saints13

I don't know about dr. Bash but good things. A good lawyer will cost you though. I spent 2,000.00 retainer on a custody battle and first appearance I walked out looking like the laughing stalk. I then dropped him and got best attorney in town. 7500.00 retainer then after more review of case asked for more because a father almost never gets custody. 2 years later I have full sole custody of my children and out of state. When leaving the court everyone was clapping for me and lawyer. Judge stopped me and said it was first case of a father getting full sole custody and can take kids out of the state to where I lived. Long story sorry. Short story, you get what you pay for is what I assume.

I don't know the in's and outs of workers comp and VA. But after my knee surgeries I submitted a claim for convalescent leave. Got a statement from the doctor which was written on a piece of paper that said what procedure was done and how long I would be out of work. I also submitted the hospital discharge paperwork and within 3 weeks it was approved and started getting 100% Temp for convalescent leave for the months the doctor stated. Remember that it is better to have the surgery at the end of the month as convalescent doe not start until the first day of the following month after the surgery. Example doctor give you 6 months leave, have surgery on May 1-15th. Convalescent won't kick in unto June 1st but may is included but without pay. Have the same surgery but May 20th-30th the effective date is June 1st. Then you get paid from June first thru November. Your actual checks would reflect July 1st thru December 1st cause VA pays in the rears.
Just my experience after 8 different knee surgeries and my 2 cents.
May Gob Bless you and hope that you recover as quick as possible. Anything is possible thru Christ!!!

The VARO is requesting another C&P to gather another opinion from another examiner. Bring every piece of information you can think of. Give it to the examiner, even if he does not want it. Tell them that the records he has may not include all the information that you have and also tell the examiner that you have previous exams, the examiner may get tired of it and concede in your favor as they did for me because I told them of the numerous exams and brought in all my information. He was surprised I had more information that what was given to him. The other exams was not even given to him either so he knew the raters were trying to deny. Keep the advise from all the experienced people as well but make sure to bring everything with you and be prepared!!! The appt may end up only being 10 to 15 mins long after reading all your previous exams and information that you have.
God Bless!!!!!
"With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God"

Just my two cents. I looked up my C&P examiners and most of them even at the VAMC were contracted by the VA. 2 of them had contracts well over 2 million dollars for the contract. You can find anything on Google if your willing and determined. I also showed that piece of paper to my last examiner which I knew would make him mad and in his report he did not metion much except the fact he did not undertand why I had so many C&P exams for the same condition when 3 exams were already completed. His last statement was he conceded the fact and gave me benefit of the doubt and referred the rater to look over the other examiners notes.

This happened to me for PTSD.
First C&P was unfavorable and had all the wrong information, was very rude and only asked me very few questions then sat on computer for 45 mins. I asked for a reconsideration and supplied them with multiple Mental health providers letters etc. I was scheduled to have an exam in Florida on a Friday and I live in Texas. Made the trip anyways and come to find out it was really in Mississippi, good for my wife she got me to the appt on time but was very, very upset. Then had 2 other psychologist review the finding of the unfavorable and the favorable one. Then a third C&P was setup and I provided all the paperwork and asked why in the hell was I being reviewed so many times even after all the positive evidence. That examiner said he was mad and said in his report I just give into the positive reviews and grant the PTSD on grounds of benefit of the doubt. After everything I provided, incident times (Multiple incidents!!!) proof from news paper articles, etc, multiple mental health providers letters, etc
All this is a way to deny in hopes veteran gives up, misses the exam, etc.
Just make sure to keep all documentation and make sure all your medical records are correct and bring in everything you have to your exams because all my exams none of the examiners had any of the information, just enough information to deny a claim. This is just my two cents.
May God Bless you!!! Only one that can judge you is GOD himself. Have faith, belief, love and you will prevail against all evil.

Thank you for you help and responses. I will resend in all my information again but this time also include the SSDI that I was just awarded.God willing, he will work thru the rater and see how obvious it is and grant the TDIU. Again thank you!!

Should I get my VA podiatry doctor to write me an IMO? If he does this for me how do I get this to the RO office?

Get the IMO Asap!!!

Send it thru ebenefits, mail it to the RO office with certified, signature mail and fax, just so you know that they get it. If your close which you probably arent I would also hand deliver it to the office. Most Vets are not close to the RO office.

​Don't forget to do your convalescent leave as well. That can be a separate FDC claim and at the end put no further evidence and click button to decide claim now, include discharge paperwork, what type of procedure done, doctor recommending x period amount of time off, but including rehab (Type of procedure, Dr recommending x time off including rehab can be written on a Dr prescription script). My FDC claim for convalescent leave was approved very, very fast especially with decide claim now.

This is my opinion and my experience though.

God Bless and hoping for quick, pain free recovery!

