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gbat

Third Class Petty Officers
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Everything posted by gbat

  1. I also wanted to add I did not claim the Helo incident as a stressor, because it had me on there and everything else was redacted because of special forces crap and would have had to jump threw more hoops. Just worried about me becoming a Va horror story. Been seeing a VA shrink and therapist for last 7 years, maxed out on 4 different meds, just parinoid i guess. C-file is a mess, some 20 to 25 sheets of info copied 4 or 5 times over. After I seen mine, I could see why they miss things.
  2. Hi all, long term lurker, I don't think I would have been service connected without your site. I started a claim in 2014 with VSO, she wanted me to do a fully complete claim, so waited a year to verify stressor, it never came so sent it in anyway. Surprise it got denied. I filed NOD and eventually got my stressor verified by getting navy deck log, buddy statement and vso attached a sick call visit two days after incident. fast forward five years and rater sent me to VES psych doctor. I was rated 70% PTSD and 10% tinuitus. Afterwards I requested my C-file and after a year received it. At beginning of interview I mentioned almost fell out of helo, maybe someone shot at us. but not much else. I never mentioned anything about being a combat vet, nor is it written anywhere. he states in his opening remarks that he doesn't need to review incident since I was a combat vet. No I am not. almost three years later and many sick days used for my FMLA PTSD I am retiring early because I can't do my job anymore. When I go for a TDIU claim and they open my file, I'm afraid they might see opening statement and cut off my VA benefits. Is this possible? the reason why it took so long is I sent in the stressor verifying event, but afraid to go forward. Do I bring that up ( combat Vet) in my statement of the case or ignore it. If I didn't request C-file I would have never knew about it, but now afraid to go forward because of possible VES doctor mistake could doom me. On a more positive note I'm thinking that the rater waited until the stressor was verified before he sent me to C&P exam. Just don't want to lose all benefits over this, it would ruin me, and turn my life around for the worst. Should I just be happy with what I got? Don't know, wish guy never put that in there, or wish I never requested C-file. thanks for any replies!
  3. Thanks for the info, great site!
  4. Hello, I am rated at 70% for PTSD and still working. I was planning to work until I was 65, however 59 years old now. I feel my PTSD is getting worse however and I have been getting treated by the VA for about 7 years now for mental health. Starting to lose a lot more work, just getting harder and harder to come to work and deal with work issues. (ugh) I don't think I could make it much longer and since I have enough time in to retire, I plan on it soon. I also have a couple months still left on sick time I could use, I will take a penalty for retiring early but if I can't do It, then I can't do it. my VA therapist told me I should apply for TDIU, since I'm leaving my job before I wanted too. Is this correct? If I go out early, can I still apply while I'm getting a retirement? Part of me says I deserve it while the other part says don't push it, be grateful for what you have. I wouldn't want to be reduced. Any thoughts!!
  5. Thanks for the answers, I was going to do new claim!
  6. I was recently awarded an 80% claim retroactive to October of 2014. Out of that had to pay back 50k for a volunteer separation award back in the early 90's. The back pay was great and I am one grateful vet. I than noticed my next months payment is $1631, which is a single 80% veteran. I have been married since 2010. The difference is about 8K. How do I go about recouping that back pay? do I file a new claim with the info and Marriage certificate attached? or a nod? or reaching out thru IRIS to correct. It is short and to the point and should not be hard to see, so what is the best recourse? Thanks for the help....
  7. just another update, even though IRIS told me it was deferred to higher level, I have not received a BBE stating why it was deferred. It's been going on almost 7 weeks. How do I get them to send the statement on why they deferred?
  8. Another quick update, IRIS sent email response, Apparently my appeal was closed and deferred to higher lever reviewer with a completion date of Sept. 2019. My only issue is when I went into RAMP, I went into higher level review lane, so why the need to defer? I'm not mad just very disappointed in whole system, it seems like this is just another way to kick the can down the road.
  9. Just an update, My appeal was closed 11/20/2018 with a new appeal opened up same day with no knowledge from me. I am still waiting for BBE. It's been over a month. I sent several IRIS concerns in. The last one was they got back and said they have no idea what happened. ( A for honesty on their part) They also said they sent it to RO for explanation, this was a week and a half ago, so far crickets ( F for maybe remanding my claim without having reasons in place.) Is there a way to call RO directly? VSO no help. What else should I do.
  10. Hi all, I had an appeal going on 3 years, than decided to go into Ramp on 6/04/2018. Original had a 125 day window for completion. In October it changed to Nov. 18 to Jan. 18. Ok there goes there 125 day window but the end is in sight. Opened up E-benefits and I see claim closed 11/20/18. I thought that was weird because one issue is PTSD and didn't have C&P exam. Than I see claim received 11/21/2018 in review stage with an estimated completion date of 9/19. what is this, any clues?
  11. Just an update estimate time of completion is now January 2019. More than 220 days later, what happened to the 125 day deal? My NOD for PTSD was simple, VSO didn't file evidence of stressor. I added that finally, my other is cancer related due to toxic exposure ( no presumptive). Maybe that's it. Does anyone think that I should call that white house number? ( I don't want to piss anybody off after waiting 4 years, however 220 is almost double of 125.)
  12. I had a county VSO who told me to wait for evidence to be in to file for a claim that would go back 12 months. I waited for my supporting documentation for 18 months, At 12 months I emailed her once a week with crickets getting back. 6 months later she emailed me and had the gull to say her email was broken. It was for a PTSD claim, then she sent me to an outside provider that the state paid . However as you know, VA must determine PTSD originally. Total two years lost.
  13. Hello, I went into Ramp late May going on 120 days, still in "we received your claim" stage.
  14. Hi All, Trying to figure this out. In the Higher-Level Review lane, veterans’ claims will be review “de novo.” This means a senior claims adjudicator at the VA will take a look at their entire claims file. In this lane, the record is closed, meaning veterans cannot submit new evidence. The higher-level reviewer will look only at the records already in the veterans’ file at the time of the initial decision. Does this mean they will only look at records at the time of the original claim or evidence I submitted for NOD for one, and a IMO for an appeal directly to Board. Nod going on 26 months and appeal to board states I am 180, 625th in line. Should I do it? my VFW VSO says don't do it. Any advise will be helpful! Thanks Gbat
  15. Berta, Thank you for your insight, In my opinion, the Nexus below is/was very weak because it was from the report from a WRIIS assessment and didn't really have full medical rationale , even though a VA occupation & environmental doctor did it. This below is from that assessment: This is not a C&P exam. I then filed a claim and got the C&P exam, results are posted in above in original post,Which the doctor was very pleasant at time and basically just referenced a website for least likely as not answer. So to counter balance I thought I would spend the money and get an good IMO. Mind you I am going to wait for the BBE first, but with that poor C&P, the writing is on the wall. I also submitted buddy statements concerning length of time and private Dr. records. Which I am out of a kidney not much to exam but the paperwork part. It was laparoscopic so not that big of a scar either. On other question, How to file reconsideration? Is there form or do I just hand it back in with note. VSO not much help, said these claims are very tough, and long battle. Also told me there is no such thing as a reconsideration just put in NOD once BBE gets here with negative results. Never easy I guess! Solvents- You described being regularly exposed to several solvents including degreasers, PD680, cleaning fluids, and paint in the course of your 14 years in military service. These solvents can cause a variety of health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, drying/peeling of the skin and a skin rash particularly upon repeated skin contact. Though these problems often resolve soon after the exposure terminates, chronic exposure to high levels of certain solvents has been associated with the development of certain cancers, including kidney cancer. Of note, you also have a history of cigarette smoking for approximately 20 years. Cigarette smoke is a well-established cause of kidney cancer. On average, smokers have a 50% increase in risk of kidney cancer. For more information about the risk of kidney cancer and smoking please visit http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/kidney-cancer/about/risks-andcauses- of-kidney-cancer. It is not clear from your medical records, what type of kidney tumor you had, making it difficult to determine with certainty the relationship between your solvent exposure and your diagnosis of kidney cancer. But it appears that it is as likely as not, that your long history of solvent exposure may have contributed to this diagnosis.
  16. Forgot to add, Had left kidney removed. cancerous tumor that came after having one removed five years earlier.

