shakeyswife

This happens to me as well; using Google............ but does not happen just for VA matters. All you need to do is use a different browser i.e. Internet Explorer and try using Bing as a search engine.

Supported!! Come on Hadit members, this is not just supporting "Support Dogs". This is also supporting T-Bird..........where would you be without this site??????????????? Think about it. Hadit should have enough of donations that would actually pay for T-Birds dog. Get on with it.......and show your support!

Personally speaking. An Agent Orange Exam, was a waste of time for my husband. The examiner noted that he had tremors, but did not even deduce that it might be related to Parkinson's Disease which is a presumptive of AO. Basically the exam was a physical which also included some blood work. Try to educate yourself here on Hadit or anywhere regarding the presumptive conditions of AO. Best of Luck.

How they rated his PD: shortened it a bit: Right upper extremity (dominant) (claimed as bradykinesia, tremor, muscle rigidity, and fatigue. 40% moderate Left upper extremity (claimed as bradykinesia, tremor, muscle rigidity and fatigue. 30% moderate Right lower extremity (claimed as bradykinesia, tremor, muscle rigidity, fatigue and cramps. 40% moderate Left lower extremity (claimed as bradykinesia, tremor, muscle rigidity, fatigue. 40% moderate Postural impairment (claimed as stooped posture) 20% moderate muscle disability This disability is not specifically listed in the rating schedule; therefore, it rated analogous to a disability in which not only the functions affected, but anatomical localization and symptoms are closely related. Impairment in speech and swallowing has been established as related to the service-connected disability of Parkinson's Disease. A noncompensable evaluation is assigned. We have assigned a noncompensable evaluation for your tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve, based on mild incomplete paralysis. Erectile dysfunction (claimed as sexual dysfunction) has been established as related to PD. Anosmia (loss of sense of smell) has been established. A noncompensable evaluation is assigned. A higher evaluation of 10% is not warranted unless the evidence shows complete sensory loss. Impairment of cranial nerve 5, right (mastication/chewing) has been established as related to PD. A noncompensable evaluation is assigned. A higher evaluation of 10% is not warranted unless the evidence shows nerve damage is moderate. Same as above for left side. Cranial nerve 7, right (claimed as loss of automatic movements) hypomimia. A noncompensable evaluation is assigned. Based on mild incomplete paralysis of the right side of the face. Same for left. Constipation (claimed as bowels) denied. The rationale provided is that your constipation symptoms are attributed to your non-VA use of oxycontin for pain management for non-service connected spine conditions. etc, etc..... Neurogenic bladder. denied. The VA examiner opined that your urinary symptoms to include hesitancy and increased frequency are related to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) not due to PD. (I disagree with this, neurogenic bladder and an enlarged prostrate share the same symptoms). Mild cognitive impairment that was checked on the DBQ for PD....Your Nov examination provided the dx of PTSD with depressive disorder. Later mental health examinations performed on Jan 27, added the diagnosis of dementia, as due to Parkinson's, that is 100% disabling. All service connected mental health conditions are evaluated together as one mental health disability (dementia, PTSD and depressive disorder) to avoid pyramiding of symptoms. Therefore, the disabilities of dementia, PTSD and depressive disorder are evaluated as one disability, and assigned a 100% evaluation. "The VA examiner noted additional Parkinson's symptoms that are addressed separately in this decision." "Also there appears to be cognitive impairment as due to Parkinson's Disease noted on several basic assessments of Parkinson's. However, the psychiatric examiner provided no Axis-1 diagnosis of cognitive impairment. In addition, additional claimed issues of sleep impairment and depression are related as symptoms to your now service connected PTSD. Thus, these issues will not be further addressed under Parkinson's Disease." Entitlement to special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ have been met. Entitlement to special monthly compensation for Housebound criteria being met is granted. They also sent a 21-4138. "Please tell on the enclosed Statement in Support of Claim, that you want to file a claim for aid and attendance and return the form to the address at the top of the letter. We recommend you return the form as soon as you can, in order to ensure the earliest possible payment date, if an award is authorized. Should I pursue this???????

