ArNG11

Berta I am currently working of sorts. I have applied for disability retirement or at least started the process. With work I have federal work comp cases that are headed to DC. My hands are shot and as a mechanic that is my lively hood. After 6 surgeries and awaiting 3 more, I think I should have gotten the hint. That is another story though. Since my SC VA do play a part in my effectiveness at work it is going to be an interesting process. Since I am still employed TDIU is mute I think. I have applied for SSDI knowing that I would get the denial however, my strategy is to use the system against these bozos. Eventually when DOD,DOL and the VA seek all my records and applications for the afforded benefits they will all have the same evidence and the same statements that I have been claiming all along. I believe it will push a decision in my favor, they can't go against the law and regulations and I seriously doubt they have any leg to stand on contradicting other agencies that by evidence and medical documentation say the very same thing. I will have justice, even if I have to force they're stubborn hands to do it. JMHO

Would love that GP. : ) maybe one day.

Thanks Navy04. A step in the right direction.

Just wanting to post a little update. I had my DRO hearing yesterday and it went in my favor I believe. At least my pending claims got pushed and the proposed decision was made official. I now hold a 70% rating with review in 2019. Not bad. My appealed issues according to the DRO should be decided in 30 days. What I received I don't really know exactly but a fair guess is that the mental condition was rated at 50 and the rest of my contentions on that claim received a 0% maybe. Service connection is what I am hoping for. The correct ratings I intend to pursue when I get the hard copy decision. For me it is bitter sweet victory, but a victory none the less. It is amazing when they, the VA, starts to actually get it. Veterans of today are much more educated and informed about entitlements. I will go into details when I receive the letter. But my AB8 letter confirmed it today 70%. I imagine retro should be in within the week or so. I am almost smiling. I am smiling. It is a victory. I have won this battle. I intend on winning my War. Thanks folks. PS. Special Thanks to AskNod, 63sierra, RPowell, Berta, GeorgiaPapa, Vync, Iraqvet77 and all the others that helped me in my pursuits. Fight till your last breath! Good Fortune to us all.

Well maybe mine was kind of weird. It went well and I am glad I brought my wife in with me I about lost it a couple of times. But wifey enhanced my calm. At the very least 3 of my conditions on appeal are going up and the sleep apnea is either being service connected or at the very least getting a new examination. Her last statement was leaning towards service connection. So a positive experience at the hearing, whether it yields the results I'm looking yet remains to be seen, however, I should get a response within 30 days. At least this part is done.

Agreed. I m fast to wanna pull the trigger now. Do take the time to enjoy the win and spend some quality time with loved ones. Kind of like the debrief after leaving combat.

It's hard to practice what you preach. Curiosity, frustration, desperation, name your adjective or favorite mental status it is the truth. But as in life and surviveability movement is life. Guilty as charged though. I be checked my at least 3 times today. It's like getting the munchies after smoking pot, or so I have heard. Really.

Both. Since I am still working it is an automatic denial, but since I know I'm headed to Washington on some of my claims I put in for SSDI, and SSI. I gave them all the info that I have provided the VA , department of Labor,I knew it was going to be a denial and was counting on it. But when the VA and Department of labor pull for evidence they will get back the evidence that they have been ignoring. Basically I'm using there own systems against them sort of speak.

Frankly $. But let's not concentrate on that. First congrats. Well played. With the 100% you have more options for afforded care and lots of tax concessions to take advantage of. As well as state benefits depending on your state. It's worth looking into nice discounts and lots of perks. I think it would be worth a look over on all your conditions and apeal the ones that on not in line with the severity of your conditions and medical evidence. Same old same old unfortunately. Since you have some conditiins that are in the appeal period fight them if you care to do so. For the ones that have become final, CUE is the only option really. Look in the forums inder CUE, Berta has layed it quote nicely, there's others like Asknod and many more that give vast amounts of info and strategies. JMO, again good luck and congrats on the win.

Congrats hmcquade always makes my day reading about wins. heh curious did they, the VA infer IU in your case? Anyways enjoy the win and good fortune to you.