  17. Hello All, I just seen my c&p exam results. I filed for a loss of organ claim secondary to TCE exposure, from working with TCE for 15 years. Had a nexus from wrii exposure VA doctor saying it was at least as likely as not being exposed to TCE for a prolonged period caused it. My two questions. Dr. David Anaise will do an IMO after I send him all that I have on it. Do you think two against one opinion would turn it in my favor and what form or how do you file for reconsideration instead of two year NOD wait? The examiner basically referred to this website below for his diagnosis for least likely statement. I did smoke pack a day and I am 6' 2" 230 pounds. Thank you please refer to scholarly article, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3012455/ for details. main risk factors for kidney cancer are cigarette smoking, obesity and hypertension. veteran has history of smoking cigarette, and also has obesity. currently there is no evidence that exposures to chemicals including trichlorethylene and other solvents cause or aggravate kidney cancer. the author concluded tghat " casual conclusions are not yet supported " and that " Genetic susceptibility and its interaction with environmental exposures are believed to influence renal cell cancer risk, but limited studies based on candidate gene approaches have not produced conclusive results." therefore, to answer question asked, veteran's kidney cancer is LESS likely related to military service; as there is no definitive evidence that exposures during service caused or aggravated the kidney cancer.
  18. I filed a loss of organ ( kidney due to cancer ) claim. It is in the gathering evidence claim. I think they are requesting my service and va medical notes. Of course nothing will be there since I got out of service 23 years ago. I filed this due to chemical exposure TCE over twelve year period. A WRII doctor said it is as likey as not that it could of came from exposure. Also said I smoked for twenty years and that has been known to cause cancer. Would this Doctor be qualified to do an IMO on cancer matter? Should I wait until denial comes in then get IMO? Any thoughts? I have NOD in for PTSD for over year now. That started in 2012, but VSO set me up with private shrink for a year and intial diagnos must come from VA. SO that was wasted year for benefit. ( Did help me mentally )
  19. Does dr. ellis do IMO's. I would like to link IBS/Gerd to PTSD. I heard that PTSD does not cause you to get gerd/ibs, but I believe my PTSD aggravates my symptons of IBs/gerd. I have the gerd and ibs documented in health records from private doctor. I am currently waiting on Nod decision for the PTSD. It was turned down frst time for lack of stressor. I provided that. I just don't want to wait two, three years on NOD then be denied again for the ibs/gerd. thanks
  20. Hi, I guess the question is what do I need to do? I am preparing to do NOD for gerd/IBS secondary to PTSD. What should I get an IME or IMO? I live in NJ and was looking at SEAK website. Can a internal doctor provide the IMO/IME? for secondary IBS/GErd issues? Do they need to fill out DBQ or just a letter relating the two. Should an MH doctor do this? Side note : MH VA doctor just switched my meds, put me on Mirtazapine 15mg. 3 days ago. All sleep problems gone with anxiety way down but as I'm typing fill like falling asleep after sleeping for 12 hours. went to work and can't wait to go to bed again, also fill like I'm starving sorry for the rant.
  21. Thanks for the advise everyone, When I find out more, hopefully before 2042, I'll share with site.
  22. thanksPete