Thank you all....for the congrats.......(me being sensitive and emotional, it brings tears to my eyes) from the support this forum has to offer. Hadit is one heck of a huge family, it is its own village. Carlie, I had not realized that you can also use Chapter 35 for online classes. Thankyou Tbird, proud of myself, I think not...........humbled, grateful for this site that YOU created arng11, try to keep yourself out of those dark places "it takes dedication and perseverance to accomplish" we all have it, just need help sometimes

Shyne, You are always there congratulating everyone else on their success of their claims, when your day comes through, (in time it will) then we can be congratulating you. My thoughts are with you and all who still struggle for that peace of mind; hoping, that their service to OUR COUNTRY will not be dismissed, nor overlooked but treated with respect and dignity. Reality just isn't that way, we do need to be tough, have perseverance and tenacity so we can jump all those hurdles the VBA puts in front of us.

Thank you for the congrats. jbasser: the form 21-686c dependent form was filed along with the Parkinsons Claim.........had the vso submit it both electronically and by mail today....glad that I had taken the time to figure out the amount and found the discrepancy right away. The rep stated that it was SOP, I guess the va really wants to try and see if we are paying attention!

If the exam was done by QTC it will not show up on myhealthevet. You will have to wait until your claim is finalized and ask the VARO for a copy. Unless you have a VSO with connections then it might be possible to get the exam from your VSO or POA rep.

First, Congrats to All who have had success with their claims. And for those who have not, persist until VBA gets it right. Just saw on e-bennefits, my husbands claim has been completed. He is rated 100% P & T with SMC and SMC-K. We do not know the breakdown of the claim yet. It was for hearing, tinnitus, (already rated at 20%) PTSD & Parkinson's Disease. They did forget about me though...........no dependents..........VSO stated it was standard operating procedure, because they don't know if the veteran was divorced or not at the time of decision. Took care of that right away! Next step will be A & A, but to be honest, I surely hope a few years pass before we come to that. Gives us time to make sure we have our ducks in a row so that there can be no question for denial. Oh yeah...........no future exams.

Agree with Navy and USMC, honesty is extremely important. They are referring you to be helped with your issues. A diagnosis of PTSD may not even come right away. Just be straight forward as best you can with your answers, let them help, and keep all appointments that are set up for you. It may become very difficult to talk about yourself and feelings just do the best you can. You should be fine, you are just going to talk to someone about what bothers you and the behaviors that you may exhibit.

Received a corrected letter today. No permanent and total. It is truly amazing how fast the VA can correct things when something is not in favor of the vet.

Called the 1-800 number. They stated that the letter was a mistake. That it should not have totally and permanent. Checked out the exam for hearing and tinnitus, and on the DBQ for Hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner checked the box YES, for "Does the Veteran's hearing loss impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work?" Also checked the box YES, for "Does the Veteran's tinnitus impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work?" So, can one be totally and permanent without being 100% or TDIU? Confused........................

Received letter today "summary of benefits". This letter is a summary of benefits you currently receive from the ........................ VA Benefits Information: Service connected disability: Yes Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 20 Percent The effective date of the last change to your current award was: 01-JAN-2014 Your current monthly award amount is: $258.83 Are you considered to be totally and permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes Letter was dated Feb 26, 2014. Signed by the Veterans Service Center Manager Is this a HUGE MISTAKE ???????? To be totally and permanent with only 20%. (that 20% is for hearing and tinnitus) Or could it possibly be that they made this decision even though they have not finished rating the other contentions?

Forgive me for jumping in here, thought it would apply without starting a new topic. Do you get reimbursed for all the co-pays and medication once there is service connection?

Try signing into hadit with a different browser other than Google and it should work.

I agree about the scripted part, it is primarily because the raters want certain questions asked for their gathering of information. I do think it is unfair to have an exam for certain conditions by a general practitioner rather than a specialist, after all when receiving care at a VA facility the primary care physician doesn't do it all. His QTC doctor appeared to be over whelmed while looking at the paper work. Good luck to all, and I hope that all that have their exams and do not feel as though they were treated fairly make a statement to the VARO C&P office or QTC.