Welcome . Interested in hearing your advise and gain as much knowledge as possible and to be able to help other veterans as well that do not understand the process or have access to properly submit a claim and follow it thru the steps. What I don't understand is the rules and regulations are in place to protect the VA. Both manuals in fine detail will credit a claim on one side but the other will discredit it. It is exactly like a casino, house always has the upper hand. Thank you for your time and service!

I would check on both VA doctor and doctor your boss suggested. See which one has better qualifications.

My uncle is a doctor he told me once, what do you call a doctor that graduated with a "A" in medical school? He said a doctor. Then said what do you call a doctor that graduated with a low "C" in medical school? He said a doctor. Ha ha

Point is like forest gump, you never know what you get from a box of chocolates!

I just do my research and see which one has practiced longer, qualifications, any negative reviews, schools they attended, if they are part of any other accreditations, etc. then let my gut and God tell me which way to go.

My old VAMC I would let operate on me in a heart beat. The one I have now I'm afraid they will kill me by taking my blood pressure.

Sorry not much help on deciding. VA doctors will give you the least amount of convalacent leave time as outside doctors tend to give longer leave times. Every outside doctor I have been too has 2 hospitals they do surgery out of. I check out the hospital reviews as well. Guess that's the part of PTSD I have and lack of trust of people especially the VA.

My civilian doctor notes, etc are all correct about 98%. All my VA records are about 90% wrong! Things added, things not added, tests they said they did when they didn't, etc. heck even nursing notes at VA all say that I deny any pain, depression, PTSD, any flu shots, my pain scale and what pain score I can tolerate. Say walk in normally when my mother in law pushed me in on a wheel chair due to bilateral knee surgery. Puts in my blood pressure is 130/80 when it is always averaging 150/98.

So when your getting your blood pressure checked and nurse is typing away on the computer she is answering questions for you on her opinion.

I was probably no help what so ever, just my opinion and what I have experienced.

My old VAMC doctors saved me on accuracy, most of them redid all the blood pressure and questions which were total opposite of what nurse said she did and what she said she asked me.

God bless and hope that I didn't ramble on too much. Just do your research of each doctor, hospital, gut feeling and ask God and don't stress over it.

You are suppose to have the bilateral factor. At first I didn't until I requested it. My next claim I asked for bilateral factor and it was granted.

Maybe they messed up due to trying to clear the claims. Should be an easy fix, maybe an IrIS complaint but make sure you put in your reference number that is listed on your letter. Or call the toll free number and request a call back from the RO office, specifically the rater and give them the reference listed on letter

10% + 10% is only 19 if not bilateral
10%+10% plus bilateral factor is 21

If have multiple conditions those 2 extra points count!!!

You are suppose to have the bilateral factor. At first I didn't until I requested it. My next claim I asked for bilateral factor and it was granted.

Maybe they messed up due to trying to clear the claims. Should be an easy fix, maybe an IrIS complaint but make sure you put in your reference number that is listed on your letter. Or call the toll free number and request a call back from the RO office, specifically the rater and give them the reference listed on letter

10% + 10% is only 19 if not bilateral
10%+10% plus bilateral factor is 21

If have multiple conditions those 2 extra points count!!!

After surgery get all your paperwork from all your injections, etc, dr notes, etc leading upto the surgery and all notes of the surgery and a letter from the doctor on lettered head this time.

saying MR. X had xxxx surgery due to injections, therapy, not working which resulted in surgery. It is in my opinion that Mr. X (diagnosis) has worsened and in my opinion it is more likely than not worsened since his last evaluation or discharge from the military or last exam of disability. Have him write on same letterhead his credentials, expertise, schooling, etc and number of years practicing. Then last statement all is true to the best of my knowledge and you can contact me or my office at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you need any additional information.

After all this submit yet another FDC claim but asking for an increase in your SC disability. And attach all prior evidence and surgery notes, etc and letter from dr on letter head.

Hope all this helps!!!! May God Bless!!!

Two ratings I mean for example the knee. You can have say 5261 for instability and 5260 for painful Range of motion (ROM). Each one gets a rating of say 10% which equals 19 but rounded up to 20% in VA math.

For the surgery due it as close to end of month as possible.

Get discharge paperwork from hospital, a very simple statement from the doctor about the date of surgery, the type of surgery that includes something relating it to your service connected ankle. And the # of months required off work not weeks. I would ask him to include the rehab time in that calculation as well. But keep it short, sweet and in months and can even be written on his prescription pad. Then file those 3 forms online as convalacent leave as an FDC claim as soon as you have those papers which should be day of surgery or day of discharge.

Example: Mr. xxxx has procedure xxxx of the ankle/foot on May 26th and is expected to be out of work for x amount of months.

As far as working that is up to you. You maybe surprised you need the full time off. If not I can't see the problem of working, I did not see it mentioned in the regulations about working during convalacent leave.

