ArNG11

I still say I like the old fashioned mail system. Return receipt with documented proof of delivery. Maybe eventually the electronic means will be more reliable and efficient, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

I don't think that you should have to brother. If I knew a way I would surely tell you how to get this fixed. Okay in a way as a remark and a question. Since at times VA health care is so subpar, can fee based care be utilized to mitigate some of the ill treatment?

Sometimes I wonder if the power of the media could ever be of help here. Kind of like a sting operation. Of course even with that it is only the stories that can make some individual money stay in the lime light.

Yup as much as I hate to realize this. I think the only way anything fair and accurate concerning health conditions will be from a truly unbiased medical professional who bases medical opinions on fact and stakes his reputation to his opinion.

Interesting concept. Actually quite frightening. I am wondering if people such as these characters will ever pay for wrongs that they do. I am not much to believe in Karma but I man don't ever put me in charge of handing out the sentences. I think I would be evil and have no compassion, which doesn't make me feel good about myself. Justice is out there though. Maybe not the swiftest in happening but I believe it to be unavoidable.

rpowell01. Dude I am sorry to hear about the CT surgery. There's always a chance that things do not go the way they are supposed to when you go under the knife. I had a different type of surgery as I went the endoscopic route, however, I still have problems with my wrists just not to the same level and extent. Give it time to heal. With me it took a few months to get the most benefit out it. Bare in mind though, my surgery was not the open method. It will take considerable time to heal. Just take it day by day. Do the hand exercises, use heat, ice and elevation. Utilize pain management. It will take time but you will get there.

There are ratings for radiculopathy. Its shows up on an MRI but I think the best hall mark test is an EMG. The more evidence you have the better, Im sure others will chime in on this, but I think an EMG one of the best test to show the extent of this condition.

Finally man. I am really happy for you. There is some light in the shadow that the VA tries to cast. I am glad that you shared this fantabulous news. I have a smile on my face as I am writing this. Happy happy happy for you. Perseverance ! Resilience! Hooh rah!

It is always a contradiction. It is a an adversarial system which is structured to do a few things. Deny if at all possible. When it can't be denied then give the bare minimum. When it is appealed, state we construed or misconstrued the facts. So sorry Charlie we could not tell our ass from the facts. The paperwork will always shed light on the truth. Some times the journey will be long and it will take its toll, but perseverance will be a testament and true test. The confuse and evade tactic only works for so long and eventually you will have to face what is to come. Anyways didn't mean to go off the deep end. I think that a rating letter can very well be used against them in an NOD. They have to follow the regs and law correct, at least you will force them to, Point out what they missed. Cite the regs, cite the evidence. File the NOD and start the appeals process. Build evidence, cite reg references again and see it through to the end. That will help.

I can tell you from my experience, a chiro, electric stim, ice, physical therapy, pain meds, neuro meds, epidural shots, facet block, bilateral medial branch blocks and rhizotomy help but it is going to take some mind over body control. There are times when I loose it but you have to make a conscious decision to get through it. At times I admit I fall weak and feel like I want to just step in front of a truck but you have to be strong. You have a family and they are depending on you. Believe me I know what you are going through, most of us on here experience that feeling daily. We all need words of encouragement and true faith in each other and ourselves. Things will get better comrade. Best of luck.

I was in a dark place today until I read your post. I cannot stress how happy I am for you and husband. It proves what dedication and perseverance can accomplish. It gives me hope and fills my heart with happiness. Never give up! Take care and best fortune to you and your family.

Shyne-I. I losed faith a long time ago. But I humbly ask the powers that be that things work out for you. Stay strong sister. And turn that smile upside down

dysfunctuonal. 63Sierra you are to kind, I would certainly try to fill a post with all the colorful metaphors I knew in every language and I still yet would not come close to the BS this institution pulls. You guys keep fighting. Victory will be seen. Maybe not in a fair amount of time, but it WILL come. Accountability will eventually catch up and those bloody heads will roll.

I can empathize to your situation. Im a federal employee myself and I have been in the hospital for a week now. I am okay for the moment on leave but once it runs out I fear I will be in the same boat as you are now. I don't know how the specifics of short term disability but I know that I didn't opt for it with FEHB. I am not sure how I would even proceed with the VA since this is not a service connected issue and just popped out of the blue. Please post anything you find out. I will do the same. This is difficult to research being stuck in the hospital. Good luck to you.