My husband had a QTC exam on 02/04/14. General medical exam completed by a general practitioner but mainly for Parkinson's Disease. The exam was for: respiratory condition (inferred by rater, have no clue why), bowel condition, sexual condition, neurogenic bladder, Parkinson's Disease, stooped posture, loss of automatic movements, voice change, fatigue, right upper extremity neuroligical impairment, left upper extremity neuroligical impairment, right lower extremity neuroligical impairment and left lower extremity neuroligical impairment. To this date the VARO has still not received the paperwork from QTC. These, with the exception of respiratory condition are all symptoms of Parkinson's Disease that were listed on the dbq with the exception of fatigue. I have made a complaint to "Peggy" and she stated that she would send it off to the VARO and that I should follow up with a letter, concerning my "flags". The exam doctor insinuated that the neurogenic bladder was due to enlarged prostrate. The symptoms of enlarged prostrate and neurogenic bladder are pretty much the same. So how can one make an assumption with out being a specialist or neurologist? OK, I know I am venting a bit. But geez, these exams seem ridiculous and such a waste of money when the VARO already has a dbq filled out by the VA neurology and all treatment has been with the VA. Are they really trying to be fair or trying to find a loop hole in which to deny? QTC stated that they agree the paperwork is over due, but they are giving the QTC exam doctor leeway because she has 12 different IMO's to write up for one exam. Anyone been through this loop of b-------?

I would not waste my time on an agent orange screening, my husband had his second AO screening in April of 2013, and the nurse actually listed tremors on this exam, and it was not until he had seen his psychiatrist at the end of April and the psychiatrist stated "you have the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease", and then PD was diagnosed by the VA in June of 2013. So you see, the person who did the AO screening totally dismissed his symptoms as possibly being PD, which is a presumptive of AO. Tinnitus is not usually not service connected in a Vietnam Vet unless the VA rates the hearing loss. This is how they had rated it for my husbands C&P exams. He is a Vietnam Vet. and they did rate 10% for hearing loss and 10% for tinnitus. Regarding the depression, it may behoove you to start all over and get a dx of PTSD by a VA psychologist or psychiatrist and have the depression in there as secondary. My husband had no service connected disabilities, he had worked his whole life, putting in over 60 hours a week, when he became unable to work because of a workers comp injury, lets just say the s**t hit the fan. He had always worked at least 50 hours a week and generally had a few every night after work. Once this came to an end because of his wc injury, my gosh, it was more than an eye opener! I mean the PTSD symptoms were there through the years, but put aside because he was pretty much a workaholic, and always wanted to earn a decent living. Trust me I would much rather he be working at 65 yo than be where he is right now. OK, I vented a bit right there, but that only tells you that I feel as though I might understand what you are dealing with. Good luck, and please research and ask as many questions that you may need to be answered.

Thank you Lotza and Berta, Had the exam today. I was in there the whole time. He really did not go over any of the PTSD info. because I brought him a copy of the initial DBQ and he said he would refer to that for his stressors. Then he did a few memory tests, and asked quite a few questions, only took one hour. I also brought information regarding cognitive impairment and Parkinson's. It was a QTC exam so it will take a little while before I can get a copy. Our VSO was able to get copies of the PTSD, Hearing and Tinnitus exams. I just call QTC and ask them when it was sent to the VARO. Then I ask the VSO to get a copy. At the end the examiner did state you can not work. Time will only tell how VA will rate this. Fortunately because of hadit members and their individual and combined knowledge, I have been able to better prepare his contentions and claims. I really did not trust our VSO to do such a thorough job, he had no clue about hadit.

Thx. They want to evaluate, I guess to see if it is intertwined with PTSD or actually secondary to Parkinson's Disease...which would be organic. Can not even begin to try to guess what the raters might do with this one, unless they find no cognitive disorder. Even on the dbq for parkinsons the neurologist checked it off, which would be organic.

