john999

I got an email from NVLSP today saying they want me to sign a release to have their lawyers get access to my c-file regarding the IHD claim. They said that my name should have been on the list of vets who were to have their claims for heart disease redecided but that my name was not on the list. I got 60% for CAD secondary to DMII back in 2008. My problem is that I am being represented by another lawyer at the court of vet appeals on a CUE. If I sign the release for NVLSP is this going to cause a delay in my CUE claim or some conflict between me and my private attorney?

If it was me I would hire a lawyer due to the fact this RO is probably operating on orders from the top. The VA wants to limit the damage and what better way than to just deny an entire class of vets a benefit. They are going to quibble and stall over phrases and words and definitions hoping you will just give up or die. A good vet lawyer may be able to lay his hands on exactly what you need when you go to the BVA. How much retro are we talking about here?

John I don't think the VA will tell you to stop taking your civilian pain meds. You may be able to get the same meds for free via the VA. I would try and get a referral to a VA shrink to get a DX of chronic pain syndrome/depression. Almost everyone who has chronic pain and takes narcotic pain meds has some aspects of pain disorder/depression. I would bet you have some sleep problems, mobility problems, frustration and anguish at not being able to do what you used to be able to do. These things are all part of the syndrome. The physical cannot be separated from the mental. The VA likes to think they can and that we are just mechanical soldiers, but it isn't so. I would google Chronic Pain Disorder and see how you match up. What kinds of pain meds do you get from private doctor? The VA has limited formulary.

Go for it, Phil, you will get it. This gives you a goal.

Yulooking If it is in the hands of your lawyer you just have to wait. Is your lawyer getting paid a % of your possible retro? If they are it makes them work harder. If the lawyer is going to get 20% of several hundred thousand dollars they tend to want to make it happen. This is capitalism in action.

Phil You know the only way to really tell if you have a heart problem is a heart cath, but it is invasive and has its own risks.

You need a medical opinion that the arthritis is secondary to the wound. The VA won't connect the dots unless a doctor says they are related.

What would be your effective date for "S". If the VA did not award "S" and you are entitled to it then it is a CUE. You would want to claim the SMC as soon as you became eligible for it. I got $8200 in retro on mine. I guess you take meds for the DMII? Have you ever had your legs tested for any sort of artery disease? I did by accident and found a problem related to DMII that eventually became rated as heart disease secondary to DMII. If you get a CT scan of your legs you might find a problem there and it is most certainly secondary to DMII (almost presumptive the association is so strong). CAD disease often starts in the legs for those with DMII. Just complain about pain in your legs and cramping when you walk. That should get you a scan and I bet they find something like calcification in the arteries.

Don't let them pull too many teeth or sell you on dentures.

There is no telling exactly what the C&P doctor will say so just keep on going until you get a decision. If the doctor trys to get you to do anything that hurts be sure and tell him it hurts as soon as you feel pain.

If you have chronic pain I would wrangle an appointment with a psychiatrist and the VA pain clinic. You have a back problem and you have pain and possible depression due to disability. You wanted to get rated fully for both. You need to let them know how bad your pain is and keep repeating it.

Do you have evidence from a private lung specialist who can bolster your claim? It is common for the VA to use under qualified people to do C&P exams. You are lucky it is a doctor and not a PA or NP.

Pete Do you go through a social worker or directly through Fee Base?

The VA has told me over the phone about a decision at least twice in the past. They obey their own rules sometimes.

You might as well go for the testing. Just be honest about the extent of your disabilites. They may determine you are not a good candidate for rehabilitation due to your disabilites. That would help a TDIU claim. Can I ask how old you are? That is important for your own life. Maybe you can be rehabilitated. You need to examine your own ability to work in the future.

You know if you go for a regular mental health exam they don't ask all these specific questions. They are seeing if you have ALL the symptoms of PTSD.

If a vet is housebound does that make him/her eligible for Fee Base? I am wondering since physical access to my local VAMC is horrible for me. It means a long drive and then a ride on a shuttle bus often in miserable weather.

Did you file an actual claim on a piece of paper? You need proof you filed a claim even if it went nowhere. Are you saying the claim has been pending for almost ten years? Something is not right about that. I hope you did not take someone's word that they filed for you.

Do you have DMII? That is probably what you need for AO PN claim. To get a AO PN claim without having DMII is probably impossible at this date.

You know you can have the symtoms and markers of DMII for ten years but until someone at the VA actually gives you a DX of DMII you don't have it. You won't get compensated for it either. Half of the older guys I talk to probably have DMII but there doctors say pre-diabetic because their fasting glucose is 123 instead of 124.

Mike I would continue to try and get your rating as high as possible so if you do become unemployable you won't have such a hard time getting the rating. When I saw my own condition going downhill I began asking for increases. I still had a hell of a fight.

If the ILP won't help I would appeal that decision. They are tight fisted bastards. They try and discourage you first. If you persist I bet you can get it. When you become 100% P&T the VA considers you a write/off. You have to start making a nuisance of yourself to get help.

I think I would go to the pain clinic and a VA psychiatrist and tell them about the constant pain you are having. People with chronic severe pain usually suffer from some degree of depression. I would claim that as well. The VA often rates injuries for the mechanical injury and the loss of ROM. They ignore chronic pain syndrome and the depression that goes with it. If you are taking stong pain meds that is also having an affect on you and can aggravate depression in the long run. I have back pain and it creates a certain fear of doing things because you are always afraid you are going to reinjure it.

Hey, I got something from the VA for being housebound and having a brace on my leg. They sent me a higher toilet seat. Hot damn! Just what I always wanted.

For statutory "S" you need Total plus 60%. Is that what you are claiming? If he can't take care of his basic needs he may be able to get a higher level of A&A. S is equal to about 320 bucks. It is the lowest level of A&A I think.