ncjoe1970

Congatulations....

If only more veterans would learn to channel their energy, it would be a lot better. Sure we have to vent but to turn that frustration into positive proactive energy is key to winning claims.

Thank You for helping your Vet.

Hubby is now rated 100% P&T! I learned so much on this site. I learned not to gripe and complain about the system but instead use that energy to learn what is needed to be successful. Clear and organized documentation wins.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Congrats brother!

Congrats to you and your family!

After fighting the VA since my retirement in 2004, it finally happen. 100% Totally and permanently disabled. I have two kids in college, how do I start their pay for going to school? Again, thank you hadit and everyone for all your help and support over the years. Hopefully, I will be able to pay it forward.

Retired SFC Coleman

Just passing on this info...


ALLISON HICKEY EMAIL TO VA EMPLOYEES

VBA Colleagues and Partners,

There is no particular reason for this email today no anniversary event, no service birthday, no major milestone just a few thoughts to share. I have missed sending you more frequent notes. Some of you might have wondered where I went the last 2 months or so except for Marines in our midst who clearly saw their Birthday message and responded in force to me!

Frankly, I have been talking to our Veterans many who have sent me emails. I cant tell you how many emails I now get and personally write everyday but you are helping me answer their questions by your actions across the nation. Many of you are completing claims for them that have been waiting some time now. Thematically, their questions are about the status of their appeals, their dependency claims and even their health care concerns. I probably do well over 3-4 hours of emails with Veterans every day (many at night and on the weekends as well.) In fact, there are so many email communications going back and forth that some have asked how we sustain this level of engagement with our Veterans. Then I remember

That is why we are here to take care of them to answer their questions and concerns. It is our whole reason for being. Its the reason we have a job, a passion to serve, a sense of purpose, a roof over our heads and food on the table we have a job to do and they are the ones we do it for every day.

Each of us has the blessing to do this humble mission. Without the needs and questions from our Veterans, their families and Survivors we have no reason for our existence. They define our very reason for being. The extra patience, kindness and transparency we can show no matter how many times they land in our email box or phone or claims receipts make all the difference in their experience and thoughts about us and the honorable mission we serve.

Every interaction you have with a Veteran, their family or Survivor is an opportunity for us to show our kindness, appreciation, and understanding that they are the reason we do this mission. I ask you humbly, please do it well. If you are meeting with a Veteran, talking on the phone, or emailing be at your kindest and most compassionate self. Understand that sometimes they are frustrated (and often rightly so) and they need to be heard. I was reminded this week that we have one mouth and two ears for a reason we are designed to hear more than we say. Lets hear them and respond in healing ways.

Thank you for all the times you are so very kind, compassionate and professional with our Veterans, their families and Survivors.

Proud to be your USB
Allison

Greetings:
I am grateful that one afternoon a few years ago, I Googled "I've had it with the VA". That simple "search" born out of utter frustration led me to "Hadit". And there it all started!
As of two weeks ago, I'm rated 100% (long overdue). And, I am still NOT done with the VA.
For those looking to do there own research I offer this process:
Obtain your Military Service and Medical Records by mailing (certified, return receipt requested) an SF-180, found here: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html Obtain your full VA treatment records from the "release of information" window at the center you receive treatment at. Review the CD-rom (PDF file) for all CHRONIC medical conditions, treatments, and diagnosis - chronocity is critical! Identify the incident, event, or situation in service that "caused" this condition. If it's in your active duty medical records that's extremely valuable. If it manifest after service you'll need to find a way to "connect" it to service - the "nexus". Next search USC 38 part 4 for your CHRONIC DIAGNOSIS, found here: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=38:1.0.1.1.5#_top Match up the conditions and rating percetnage to the CHRONIC diagosis in your medical records. Review the DBQ the C&P examiner "must" use to rate your current condition, found here: http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_ListByDBQFormName.asp Search for VA court cases on your condition(s) to understand how the VA Regional Offices is likey to "rule and rate" on your claim. HINT, the cases tell you what evidence actually supports a claim. For example, here's a search for Sleep Apnea secondary to chronic Sinuitis: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sleep+apnea+secondary+to+chronic+sinusitis Look for evidence in these cases that would support your claim, and THEN match and find your evidence - NEVER, EVER lie! Gather all your evidence, write up a Statement in Support of Claim, found here: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#newwindow=1&q=va+"Statement+in+Support+of+Claim" and mail it certified return receipt requested. NUMBER every single page, make copies, and wait. Make someone sign for your mailed packaged - VA has NEVER lost my packages! Before you go to a C&P review your evidence and especially the questions the Dr. is going to ask from the DBQ. I usually hand write a list of the 6-7 items that supports my claim. I make sure the examiner see this. I'm so done with the VA, I walked into to my last C&P with my 4" binder and the Dr. undersood I knew what is going on. A C&P exam is a LEGAL MEEETING, not medical treatment. I submitted my last three claims in July and they were fully decided correctly in six months. Help the VA help YOU!
And, most importantly, never, never, never, ever give up. Be relentless!
Most grateful,
PJ
I got a request to see how I wrote Claims, so here they are:
Hearing loss, Peripheral Vestibular Discorder, and Tinnunitis. Digestive disorder. Skin disorder. VA's 2015 Decision on these three Claims. 1 -STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - PG-1- redacted.pdf
2 -STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - PG-2 - redacted.pdf
3 - STMT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM - PERIPHERAL VEST DIS FOLLOWED BY TINNITUS - PG-3 - redacted.pdf
4 - DBQ WITH TINNITUS - HEARING LOSS & PERIPHERAL VEST DIS - AMENDMENTS_Redacted.pdf
5 - C&P EXAMINER'S DBQ FOR EAR CONDITIONS.pdf
6 - STMT SUPPORT CLAIM - RHIODS 2014 - redacted.pdf
7 - DBQ FOR RHOIDS - FOR C&P.pdf
8 - STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 1-2.pdf
9 -STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 3.pdf
10 -STMT SUPP CLAIM - ECZEMA 60% - PG 4.pdf
2015 DX REDACTED FOR HADIT_Redacted.pdf