Ebennies is the devil. Actually a better analogy is is the example of a moth drawn to the flame. Don't go towards that false light or you're gong to get burned. It s hard not to be drawn in, as one of my claims has been in the same boat 3 times now. Find something else to fill your time otherwise it will drive you crazier than the mad hatter. JME and JMHO. You will know when two things happen. BBE and BAD. Big brown evelelope & Big ass deposit.

Its crazy fast process. Holy Cow. Applied today, interviewed today, decided today, and denied today. The upside. The SSA has all the evidence and information that I have given the VA sooooooooooooo when the appeals get to their point where they ask for evidence they will get a repeat of what I have already sent. Always keep some New and Material Evidence back though. Here I am pretending like I know what I am doing, when really I am relying on the systems I am fighting to be half ass and intent on denying. I wonder how it will work for essentially, contradicting yourself. Hmmm. I will let you folks know how it works out.

You guys and gals are Saints. I feel like I am a young pup going into this at 40, but the information provided on this forum along with the information referenced in these other sites are invaluable. I claim to be a realist but follow a pattern of a pessimist and catastrophesist. I feel a great deal better going into this. Sincerely thank you.

Heh if you are able to do the poses its great. It requires discipline, but heh it is child splay compared to the military. I do the breathing techniques. Can't really do the poses. I know this sounds kind of VA talk but meditation helps. If anything I am reminded of Happy Gilmore. Go to your "happy place" Doesn't always work but occasionally it does. You would be surprised how much power you have with self talk. I on occasion remember some of the things Yoga emphasizes. Not very often but some times.

diver, i feel for you bud. But you don't have to take that. If the treatment options that they are giving you aren't working for you ask to change docs. Better yet don't ask to do so insist on it. These docs forget who they work for sometimes. They are employed because of patients. If you are not making progress with what tools she gives you tell her so. If she gives you crap, demand a different doc. There are some good tools online and there is even a PTSD coach with mobile devices. I am not sure if you are tech savvy but you at least know how to get around in the forums so it may be worth a shot. Also remember slow is smooth smooth is fast. There are resources out there. JMO take care

With the Neuro meds I so wish that they could have a medication that would work for everyone. I mean, really. It is just pain receptors right. Maybe one day there will an implant and chip where you can control and manage your pain with using your iPhone X2000

John you made me laugh. Only because you reminded me of a prank that has been played on me and the favor returned. Won't ever happen again though. Icy hot in the drawers. Holy Balls Man. Never will I forget that one. You really have to wash your hands VERY well. It's not funny in the least. I have taken to wearing disposable gloves when I use the Capsium based one. I mean really, you will have tears no joke. JME&O

Say it isn't so, you don't trust your VA doc? I think some of us are in the same boat. The key to most everything in life is to do your homework and research. Theres know excuse not to. It is your life we are talking about here. I didn't mean to take a trial and error approach per say, more like a informed trial and error if so to speak. I guess that is not any better is it. Just take multiple avenues of research and facts and then decide what is worth the risk for the benefit you get.

I will tell you from experience don't get stuck sending the Safety Data Sheets for specific manufactures of JP8 or JP4. Unless you specifically know that it is the one batch of fuel you were exposed to. It narrows your fight to that specific grade, manufactured batch, you don't want that. Also just in my experience get two IMO and turn them in at separate points in the process of your case. File the exposure claim, submit some evidence and leave the studies for when you get the denial. Then after submit the IMO. They are going to fight this tooth and nail. You must be very careful not to make a single mistake in your statements. Keep copies of everything you send in. Send it certified green card to as well. I guarantee you will need this. This I say from experience. The agencies I am currently fighting with will try to crucify you and tarnish your name. They will also place the burden of proof on you like no other claim I can think of so far that what I have experience in both VA, DOL, and Workers comp. By the way, not trying to hijack the thread, this is just been my experience and dealings with this disease and trying to seek connection and afforded treatment. You have a hell of a fight coming. Just remember to stay the course and fight till your last breath. JMHO.

Look this one up to. 79-116-c It is a documented study as well.