Has anyone had a C&P for mild cognitive disorder? My husband has one tomorrow with a psychologist. He already had a C&P for PTSD, and will also be having a general medical evaluation which we think is for Parkinson's (should be anyways). Any information on what they do, tests etc,...Thanks

Sorry to hear about your buddy. I had a niece that had CLL she was 39 at the time of diagnosis. Because it was diagnosed in the later stages, there really wasn't much that they could do for her. They did try chemo., but needless to say she past away about 6 months after being diagnosed. Hopefully because they caught it in a routine blood test they may go after the "C" with more aggression.

I really thought this was suppose to be a helpful part of the site of hadit.com and not intended for a pissing contest. Just saying............

Warren, Let me explain it this way. The fatigue is not to bad in the morning, the muscle cramps in his calves are, it takes him at least an hour to get moving around, takes his meds right away. He does try to walk or do some sort of activity daily, like walk around the house and pick up dog poo, or he will help me clean up the horses & mule paddocks. But once afternoon comes, he feels it is all down hill from then on. His legs feel like they weigh 500 lbs. each, there is soreness in his neck, shoulders and upper back. The rigidity in his shoulders; he has much difficulty reaching for anything above his head, has a hard time dressing. He does have a spinal cord stimulator in his lower back, he had back surgery a couple of years ago, and also had radiculopathy going into his legs, (this was workers comp), the spinal cord stimulator helps alot with this pain, but he also takes oxycontin daily for this pain; so I imagine that it helps with the overall muscle soreness from PD. Has complained about his eyes feeling dry and itchy. The NP stated that had nothing to do with PD. Well, after some research it does, because of the loss of autonomic functioning (masked face) the eyes do not move as much. There is much difficulty for him to get to sleep at night and try to get into a comfortable position. Every one reacts to PD differently as well as the symptoms, if anyone were to look at him they would see that he looks fine, but he uses a cane and keeps his other hand in his pocket, (embarassed how he looks with the reduced arm swing), he does not have the shuffle yet, but his feet will stick to the floor, especially if he has forgotten to take his meds. this is where the falls have come from, he takes his time turning. Is there a Parkinson's support group any where in your area that you might be able to attend? My husband actually does not want any part of one of these. We deal with a lot by trying to add humor to our lives.

This is the scoop: Filed for Hearing, Tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU October 2012. Filed for Parkinson's June 2013. They rated the hearing and tinnitus and deferred everything else. Already had a C&P exam for PTSD. It was through VA neurology that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, (thankfully to his treating VA psychiatrist that had actually picked up on some of his symptoms and actually made the neurology appointment for him, YUP a VA psychiatrist did that) and a DBQ was filled out by the VA neurology department it wasn't the neurologist but the nurse practitioner. Her comments were " poor fine motor coordination, falls, tremors and rigidity all impact the patient's ability to work. Depression and mild cognitive impairment are also problems." This is what was written on the rating decision for the above. "Compensation for post traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder and cognitive disorder due to Parkinson's disease. The issue of compensation for ptsd and cognititve disorder due to Parkinson's disease is deferred for the following information: VA Examination and to determine if and how much your Parkinson's related cognitive disorder is intertwined with your PTSD, Depressive disorder and sleep disorder." Since the VA only gives you one rating for mental health, I guess they want to see how much Parkinson's has impacted his mental health. Well there is depression with PTSD and also PD because he is losing his mobility. But what I do not understand is why they picked the cognitive disorder part to intertwine with PTSD, because it is listed on the DBQ for Parkinson's and what the NP had written. There is really nothing that we can do until after he has the C&P exam for Parkinson's and see how they rate everything. He did recently have a neurology appointment in which she wrote severe upper bi-lat rigidity originally it was only moderate when they filled out the first DBQ. She figures he has probably had PD for approx. 5 years. It seems to me that the rigidity is progressing rapidly. The medication does help quite a bit. Also on his 526EZ for Parkinson's we also added fatigue and the muscle cramps, so I imagine that took it out of the FDC status because of those added two contentions that were not on the original DBQ because there is no place for them. I guess we inundated them with symptoms, we really didn't care because we are not in any kind of a hardship position, so if it takes them longer to rate, we wait, I just want them to do it right the first time.