Congrats to you and your family !!!

It has been two years since I was awarded 100% P&T and I thank this site and all the brothers and sisters affiliated with it. Now, enjoy your piece of mind.......

Congrats to you and your family !!!

It has been two years since I was awarded 100% P&T and I thank this site and all the brothers and sisters affiliated with it. Now, enjoy your piece of mind.......

Well it's done!

Hubby is now 100%, plus P&T.

When I read the news, I dropped to my knees. Hubby started crying. I never hugged him so tight before!
1 year and 5 months ago, I logged on to Hadit and started ferociously reading the material. At first, it was every single day for most of the day.
Then Philip Rogers told me to buy the VBM. I did, but I was intimidated when that huge 2,000 page book arrived.
Next, I went after the C-file. VA sure didn't want to hand that over! In it, I saw all the injustices that had been done to him since he was medically discharged from the military. I saw that he had been wrongfully denied 4 TIMES. But this gave me an understanding of how the process works.



I can't thank enough each and every person on this website that takes from their own time, to help other veterans.
Tbird
Asknod
Berta
Philip Rogers- for telling me to buy VBM
John999 -without you pushing for IME, this never would have happened
Navy04- for lifting up my mood, when I got discouraged
Veldrina
JT
K9MAL
Georgiapapa
Notorious Kelly
Lotzapotz
Gastone
Broncovet
Jbasser
Mariorivera
Arng11
63SIERRA
Chuck75
Add55p
Pete53
Vync
aggie54
Stretch
And everyone else who is part of this community.

For those of you waiting, don't give up. But most importantly, get good medical evidence and good lay evidence to support your claims.

Been lurking for about a year and recently saw someone suggest e-mailing Allison Hickey. So I send her an e-mail Friday the 16th of January, She responds same day and says that she's on it (holiday weekend mind you) and today my claim is complete! WOW makes you wonder how many cases are that close to being closed but are simply forgotten about. Only got 10%, and I'm wondering if they low balled me because Allison got on their asses? Oh well, good enough for now.

Anxiety/PTSD

Claim filed - June 2014

Closed - Jan 2015

I cannot believe a simple e-mail was all I needed to get my case closed. Thanks to whoever provided her e-mail, hopefully I can get someone else's case closed too.

Allison.Hickey@va.gov

If you do e-mail her, make sure you provide your last 4 and regional office to save an e-mail.

Last August I talked to a legal firm who made me a lot of promises. I was at 90% and they informed me they would represent me and I'd be able to easily get 100%.

It sounded good so I went along. They filed increases for everyone of my claims. I took the C&Ps only a couple of months later. I thought this was a pretty aggressive move because it put me in a position where I could easily be reduced, but they were attorneys and I assumed they knew what they were doing.

I was denied on everything and was set up for a new reduction hearing for November 01, 2016. "No biggy", I thought to myself.

I then spent the next couple of weeks trying to contact my case manager at the firm but she was never in and I wasn't being called back. By this time I was a little worried. I finally got fed up and gave the receptionist a false name, saying I was interested in talking to an attorney. I got through. I demanded a reason for her office not calling me back. Her only response was "At this time we feel like your claim is not winnable so we cannot represent you", and hung up before I could even speak.

I was livid. I couldn't believe my ears. I felt betrayed and defeated, then I came here. I started reading thread after thread after tread. Talking, asking questions, basically picking the brains of the people who have fought these battles and won. My feelings of defeat transformed into something else. If I could describe it I suppose obsessive determination would be pretty close to it.

I filed 4 NODS written by myself from information found on this site. I won everyone of them without question. Now only two months later, I am 100% P&T.

Be your own advocate. Don't let people tell you that something is not winnable. Trust that their are good people in this world who can help you. Trust in hadit.com!

Id check again. It just let me on without issues.

If anyone actually did the research... they would realize that Cannabis is a huge part of our bodies requirements.