ITP122677 ITP1105289 These two cases made it up pretty high. Worth a look. Benzene and Thrombocytopenic Purpura Introduction Thrombocytopenic purpura is a hematologic condition characterized by a low platelet count and mucocutaneous bleeding. There are a number of varieties of the disease. More information on Thrombocytopenic Purpura >> See, generally, Cines, D. B., et al., "Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura," N. Engl. J. Med. 346(13):995-1008 (March 13, 2002). When the disease is caused by a hereditary disorder, it may be called "Congenital Thrombocytopenic Purpura." See, generally, Cines, D. B., et al., "Congenital and Acquired Thromboctyopenia," Hematology 390-406 (2004). When the disease is caused by medications, it may be called "Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenic Purpura." See, generally, van den Bemt, P. M., et al., "Drug-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia," Drug Safety 27(15):1243-1252 (2004). A particular type of the drug-induced disease is called "Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia," and occurs in 1%-4% of patients treated with unfractionated heparin for a minimum of 7 days. See, Zehnder, J. L., "Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: ASH Update," Hematology 401-406 (2004). When the cause of the disease in a patient is not apparent to the physician, the disease is often called "Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura." See, generally, George, J. N., et al., "Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura: A Practice Guideline Developed by Explicit Methods for the American Society of Hematology," Blood 88:3-40 (1996); George, J.N., "Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Current Issues for Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management in Children and Adults," Curr. Hematol. Rep. 2(5):381-387 (2003). The disease can manifest acutely and chronically. See, George, J.N., et al., "Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura," New Engl. J. Med. 331:1207-1211 (1994). Benzene-Induced Thrombocytopenia It has long been known to the medical community that benzene causes thrombocytopenia and other related platelet disorders. See, e.g., Helmer, K. J., "Accumulated Cases of Chronic Benzene Poisoning in the Rubber Industry," Acta Medica Scand. 118(4-5):354-375 (1944); Favre-Gilly, "Syndrome hemorragique benzolique avec simple alteration morphologique des plaquettes: de l'utilite d'examen systematique des plaquettes sure lame chez les ourvriers exposes au benzol," Arch. Mal. Prof. 91:274-277 (1948); Morel, P., et al., "[blood platelets in the diagnosis and prognosis of benzol poisoning]," Bull. Soc. Med. Du Travail de Lyon (Feb. 15, 1952); Canci, A., ["Effect of Adenine on Thrombopenia Induced by Experimental Benzene Poisoning"], Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper. 31(5):40-410 (1955); Saita, G., et al., "[study of blood platelet function in former and active cases of benzolic hemopathy]," Med. Lav. 49(1):13-37 (1958); Lob, et al., "[The effect of benzene on thrombocytes and various enzymatic activities]", Arch. Mal. Prof. 24:371-374 (1963); Monteverde, A., et al., "The effect of Fibrinogen and Platelts on the Thromboelastogram in Benzene Poisoning," Med. Del Lavoro 54(2):95-102 (1963); Saita, G., et al., "Thromboelastographic investigations in benzene haemopathy," Med. Del Lavoro 55(11);655-664 (1964); Hernberg, S., et al., "Prognostic Aspects of Benzene Poisoning," Brut. J. Ind. Med. 23:204-209 (1966); Petelenz, T., et al., "[Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Occupational Intoxication with Benzene,"] Wiad Lek. 19(17):1393-1396 (1966); Inceman, S., et al., "[impaired Platelet-Collagen Reaction in a Case of Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia Due to Chronic Benzene Intoxication," Turk Tip Cemiy Mecm. 36(7):417-424 (1969); Inceman, S., et al., "[Thrombopathy in the Course of Benzene- Induced Leukemia]", Nov. Rev. Fr. Hematol. 