john999

My left shoulder is higher than my right shoulder because of pain and muscle spasms due to neck problems. However, I adjust my line of sight without even knowing I am doing it. My left shoulder is up around my ears sometimes when I really overdo it. It just draws up. I feel pain but not aware of how weird looking it is.

The "SMR's are silent on this issue" is the VA's gambit they used on me when I claimed TMJ. The Army dentist did not record a DX when he treated me. The jerk did this on purpose I am sure so I could not claim it later. I was getting ready to go to Nam so nothing was going to stop my going even if I had lockjaw. All the dentist wrote in the record was "exam". Is this malpractice or what? John

I had a heart C&P from a VA NP. It was a joke. No tests, just her impressions and guesses. I appealed and got some tests and got 60%. I have never seen a cardiologist at the VA. My care at the VA in Tampa is substandard at best. I used medicare for anything more serious than a med check. I have had one good C&P exam out of 10 over the years. When I was first rated I did not even have a c&p exam for mental health issue.

You should not really talk to the VA if you have a lawyer representing you. The VA can twist what you say and make it hard on your POA. Have your lawyer do the talking for you. John

I keep getting "5103 Waiver Review needed". I gave the bastards a sworn statement that I have no more evidence but on Ebenefits it still says gathering evidence.

I got SSD and worker's compensation before I got TDIU. I had to wait about 8 months from time I lost my job to get WC and SSD. This helped me rest again until I got TDIU. I had prepared for the day I could not work but it was still a shock. I lost 20 lbs waiting just for SSD and WC. I even had private disability insurance, but I still never thought I would become disabled. Denial is a strong impulse. 90% of people are not prepared for disability. Many end up living on SSD. If you can live on $1200 a month more power to you.

I would love to get my OSA SC'ed. I have great private pulmonologist but I don't know if he would say my OSA is related to service 40 odd years ago.

You are considered 6% able bodied so you need a rating that will give you at least 1%. 30% would probably do it.

You are post 9/11 vet, right?

Have you tried for SSDI?

Usually, if you don't tell them you have a definite plan they will just question you. What I mean to say is that you have to make a strong point that you cannot live with the pain if they take you off the opiates. It is not that easy to get admitted to the VA nuthouse. I wanted to be admitted and I had to tell them I would not contract to not kill myself over some other issues not pain meds. It can be harder to get out , but they don't really want to keep you since it costs. My shrink never even asks me about suicide and I am SC for depression as well as some other stuff. If she asks me if I feel like I would be better off dead at times I would say "yes" and be damned. That does not mean I have a plan to hang myself. The plan is the main thing and any threat to OD on VA meds would get them excited.

I know you don't want TD. I had it. Not fun. You do need to get on meds or you may become psychotic again and God knows what can happen then! Have you had a psychotic break in service? Were you discharged for schizophrenia? I don't think being a cop with schizophrenia is realistic. Do you?

I went to a group for years and it was what turned me around. The thing is if the group is small and stable it is good. Big groups of people who come and go don't really get it. The group helps you see yourself as others see you right now. You may thing you have guilt or some obvious problem written all over your face, but others just see a person. You will get feedback on how you interact with others and how you appear.

Has anyone tried Lyrica?

You know psychologists who do biofeedback can document TBI because a TBI will change your brain wave patterns. My private psychologist told me this and showed me an article. He is expert in biofeedback.

The VA has tried to force me off opiates before. I fought it because they have nothing to replace the opiates with that works for me. Tell them if they force you off the opiates you will blow your brains out rather than suffer the pain. See how they react to that. Say if very softly and with serious and sad look in your eyes. John

My VA shrink told me about 20 years ago I would never get more than 30%. My DAV guy told me not to ask for increase. I fooled them all and got 70% TDIU. When I got 70% my DAV rep told me not to appeal. I ignored this idiot and appealed TDIU denial and got it. I stopped using VSO's at that point.

It should be the date you applied for TDIU officially. I applied when I was just 30% and then I got 70%, but the effective date was the date I applied for TDIU. Actually, I got it six months earlier based on hospital admission where I told them I had lost my job and got GAF of 40 on admission. The VA is a wonder and a mystery.

I think Ebenefits is a joke. I am in a foul mood also after a goose chase to get meds at the VA hospital. I would send an IRIS and try and find out what is holding up your decision. I would also call the 800 number. You may get a hint. Just don't curse them like I was tempted to do today. John

I got a referral to go see the sleep doctors to try and get a med called "Provigil" to help me not be so sleepy due to the OSA. I got out to the VA and talked to the doctor and he tells me we can't prescribe this drug for you because you take opiates. They must have known this before since I am in Opiate program. I think I would rather die in a ditch than deal with the VA. It was my VA psychiatrist who referred me to get the Provigil. Then I had to go through my PCP to get appointment. Then they turn me down for the drug. I can get it from a private doctor but I can't afford it. I am going to let my PCP and VA shrink know how I feel about them sending me on a wild goose chase. John

Watch out with the Ambien. It has strange side effects. I stopped taking it because of rebound insomnia.

If VA had to pay interest on their long delayed awards this BS would probably stop! When you wait 30 years to be properly rated and it is due to a VA mistake the VA should pay because there is really no way to make you whole. Compensation is a sorry product but it is all we have besides begging in the street. John

I have been on opiates for about 7 years. I get it all from the VA. Weaning me will be a real trip. If the VA says it is wrong to prescribe opiates long term then they have been committing malpractice on me for 7 years. I am sure my brain chemistry has changed after all this time.

Getting therapy after Vietnam saved my life. Once you get rated for PTSD the VA can't charge your insurance. I would just walk through fire to get your ptsd rated by the VA. If you have made suicide attempts the VA has to treat you. Not everyone in PTSD group is a combat vet. We are all vets now. John

If you are TDIU P&T you family can get ChampVA medical insurance. This often takes time.