VA has a book of recovery time periods for different procedures but those are estimated. My knee surgery they told me at first was only 3 months but the fee based doctor said nope he wanted me off 6 months which included rehab. Rehab for me is 3-4 days a week. I wouldn't be able to have or go back to work but for 1 day of that week.

Do what your heart says to do. Not saying to mislead the VA but we all know on here VA misleads every vet at any chance they can get and lowball every vet.

God bless and hope that all goes well!! send me a message if need anymore help. I just got done with this process twice, one for each knee, Back to back.

You should do your research during your convalancent time frame as you will have hours to read up on the ratings. I assumed you could have two ratings, one for 5020 and one for ROM or pain limitations. Others will chime in and I can look around later as well.

schedule the surgery as close to the end of the month as possible. Because the first month does not count for some reason. Then you start getting approved 100% the first day of the following month and paid 100%.

Remember they are a month behind. So if you have it May 26th your eligible beginning June 1st and will receive June payment on July 1st.

The day you are released ask for discharge paperwork. Also ask the doctor to write out the procedure done, the date it was done and say 2 months of convalancent or longer if rehab is necessary as well till your 100%. So if rehab is another month add that so have doctor write 3 months convalancent. Can even write it out on a doctor prescription pad. Don't have him put 6-8 weeks cause VA will choose the 6 week one.

As soon as you get home scan it and upload it as an FDC claim and it should be approved and completed within a couple weeks. Discharge paperwork, date surgery was done, script for number of months convalacent.

After surgery and your claim for convalacent is completed then apply for an increase using FDC, make sure to have ALL your documents so you don't have to upload something you forgot and risk turning it into a traditional claim.

Makes me sick to my stomach!!!! I see it happen almost every appointment I go to. I just pray that God handle it as he see's fit cause it causes me even more distress, etc.
Scandals going on everywhere!!! The whole government and all its departments, to some government employees, civilian world scandals, government bale outs, etc. vets and civilians out to make a buck while the innocent suffer. This world is going to crap in a very manner. What ever happened to honestly, truth, moral values, integrity, etc???? Pray the day of reckoning comes soon to cleanse the world or corruption! Sorry for venting. I do love my country and would serve again but just can't stand such dishonesty, etc. Everday is another report of something I just stopped watching the news all together. Rather spend my time with family, helping others in need, and trying everyday to be a better person than I was the day before. May God bless everyone with better health, safety, happiness and good fortune.

I was prescribed the injections and it did not seem to help me at all. My wife did not notice anything either. Maybe it was not for me. It did bring up my levels but still have no energy, motivation, etc. But I'm assuming that is from PTSD and depression. I used to do everything until knees went back and symptoms of mental disorders came creeping in. I know exactly about wanting or staying in bed all day or saying oh will do that tomorrow, etc. key thing is to find the root of the problem and it's hard with PCP just handing out different drugs and come back 6 months later instead of sending you to a specialist or actually sitting down with you and spending time getting to the root of the problem and work from there.

You will get an answer and a bunch of phone calls. I pray that your one of the vets that do get help without retaliation. Remember I'm the only one that has had a bad result out of say 100. So that is some good odds!!!! Really good odds!!

Think positive and when you get the calls make sure you get their full name. It is easier to find their email address. Also start writing down all facts,, no opinions of your case. When it was opened, times you have called, etc. Also everything that you want to say. When you get the call it almost seems you forget all what you wanted to say, etc

Be polite in my experience, as honey is better than salt or however that saying goes.

Like stated before, many vets have had good experiences with the help of the under secretary. You might get multiple exams for same issue, those exams re examed, etc. have c&p scheduled far away or told to be at one location when it is really at another location. Play there game and my opinion you will succeed especially if you have all the correct evidence.

Good luck, God Bless!!! Keep us informed.

You will get an answer and a bunch of phone calls. I pray that your one of the vets that do get help without retaliation. Remember I'm the only one that has had a bad result out of say 100. So that is some good odds!!!! Really good odds!!

Think positive and when you get the calls make sure you get their full name. It is easier to find their email address. Also start writing down all facts,, no opinions of your case. When it was opened, times you have called, etc. Also everything that you want to say. When you get the call it almost seems you forget all what you wanted to say, etc

Be polite in my experience, as honey is better than salt or however that saying goes.

Like stated before, many vets have had good experiences with the help of the under secretary. You might get multiple exams for same issue, those exams re examed, etc. have c&p scheduled far away or told to be at one location when it is really at another location. Play there game and my opinion you will succeed especially if you have all the correct evidence.

Good luck, God Bless!!! Keep us informed.

Just in my opinion and experience I think so. Every C&P exam I have had, the RO stated, It is at least likely as not for such and such condition.