We have what is called an Endocannabinoid system in our bodies

Our bodies create the chemicals found in cannabis.. Cannabinoids are produced naturally in Human's and Animals..

This is why it is impossible to overdose on it as stated by the DEA.

Just read this court document:
finding of facts on page 56-60 by the DEA in 1988 http://www.oregon.gov/pharmacy/Imports/Marijuana/Public/SRay/CourtDocket86-22.pdf

They also mention that other legal "safe" cancer drugs cause cancer..

Endocannabiods pretty much regulates everything...

Immune System
tumors
Mood
And the list goes on and on..

There is considerable evidence that cannabis signals to tumors cell to die, while leaving healthy cells in tact..

I can show you numerous research documents regarding this... and that everything we have been told about cannabis is a complete lie.

I personally have found that cannabis has helped me.. as I was in a couple IED explosions.. so I get pretty bad headaches.

Cannabis has helped me a number of my disabilities

PTSD - I usually do not dream anymore, less anxiety, less irritable, I sleep better when I get to sleep.
headaches - it usually makes migraines go away... that previously did not go away for 2-4 days. S
motiviation - people think it makes you lazy. While some strains (Indica ) have more sedative / lazy effect... The sativa strain is more energetic pain killer.. I can be fully functional (programming, working around the house etc) while baked..
GERD - don't need Imodium anymore..
Stomache ache - it just works.
Nausea - again.. works for that too..

Did I mention you have Endocannbinoids lined in your gut, intestines.. brain.. EVERYWHERE?



Ps.. Don't talk about cannabis over at vets.yuku.com... they will kick you off if you state FACTS. I guess we as vets no longer have free speech?

Endocannabinoid research:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21428888
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19457575



Cannabinoids endocannabinoids are anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic in most cancers, in vitro and in vivo in animals. - University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Cancer Medicine Research Group, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23103355 National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2 Antitumor activity

Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.
A study in mice showed that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of the colon and may have potential in reducing the risk of colon cancer, and possibly in its treatment.
A laboratory study of delta-9-THC in hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cells showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells. The same study of delta-9-THC in mouse modelsof liver cancer showed that it had antitumor effects. Delta-9-THC has been shown to cause these effects by acting on molecules that may also be found in non-small cell lung cancercells and breast cancer cells.
A laboratory study of cannabidiol in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells.
A laboratory study of cannabidiol in human glioma cells showed that when given along withchemotherapy, cannabidiol may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells.

i actually close either tomorrow or Thursday but props to the VA for making this Veterans Day week a memorable one.

I can't really say that I have had a large number of victories with my fight with the VA. However, I have to give credit when credit is due. Even though I am fighting the VA on the bogus ratings and denials I received, my mighty enemy had made a possibility come true. On Veteran's Day, this disabled vet will close on his first home purchase using a VA Home Loan. It does make me happy and sad, but mostly happy and elated for this to be a reality. It's bitter sweet, but I have to give the VA its kudos. VA home loans is a great benefit.

man the last 3 months have be rough, however, today I got the BIG BROWN ENVELOPE in the mail. I am now rated 100%. man this has been a long hard up hill battle. I like to thank each an everyone on here who has given me courage and hope, thank you very much.

My claim closed today, I was granted 60%. I have not received the VA envelope as of yet, but I would assume it was 50% PTSD and 10% for Tinnitus. I put an additional claim for burn pit exposure from when I was in Iraq, as I have had cancer twice and I’m in my earlier 30’s, but from what I understand that will not be approved. I put in for my claim in June of this year after going to the VA on my wife’s suggestion due to anger/sleeping issues. My C&P exams were earlier this month, they were outsourced to VES examiners. I’m shocked at how quickly my process went, I have gone to all of my scheduled VA appt’s and exams. But I still did not think that my claim’s would be completed within 5 months. I was concerned with the VA acknowledging I had PTSD, as my wife finally got fed up with me and gave me an ultimatum to either get help or she was going to leave. It is a relief that now I will have my treatment covered. It is nice to have a little extra jingle in my pocket as I’m not doing that great at work due to my ability to get along with coworkers and supervisors. I’m wondering when I should receive my retro payments from July 1st till now? Regardless, I appreciate this website tremendously, I will be making a donation as I could always login and view other veterans struggle and joy when a claim was completed. The stories I viewed on here helped me through this process more than I can explain, Thank you to all.

August payment finally shows up on E-Benefits.

Nothing here either...I was getting a little worried. This does ease the worry just a little.

One thing we all know about E-Benefits, it's not 100% accurate.

Not yet

I don't see mine yet either, but it does show as a pending deposit with my bank..

I think because the month doesn't end until Thursday, it may be another day before you see it. I see my housing from the Post 9/11, but that's it. They normally show much earlier than regular compensation.

Finally after 8 years I woke up this morning to 6 figures appearing in my bank account. I went from a M1/2 to R1. The PVA will be filing for R2 in a few months. I couldn't be happier that it is almost over after all these years. Now for our Alaska cruise!
Rich