9(4):573-574 (1969); Aksoy, M., et al., "Haematological Effects of Chronic Benzene Poisoning in 217 Workers," Brit. J. Ind. Med. 28:296-302 (1971); Aksoy, M., et al., "Details of Blood Changes in 32 Patients with Pancytopenia Associated with Long-term Exposure to Benzene," Brit. J. Ind. Med. 29:56-64 (1972); Grossenbacher, J., et al., "Etude longitudinale des effects à long berme d'une exposition professionnelle au benzène," Schweiz. Med. Wschr. 112:1858-1859 (1982); Micu, D., et al., "The Value of Some Cytoenzymochemical Investigations of the Leukocytes and Platelets in Estimating the Effects of Occupational Exposure to Benzene, Vinyl Chloride and Carbon Disulphide," Rev. Roum. Med.-Med. Int. 23(2):115-120 (1985); Aksoy, M., "Hematotoxicity and Carcinogenicity of Benzene," Environ. Health Perspect. 82:193-197 (1989); Niazi, G.A., et al., "Blood Dyscrasia in Unofficial Vendors of Petrol and Heavy Oil and Motor Mechanics in Nigeria," Tropical Doctor 19:55-58 (1989); Rothman, N., et al., "An Epidemiologic Study of Early Biologic Effects of Benzene in Chinese Workers," Environ. Health Perspect. 104(Suppl. 6): 1365-1370 (1996); Rothman, N., et al., "Hematotoxicity Among Chinese Workers Heavily Exposed to Benzene," Amer. J. Ind. Med. 29:236-246 (1996); Kudla, I., "Exposure to Benzene-Contaminated Toluene and Bone Marrow Disorders: A Retrospective Exposure Assessment," Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 12(1):11-14 (1997); Wiwanitkit, V., et al., "The Urine Trans, Trans Muconic Acid Biomarker and Platelet Count in a Sample of Subjects with Benzene Exposure," Clin. Appl. Thrombosis/ Hemostasis 10(1):73-76 (2004). Benzene-Induced Thrombocytopenic Purpura Several case reports of benzene-induced thrombocytopenic purpura have been published in the medical literature. Indeed, the first case report of benzene-induced hematologic disease was a case of thrombocytopenic purpura. Le Noir, M. M., et al., "Sur un cas de purpura attribué a l'intoxication par la benzine," [A case of purpura caused by benzene poisoning]; Bull. Mem. Soc. Med. Hop. 3(14):1251-1261 (1897) [in French]. Many case reports of benzene-induced thrombocytopenic purpura were reported during the century following Le Noir's early report. See, e.g., Selling, L., "A Preliminary Report of Some Cases of Purpura Haemorrhagica Due to Benzol Poisoning," Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp. 21:33-37 (1910); Delore, P., et al., "Leucémie aiguë au cours de l'intoxication benzénique: sur l'origine toxique de certaines leucémies aiguës et leurs relations avec les anémies graves," [Acute leukemia in the course of benzene poisoning: the toxic origin of certain actue leukemias and their relationship to severe anemias]; J. Med. Lyon 9:227-233 (1928); Andre, R., et al., "[Grave hemolytic anemia associated with thrombopenic purpura haemorrhagica; probable role of benzol; massive transfusion, splenectomy, recovery]; Bull. Mem. Soc. Hem. Hop. 31(24):521-530 (March 31, 1950); Andre R., et al., "[severe hemolytic anemia associated with thrombopenic hemorrhagic purpura; probable role of benzol; massive transfusion; splenectomy, recovery," Sang 22(1):57-65 (1951); Schatzmann, H. J., "[Fatal thrombocytopenic purpura in benzol poisoning]," Schweiz. Med. Wochenschr. 85(46):1123-1126 (Nov. 12, 1955); Gambini, G., et al., "[is there an isolated benzeneinduced thrombocytopenic purpura]," Med. Lav. 59(1):25-31 (1968) [in Italian]; Ribera, J. M., et al., "[idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura folflowing recovery from a benzolinduced bone marrow aplasia]," Sangre (Barc.) 29(2):224-225 (1984); Chuansumrit, A., et al., "Acquired aplastic anemia in children: a review of 100 patients," Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health 21(2):313-320 (1990); Kudla, I., "Exposure to Benzene- Contaminated Toluene and Bone Marrow Disorders: A Retrospective Exposure Assessment," Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 12(1):11-14 (1997). Conclusion The foregoing medical studies provide sufficient evidence that benzene causes thrombocytopenia and the rare disease sometimes known as thrombocytopenic purpura.