    1. gbat

      gbat

      Hi again,

      I don't care for the answer, probably long dead by than. thats why the 10% awarded with no proof just MOS. (Gunners mate).But if thats the rule then it is what it is.

      my follow up question is. I thought the VA MH tharapist or doctor needs to review your SMR's before determing PTSD. If I have my orignal at home, how did they make a diagnosis of PTSD? I requested copy last year and they sent me just three pages -( original enlisting physical 1979).or if just the therapist made diagnosis, does it still count? Can I hand the doc a copy of SMR's?

       

      Thanks

       

  23. hello all, I was awarded 10 % for tinuitus and got denied for PTSD and ibs/gerd secondary to PTSD. the PTSD (non combat) was denied for lack of stressor and non VA MH diagnosis. So secondary was a mute point. I sent away and have the prooof of the stressor. Now am seeing VA MH doctor and VA therapist for past 4 months and it seems to be helping some. The therapist put down a PTSD diagnosis, so I hope that gets me to a C&P exam. In 1992 I voulantarly seperated and received a special seperation bonus of 45K due to a reduction in force after 15 years. This past yearThe VA gave me 10% and stated that in 2042 I should receive my first check for 133.00 or close to that amount. OUCH. I am going to file NOD after I get IMO of secondary IBS/Gerd. and before 1 year time line for nod My question is . If I receive 30% for each and get 50% total does that make a difference on the payback of that SSB. Also when I left military, a Corpsman told me to take my SMR' s so I have them. Followed his advise. Now how do I get them on MY VA health site and are they going to give me hard time if I submit with claim? Thanks for your wisdom. Alot smarter than X-VSO.
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