at first. I like the IF function better than the TENS but some people like it the other way. Personally I alternate between the modes. I use still but I alternate with ice, heat, pain medication, Butrans, oxycodone, VA pain cream, VA capsicum pain cream, acupuncture, trigger point, facet blocks, medial branch blolcks, rhizotomies and so forth. A combination of a few with alternating patterns helps quite a bit. I am reluctant to let the VA cut on me, so I have contacted a highly respected surgeon here in OK.j Best in the state who happens to take my insurance. The other is a place called North American Spine, I am looking into them but they are a commercial business out of Dallas, which i'm still leary about. However, I am looking at many options and seeing which if any have a high success rate in having a better quality of life. The 15 mg of oxycotton per day with the Butrans is of some help the first few days and tapers off until you replace the patch. I understand why the docs do the pill count every visit. I also looked up some the info on this. It's in Oklahoma, say "whatcha talking bout Willis" I 've seen the permanent stim modules with long electrodes and a small outside transmitter, however, nothing like this. It might be worth to take a "look see"

Some people can get away with the standard size. I tried one of those and it didn't work. If you can get one from a doc, as they are expensive, this might be an alternative. I know at Target/CVS/Walmart and so forth have the moldable ones. You dip in boiliing water till ready, one dip in cold water and place in your mouth and bite down. These are not the high dollar apparatuses the dentist can give you but it is a close as you are going to get for a customized fit They work and last longer than the generic plastic guards. You might look it up and see what you think. Other wise you can decide on the above and use this remedy as a temp solution. Word of advise, make sure you keep it clean and sanitized. most bring a pretty nice case to store when you are not using it.

Target selected, target eliminated. Way to go. Congrats and good luck.

we'll sort of, yes. I went in with my records but he's insistent on the format using Professional Records review. Like others on hadit and Ellis clinic with what I have open and the claims involving my hands I should retire going through DOL. it pays 3/4 of my old salary. Timing and some communications issues have been an issue but I'm working on that. My my concern is the same as in the VA claims, you can have the evidence all there to prove your case but it they don't mention it or read it for that matter it is futile. Oh and shredding and misfiring it into another Veterans records I complicates things a lot. im going to get him to write an opinion curtailing to what I need for this to work, along with the functional capacity exams and the approval of OPM retirement and hopefully that will satisfy VAs and Federal Workers comp. requirement for sure. At least that is my thinking. I have a 10% initial rating on my left wrist for 5% loss of strength, and 5% for lost range of motion, Another 15 % for each hand after surgeries 7 & 8. Plus the 80% current VA rating , I would think that would be enough, however, they are trying their hardest to fight this. I have to admit, I'll have a lot to do until this is completed and over with.

I haven't gotten a straight answer from them, other than the doc used the wrong edition of disabilities text. Wrong 6th edition is what is applicable when I reached MMI. Got it straight from the book. First they said not due an award, Then they said the doc used the wrong edition, later they said I have had too many surgeries and it can't be ascertained what the disability level was at each time. I kid you not, that was stated to me over the phone, I didn't start recording conversations with them until that happened. Sadly it was then that I realized that I was in a bad game. Later they said that the statute of limitations had expired, wrong again, in that situation does not apply, however, now they are going to be scrambling. They paid the award from 2010. That was the first surgery. Since then 9 other surgeries had to be performed all work related and all denied by DOL. With the exception of one but they approved that one 3 days after my private insurance took care of me. What's I find really amusing is that I 've been using the same doc. the one that they picked out for me. The doc is aware of my problems with DOL and I imagine once the insurance company gets involved in the legal matter it will be very interesting. I want to get the insurance carrier involved like yesterday. as it might help my cases but my case is in DC now. So is my VA claim. It will definitely be interesting when the Sh** hits the fan. The stench is pretty bad too, however, often I wonder who will stink the worst. Maybe it will be a 3 way tie. I had really hoped that I didn't have to wasted so much time trying to prove my cases, by all means, WC approving the first surgery and injury set precedent for the rest, I was still performing the same job and task that I was back in 2009 when I got hurt. Frankly the job got harder once I started on the supply side of it along with build up of aircraft spoilers. Handling parts over 1400 lbs with slings and cranes. Oh well not worried. I just want to be around long enough to hear and see the agencies squirm when they try to justify their actions and responses. I am just frustrated that it had to go this way. I really loved my career. Even with all the injuries, and shenanigans they have put me through I don't regret my time and service I provided. It sucks but unfortunately that is why you have to keep pushing for what you know to legal and right. Either way screen is too blurry. Take care folks I will post again when I have more news. Hopefully with compitent representation I will see more wins and can pass the intel on.

Oh and a doctor has to relate your illness with your exposure. No benefit of doubt. After all the studies and MSDS' that I gave and my long hospital stay. They, AFPC stated that I was never exposed to fuel. Hello KC135 Fuel tanker, removing valves, bladders, activated fuel tape, removing components and stinking of fuel after I showered at work and at home. The wife still remembers having me strip in the entry before I went anywhere in the house. I am glad we always laundered my clothes separately and in different machines. Id' really go ballistic if my wife or kids come down with something because of me. Well screens is getting too blurry. Chat later, take care friend.

Well I did start a rein jury on my left hand in early 2013. So I submitted a reopen which was a big no no. Different date of injury, different claim. Any ways, once they denied the reopen I was informed that I was entitled to a scheduled award. DOL denied that as well. In trying to protect my left hand I used my right hand more. Long story short, Filed DOL claim on right hand because I injured that one but I went through my private insurance since I figured they were going to deny a claim on my right hand. Well I was mistaken 3 days after I had my surgery I received a letter that they approved the right hand injury. What is really stupid about them claiming that I don't perform a job that would cause injury to my wrists or hands, hello, um AIRCRAFT FUELS MECHANIC., really that is the type of crap that really burns me up. More along the same route in DOL stating, that jet fuel is not hazardous and that I was not exposed to enough of it on to get sick. Anyways the DOL specific stance was that " the claim states all benefits are paid, not entitled to scheduled award" AFPC stated that, DOL stated that as well. Liars and cheats is all they are. Funny I filed for disability retirement and guess what my scheduled award suddenly appeared out of nowhere and in my bank. Lump sum too. They finally had a revelation. This is going to be interesting, I am trying to keep the injuries and claims with the corresponding agencies, but my health issues are interrelated on some issues, and VA disabilities do play a part with my difficulties when I was employed.

That is the funny part. They have been denying my scheduled award since 2010, officially since Feb 2013, when I realized I was legally entitled to one. I knew this wen too smoothly, Heck yeah they will approve the retirement instead of having DOL pay 75% of my wages. Damn them. I'm glad we have some knowledgeable people here because if I had to rely on OPM, FERS, DOL to do what is rightfully due, I'd be long dead.