I believe that is a leading question especially for a denial unless you get a examiner that does not care what the RO has stated or questioned. I think C&P are somehow in connection with one another.

I'm tired of C&P exams because for me they always turn out in favor of the VA in my cases and are always the same. Hello MR./Mrs. XX how are you doing? Follow me to my office. Then they sit on a computer for the duration of the exam looking over old notes that are wrong, misinterpreted, etc. looking for any excuse at all to have an unfavorable C&P. So letters from Doctors, IME/IMO's, etc that all the experienced people here on Hadit have mentioned to obtain to overcome those c&p exams that I believe are all setup to lowball or deny claims. c&p should only be a part of the decision process but in my cases the c&p was always the deciding factor of the denial or approval but at a lowball rate.

That is why when I see a VA doc I say ok, I will be able to see your notes in about 3 days on myhealthvet right? Just to give them a heads up I'm not letting them ruin my name, records anymore. My VA records are so full of incorrect information, added information I never said or things, tests they said they did when they didn't.

So I check every note from now on. It would take years to correct my past VA records at this point in time. I never knew how much discrepancies were in the notes until I discovered and applied for myhealthvet blue button.

Sorry for rambling. In my opinion check all your VA notes to make sure they are correct, get IMO's/ IME's, etc. Letters from doctors, lay statements that are notorized, etc. Just so you have ammo against what VA is going to deny, decrease or lowball you.

As far as the DRO level I have never made it that far. I have only been at the RO level. I'm now also considering DRO or what avenues I need to take. I will just keep playing the waiting game until VA finally sees how dis functional the system is with claims.

There should be no backlogs, NOD's, appeals, etc if RO just took time to look at the evidence and quit having the denial attitude towards us veterans that have served our country.

The more advanced and informed individuals will chime in as far as your avenue to take as I don't have the experience in that arena as of yet.

Somewhere on this website is the "Noise Exposure list". It contains all the different branches with the MOS of each. It says weather it is low, moderate, high probability of hearing loss. Bring that to the exam because if you upload it, it might make your FDC claim turn into a regular claim.

QTC I believe is the c&p exam but outsourced to a private company. They will ask you a bunch of questions, then do a hearing test.

Bring your Noise Exposure list and all paperwork you do have to the exam. The evaluator may not have all of it, or just certain parts of it, or nothing at all. I brought mine and it helped in the c&p exam (QTC).

If I'm wrong then the more knowledgeable people on here will correct me and give you better advice. I'm just giving you advise on my personal experience.

I had a total reconstruction of right knee back in 08 by a private Dr. After surgery I submitted my hospital discharge paperwork and the doctor recommendation of 9-12 months recovery. VA paid me convalescent leave at 100% during that time. After recovery they re evaluated me and got an increase on both knees.

Think VA convalescent time is 1 year post TKR at 100%. Then a differnt percent after that year. It is in the 38 CFR part 4.

Just had another reconstruction on both knees. Doctors won't do TKR until I'm over 50 years old. Said I would wear them out if did it now and they don't want to do it again if or when I did wear them out.

So now live with pain and reconstruction every 5-6 years until I'm at least 50 years old and doctor said that was pushing it. Total knee replacement s only last 15 to 20 years at most they said.

Free spirit I will see if I can scan it again. It was a scanner/fax the VA have to me. Ha ha, it doesn't even work I guess.

Congrats on your payment!!!! Well deserved!!!!!

I was prescribed the injections and it did not seem to help me at all. My wife did not notice anything either. Maybe it was not for me. It did bring up my levels but still have no energy, motivation, etc. But I'm assuming that is from PTSD and depression. I used to do everything until knees went back and symptoms of mental disorders came creeping in. I know exactly about wanting or staying in bed all day or saying oh will do that tomorrow, etc. key thing is to find the root of the problem and it's hard with PCP just handing out different drugs and come back 6 months later instead of sending you to a specialist or actually sitting down with you and spending time getting to the root of the problem and work from there.

Letter says do one of three options within the next 30 days. Will upload as soon as I get home.

I'm 100% this claim would win if I was able to be in front of judge or someone that would listen or very least someone that can read and understand. I made it so simple, what I was asking for, put each evidence in order of history by each type of disability. Just like reading a book.

On this letter it is telling me stuff I have already done. I submitted a reconsideration, then a few weeks later with a NOD. Sent all evidence thru ebenefits, thru the mail certified with receipt to both the RO office and the now consolidation center for my area.

Maybe it is the paranoia, frustration, irritability, etc. maybe I will just submit a NOD again. This time just say "NOD of VA decision" and don't elaborate on it. And also fill out 5 or 10 intent to file a NOD of an intent to NOD, etc. and number them 1-5 or 1-10 of intents.

Thank you for everyone's support but VA really jolted my symptoms a lot. They have everything in triplicate by now since in was done in July 2014 everything they asked for and even more.